DINO
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DINO is an acronym meaning "Democrat in Name Only." It refers to the Democratic Leadership Council and similar Democrats who are more concerned about increasing party influence than standing by the party platform. They often, but not always, are trying to compete in more conservative states by leaning to the right.
Former Georgia senator Zell Miller is probably a good example of a DINO. He delivered the keynote address of the 2004 Republican convention where he slandered John Kerry and challenged Chris Matthews to a duel. It is most likely that Miller is a Democrat because of the Civil War.
Accusations are sometimes made by the party faithful for good reason; they are also made to dissociate the accuser from rhetorical responsibility when it is convenient.
It should be noted that the House of Representatives, at least, is now "perfectly sorted," meaning that the most conservative Democrat is still more liberal than the most liberal Republican, according to all satisfactory measures of such things. This rather screams that there are no DINOs in the House.
[edit] Democrats accused of being DINOs
- Senator Joe Lieberman: while in some respects is progressive on many domestic policy issues, he is one of the most outspoken chickenhawks in Congress, even more so than many Republicans. When he was first elected to the Senate in 1988, he was elected with the endorsement of the Moral Majority and National Rifle Association running to the right of incumbent Republican (and quintessential RINO) Lowell Weicker. He went as far as endorsing John McCain in 2008 for these reasons, and got significant backlash from his party. Technically, he has been an independent since 2006, but he caucuses with the Democrats on most issues. Hates violent video games.
- Senator Ben Nelson: Though representing a fairly conservative state, he remains infamous for only voting for the Affordable Care Act after earmarks were secured for his state.
- Senator Joe Manchin: ex-governor, now U.S. Senator from West Virginia. With the 2012 retirement of both Ben Nelson and Joe Lieberman, Manchin is arguably now the most conservative Democrat in the Senate. Like Nelson he mostly votes with his party, but is better known for his television ads shooting - literally - at a copy of the cap and trade bill, and his role in "Democrats for [Republican candidate for governor Cecil] Underwood."
- Senator Joe Donnelley of Indiana, who won in an upset landslide after the Republican nominee couldn't keep his mouth shut about his extreme views on rape and pregnancy. One of the Blue Dog Coalition in the House, his voting record is to the left on labor unions, minimum wage, and corporate regulation-related issues and to the right on taxation, defense, abortion, immigration, and gay rights. How he will vote in the Senate remains to be seen.
- Anyone in the House affiliated with the Blue Dogs.