The Democrats Retreat on Civil Liberties

Comparing the 2008 and 2012 platforms.

Here's Adam Serwer of Mother Jones comparing the 2012 Democratic platform to its 2008 precursor on the subjects of indefinite detention, warantless surveillance, the PATRIOT Act, Gitmo, torture, and the use of racial profiling in the War on Terror. The new document is, shall we say, a bit less fiery than its predecessor. Serwer's story is a useful summary, and it's good to see the Dems' retreat highlighted in a left-wing venue.

Comments

[Alan Vanneman]

I don't think Democrats have retreated on civil liberties so much as they've declared war against them. And they seem to be winning.

[Paul.]

They're naturally good at declaring wars-on-things.

[John Thacker]

Nothing a politician says criticizing the other team matters nearly so much as when he or she criticizes the home team. Obama never broke with the Democrats on anything.

Naturally, this is also a reason to distrust Paul Ryan.

It's also a reason why McCain was so obviously a better choice in 2008, despite being tremendously flawed.

[Corning]

McCain was so obviously a better choice in 2008, despite being tremendously flawed.

LIES!!

Libertarian candidate Bob Barr was the better choice and...

Oh wait...

Fuck, the 2008 election was messed up.

[darius404]

The new document is, shall we say, a bit less fiery than its predecessor.

Because it's no longer useful to them. Now that they're in power, civil rights are just a nuisance.