Do DUers now increasingly see the worth of having a majority in Congress?

[jpgray]

It's true that a lot of people are D in name only. It's true members of our majority are reprehensible on many issues, their reaction to the Iraq war buildup being the most visible and deplorable. However, for lack of those majority-makers, all the great Democrats currently in positions of leadership would not be there. The Gonzales hearing would have gone very differently. Let's take a moment to appreciate being in the majority again. :D The strategic opportunities for the best Democrats far outweigh the nose-holding one needs to do to stomach some of the congresspeople who help make up the majority that creates those opportunities. Agreed?

[jobycom]

1. The Gonzales hearings would never have taken place.

With the Dems having a majority, even, as you say, an often smelly majority, we control the committees, we can decide whether there should be an investigation in the first place. If the Republicans were still in charge of Congress, this would be just another issue we were sputtering about, and which was only revealed by some of the tremendous journalism of the Internet presses.

So yes, every single Democrat, even Lieberman who is independent but caucauses with the Dems, gives us this opportunity.

[mitchtv]

2. there wouldn't be a Gonzales hearing

very good point, now you've got to think about the DUr's doing the GOP's work for them, and stop them from sniping at Dem candidates for office, no matter how imperfect they are. We have a stable of good folks running, enough to vote FOR someone you like,and not AGAINST anyone.
"If wishes were horses , beggars would ride"

[Fovea]

3. Lookn at what majority does.

It makes the Quizling Dems stick out like a sore thumb. Rats like Lieberman lose all cover.
I certainly agree. It gains us supeona power and committee chairmanships.

It also shows us which Dems won't be needing our help next primary season.

I don;t know about you, but I am tired of making nice to Dinos.

[jpgray]

5. You can appreciate the majority without appreciating its worst members

If a superior Dem is available for a candidacy, always best to work one's ass off for that Dem. However, as disappointing as it is, when a bad R and a slightly-less-bad D are the choice, the latter allows leadership positions for great Democrats.

[Fovea]

8. I figure my Rep has a big ass pile

of votes to explain and make big mea culpa over.\

Dennis Moore never saw a trade givaway he didnt like, and voted for the mil comm act.

THe fact that he is a Kansas Dem may shield him *this* cycle, but some serious change in

voting patterns better happen

[Madspirit]

4. I agree

Plus, as a lesbian, I know this may sound silly but I always just feel safer in life when Democrats rule...
Lee

[Warren Stupidity]

6. When did we not see that?

Yes of course a majority is better than a minority.

That said, other than uncomfortable hearings and a modest increase in the minimum wage and other minor legislative initiatives, the only thing that will be accomplished by our majority is that new and even worse legislation is not going to emerge from the republic party and get enacted. Legislatively we should not move further backwards. That is indeed better than the alternative.

We will see what sort of leadership our opposition party has when and if dumbass vetos the iraq war funding bill. Currently it is still in conference committee, where it could simply be re-written to not only fund the war but to water down the already weak restrictions to the point of meaninglessness. If it is vetoed and our party caves, I'll revisit my answer to your question. At that point, with respect to the war, we will not have an opposition party, and 'D' just means one side of the same coin.

[jpgray]

7. A majority needs as much, if not more, accountability than a minority

But I'm just addressing this mostly to those who refused to see how electing DINOs when bereft of a good alternative could help the really effective Democratic politicians.

[Wwagsthedog]

9. Point well spoken.

Some of us need reminders from time to time and I'm one of them.

[jpgray]

10. Being a huge Kucinich fan, it's impossible not to see how some Dems don't measure up

But having Conyers et al in leadership positions goes a long way to compensate for that.