Kos comes out: libertarian, capitalist, liberal in name only
“I personally think Bill Clinton destroyed the Democratic Party.”
Excerpts from a Radar Magazine interview with the man behind Daily Kos by Jebediah Reed
You’re perceived by the mainstream press as very liberal. Do you consider yourself a leftie?
People are hung up on this left/right thing, which is completely ridiculous and stupid. I’m not a traditional liberal in any sense. I’m very libertarian. I’m working on a book called The Libertarian Democrat. The label is just a way to try to demonize and marginalize. I speak of myself as a liberal—but as a way to try to bring the word back and reclaim it. Sort of like “queer.” Obviously, I don’t think it’s a bad thing to be a liberal though. It is a bad thing, on the other hand, to pretend that centrism is inherently good.
Which brings to mind Bill Clinton. According to conventional wisdom it was his ability to play the middle that made him such a formidable politician.
I personally think Bill Clinton destroyed the Democratic Party. He was a survivor and was under assault by the right wing, but he worked to protect himself at the expense of his party. We lost control of Congress during his tenure. So to me what’s dangerous is this notion that having a strong idea about the future of our country is inherently bad, because it’s partisan.
When you were younger you were a Republican. Why the flip-flop?
The rise of the Christian Coalition in the late ’80s and early ’90s. The increasing authoritarian streak versus the libertarian side. Besides, I was stupid.
Do you still hold opinions these days that the young Republican Kos would endorse?
I’m a free-trader. I believe in minimal regulation for small businesses. I like to make a lot of money.
How are you doing on that front?
I could always do better. I’m definitely a capitalist.
I found this surprising: You almost joined the CIA as a covert operative a few years ago, after starting Daily Kos. Did you apply for a job or were you recruited?
I applied. I also applied at the State Department, but only the CIA showed interest. I was underemployed, and I didn’t have very good job opportunities at the time. It was something that seemed to be up my alley. I’m interested in politics, I’m interested in foreign relations, I’m interested in analyzing stuff and writing about it. The interviewing process took a year, between security checks and all sorts of psych evaluations and drug tests.
Go to original in Radar Online
