WP: For Democrats, a Wake-Up Call

[kskiska]

Wednesday, November 26, 2003; Page A01

In politics, there's nothing like having the other side steamroll your party -- using your own steamroller -- to jangle the emotions.

Democrats have owned the Medicare issue for nearly 40 years. But this week, the Republicans climbed into the driver's seat and mashed the gas pedal. In closed-door sessions that excluded nearly all Democrats, through rule-bending roll calls, dishing out goodies to friends and twisting arms of the recalcitrant, the Republicans passed $400 billion worth of changes. Democrats spent the day picking carpet fibers out of their hairdos and sorting out their reactions.

Should they be outraged or envious in the face of Republican audacity and discipline? Disheartened or energized by President Bush's latest victory? This inability to choose a voice, to stick to one path, was a worrisome sign for many Democrats -- especially after such a disorienting year for the party. They have been ousted from power at every level from statehouses to governor's mansions to Congress to the White House; divided over Bush's decision to invade Iraq; unable to coalesce early behind a presidential challenger.

Democrats do not have a unified position on Bush's tax cuts, or on his education policy, or -- when crunch time came -- his Medicare initiative. This at a time when the Republicans are demonstrating almost unprecedented discipline.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A14570-2003Nov25.html

[PartyPooper]

1. This article outlines my deep concerns for next year's election.

The future of our country is in great peril...and, even if we win next year...it will take such a long time to undo the damage * and his evil cronies have wrought on this once great nation.

Sadly, if we lose next year (god forbid!) many of us won't even get to see the repairs and restoration of democracy done in our lifetime.

I'm afraid when the sheeple finally wake up...it may be too late.

:-(

[michaud]

2. I'll be first this time :)

No what I think is to take a look at what has happened over the last few months people.

First Bush's polls have leveled out and averaged to a 50% approval.

Second Bush's polls have leveled out and averaged about 43-44% re-elect.

Third the 2003 off off year election was not all loss, and everyone knows that next year the turnout will be much much higher. The North has become more Democratic and the South more Republican.

Look at what has happened.....in 2002 we picked up Governors. We have only lost 1 Gov since 2002 but we have solidified our grip on the North in 2002 and 2003. Its just in 2003 no one came out to vote. Its an off off year election folks.

It is now obvious that the Mountains are opening up.

Fourth all the top tier candidates are within the statistical margin with Bush.

Fifth guess what folks? When our nominee is secure we will have a unified message!!!

[Skwmom]

7. The Republicans are manipulating

the primary process to pick our nominee. When are you people going to wait the heck up? In many polls Dean is 10-15 points behind Bush. In addition, the media has been doing everything they can to build him up. If the Democrats can't get their act together and back the most electable candidate when we are facing such a crisis, in my opinion they should just scrap the whole party and start over again.

Why do you think the Republican's won in California? They backed the most electable candidate. They don't bet on a million to one long-shot.

[Code_Name_D]

3. Bush's first line of defences - the DLC

We must defeat the DLC and the Republican light democrats, before we can even take on Bush. This is one resone why this primary is soo inportant. If the DLC should manage to get one of there canadates through, such as Leaberment, Gepheartd, Kerry, or Clark, even moving on to win the recdency, we will still be dogged by this Republican-frendly representation both in the DLC leadership as well as with in Congress.

[Skwmom]

8. Why not elect Dean, the Rockerfeller Republican

then we can all just be one happy party.

[0007]

4. I'm hoping this one will blow up in junior's face and make Barbara...

one shitty bitch to be around for a while.

[Old and In the Way]

5. Where are the Tip O'Niel's and George Mitchell's when you need them?

Those guys knew how play strategy and get discipline in the caucus.....Daschle is certainly not the right guy for times.

[Voltaire99]

6. Yes, Tip was a fighter, wasn't he...

Particularly while handing Reagan nearly everything the president sought - even with a Democratic majority in Congress!

And Mitchell, for his part, did a fine job helping to obfuscate Iran Contra. It certainly helped that he was such a gentleman about it - much kinder to Reagan than, say, Lott was to Clinton over the much less significant Monicagate.

I'm afraid if we want to trace the post-1980s surrender of the Democrats to conservatism, we can't do much better than to look at these two men - the spiritual fathers of today's diluted, directionless party.

[radfringe]

9. Dems need to get the word out

That the passage of the medicare bill at this time is a campaign ploy is a no-brainer - especially since the "landmines" in the bill won't be felt by seniors until after the 2004 sElection.

Dems who voted against the bill need to get the info out - issue a special mailing to their constituents that give specific information about bush's "RAW DEAL" and how it may effect them. Every Dem should have the info on their website, or at the least links to where details about the "RAW DEAL" can be found.

Ditto for the Dem candidates.

news articles are playing this like it won't be an "issue" until 2006 - but if the Dems have guts they'll start pounding on this now!

They should not only be targeting the seniors and others who will be directly effective, but everyone because in one way or another this will effect us all at some point

Bush listens to G.O.D. (Gas Oil and Drug companies)

[DeepModem Mom]

10. Can we get rid of Daschle, and McAuliffe, now?

This article is quite a rude "wake-up" this morning! I see some credibility on both sides of the argument -- we are in bad shape, but Bush is not as invincible as he's been. But couldn't we start with new leadership NOW? The starting point of this article was our handing over the Medicare issue to the Republicans, and that that handover was assisted by our own Senate leader is outrageous. And McAuliffe, whatever his strong points, is a coach with way too many losses. I wish we could have a MoveOn type effort on behalf of new leadership, and a fresh start.