Recently in Democratic Party Category

Whisper

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While the Republican/Conservative movement has relied mostly on the megaphone style of political persuasion, I see the Whisper Campaign as a more effective style of political persuasion for the Democrats/Progressives. Let the Republicans blast away with the few megaphone mouths (Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck, et. el.). The Democrats can simply walk softly and whisper quietly to individuals among the masses. You know, do the grassroots thing.

Granted, the Teabagger's movement was a type of grassroots in that the corporate/conservative elites were able to tap the anger of the intellectually ignorant; feeding them misinformation and out right lies. But it only created a squeaking wheel. It did not constitute any huge majority, or even a respectable minority. Instead, it brought together a whole bunch of crazy, that left a poor impression on the general population.

From what I can see, the Republican/Conservative grassroots movements have been an abysmal failure, easily falling short of fund raising as accomplished by comparable progressive movements. And in what is no doubt the greatest irony of all; the Republican/Conservative grassroots rely on funding from individuals comparable to their rich, liberal, villain De jour, George Soros, the man supposedly funding the entire progressive infrastructure.

I just can't help but see the Republican/conservative elites losing power. Not when their efforts include the manipulation of ignorant, intellectually lazy people. Contrary to popular belief, the majority of the human race is not ignorant. If it was, we would still be Neanderthals living a stone age existence.

Sigh. Yes, I understand Rush, Hannity, and Beck might exemplify the modern Neanderthals, but they really are still a minority.

Let's Do The Time Warp!

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DougJ over at Balloon Juice hops into his wayback machine to discover the wise wisdom of Cookie Roberts as she espouses on about the Democratic Party kicking Joe Lieberman out in 2006.

.....I think, a disaster for the Democratic Party, and it's going to be very interesting to see what happens as a result of it.

[....]

Yes, I do because I think, first of all, that pushing the party to the left, which is what's likely to happen, is pushing the party to the position from which it traditionally loses, and In presidential elections but also it will send a signal to everybody in the Senate, watch out, the only smart thing to do here is play to your base, and then what that means is that your legislation becomes a mess, which it already is but even more of a mess, and you get.

[.....]

Well, and it certainly - and Bill Clinton, it's also no accident that Bill Clinton is the only Democrat who has been elected president for two terms since Franklin Roosevelt, because he was a Democrat in the middle from the south with a very strong acquaintanceship with scripture. All of that and I think you start, you know, talking about the liberal blogs and all that taking over the party and it will be a disaster.

Is she not just one amazingly precise prognosticator? Since then, the Democratic Party picked up 15 senate seats, 55 house seats, and the Presidency. One seriously unmitigated disaster, I tell you.

All Politics Is Local

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MN Progressive Project has a post up about Minnesota Republican infighting that has gotten ugly. It is the usual personal attacks on character that we have come to expect from today's Republican party. It is reminiscent of the attack George W. Bush's campaign made against John McCain back in 2000

Now, don't get me wrong. I have no doubt that Democrats of days gone by have engaged in the same personal attacks and will do so in the future. Currently, though, it appears to be a Republican trait. If anyone has done any reading on Karl Rove's past, you learn that he started his dirty, character assassination tricks at a young age, and at a local level.

I know, for myself, that in the past I never paid attention to these kind of low brow political attacks. I considered myself above them, or just felt it was not important enough for me to take into consideration. But I have come to learn that it is important these types of antics be exposed and brought to the attention of the electorate, and at a local level. Just imagine a world where Karl Rove's sleazy campaigning were exposed when he first started out, and had not been at the helm of George W. Bush's campaign, and by extension, his administration.

Eight years of George W. Bush in the White House has taught me that all politics is local. Any and all personal attacks, whisper campaigns, and other Lee Atwater dirty trick antics, whether by Republicans or Democrats, must be exposed early on at the local level, or else we can look forward once again to an incompetent and immoral presidency.


About Time

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Democrat, Republican; corruption is corruption, and the rule of law is to apply to all. Now, put him in jail. 

What They Said

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And I really don't care who started the What _____ said. Atrios can bite my ass.*

But, for those of you not all that up on Minnesota politics...., well, these two post I'm about to supply links for ought teach you not to count your baskets before the eggs, errr, ah, won't be tricked again........**

Oh Hell! On to the links.

Blog of the Moderate Left: Inevitable
The Power Liberal: Once Upon A Time IN 2007

* Like the back handed way I gave credit?
** What I don't understand; why not more traffic to my site? I mean, a man was elected POTUS for just that type of folksy, unedumacated type sintax. I should be getting more traffic.
That the nation has voted Democratic does not mean they voted progressive. I know, I know. It saddens me as well. After years and years of the Mighty Wurlitzer vilifying the Democrats as liberals, as if such a term in and of itself were a smear, to see the Democrats now voted into office, one would believe liberal values and goals would hold sway. Of course, you would be wrong.

Let us remember also that as the Mighty Wurlitzer labeled Democrats liberals (even those who were obviously not) it labeled Republicans as conservatives (even those who were obviously not). Because of this constant chatter of stratification, our political parties are now seen by the average, non-inquisitive American voter as ideologically split. Obviously, that's not the case.

Now, truth be told, there was a strong, almost successful, push to drive all but the most staunch conservatives from the Republican party. And when I mean almost successful, I mean totally successful, to the point where even nominally conservative members were purged, leaving mostly arc-conservatives. But, that's not really my point. What's important is that the Democratic party did not mount any type of purge of it's own to clear their ranks of conservatives. If anything, there was a concerted effort to move members more to the right.

So, let us remember, boys and girls, just because we have been told by the Mighty Wurlitzer and the Legacy Media that the Democratic party is liberal does not make it true. Indeed, it is a conservative lie. Therefore, let us not convince ourselves that the Democratic majority now seated in congress is liberal, or progressive, because that would be believing in a conservative lie.

Sighs Of A Backbone?

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One can only hope that more of this will become common place as Obama's term moves forward

Update: And just after initially publishing this post, I found this.

More please. More. More. More!

Jack Ass Of The Day

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Atrios simply called him a wanker. That's too kind. Evan Bayh is Jack Ass of the Day. What it boils down to; he doesn't want to have to vote on a bill and show his loyalties to the insurance industry.

So Much For Seniority

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See, there are consequences for acting like an arrogant prick.

The Washington Post

The Senate dealt a blow tonight to Sen. Arlen Specter's hold on seniority in several key committees, a week after the Pennsylvanian's party switch placed Democrats on the precipice of a 60-seat majority.

In a unanimous voice vote, the Senate approved a resolution that added Specter to the Democratic side of the dais on the five committees on which he serves, an expected move that gives Democrats larger margins on key panels such as Judiciary and Appropriations.

But Democrats placed Specter in one of the two most junior slots on each of the five committees for the remainder of this Congress, which goes through December 2010. Democrats have suggested that they will consider revisiting Specter's seniority claim at the committee level only after the midterm elections next year.
You know, I've tried to work up some tears over this surprise development, but my eyes are as dry as bleached bones in the desert sand.

Bonuses Restricted!

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Chris Dodd is a very evil man!

The New York Times

The provision, written by Senator Christopher J. Dodd, Democrat of Connecticut, highlighted the growing wrath among lawmakers and voters over the lavish compensation that top Wall Street firms and big banks awarded to senior executives at the same time that many of the companies, teetering on the brink of insolvency, received taxpayer-paid bailouts.
So much so, he's my hero!
CNN

(CNN) -- Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is in federal custody on corruption charges, a law enforcement official said Tuesday.

Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris, are charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and solicitation of bribery, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's office for the Northern District of Illinois.

Both men are expected in U.S. District Court in Chicago later Tuesday.

A news conference is expected at noon ET.

Federal prosecutors say Blagojevich, Harris and others conspired to gain financial benefits in appointing President-elect Barack Obama's Senate replacement, according to the statement.

I'd normally be suspect about this move, except that the person spear-heading this investigation is none other than Fritz! What the hell was Blagojevich thinking?

ActBlue -- Red to Blue MN

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Act to Blue MN has less than $100 to go to reach it's goal of $2000. I have to have some readers willing to give as little as $5. Today is the last day of this quarter. Help us to put Minnesota Democrats into congress. Give to Al Franken, Ashwin Madia, Elwyn Tinklenberg, Steve Sarvi.

ActBlue -- Red to Blue MN

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Red to Blue MN has just a bit more to go to hit the $2000 goal by Monday. I am asking what few readers I have to go and think about $10, $20, or more, to the worthy Democrats this ActBlue site supports. They all would be fine addictions to congress, and would keep their focus on the people they represent, not the corporations that bribe them with large donation.


Bark Bark Woof Woof

Friday Blogaround
Did anything happen this week? Ask the Liberal Coalition.

- A Blog Around The Clock: honeybees dancing
- archy: passive aggressive resistance, or just laziness?
- Bark Bark Woof Woof: that morning forty years ago.
- Bloggg: had enough?
- Dohiyi Mir: adventures in babysitting.
- Echidne Of The Snakes: Apparently Granny Clampett is Cal Thomas's ideal woman president.
- Florida Progressive Coalition Blog: If not Hillary, who's the next woman to run for president?
- Left Is Right is asking for your predictions of Republican shenanigans.
- Lefty Side of the Dial: Lefty doesn't like Chris Matthews.
- Musing's musings: Make up and get to work, Dems.
- Pen-Elayne on the Web reviews a new movie by Neil Innes.
- Rook's Rant: Rook is sorry to see Hillary go.
- rubber hose: permanently in Iraq?
- Scrutiny Hooligans: not a bargaining chip.
- SoonerThought: Senate rebukes Bush and Cheny; they lied about Iraq.
- Speedkill: Deceptions.
- Steve Bates, The Yellow Doggerel Democrat: Get well, Tabitha.
- Stupid Enough Unexplanation: Rush Limbaugh explains why it's not his fault the GOP will lose.
- The Invisible Library: face reality, people.
- WTF Is It Now?? No, Sen. McCain, you did not.
Have a good weekend. I still have 2,759 boxes to unpack...
[Sigh] It seems I am being misunderstood all the way around when it comes to my last post about Hillary. I am not sad to see Hillary suspend her campaign. I was sad to see the manner in which she was forced out. Had a man been in Hillary's place, he would have been able to stay in the race right into the convention. I am bemoaning the sexism that is apparent in the push for her to bow out of the race as far back as four months ago.

Obama Claims Nomination

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Washington Post

With a split decision in the final two primaries and a flurry of superdelegate endorsements, Sen. Barack Obama sealed the Democratic presidential nomination last night after a grueling and history-making campaign against Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton that will make him the first African American to head a major-party ticket.
I am ready to give Senator Obama the nomination. But am I not going to knock Senator Clinton for her lack of concession.

Clinton, who waged a fierce campaign to become the first woman nominated for the presidency, spoke shortly before Obama at a rally in New York. Amid questions about when or whether she would quit the race, she declared: "This has been a long campaign, and I will be making no decisions tonight."

From my perspective, Senator Clinton work damn hard to earn her delegates, and didn't exactly lose all that many super delegates. Maybe, had there been more of an exodus of super delegates to Obama, I could understand the call for her to gracefully step aside.

In 2004 Bush made the foolish move of claiming a mandate. As history has already proven, he did not have a mandate. Indeed, despite having a Republican controlled congress at his beck and call, he and them accomplished nothing of significance. That claim proved to be a duck's echo.

Now, here we are today, with Obama making claims of being the Democratic party's nominee. There is only one problem, as I see it; Clinton has some delegates. Actually, quite a bit of delegates. More than enough to keep Obama from making any claims of having a mandate. Lets keep in mind there is still the matter of building a Democratic Party Platform. No way is Hillary going to allow Obama to have total say in its development.

If you think she is, you haven't been paying attention. She has been a scrappy candidate from the time she lost her first primary. She has tenaciously held onto her hopes. She has proven beyond a doubt she is not a quitter.

Then there is the matter of Obama's claim of being inclusive. He's talked about changing the culture in Washington. He's talked of a willingness to include the Republicans in governing. So, now we see just how much that claim is rhetoric, or if he's a man of his word. Will he negotiate with Clinton, or will he pull strong arm tactics and freeze her out of the platform building process? My hope; he is a man of his word, that he not only talks the talk, but walks the walk.

For years I have been witness to complaints over the Democratic Party's lack of back bone. Now, here's Clinton standing tough, showing back bone, and what happens? Yup, everyone who complained about a lack of back bone, suddenly start bitching about her need to back down. So, in other words, they want to see back bone only when it's against the Republicans.

If you are going to ask for something, you best be ready to accept it when if finally manifests, otherwise you might find yourself lumped in the column labeled "hypocrite."

So, Hillary, keep it up. You go right a head and supply that back bone. Show the rest of the party how it's done. Then, maybe, after it's all done and said, your back bone will have been infused into the Democratic party of 2008.

Hypocrite Of The Week

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The Washington Post

Whatever happens in Mississippi, Boehner has enough trouble to preoccupy him here in Washington, where House Democrats have been passing their agenda with little thought for Republican preferences. "The majority has taken, once again, their go-it-alone policy," Boehner lamented yesterday. "It's time for Democrats and Republicans to work together."
Time for Democrats and Republicans to work together? Where the hell was this sentiment when the Republicans were the majorities in both the house and senate? Seriously, how the hell can this man even eat food with that mouth, considering the bullshit it produces.
Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Hillary Clinton sought a convincing win to keep her flickering White House hopes alive on Tuesday as Pennsylvania Democrats chose between her and Barack Obama in their presidential nominating contest.
Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! I am soooooo excited! I can't wait to see who wins. Of course, I am also looking forward to that root canal next month.
The New Republic

Rife with big egos and competing centers of influence--veterans of Hillary's First Lady days, relative newbies from her Senate office, Bill's '92 people, Bill's '96 people--Team Hillary has never been a comfortably cohesive group. In happier times, discipline was easier to maintain. But, as this race has grown longer and rougher, the staff's nerves and relations have been badly strained by persistent financial troubles and constant turf wars, not to mention one increasingly unmanageable ex-president. Some days, it's hard to remember that, just six months ago, the campaign was regarded as a highly disciplined machine. More and more, it resembles an unruly rock band plagued by dysfunction and public infighting. From Williams's arrival to Solis Doyle's demise to Penn's ascent, fall, and return, the ebb and flow of power in Hillaryland over the past few months has left multiple people acting like they are in charge--and no one really in control.
You want my vote for president? Not if you can't create an efficient, smooth running team. This is more reminiscent of BushCo™ than of any successful presidency.

However, don't mistake this as some kind of endorsement of Obama. Or McCain. I am going to support the Democratic ticket come November 2. Unless Gore steps in as an independent at the last minute.
Bark Bark Woof Woof

In other words, the Republicans, who can't run on their record or rely on the sharp memory of their candidate (Shia? Sunni? Iran? Al-qaeda?) or his plans for revitalizing the economy (ready for more cake?), will do precisely what they're best at: attack their opponent and try to scare the crap out of the electorate without offering anything more than platitudes, nostrums, and the firm assertion that John McCain is most assuredly not George W. Bush; he just plans to do the exact same things he did but without the fake Texas drawl.

There is no doubt whatsoever that the Republicans will do exactly what Mr. Kristol predicts; that's a given, since it's worked so well the last couple of times. But Mr. Kristol's record for predicting the future is also well-known. He's one of the bunch that said that we would be greeted as liberators in Iraq, that the war would last a couple of weeks or months, that it would pay for itself with the oil revenues that we'd get, and that our influence and model of democracy would turn Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Saudi Arabia into the Iowas of the Middle East with freedom and McDonald's springing up on every street corner from Riyad to Damascus. With that kind of record, it really makes you wonder why anyone gives serious attention to anything he says other than to hold it up for mockery and derision.
When it comes to the success of Mr. Kristol's crystal ball, well,,,,, let's just say his is obviously cracked. However, I think there is one important point against Mr. Kristol's prognostication; Hillary attempted the Mighty Wurlitzer approach. She made several attempts at smearing Obama, with little success. Hell, even attempts by the Mighty Wurlitzer itself have failed to have an impact.

The problem with using the old approach was it took for granted the independent and [cough] Reagan Democrats [cough]. Back then, there really was no track record for the rabid right wing Republicans. They had managed a good propaganda campaign that imposed a label of incompetence on the Democrats that stuck because there really was no counter argument at the time.

They do not have that option today. With BushCo™ having established the true meaning of incompetence, corruption, and bad government, playing to the base will not keep the independents and [cough] Reagan Democrats [cough] in the Republican camp.

I suspect the rabid right wing minority are replaying the glory days in their heads. But today's electorate map just does not include for them a solid majority of independents and [cough] Reagan Democrats [cough]. That close to 80% of the nation thinks we are heading in the wrong direction ought wake them up to the fact they've lost the swing votes.

In fact, I would be careful if I was a Republican strategist. There is the distinct possibility we will be talking about either Clinton or Obama Republicans.

Disclosure

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I will be volunteering with the Steve Sarvi's campaign, working the phones on Saturday at 9:00 AM. Should be fun.
Star Tribune

WASHINGTON - Barack Obama is picking up the endorsement of Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, giving him another superdelegate supporter. Klobuchar, a freshman Democrat, says in a statement provided to The Associated Press that Obama has "inspired an enthusiasm and idealism" that the country hasn't seen in a long time.
Ouch! That's gotta hurt.

God, I hope Hillary doesn't think she needs to reenact the boxing scene in Cool Hand Luke. True, Luke lost that particular fight, but he became cool. Of course, he also died at the end of the movie.

Work Readiness Avoidance

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Honestly, I should be in the shower right now. But the whole Democratic party primary season is starting to get to me. All the angst, anger, pettiness, and general, all around nastiness is pissing me off. Seriously people, think about it, who really cares in the end which of the two get the nomination? Hillary and Barak are both more palatable than any Republican currently running for office.

That doesn't mean I am saying your vote does not count, or that the Primary season is not helpful. Obviously your vote counts, and the primary season is very helpful. Right now the Democratic party is forming it's platform. That is the other, less talked about aspect of the primary season. The various groups and institutions within the Democratic machine hash out their differences and come to a consensus on issues, not just candidates.

In the end, it is not so much what issues the candidates themselves believe in, so much as they are competent and capable of running the government. Or, because they are following BushCo™, repair the government. In the end, the will of the people will force it's desire on who ever is the head of the government. Unless, of course, the person is incompetent, as we're currently experiencing.
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