Remember when progressives had to have a single payer? Remember when they had to have a public option? Remember all those studies and charts progressives routinely trotted out that proved either was vastly superior to any sort of attempt at reforming of the current system? Yeah, me too:
Daily Kos founder Markos Moulitsas warned on Tuesday night that if Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) plays a role in killing health care reform, a Democratic primary challenger would almost certainly await him in the next election.
In an appearance on MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann, Moulitsas conveyed pointed frustration with the Ohio Democrat's pledge to oppose reform on grounds that it doesn't go far enough. He said Kucinich was practicing a "very Ralph Nader-esque approach" to politics.
"The fact is this is a good first step and he is elected not to run for president, which he seems to do every four years," he said. "[Kucinich] is not elected to grandstand and to give us this ideal utopian society. He is elected to represent the people of his district and he is not representing the uninsured constituents in his district by pretending to take the high ground here."
Pressed by fill-in host Lawrence O'Donnell as to whether a Kucinich would get a Democratic challenger for his seat if he didn't support health care legislation -- and in the process kill it -- Moulitsas replied, "Yeah, absolutely."
"What he is doing is undermining this reform," he added. "He is making common cause with Republicans. And I think that is a perfect excuse and a rational one for a primary challenge."
Good to see Markos Moulitsas jump on the sellout train. Not that I ever had any doubts, mind you. Get by his bullshit and you'll notice Markos always manages to find himself on the side where the Democratic deep pockets reside. Funny how that works, eh?
Don't get me wrong; I live in Ohio and lived in Cleveland when Dennis Kucinich was mayor. I know better than most that Dennis is nuttier than a Stuckey's Pecan Log Roll. That's not the point. This point is this:
Progressives are now so far gone that we are witnessing Markos Moulitsas - the great KOS himself - claim that refusal to abandon true progressive health care reform is tantamount to membership in the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy.
All I can say about that is this: If anyone is coming across as a Republican in this, it's Markos Moulitsas himself. This is cynicism worthy of Tom DeLay, Denny Hastert and the master himself, Dick Cheney.
Congratulations, progressives, you've come very far very quickly...
Update: As usual, it takes firedoglake to set the progressive record straight.
Heh.
Posted by: Eric Blair | March 10, 2010 at 01:48 PM
B . . . b . . . but Kos is the new media leader on the left! He knows everything!
Posted by: David | March 10, 2010 at 02:48 PM
It's nice to see you standing up for what this nation really needs, a single payer system. Thanks for your support, Dennis.
Posted by: Nodrog | March 10, 2010 at 02:57 PM
Sarcasm is not allowed at DtP. It lowers the tone of the discourse...
Posted by: Dennis the Peasant | March 10, 2010 at 03:02 PM
I hadn't noticed.
Posted by: aelfheld | March 10, 2010 at 03:05 PM
Good grief - Nodrog. I assume the original.
Posted by: Mike C. | March 10, 2010 at 03:22 PM
Someone slap that little jackass Kos upside the head and tell him the time for swinging his shriveled "we'll primary you!" dickwad threat has already passed.
Filing deadline for federal candidates in Ohio for the 2010 election: February 18.
Posted by: TC Lynch | March 10, 2010 at 03:27 PM
It's no coincidence that "progresif" is the Marseillaise street slang for "mark"...
Posted by: richard mcenroe | March 10, 2010 at 03:30 PM
TC ... Ah yes, Dem deadlines. We won't mention Frank Lautenberg...
Discourse is distoibin already, Dennis...
Posted by: richard mcenroe | March 10, 2010 at 03:32 PM
Richie Mac: I live on Staten Island, so I remember the stuff that happened around "Torch."
They could never pull the same BS with the Garden Gnome on Kos's say-so.
Posted by: TC Lynch | March 10, 2010 at 03:43 PM
But didn't Kos get Ned Lamont elected with his creepy Mentos-kidz political ad? How can he miss?
Posted by: Tim | March 10, 2010 at 05:13 PM
"But didn't Kos get Ned Lamont elected with his creepy Mentos-kidz political ad? How can he miss?"
Heh... Go shut up and deliver your balls to The Planat of Frakkin Stupud.
Posted by: TC Lynch | March 10, 2010 at 06:25 PM
Hello Mike C. - the voice of sanity at Grouchy Conservative Pundits! (only when compared to Rayra...) Are you guys still so deathly afraid of the dreaded Nodrog that the kept man has to keep me blocked into oblivion?
As for Kos threatening to "primary" recalcitrant Democrats - how DARE he! Republicans would NEVER do something like that!
http://www.blueoregon.com/2010/03/bob-tiernan-get-off-my-lawn.html
Posted by: Nodrog | March 10, 2010 at 07:29 PM
That looks more like a couple of RINO's being asked to leave the party. Keep fucking that chicken, Nodrog, it's funny!
I keep trying to introduce my Leftarded friends to my good buddy Reading Comprehension, but they keep misreading the invite.
Posted by: Randy Rager | March 10, 2010 at 07:45 PM
tc -- no kiddin'? I had my first place of my own down on Westervelt, by the ferry terminal. Usedta to work in the Moran tug yards around on Richmond.
Posted by: richard mcenroe | March 10, 2010 at 08:35 PM
Keep on expelling those "RINO's", Randy, and you'll soon get the Republican party back to the level of support it had in 1934.
Posted by: Nodrog | March 11, 2010 at 11:14 AM
As a lifelong registered Independent, I could give a flying fuck about the Republican Party.
Turn that over in what you are pleased to call your mind.
Posted by: Randy Rager | March 11, 2010 at 08:55 PM
I'm proud of you for being an independent, Randy R. Damn proud.
Also, Mike C. has warned everyone, in another place, "not to mess with Dennis." So I'll behave myself from now on.
Posted by: Nodrog | March 12, 2010 at 12:22 PM
Well. Isn't that just precious!
I aim to misbehave, myself, but you go on with your big pussy self.
Posted by: Randy Rager | March 12, 2010 at 01:13 PM