With Progressives Like This, Who Needs Republicons?

Kos had this cryptic little entry on Daily Kos tonight:

The Center for American Progress should not make a habit of doing this.

And for the record, the editors on the site can say whatever they want about whoever and I won't get all creepy and Big Brother on them.

p.s. And yes, the Third Way is a bunch of assholes who make the DLC look downright palatable.

Fascinating. Of course I had to follow the link to see what the hell was going on, and I found this ham-fisted editorial interference:

This is Jennifer Palmieri, acting CEO of the Center for American Progess Action Fund.

Most readers know that the views expressed on Matt’s blog are his own and don’t always reflect the views of the Center for American Progress Action Fund. Such is the case with regard to Matt’s comments about Third Way. Our institution has partnered with Third Way on a number of important projects - including a homeland security transition project - and have a great deal of respect for their critical thinking and excellent work product. They are key leaders in the progressive movement and we look forward to working with them in the future.

You would think that someone acting as CEO of a group that documents so much Republicon PR stupidity and the resulting disasters would know better than to shit all over one of her own bloggers like this. You would especially think that someone acting as CEO of a progressive organization who is being considered for assistant secretary of defense for public affairs, would know better than to shove her foot so far in her mouth she's tickling her colon with her piggies. And yet, she has gone and done so. In the process, she managed to sully the reputation of the Center for American Progress (a group which I have a great deal of respect for, sans Jennifer), alienate Matt Yglesias's readership, draw attention to the very post she was disputing, caused people who had no interest in Third Way to rumage around in their dirty underwear and come away believing their policies are not only - how did Matt put it? - "hyper-timid incrementalist bullshit," but that the whole organization is very likely committing tax fraud to boot, and she's probably just shot her job prospects in both feet.

I know enough about Third Way now to know that a) they're the sort of mealy-mouthed, show-your-belly-to-the-Cons-and-maybe-they'll-stop-ripping-out-our-jugular, wishy-washy fucktards who have made it so damned difficult to present a strong Democratic party and robust progressive agenda to the country, and b) that they supported that fucking FISA bill. The fact that I also know c), that they're more concerned about their image than getting things accomplished, is just one extra reason to despise them. Before Jennifer's announcement, I didn't even know Third Way existed. What a public relations coup, eh?

Note to Jennifer and her BFF Third Way: this kind of asshattery is best practiced by Cons. They're the ones with the authoritarian followers who swallow this high-handed bullshit to the last drop and then ask for more. As you've no doubt gathered from the nearly 400 comments on your Big Brother message, Dems are rather less impressed.

I believe she would serve her country best by withdrawing her name from consideration for Obama's administration and turning CAP's reins over to a more savvy progressive. I'm sure she'll be able to find gainful employment with the DLC or Third Way. She's certainly proven she's not cut out for public relations. Since they aren't either, they should be perfect for each other.