Thank you for encouraging more liberal Democrats to take out Democrats who think differently.  Us "DINOS" (a horrible phrase that the extremists in our party use to demean any Democrat they don't like) sure do appreciate you good lefty Democrats keeping us out of office!  Man, what would we ever do without you guys... besides win elections, that is.

More Blue Dogs elected this year than ever before.  We won in districts that couldn't be won by "non-DINOs" as you would call them.  With moderate-Republicans running away as fast as they can from extremists in their own party, it would certainly be foolish for Democrat on the left to force centrist-Dems to do the same. 

Though I appreciate the update on a Webb staffer, I think it is VERY unwise to promote the removal of centrist-Dems just because they don't agree with you all the time.

With a few exceptions like Benedict Lambert, who actively campaigned for George Allen against Jim Webb, the term "DINO" is not I particularly want to see on the front page of RK.

a big tent party.  I am definitely not for purity tests; let's leave that to the Club for Growth and others on the right wing who like to purge their "RINO"s from the ranks.

Its just that Wynn represents the most liberal district in the country- yet acts like he represents a 60% Bush District in Alabama.

or calling a person out for being one.

Although I do feel that we all should be responsible in using the term.  It's not that we shouldn't be seeking to rid the elected ranks of DINOs, it's where the line is drawn with respect to applying the label. 

Knee jerk reactions to a single "bad" vote should not warrant such a label.  But they cross a very real line when an official (or candidate) acts contrary to our beliefs to the point that they no longer represent the fundamental concepts of our party and should be labeled a DINO.  How many votes or on what issues is the real question - one which we'll never agree on a single answer. 

As for the other side, the right wing extremists have a very narrow definition of a true Republican and therefore label anyone not as extreme as they are a RINO.  As long as we don't apply such a narrow definition we won't create a small tent.

James was thinking of the following when celebrating Donna Edwards.

"Edwards criticized Wynn for his votes to support the Iraq war, repeal of the estate tax, support of the bankruptcy bill of 2005, and of the Bush Administration's energy bill"

Maybe it was the Washington Post endorsing a challenger in a primary (Donna Vs Al) back in 2006.

Maybe it was the fact that Al Wynn voted against net neutrality or sold out to telecomm industry

Not sure which of these policies you're a fan of, but if he can be challenged in a primary in a safe seat the why not?  PG and Mont. counties are far more progressive than Al and they deserve to be represented as such.

Clark for President because there isn't a Clark for President campaign (unfortunately).  I deleted that reference in your post; please note that Jessica is working for the ONE Campaign. 

Other Clark campaign people involved in politics include Steve D'Amico, who is running the Jay Donahue campaign; Jessica Smith, who is Sen. Webb's communications director (and one of the 50 most beautiful people on the Hill); Dan Gray, who ran Donald McEachin's victorious primary campaign against Benedict Lambert; Joe Stanley, who is Eric Ferguson's campaign manager; Jon Paul Lupo, who is working for Sen. Tim Johnson; etc., etc.

See its great hearing what everyone is up to :-)

I have no problem supporting moderate-conservativem Dems in districts where it would be impossible to elect a liberal to moderate Dem.  BUT, in a district like Albert Wynn's, I would vote to oust him in a new york second in a democratic primary.  His voting record is quite disturbing considering that the electorate is much more liberal than he is.  It just shows how difficult it is to remove any incumbent from office. 

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Adrienne and spending time with her when Webb came to Lexington last September for an appearance & fundraiser.  Donna Edwards and she are a great match, and the news gives me even more confidence that Edwards will be the Democratic candidate next November.

Many thanks to the posters here who defended James' post with facts and reasoned argument.  When Democratic representatives fail to represent their district by voting with the other party on issue after issue, supporting better representation is the democratic (small-d) way to go. 

If DINO's a term that offends some in our big tent party, then let's agree to drop it.  But there's a difference between raising an objection and taking it as a license to sneer and insult.