Democrats See Signs of Hope in Battle for Congress

[alp227]

Jennifer Steinhauer, NY Times

While most of the political world’s attention has been focused on the presidential primaries, Democrats who took a beating in the midterm elections say they have slowly but steadily gotten back in the game when it comes to the battle for control of Congress.

A year of fiscal fights that left the country careening from threatened government shutdown to federal default back to shutdown has hurt every member of Congress, but polls show it has hurt Republicans a bit more. Just before Christmas, House Republicans were forced to make humiliating concessions to Democrats over the extension of a payroll tax holiday and unemployment benefits, dinging the party’s tax-cutting brand.

And improving economic signs captured in jobs gains reported on Friday also have Democrats feeling more optimistic.

“This morning’s announcement that our economy added 200,000 jobs in December, bringing our unemployment rate down to 8.5 percent, is a sign of progress and provides further evidence that our economy is recovering,” Representative Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland, the No. 2 Democrat in the House, said Friday.

full: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/07/us/politics/democrats-see-signs-of-hope-in-election-battle-for-congress.html?pagewanted=all

[Surya Gayatri]

1. In the last month or so,

the general mood among Dem pundits has lightened up perceptibly. Let's hope the momentum takes us all the way to November. SG

Thanks for posting something positive, alp227!

[Cal33]

36. If Repubs. can be prevented from vote-fraud, Dems. will definitely win. Or don't people

know this yet?

[Robbins]

2. Well

I believe If Obama wins we have decent chance of Democrats retaking the House.2010 showed the senate can be unpredicable.
But,If Obama beats Romney Pelosi could be back as Speaker.

[jmowreader]

6. I don't think I want Nancy Pelosi back as speaker

I think I would rather have Keith Ellison as speaker...not only because he's more liberal than Pelosi is, but because he's a Muslim.

[a2liberal]

8. I dunno, Pelosi accomplished a whole ton

There was some VERY progressive legislation that came out of the House during those 2 years... the Senate is where it all died. (Sorry, I don't have specific cites right now, I just remember looking through a list and being impressed)

But yeah, it would be fun to see wingnut heads explode with a Muslim Speaker :-D

[alp227]

10. haha, the right wing will get so crazy they'll alienate themselves

from those deciding their political orientations. When will the average smart but apolitical person become tired of constantly hearing "the Muslims are taking over! Sharia law will replace the Constitution!" during a possible Ellison speakership?

[a2liberal]

13. Well, we hear a lot of that already

Is it alienating people? I hope so, but I don't know

[CBHagman]

20. Pelosi did indeed rank among the most effective speakers.

I suggest anyone hastening to pass judgment on Pelosi read the following links, some of which provide historical context and, above all, a little something on the numbers and effort involved in getting anything done.

"Win or Lose, Pelosi Is One for the Ages"

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2010/09/19/win_or_lose_pelosi_is_one_for_the_ages/

Compared with the legislative roadblocks impeding her predecessors, Pelosi has faced a Sierra Nevada of obstacles. The House minority’s everyday tactic, overall strategy, and one-word vocabulary is “No.’’ Clay, Reed, Rayburn, and O’Neill cajoled, bargained with, and intimidated their own members. Pelosi must also cope with the Other Body’s addiction to the routine filibuster. Any motion dicier than accepting the chaplain’s prayer requires 60 votes in the Senate.

(SNIP)

Four years before Pelosi arrived in Congress, the Cheneys assessed “the power of strong individuals to reshape the forms they find.’’ Her record meets their scholarly standard of “individuals who have created — and re-created — an institution.’’ Nancy Pelosi is “controversial’’ because she is effective. She knows how to get to 218.


From AOL:

http://www.aolnews.com/2010/11/04/experts-rank-pelosi-among-greatest-house-speakers/

And two links from Ms. Magazine, one an article, one a rapid response to those who wonder what Pelosi has done for us:

http://msmagazine.com/blog/blog/2011/01/06/what-has-nancy-pelosi-done-for-us-anyway/

http://msmagazine.com/blog/blog/2011/01/05/watch-out-john-nancys-still-on-the-job/

From E.J. Dionne:

http://www.startribune.com/opinion/106797758.html

There's more, but it would require a bit of digging because there wasn't exactly saturation coverage on the House Democrats from 2007 to 2011.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

27. Is this the same Pelosi that publicly took impeachment "off the table"?

[a2liberal]

32. Yes

I didn't say she's perfect

[CBHagman]

18. "No religious test" clause.

http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.

[AlbertCat]

22. but because he's a Muslim.

All "games" to make Repug heads explode aside...What exactly does that have to do with being a good Speaker?

[jmowreader]

34. It doesn't have ANYTHING to do with being a good Speaker

I just want the fucking Republicans to hate coming to work so badly over the next couple of years that they retire or resign from the House en masse. Preferably before the end of the session.

[unkachuck]

3. "All of this has left Democrats feeling more hopeful..."

I'm a Democrat, and I'm okay.
I sleep all night and I work all day.

I cut down pukes. I eat my lunch.
I go to the lavatory.
On Wednesdays I go shoppin'
And have buttered scones for tea.

He cuts down pukes. He eats his lunch.
He goes to the lavatory.
On Wednesdays he goes shopping
And has buttered scones for tea.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

4. Cute Monty Python adaptation.

I like it!

[freshwest]

14. LOL! Love it.

[NewImproved Deal]

5. Blue Dogs

Need to be replaced by real Dems in the primaries...

[jonthebru]

12. Thats an easy to agree with desire...

but in some of these states , like Ben Nelson's Nebraska, there just are not very many strong Democratic candidates. I for one am glad he will be gone but chances are his seat will be Republican.

[AdHocSolver]

7. In order to win Congress, Obama has to specifically blame REPUBLICANS in Congress for our problems.

Just blaming Congress, without specifying that it is Republicans in Congress that make the problems, could backfire by having the voters go after all incumbents including Democrats.

I hope that President Obama has finally learned that when he "reaches across the aisle" to a Republican, he is only going to get his fingers "crushed".

[alp227]

11. he called out senate republicans in a recent speech

THE PRESIDENT: ...For almost half a year, Republicans in the Senate have blocked Richard’s confirmation.

AUDIENCE: Booo --

THE PRESIDENT: They refused to even give Richard and up or down vote. Now, this is not because Richard is not qualified. There's no question that Richard is the right person for the job. He’s got the support of Democrats and Republicans around the country. A majority of attorney generals -- Richard is a former attorney general -- a majority of attorney generals from both parties across the country have called for Richard to be confirmed. Your local members of Congress who are here today -- they support him. He has the support of a majority in the Senate. Everyone agrees Richard is more than qualified.

(Speech at Shaker Heights High School near Cleveland on the economy on Thursday)

[Arugula Latte]

9. We have a special election soon for Oregon CD-1

This is to replace David "Tiger Man" Wu ... There had been some talk that this might be the year the Republican (Cornilles) finally wins. It looks like the Democrat, Bonamici, will win fairly easily. Two recent polls have showed her up by 11 points.

[DallasNE]

15. The 2012 Congress Could Be Interesting

Because the Republican nominee will likely be known by the time any really important votes take place which means that Republicans in Congress must vote in a manner that reflects the belief of their candidate for President. That could well weaken the hand of Eric Cantor and some of the other firebrands that have turned the Congress into a dysfunctional body. Will these firebrands dare do an end run on their candidate for President as they have sometimes done with Speaker Boehner? I think not.

[oldhippydude]

19. a lot of those Republicans

are the Tea Party crowd elected in 10.. they will not change, many have expressed that they may be one term wonders, rather than co-operate.. the good news is that we can give them their wish, as well profit from the tarnished Republican brand..

[AlbertCat]

23. Teabaggers have proven to be a disaster...

... to most thinking people on both sides.

Of course in religious cults like Teabaggerism, the more they screw up, the stronger they feel.

I know it's completely counterintuitive. But then so are Teabaggers.

[oldhippydude]

28. counterintuitive indeed

these are folks that believe that cutting taxes creates revenue.. and have dedicated the last 30 years voting against thier own self intrest.. they are willing to take a pledge to Grover over their constitutional duty..sort of like the tax fairy will place gold under thier pillows

[dotymed]

16. Yes, we need more REAL Democrats in Congress.

Also, WE need to lower their pay. They should get paid what average Americans are paid. When over 50% of congress belongs to the top 1%, regular Americans are not represented.

[Kingofalldems]

17. K and R for all the pearl clutchers out there

We always come back strong.

[DCBob]

21. The momentum is indeed changing..

we shall see how this plays out in Nov. Could be a very good election for Dems.

[disndat]

24. The Crazies on the Right

have been the best friends of Obama and the progressives that they could have wished for.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

25. good. no excuses. these bastards better to get to work for the 99%

[Corruption Winz]

26. This is obviously good news..

While I'm aware that the numbers can be a bit misleading in terms of the unemployment rate, the fact is that some changes are still being made. Since the republicans seem to hate most of them, I can only imagine that they are mostly good.

[Odin2005]

29. The 'Baggers have outlived their welcome, we WILL take back the House.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

30. "...say they have slowly but steadily..."

[Zoeisright]

31. The very fact that repukes hold more thna 10% of all public office in this country

proves the fact that most Americans are unbelievably stupid.

[Tikki]

33. My districts super~stupid repug Congressman has announced his retirement.

Newly drawn CA Congressional district 26th will no longer be represented by Elton Gallegly-R Simi Valley.
I couldn't be happier....

I plan on working my tail-off to get a Democratic candidate elected...


Tikki

[Gringostan]

35. America sees signs...

America sees signs of hope for our Democracy! That’s what I want to see….

[opihimoimoi]

37. The GOPers Fucked themselves with Ineptness, Rookieness, and selfinterest Foolishness. BLUE WAVE