New "Delawow!" email from JK.com

[Democrafty]

He is really excited about the word "Delawow." He tweeted about it last night.

Here's the email:

Dear ,

The news from Delaware is crystal clear: it's Sarah Palin's party now.
Her chosen radical rightwing candidate Christine O'Donnell, a candidate so extreme her state's GOP leader called her "delusional," defeated the well-respected Congressman Mike Castle. Mike Allen, in his influential Playbook this morning, sums it up, "Sarah Palin, who endorsed O'Donnell, is STRONGER."

But it's up to you to make it clear it won't be Sarah Palin's United States Senate.

We have to fight back. Click here to contribute right now to make sure we defeat the Tea Party extremists.

In Delaware, Chris Coons is running against O'Donnell, and he's a fantastic candidate. He knows we need policies that will put Americans back to work, to strengthen health care reform, not repeal it.

And the Tea Party assault doesn't stop in Delaware. One of our most valuable progressive Senators, a man who has fought as hard as anyone for our civil liberties, Russ Feingold, is under heavy attack by a very wealthy, very extreme candidate who has pledged to spend millions attacking Russ. Russ stood up for us against the abuses of the Bush Administration. He's one of my best colleagues in the Senate, and he needs our help.

Click here to contribute to Chris Coons and Russ Feingold and make sure we have people in the Senate who are working for us, not for the shadowy Karl Rove-backed interests and radicals that are pushing the Tea Party agenda.

We can't let this opportunity slip away from us. We inherited a brutal economy from the Bush Administration, and now those same forces that brought us to that point are trying to get back in power. But they are going too far, and we can stop them.

So please, do what you can to help.

Thanks,
John Kerry

[ObamaKerryDem]

1. Was just about to post this! lol :) I love the new term he coined...

..and hey, it certainly fits! :) I have to say, I was pretty shocked when I heard the news. Most of the punditry had already pretty much declared Castle not only the nominee, but the sure fire winner of the GE too! So while I can't stand the Tea Party,Sarah Palin or anything/anyone they would promote, I'm excited to hear this as I think this increases our chances there greatly. Don't want to jinx anything and we will have to work very hard of course, but I just don't see a state like Delaware going THIS far to the right. Yeah I know, they will immediately point back to Scott Brown's win here in MA in January but I feel that's different in a number of ways, namely that he did a lot to distance himself from the Tea Party and people like him, to at least give the appearance of a moderate or even a more liberal kind of Republican. This woman, on the other hand, is out and out Tea Party/far right. I think they have shot themselves in the feet here.

But like JK pointed out in this fantastic email, this ought to be a wake up call to everyone who is NOT a Tea Partier the extreme risk this country is under right now, with even the prospect of these people taking over things in DC. A wake up call to get out and VOTE! :)

[karynnj]

3. I agree and love the endorsement he gave to Feingold

I love the way that he always manages to list the very good parts of anyone he endorses and the fact that all his endorsements don't sound the same. There are others whose endorsements often sound impersonal - as if they were a form letter where the person's name was added.

I think this reflects the realism shown in his comments in the Boston Globe, where he spoke of it depending who the Republicans were who got elected. Here, there is excitement, but the very serious realism that we are in for a serious fight.

Thinking of the tea party, it kind of makes sense that they have blossomed into a bigger movement than the past. I don't think it is just the media and Koch industries advertising. I think it might possibly be the very real success that Obama has had. We are passing a lot of Democratic agenda item - something that really hasn't happened since LBJ in the late 1960s. For the last 28 years before Obama, they moved legislation and the country to the right. They didn't totally win because in the same time the culture on many social issues has moved strongly to the left. In addition, many have seen their jobs go or become at risk, their wages decline and their home values decline. They see they are losing everything they thought they could count on.

Then enter the demagogues providing scapegoats to blame for everything. I suspect that is why many are susceptible to the tea party/Limbaugh et al nonsense that we are "shredding the Constitution" (which oddly THEY are the ones suggesting many amendments) and moving to socialism. I've listened (for short periods) to some of these people - and they are completely disingenuous. It is most galling when they get an obvious sincere person calling in, who sprouts completely inaccurate things. They then back the person in their insane ideas and give both the caller and some listeners the positive feedback that they - unlike the dumb liberals - see what is really happening and really care for the country.

[ObamaKerryDem]

17. I agree. I love how he always gives such thoughtful endorsements to the candidates he chooses ..

..to endorse and, like you say, how they never sound like some form letter but rather a well thought out, heart felt recommendation. And some people call him "aloof"..hmph! :)

And I also agree with your comments on the Tea Party and how they are scapegoating Obama and other Democrats for the mess, I'm sorry, people like THEM (or at least the people they put in office) by and large created. It's like they want us all to forget that the entire 8 years of the Bush administration and the whole era of the Republican controlled Congress that was there for most of that time (6 years of it, in fact) ever even existed. It's crazy! And scary that many could fall for it and put back in the very people who made the mess in the first place. But I dare to believe that they have peaked too soon, measured the proverbial drapes too hastily. I think they've shot themselves--and by default, the GOP, who at the end of the day, still bears the burden of winning back the majorities or not--with this primary in DE especially, by continuing to take out their strongest candidates (the same could definitely be said to have happened in NV, when they took out Sue Lowden in favor of Sharon Angle). That's why I was so surprised when McCain still managed to beat Hayworth in AZ as it seems most of the Tea Party is not too terribly fond of him and has not been for some time. I think McCain's saving grace in that race was the fact that Independents could vote in the primary or else I think he would've met Castle's fate..

I also agree that much of this can be attributed to Obama/the Democratic congress' successes over these past couple of years. Of course when you actually go out and do something, there is going to be backlash, especially from those with a totally clashing ideology. And it's clear these people are afraid of Obama especially, for politically and I think personal reasons as well. I think he threatens a lot of their sensibilities (if you can even call them that..) because he, ultimately, is not "their" kind of guy. And yes I think it does boil down for at least an element of them to a racial/cultural issue as well. I think that's been clear from the time of the campaign. No, not everyone. But there's definitely an undercurrent. And it's very ugly..and scary..

Are there some legitimate concerns from some of these folks about the current economic climate, the jobs outlook, etc? Sure but like you said, the wrong people are being scapegoated and blamed, at the hands of the demagogues.

Hopefully the truth will prevail in November..yes, time is short, but there is still time! :)

[beachmom]

2. If you care about climate change, what happened in Delaware is very disturbing.

O'Donnell's opponent, Mike Castle, voted for the House Cap & Trade bill. He was the last GOP Senate campaign who acknowledged the existence of global climate change. And because of these positions, he went down in flames.

Yeah, sure we will probably keep this seat. But now we have bigger worries than getting a climate change bill passed. How about preventing things from getting worse. Chances are the House will go GOP. I suppose we have a chance to keep the Senate because of Delaware. But dark days are coming for this country . . .

True, we're having a good laugh at the absurd candidacy of O'Donnell. But I'm just not in the mood to laugh. The American people want the GOP in. They think they'll improve the economy and that they will work with Pres. Obama. They are clueless. But there is nothing we can do about it.

[wisteria]

5. Interesting that you should bring up Climate Change.

I haven't had an opportunity to read the entire article, but it appears not to bode well for a good and decent Climate bill anytime soon.

"Kerry forecasts cloudy future for comprehensive Senate climate bill"

http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/677-e2-wire/118871-kerry-forecasts-cloudy-future-for-senate-climate-bill


I am like you right now, I am not sure how things are going to work out. All I know is that I do not like the direction this country is going in, and the fact that uninformed voters are trying to remake the Congress with mediocre and sometimes crazy candidates.

[Democrafty]

8. The crazy has to be defeated at the ballot box.

Whether you cheer or not today, we have to do everything we can to expose Tea Party candidates for the nuts they are until a good enough climate change bill passes.

[Inuca]

9. I am not in a laughling mood either

though a bit of respite from the gloom & doom does not hurt and the DE primary provided that for a short, very short, while. But I felt bad for Castle, by all accounts he is a decent R, and I truly think think that we NEED some decent opposition. Which we may not get because the Rs are turning into crazied know-nothings. We may get to the point soon where we will regret the good old days of McConell as the R leader in the Senate. He is a poisonous snake, but at least he has a brain. And then I saw the recent poll from FL with Crist behind in high double digits and felt even less like laughing :-(.

[Mass]

10. I have to disagree (not on climate change) but on the fact the American People want the GOP in.

It may seem like that from your red Georgia, but polls after polls say otherwise. This is not because people trust the GOP that the GOP is ahead. All polls show that people trust the GOP even less than the Democrats.

However, it seems that many Democratic voters are both not motivated and delusional. Here is a poll by PPP showing that

Only 22% of Dems see a House loss and only 17% one in the Senate.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/09/in_the_clouds.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+Talking-Points-Memo+(Talking+Points+Memo:+by+Joshua+Micah+Marshall)

Really. How is it possible, after all this gloom and doom on the media, that people would have this view. Now, this is not necessarily better for November polls, but it gives us at least a fighting chance. Reminding Democrats that important things are at stake.

As for the DE primary, as much as it is depressing, remember that it is an closed primary among Republicans and that the turnout was abysmal.

What I find more depressing is the inaction of the Democratic Party and the Obama presidency to try to motivate voters. Between a botched Warren nomination and House and Senate not ready to try a vote on middle class tax cuts even though there is an overwhelming majority in favor of getting rid of tax cuts for the wealthy, it is hard to get motivated.

[beachmom]

20. I've seen those polls as well, Mass. True the GOP is less popular

than the Democrats, but people are funny. They SAY they hate the GOP but then when we look at generic ballot polls, the GOP has a considerable lead. This is what I find so frustrating. The people KNOW better yet they're so mad about the economy they figure changing it up will "do something". It doesn't help that Democrats haven't been good making a case for staying in power plus the conservadems caving on everything and undermining Pres. Obama's message.

Look, I trust Nate Silver for sorting through these polls. He gives the GOP a 2 in 3 chance of taking the House. That trumps whether one lives in a blue or red state or any other biases we may have.

The entire Democratic party seems to be pulling a "Martha Coakley". We don't HAVE to lose, yet no one will be brave and just go for it, and try to win.

[ProSense]

4. I love this message

Posted it here


"it's Sarah Palin's party now."

Republicans don't get it. A progressive won in NH against a Lieberman Democrat. There is no need to cave to lunatics.

[Luftmensch067]

6. Awesome email!

And the tweet just kills me!

Delawow! Tea Party jumps shark, great for Chris C, real public servant.

He really is a natural tweeter!

[Democrafty]

7. It took me like half and hour

to figure that one out. So, yeah, what you said :)

[Mass]

11. Great email. This is what it is about. Reminding people there are things at stake.

[karynnj]

12. It likely hit a nerve - the Boston Herald covers it in an article, whose title says Kerry is bitter

There is no bitterness in that email - just a call to fight for what we believe in.

[wisteria]

13. OMG, the "bitter" suggestion. What does he have to be bitter about?

He has a position as Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee he loves and he has certainly moved on from 6 years ago. Actually, I think they are the ones who are bitter and need to move on. I think they though Senator Kerry would fade away after the 2004 election after their lies and disgusting tactics and instead he has become more powerful. I would bet they are not happy about this.

[MBS]

14. " " " "" right on the money. n/t

[karynnj]

15. Exactly

Not to mention he - unlike those snarky writers - has consistently done what he thought right. Not to mention, if there is one person who I can think of whose personality is the opposite of bitter, it is Kerry.

[wisteria]

16. Exactly. n/t

[ObamaKerryDem]

18. Exactly! You know, I've often found myself puzzled at their utterly apparent and neverending..

..vitriol towards Senator Kerry but now I think I get it..they resent how he did not just curl up in a ball and then fade away after '04 but instead became even stronger and more powerful! They don't like whenever someone doesn't play or fold to their games and he, clearly, did not. Just the opposite, in fact! :D

I was so steamed after I read that trashy article, especially after reading that comment from that so called "expert", who described JK's 2004 campaign as a "punchline". A "punchline"? Excuse me? Even if everything was on the up and up with Ohio (which I still do and will always question..), that election came down to a tiny relative HANDFUL of votes. These idiots make it sound like Bush pulled off what Reagan did back in 1984. Talk about revisionist history!

And yet they make Sarah Palin--whose role in McCain's campaign CAN deservingly be called a "punchline"-- out to be some kind of prodigy..

I HATE the Boston Herald. Did when I saw articles from it online before I moved here and even more so now. Wouldn't even buy a copy of it to line my cat's litterbox with! :)

[Mass]

19. Well, the mainstream Republicans are also starting to be afraid.

After Castle, who will be next?

Here is a PPP showing that GOP voters want to replace their leadership.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/16/john-boehner-mitch-mcconn_n_719631.html

And in MA, Republican candidate Baker is trying to look like a freeper and to look angry (in ads, in debates, ...).. It may be a little bit hard for him to sound like a tea party member, but he is trying very hard. Hopefully, Deval Patrick will wake up.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/09/patrick_state_a.html?p1=News_links

Baker defends sharp tone, says he's angry at state government


and this piece from Elias Nugator,

http://chimesatmidnight.blogspot.com/2010/09/dr-jekyll-and-mister-half-hearted-hyde.html

Dr. Jekyll and Mister Half-Hearted Hyde...
The freeperization of Charlie Baker continues in fits and starts.


This time, Charlie wants to clamp down on legal immigrants to Massachusetts, show them a hard time and by extension stir up Scott Brown's tea partei constituency. Or so that would seem to be the plan, on paper it looks good, none of the 300,000 or so legal immigrants he is targeting can defend themselves in the ballot box so its a slam dunk from a political perspective.
Still, this is Charlie Baker we are talking about, when a twerp like Scot Lehigh snarked about candidate's support for ultra-whacko Bill Hudak, Citizen Baker hemmed hawed and more or less evaded to the point of lying before scampering out the door.
Its the same deal here, he doesn't want to put these people behind barbed wire, just mess with them enough during the election season so he can win.

I strongly doubt this cocktail party xenophobia is one of Baker's cherished long held beliefs, it smacks very much of the sort of evasive opportunism that has been a hallmark of Mitt Romney's political career.
Indeed, the Former Viceroy seems to have infected many GOP maachers in Massachusetts with his trademark flip-floppery. Scott Brown has changed his mind about healthcare, financial reform and ghod knows what else in the past nine months while Baker oscillates nervously between outright Falangism and the sort of limp dishrag moderate republicanism that would endear him chiefly to the Brian McGrorys and David Broders of this world.
That to me, is the most interesting aspect of this gubernatorial race, when will Charlie Baker make up his mind as to his own values?