Democrats' disarray led to defeat: Analysis

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

http://www.bayarea.com/mld/cctimes/news/7353913.htm

WASHINGTON - In politics, there is 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.
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[0rganism]

1. If the Democrats play this right, the GOP could lose big in 2004

"Play this right" means detailed communication with the public. "Play this right" means showing some serious spine. "Play this right" means swallowing the shameful cave-in by the Senate minority and using its fruit to political advantage in the coming campaign. "Play this right" means a new minority leader in the Senate.

However, I have some serious doubts right now that the Democrats have either the willpower or the desire to do such a thing.

[xchrom]

7. that's it

if they can regroup and take this to the voters then dems can catch the high ground. but they can't just let it lay there and miss the opportunity.
we'll see.

[Cocoa]

17. Kennedy was defiant yesterday

and pissed off. He said they're going to take this to the "highways and byways" and described past cases where bad votes on Medicare hurt the republicans in elections.

And he was standing next to Daschle.

[Racenut20]

2. Perhaps we need a national party chairman with stones

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

3. Hell, I'd settle for one with balls.

:evilgrin:

[saigon68]

4. How about a Spine

Maybe a little back bone?

[devinsgram]

6. Or stone him.

[Le Taz Hot]

8. Or . . .

a uterus. :evilgrin:

[Melinda]

10. with...

Big Brass Ovaries.

[teryang]

5. Our government has been purchased

...by the big pharmaceutical corporations and insurance companies. Disorganization has nothing to do with it.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

9. (Bell rings)

You got it.

[joeybee12]

11. Sorry, but disprganization hasa lot to do with it

And it starts at the top with Daschle. Pelosi held the House, and they had it won except the Repukes cheated again. Daschle should have forced a filibuster--twist some arms, etc. The Dems are in danger of drifting into oblivion--come on, have we heard anything about Valeir Plame lately--wasn't there supposed to be an investigation. Great way to scream for one idea, and then let the momentum die.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

14. Tell me AARP wasn't bought

this was a money fight and money poisoned the whole process.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

16. I wish I could but everything else screams bought and paid for. n/t

[baby_bear]

12. First thing to do: kick out the Dems who caved

And that includes Daschle, who was against the bill but refused to join Kennedy's attempt to filibuster.

It also includes Dianne Feinstein, Ron Wyden and Max Baucus, who should not be given a pass for having been complicit in handing the Republicans this huge victory.

It's gotten to the point that I expect some of the few southern Dems left to site on the other side of the aisle. That's pretty damn sad in itself.

If Daschle, Wyden and Feinstein aren't punished for this, then we really are sunk.

s_m

[BeFree]

13. Piunished? The Dems?

What planet are you on? You want to punish Dems? What about the Pugs? Are you more willing to go after your friends and leave your enemies alone? That is the only disorganization we have to counter: That of our friends eating us alive. Come back to earth and realize just who it is you must punish.

[baby_bear]

15. Sorry, but those Dems took away our claim to the high road

Feinstein et al. did the same thing they did for us on the first big tax cut and the Iraq war call; they took away our ability to tell the electorate that if the Dems were in power, we would have done better by them.

Now, the Dems just look weak and inept; disorganized; and without a focus. Individually, there are some great people there, including both my senators and my representative. But collectively, we suck because we don't hang together a make a definitive statement.

The Dems need to be disciplined; otherwise, we will continue to be steamrollered.

Obviously, BeFree, I advocate ousting all the Republicans. That's a given. My discussion was about Dems only.

s_m