Ed Schultz just now

[LittleClarkie]

two things:

I caught part of a conversation where the caller said he'd like to thank Kerry and Edwards for being nowhere near DC today. It sounded like Ed applauded. What is my little liberal talk show host's position on that? Just curious. I had to get out of the car before I could hear more.

Another caller, when Ed said it would be political suicide to contest the election, said "So what?"

I put forth this question to y'all: How easy is it to say "So what" when it isn't your life and livelihood in question. Who among us would give up our livelihoods for such a fight. Remembering of course, talk is cheap. Would you? Would you really? Would you walk out of your job, and never be able to get a job in that profession again because of your actions of one day?

"So what." So these are people too, politicians or no. Do you ask what you yourselves would not give?

[cindyw]

1. Don't be naive. There are those who did give up their livelihood for Kerry

There are those who lost their jobs for standing up and supporting Kerry over the last year.

[LittleClarkie]

3. I know. One of them got hired by Kerry.

Would the "So what" people do it though?

My point is mainly that those are easy words to say, and the person saying them should think hard and long as to whether they would do what they are asking of others.

[cindyw]

12. Point well taken.

[Kelvin Mace]

2. What is the actual danger?

That the press and the GOP will target them? They are doing that anyway and will keep right on doing it as long Dems keep rolling over instead of fighting.

I have posted this several times today and even sent it to some of the Dems in email. I think this should be the mantra repeated to evry Dem who insists on "fairness", "collegialty", and compromise with the opposition:

The taste of Republican butt does not improve with age.

To paraphrase John Conner, "The NeoCons can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They do not feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And they absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead. "

David Allen
www.thoughtcrimes.org

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. Senators are supposed to represent the people who elected them.

Sometimes that involves the risk that they might not get re-elected next time. It's part of the deal. Being a Senator is not a regular job, and, as an aside, if they don't get elected they don't "lose their livelihood." These days you have to be pretty well-off to run for public office in the first place, and Senators who don't get re-elected either go back to their law practices or corporate jobs or they find lucrative work as lobbyists. No Senator risks his or her livelihood! My own Senator, Mark Dayton, who disgraced himself today by not only failing to stand with Boxer but by actually criticizing her, will not get my support in '06. And if he doesn't get re-elected he will just go back to being the independently wealthy scion of a filthy-rich department store family. But the point is -- If a legislator hasn't got the guts to take a stand that might cost him votes, he has no business running for office in the first place.

[LittleClarkie]

5. So now Daschle no longer represents Native Americans

and there were Dems calling for his head too.

Hard to represent from out of office. He should have been supported.

He won't get your vote. So will a Republican take his place? How does that help?

Why follow politics when you hate politicians? That's what I wonder. I hear all about what fat cats they are. But what else has Dayton supported that you will miss if he doesn't return to office. What will be dismantled by a Republican Senator.

Welcome to the dissent of democracy. I will crucify no Dem for disagreeing with me. Feingold still gets my vote. So does Kohl.

Dem Party Back Watch!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

8. I will support a Democrat who challenges Dayton in the next primary.

And I expect there will be at least one; Minnesota is full of eager Democrats. I am not obligated to support anybody, including a Democrat, who I feel has betrayed my interests. That's not crucifixion; that's politics. That's the risk Dayton took by, in effect, telling us that Boxer and the other congresspeople who objected to the certification of the Ohio electors were idiots. And where did I say I hate politicians? I don't. But I won't support any Democrat who lacks a spine.

[CatholicEdHead]

11. Strong contender

It would have to be a strong contender. A long, fierce primary fight in Minnesota would easily give the seat to Mark Kennedy. Read the Minnesota board for more.

[AgadorSparticus]

6. livelihood is the keyword. i have big issues with career politicians.

after some point, there is conflict of interest. i think they should have term limits like the president. and while we are at it, it is unfathomable to me that we have a legal system of bribery aka lobbying.

to compromise on all of our well being because one guy is afraid for his job is not acceptable. his need for a job does not trump the welfare of his constituents. period.

[LittleClarkie]

7. But what if most of his constituents didn't believe in the fraud

what if his constituents really need him to fight for health care, or social security, or some other local issue. What happens when he's gone?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

9. Then they can vote for him.

I will vote for some other Democrat in the primaries who can represent my interests re: health care, social security, and other liberal causes. And I feel that if Dayton didn't have the guts to object to obvious election irregularities for fear of being targeted by the other side (which he was, anyhow), he also doesn't have the guts to stick up for us on the other things. I want my Senator to have a pair, not cave every time the Repubs try to scare him.

[AgadorSparticus]

10. there are others who would pick up the torch and run with it.

what happens if he had an aneurism tommorrow and died? someone else would have to step up.

but the reality is, he can't fight for those issues with full integrity if he is preoccupied with his job "security".