"No end to Democrats’ civil war" ~ Dick Morris/Eileen McGann

[mzmolly]

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061126/OPINION/61124031">StatesmanJournal

Flush with victory, the Democratic Party is celebrating its return to power by loudly and publicly tearing itself to pieces. Anyone who wondered if House Democrats would be as reliable as the Republicans in supporting their leaders had only to watch the leadership fight between Reps. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and John Murtha (D-Pa.): Democrats still form their firing squads in a circle.

Back in 1994, the House Republicans advanced with the discipline of the Prussian Army. But Democrats always live in a state of crisis and feuding. As Bill Clinton discovered when he reached D.C. in 1993, House Democrats are splintered into micro-caucuses, each of which must be courted separately for their votes. When their demands conflict, no one can rally anything close to a working majority on the House floor. Each caucus is a body unto itself: blue dogs (moderate and largely southern), Blacks, Hispanics, women, Democratic Leadership Council, environmentalists and gays.

Then there was James Carville's attack on Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean. In a contract hit postmarked Chappaqua, Carville unloaded on Dean for spending money on all 50 states rather than concentrating on swing House races. Carville claimed that Dean's strategy had cost potential Democratic seats.

Dean had been savvy in solidifying his power. He knew that the Clinton people would come after him — and he was ready. Sending money to the state organizations that elected him chairman, he built a store of gratitude. Maybe he didn't get as much campaign advertising in key districts — but he also let the state parties spend the national-committee money on overhead and local jobs rather than on Washington consultants.

Not a huge Morris fan, and I don't agree with everything he says here, but I do agree that left/middle will be vying for "power" until we have a nominee in 2008. I wish we would all realize that our strength as a party is in our diversity. We have fundamental things in common that we should to focus on. I find it absurd that "advisers" like Carville and Begalia don't get it? Then again, they may be out of a job if we focus on that which brings us together?

Peace all.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Would that be Dick "Toe-Sucker" Morris,

the guy who is obsessed with Hillary and has managed to be wrong about absolutely everything?

Consider the source...

[JeffR]

Morris is spinning so hard he's gonna get friction burns

[lumberjack_jeff]

2. It's a reality. We have to work with it.

Pick the low-hanging fruit first. Economic populism is something we can all (if not agree on) recognize the wisdom of supporting.

BTW, Carville started out criticizing the 50 state strategy, but after the election, morphed his rhetoric to criticize Dean for exactly the opposite - insufficiently supporting candidates who became surprisingly viable as a result of the 50 state strategy.

[Joanne98]

3. This meme is BS! The MSM can stick it's advice up it's ass!

We are not listening and we are getting along just fine.... They act like they had something to do with us winning the election. Media Whores are worthless now. People are getting their info from the internet. Please ignore them....

[aquart]

4. Morris is uncomfortable with democracy. Sad, really.

[Vorta]

5. If folks here missed it, is it any wonder others wouldn't?

I think that most Democrats believe that disagreement is a sign of intelligence and coalition. This man champions the lockstep of the GOP and it's Prussian precision, which is exactly what should have awakened the American people much earlier.

The Murtha/Hoyer thing was a masterful play by Pelosi.

[mzmolly]

9. Nice perspective. "Our party is an example of Democracy."

I like it! :)

[Vorta]

12. I'd like to say that I came up with it all on my own.

But in truth I had just read a letter to the editor in The Daily Times (Maryland) by someone who appears to be a Republican.

(disclaimer (Vorta's): I also supported Hoyer because I consider him to be the better candidate. I was really impressed with the exhausting effort he made to educate people about the GOP design to destroy social security.)

Pelosi may be shrewder than her critics credit her

I cannot buy all this hubbub about Nancy Pelosi's "major misstep" in publicly backing Jack Murtha against Steny Hoyer for the position of new House of Representatives majority leader.

Who among the Democrats is left unhappy with the way it played out?

Pelosi rewarded Murtha's loyalty by strongly supporting his losing bid -- and Murtha's loyalists must be pleased with her actions. However, she can count votes as well as anyone and surely knew Murtha did not have the votes in the Democratic caucus.

Hoyer was clearly the better choice, for a number of reasons. Now he and his supporters can afford to be gracious in their victory; and he can hardly afford not to be a team player, since he has won his coveted place on Pelosi's team.

Sounds like a win-win to me. Maybe, just maybe, the lady from Baltimore is a bit shrewder than her critics.

Michael A. Pretl

Salisbury

[mzmolly]

13. I do think Nancy is shrewd, and she's showing herself to be a brilliant

tactician. I look forward to observing her kick elephant ass with a smile on her face. ;)

[madmom]

6. this was not a "leadership fight" two men wanted the job, they called

for a vote, one got more votes, he won. It's called democracy!!!!

[mzmolly]

8. I agree with you on that.

It's absurd to suggest that because we had a vote we are at war as a party. However, I do see the infighting that the DLC dems are trying to drum up is problematic and likely will be until 2008. We are already having "internal" battles here for example.

:hi:

[blondeatlast]

7. Gee, and the RRR incumbents couldn't wait to have W and Co.

endorse them in October. :sarcasm:

Dickie, suck your own toe while it's in your mouth, whydon'cha?

[surfermaw]

10. I am for Howard Dean ...but

There were two seats in North Carolina that with a little more help may have been taken, the Race agains Hayse, I think could have been won with a little more work. Kissel, I think the democrats name was, stated in the Charlotte paper the Deemocrat party didn't give him much help, but some people that I have discussed this with, says he did get help from the democrats.. Again I think Howard Dean is good for the Democrats. He was unfairly treated by CNN after a primary, I saw what he did and what he said, he was trying to rally the troops. CNN. jumped Howard Dean, quickly, which as really unfair.

[mzmolly]

11. We wouldn't have been able to compete in North Carolina were it not for Howard Dean.

People here are so energized this year. Our polls are looking good, our activists are excited and in part it’s because The 50-State Strategy and these national organizing events have really helped to energize the grassroots. That’s the main thing. And there is nothing better to show that kind of energy than a huge state-wide canvass.

The bottom line is that it is crunch time and we wanted to lead by example, with the events we sponsored, but we also wanted to help guide people who didn’t have a specific idea of what to do. We have been getting a really positive response.

http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/10/50-state_turnou_2.php

I think it's great that we're now in a position to critique in all fifty states though. ;)

[blondeatlast]

14. The important thing is the big picture. The 50 state strategy won us a majority

in both Houses and therefore, the DEMS set the agenda.

I can see why many people are pissed, and I'm not a Dean fan, but this was an important win and the importance of gaining the majority in both Houses is immeasurable.