Short and bitter

[Vietnameravet]

I am going to make this short and bitter.

I have been hearing in the media about how Democrats are so reluctant to campaign with President Obama supposedly because he is so unpopular. If he is unpopular it is the result of the attack dog politics of the Republicans who have relentlessly attacked him on every subject from day one, facts be damned! But what do the cowardly Dems do?

Paraphrasing what someone said, if a poll shows Republicans behind five points on an issue their response is, "This iS great. Only six points and we get the majority!" Whereas if Democrats find themselves five points down, their response is, "Quick we better soft pedal or change our position!"

My brother who lives in a deep red state said he is voting for the Republicans because, "How can you trust them to defend the country when they wont even defend themselves?"

They ought to stand proudly with President Obama but instead they cower and hide...then they wonder why the base is not interested in voting..

Imagine Roosevelt acting this way? Impossible to image. Okay I wont stereotype. They are not all this way but the party is hardly a profile in courage.

And as long as I am on a rant..what about the base? Those that we are trying to help get health insurance, a college education, a home, a clean environment, a working wage? Can someone tell me what percent of them will show up to even vote? And if such a small percent even bother to vote, why should I care?

And finally, why are Dems so reluctant to campaign in the South and in rural areas? How can you expect their votes when you dont even ask for them?

I am disgusted and I cannot believe I am the only one..

Dems want to know why the base doesn't show up...show them this post!

TALK ME DOWN!

[themonster]

1. Truth

I agree.

[fredamae]

2. I don't Allow any

(especially) MSM, Pundit, Political Party's etc "use messaging" to detour, deflate or otherwise Discourage me from voting. Period.
If I did/do-then I AM helping "them" succeed. I refuse to do that.

Yes, things Are a mess and ONE of the Most important solutions to begin cleaning "it" up is OUR participation.

This a merely a "tactic" to discourage those they cannot Statutorily Prohibit, from exercising their Voting Rights.


Stay Focused. Defy Them and VOTE.

[tridim]

3. Why does your brother trust Republicans?

Because they're so honest?



No offense, but your brother is an idiot, and HE is the problem, not the Democrats.

[AlbertCat]

6. No offense, but your brother is an idiot,

Indeed.

Ask him how well Bush defended us on 9/11. He had plenty of info and warnings.

Clinton, on the other had jumped on it after his WTC attack (the 1st.... and another reason Bush should have been a little more vigilant) and caught the perpetrators without going to war with 2 countries.

Sounds like an excuse to me. Something to use instead of "Obama's black!".... or something...

[Vietnameravet]

32. Yes he is the problem but what are we doing about it by running from Obama?

[tridim]

56. Because the media lets strawman Obama exist.

The DU management does as well, though he is thoroughly debunked here.

Sorry, I'm just sick of the wrong people being blamed for everything. It never stops.

[Vietnameravet]

72. That was not the point

I was merely pointing out how democrats are perceived..and while he may be the problem, refusing to acknowledge that other may share his perception is not going to win us elections..

[femmocrat]

4. I know what you mean.

I can't understand why there aren't more democrats out there bragging on Obama's many accomplishments.

For example: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025644918

This administration has never done a great job at touting its successes. No idea why.

And what happened to the "50 State Strategy"?

[pscot]

20. That ended when the DLC

threw Dr. Dean under the bus.

[maddiemom]

31. Amen to that!

[maddiemom]

38. OH, to be clear I meant amen to your post, NOT that Dr. Dean was thrown under the bus. THAT was

a huge mistake by the Democrats, for which I guess we can thank Rahm Emanuel.

[Demeter]

5. Anyone who votes for the GOP deserves what is coming to him

Unfortunately, his wife, sisters, mother, aunts, cousins, male relatives and neighbors don't.

[AlbertCat]

7. Are Democrats so reluctant to campaign with President Obama?

First off..... one must assess if this is actually true.




Remember, the MSM does not generally cover Dems and the things they say and do. But of course 5 Teabaggers unfurl a sign on an overpass in Nowhere, ND and the MSM covers it for 3 or 4 news cycles.


And of course, if you don't vote, you don't get to complain.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

10. ^ n/t

[CaptainTruth]

8. I know what you mean.

I was a registered Democrat for decades but when I moved a few years ago I registered Independent, for exacly this reason. I'm tired of Democrat candidates not standing up & defending the party's ideas & record in the face of Republican criticism.

Especially when 90% of Republican attacks are misleading distortions of the facts or outright lies.

[1StrongBlackMan]

21. With all die respect, that makes no sense ...

... You were a registered Democrat for decades ... changed to Independent because you got tired of Democrats not standing up & defending the party's ideas & record in the face of Republican criticism?

How did that help?

I would think, if that were you beef ... You would have remained a registered Democrat and spoke louder; instead of removing your voice.

[Vietnameravet]

34. Only when we threaten them like the teaheads threaten the Repubs will they move..

The only threat they understand is the threat to say home..or withhold our money..

[1StrongBlackMan]

48. I disagree ...

I choose the path of PRIMARIES, as opposed to staying home ... staying home in the General, gives us republicans (that give us 0% of what we want); whereas, holding our nose and voting for the Primary surviving Democrat (even, the bluest of blue dogs) gets us 70+% of what we want.

For me the choice is clear!

[mopinko]

9. it is ssooooooo stupid. they not only shoot themselves in the foot,

they loose a really valuable opportunity to counter that shit.
if allison grimes held a big ass rally with obama, and they filled some stadium with screaming fans, and talked about kyconnect, do you think people who saw that would still believe he is actually unpopular? do you think that revelation might make them start to wonder?

yup. fools.
and jesus allison, tell people you voted for him. you are a dem. stop hiding that fact.

[hfojvt]

26. Obama simply IS unpopular in Kentucky

he took only 37.8% of the vote in 2012. True, that is 680,000 votes which would fill some large stadiums if they all showed up to a rally. But you really do not want to stir up the 60% of Romney voters by tying yourself to Obama, or leading with your party affiliation.

[Vietnameravet]

35. so why is he unpopular? Maybe because democrats are so reluctant to fight!

[mopinko]

43. yup

it was the weasels in our party that got spanked in '10. they should remember that.

[hfojvt]

46. er, maybe because it is Kentucky

Clinton won Kentucky twice, with a lot of help from Perot, (and also perhaps by being a local southern boy) but otherwise Democrats lose in Kentucky, no matter how hard they fight.

Allison is fighting like heck to beat McConnell. She wisely tied herself to Hillary Clinton (which won't hurt her with the Republican-leaning women who are probably gonna vote for her). She gains nothing by tying herself to Obama. She's fighting for Senator Grimes, not for the lame duck President.

[1StrongBlackMan]

51. Nope ...

so why is he unpopular? Maybe because democrats are so reluctant to fight!

Consider the evidence again.

[tridim]

58. It is because of people like your brother.

Stop blaming the wrong people.

[Vietnameravet]

73. You just refuse to see the problem, dont you?

say what you will about my brother but that will not win you elections. I cant change him but I sure can spot a loosing strategy!

Do you remember when on this very site people a few years back when people were talking about the demise of the Republican party? Now they are threatening total control of Congress! In spite of all the accomplishments of Obama and the Democrats!

So what happened? Republicans attacked and we put up a weak defense and now we are where we are!

[mopinko]

42. i get that, but

you have to stir up those who DONT dislike them.
remember that it was the blue dogs who got spanked in '10. people dont like to vote for waffles.

[hfojvt]

52. the blue dogs got spanked in 2010

Yeah, okay, but they were not going to win in their conservative districts by being liberal. The 2010 voters didn't even want to support moderates, much less a liberal. My own incumbent went down in 2008. My district voted for McCain. My congresswoman needed a bunch of those voters to vote for McCain but also for her. She doesn't get that win by touting Obama. (My bet it that she also lost because she lost the women vote - because the Republican candidate was also female. Had her opponent been male, probably enough conservative women would have crossed party lines to re-elect her.)

And Senator Russ Feingold went down in 2010 - even in Wisconsin.

[mopinko]

57. i think wis was pretty rigged myself.

i hope to see it go back to blue this time.

but people just dont want waffles.

[hfojvt]

60. conservative voters don't want liberals

they are more likely to vote for a waffle than they are a liberal in Kentucky or Kansas or Georgia or South Dakota.

[mopinko]

45. and kyconnect is VERY popular.

she should not be hiding from that.

[Splinter Cell]

77. Which turns my stomach

The program is so popular, only because they changed the damn name. The idiots in Kenfucky once again don't know what's best for them, only that they hate the black president.

Much of the hatred toward Obama is about his skin color. We have NOT gotten over that by any means.

[mopinko]

78. i think progress can only be made with courage. grimes

needs to stick her neck out and speak the truth about this. whatever the outcome. at some point the bs just has to stop.

[Liberalynn]

11. I don't have the answers

While I don't believe the President is a 100% perfect, he is not a 100 % to blame for why this country is still falling far short of where we should be either. No Democratic representative is.

I can agree with points both his Democratic supporters and detractors make! The thing is regardless of how one rates his abilities, we all still have to vote and vote for Democrats.

It doesn't matter what the Pundits or the Pukes try to make the race about. The truth is it's not about any one individual's successes or failings. It's about protecting civil rights for all of us, it's about protecting voting rights for all of us, it's about education, etc.

I didn't mention the economy, foreign affairs, or climate change, not because they are not important, but because frankly that's where our side needs to quit their own corporate pandering. The thing is we don't have the time to fix that right now. The time to do that as has been said is in the primaries, not in the general election.

Sending a "message" in a General Election is I'm going to blunt here insane and pretty asinine. We have already tried that with disastrous results. When a Democrat looses to A Republican, the party seems to be interpreting the message as ":"the voters obviously liked the Republican policies better." Thus they move even farther right. We can't afford to keep trying this failed strategy.

The only way to send the correct message is by voting against conservative right leaning D in name only Democrats in Primaries not Elections, and for all intents and purposes if you don't vote in the General Election and encourage others to do the same you are ensuring Pukes win. You are NOT FIXING OUR PARTY only making it worse. So vote this November and vote for Democrats whether you totally agree with them or not.

Then next primary cycle find liberal and progressive people, encourage them to run, volunteer for them, vote for them, and send the corporate ass kissers home before the General Election even takes place. That's how we tell them, "you're too far to the right dumb asses. If you want to represent the left you Damn well better start doing it by talking and acting like it, when and where it really matters."

[Augiedog]

12. Bravo

I too am a Vietnam vet, Pleiku and Phan Rhang 1970. I also find myself disturbed by the apparent spineless groveling of some (but only some) democratic candidates and their apologists. I like to think of myself as a Lafollette/Roosevelt democrat. Being from Wisconsin, that is in my blood. Anyone interested in "the Wisconsin Idea" and Lafollette need only search it on the interwebs. Progressive ideology is the only practical way to undo the harm teabag and libertarian nutcase ideology based on John Birch Society republicanism has wrought. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders have become antithesis to the Clinton and Obama waffling and I sincerly hope they can shove the complacent and perhaps already Wall Street bought Hillary to the Progressive edge of political sensibility. I have a feeling that Joe Biden might be more inline with Warren/Sanders than he is allowed to express.

[Vietnameravet]

37. "spineless groveling" great phrase..

[ffr]

13. I'm disconnected from the media, so I cannot hear what they are saying AND I vote.

Guess it really doesn't matter what they've said, are saying or are going to say. I'm still going to vote.

X DEM
REP

X DEM
REP

X DEM
REP

X DEM
REP

X DEM
REP

X DEM
REP

X DEM
REP

X DEM
REP

[HoosierCowboy]

15. I'll drink to that!

If the MSM says it's high noon, I'd look out the window to see if the Sun was shining. It cannot be believed for anything.

[heaven05]

14. thank you!!!!

and than you again, for unvarnished TRUTH. I am truly disappointed in our Party's behavior since the first day of our POTUS's presidency. Cowardly is an apt descriptive word. From one tired of the BS vet to another.....

[whereisjustice]

16. DNC appears to be a micromanaging corporation trying

their best not to offend any rich people. As a result, the party lacks courage and innovation and is on the wrong side of issues like defense, fracking, police brutality, Wall Street crime, income disparity, corporate influence, off shoring jobs to India and China, etc.

But they are great at platitudes and sentimental rhetoric about 1960s civil rights movement, probably since focus groups show that to be an OK thing to do.

You have to wonder what today's DNC would tell MLK - "STFU about your dreams and rainbows" ?

Or maybe "we'll fix it later"?

[CrispyQ]

17. "But what do the cowardly Dems do?"

I've been asking this question since 1980 when Reagan & the right wing started making fun of the word liberal. What did the cowardly dems do? They walked away from the word because they feared the media. And eventually they walked away from liberal policies, as well. They have been drifting to the right ever since, always afraid of the media. If they would speak out in one voice with a message like Sanders or Warren, they would capture the attention of the American people & also their votes. But no, they cower & slither to the right.

[whereisjustice]

25. +1, you are 100% correct

[hfojvt]

33. you might want to look at what the voters did in the 1980s

the VOTERS walked away from liberal policies, and the politicians followed. After Mondale and Dukakis lost almost all 50 states by being liberals, after Republicans took control of the Senate and made huge gains in the House.

But what does tying the albatross of Obama to your neck have to do with "liberal policies" anyway?

It's like some people are looking for reasons, any reasons, to be critical of the Democratic Party. Like spreading the message "The Democratic Party sucks" is gonna help anything.

Especially when they apparently suck for not following a stupid strategy.

In states where Obama took 40% of the vote it's an easy campaign message for Republicans to say "A vote for candidate X is a vote for Obama". Candidate X is only gonna make that easier if they go around, like the OP apparently wants them to, saying "I luuuurve Obama".

But hey, it's a darned shame that those spineless jerks we have running on the Democratic ticket won't shoot themselves in the foot, isn't it?

BTW, I sure hope the "spineless jerk" wins in Kentucky. That's why I am helping by going on the internet and calling her a spineless jerk.

[Vietnameravet]

39. "cower and slither" another great phrase!

[denvine]

18. I totally agree

I live in Kentucky and one of the hot issues is whether Allison Lundergan Grimes will admit to voting for President Obama. Why won't she say yes or tell them it is not any of there business. That is why we have secret ballots. She continually points out how she is different from President Obama. I will definitely vote for her, in fact I canvassed for her but I do not like many of her positions especially when she touts them as being different from President Obama. The Democrats always play defense and let the Republicans control the debate. Why aren't they touting all of the good things that have happened under President Obama. The economy, deficit, employment, numbers don't lie or how he has filibustered every bill that would put people back to work or help the economy with a stronger recovery. Why don't they point out that his raison d'être is to have President Obama fail at the expense of the well being of the country. Why aren't they pointing out how Mitch McConnell has always voted for the rich and corporations and fought every effort for campaign finance reform? It is very frustrating. Al Gore did the same thing with Clinton and though he really didn't lose, it may have been a larger difference in numbers so the Republicans couldn't steal it.

[Vietnameravet]

41. Great post!

How can anyone believe in us if we dont believe in us enough to be proud of what we stand for and unafraid to fight!
We should compromise about as much as Sean and Rush do!

[JustAnotherGen]

19. Our Candidate for our district in NJ

Would love to have him campaign with her . . . Standing Room Only if he came out here -

And being actively engaged in GOTV efforts for Senator and House -

I'm seeing the exact opposite of what you are seeing.

Talk to an affluent black/hispanic/asian/asian indian in Horse country NJ - Us is fucking pissed.
Talk to a woman - she's pissed.
Talk to a blue collar business owner - she/he is pissed.
Talk to a teacher in NJ - they IS pissed.

On and on and on . . .

I'm canvassing in the 6th wealthiest county in America - and us folk? We is pissed.

[1StrongBlackMan]

22. Shhh ...

That's the exact problem ... HE DON'T CARE ABOUT ME; ONLY THE RICH!!!!



BTW: I spent the weekend knocking on doors, as well; but in three demographically distinct communities in this purplish metro area ... a "wealth(ier)" community, on the Northwest side, a highly Hispanic community (highly economically integrated, as the older (wealthier) Hispanics remained in the community), and a racial/ethnically mixed, lower-incomed community ... and I found largely the same thing ... folks are pi$$ed and NOT blaming President Obama ... further, as a result of the canvassing script and contrary to the polling, the vast majority of those I spoke with plan on voting ... and I can only surmise (though we were not to ask), they won't be voting republican.

[JustAnotherGen]

23. Awesome 1Strong!

And I'm not going to shhhhh .


The 'affluent' and 'rich' have turned against them -because they aren't doing anything that leads to prosperity. The affluent and rich are dependent upon those who buy services and products from them to continue their wealth growth -especially in that blue collar business owner niche.

That should excite people - that Hunterdon County - the land where the Lances and Forans have traded off seats for the last century - just might be bright blue come November.

Look - we can't do anything about pockets of the South. We just can't.

But in the North East - not an hour from Manhattan or Philly? That's just stupid if we can't take that seat.

[1StrongBlackMan]

27. I had a really good time ...

I was paired with a (Spanish-speaking) 20-something. He voted for the first time in 2012 (for President Obama and republican candidate, Martha McSally!)

In between houses, and late into the evening, we had really good discussions.

[Stargazer99]

28. You've heard of killing the golden goose?

the rich and wealthy not happy because the president is not doing anything to make them richer? When is enough enough? Just like Kennedy said. The rich and the wealthy are the cause of the problems we face and they want more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JustAnotherGen]

30. No we aren't

And we aren't unhappy with President Obama.

EVERY person on board with Kovach in particular?

They are fuckin' pissed at the Cons. And a lot of those folks sent that worthless bastard Lance to Congress three times.

ALLLLLLLLLLLLLL they see is him pandering to a bunch of yahoos and hill billys that do not even live in our district on the issues of race, homosexuals, and women's rights.

He could give a fuck about education, prosperity, equality.

You do live in the NJ th? The North east?

[Stargazer99]

68. No, I live in the Northwest and my daughter died from lack of medical care

her death would never have occurred to even a middleclass worker. We work yet can not afford the co-payments in medical care and dental care is beyond our means. You work to pay the rent, heat, etc but being human does not entitle you to life in this country.
I have no respect left for this country....I work with conservative Republicans (business) I hear the indifference and ignorance relating to the lower classes. This country is spiritually sick.

[Vietnameravet]

44. Good thoughs by why "right off" the South?

(little pun in the title) Seriously some pundits say the current right wing is the result of effforts going back to the Goldwater days..they think long term and let nothing stop them and NEITHER SHOULD WE..ENOUGH TRYING TO COMPROMISE WITH THOSE THAT HAVE NO INTENTION OF COMPROMISING!

[JustAnotherGen]

50. In this election . . .

If we can't get a small district in KY - get a district in NJ where the COUNTY SEAT went for Obama.

He needs help.

Kovach can give it to him.

Lance never will.

It's this election in a month.

And - they never ever left the Goldwater days. Look at what Americans For Prosperity (the new John Birch) did in North Carolina with the voting registrations.

In Horse Country NJ - you bet your ass I'm taking that 'endorsement' from AFP for Lance out with me and a copy of the story of what type of person Lance associates with.


It's evil. It's nasty. I don't care.

I only care about winning right now - and what we CAN win. It's too late to thrown money and time into Sunbright TN - it's not going to work.

We've even gotten Lance to 'say' that he's opposed to a natural gas line running through the county - and now are beating him up on his consistenly anti (He's a liar liar) environment record.

[Jamaal510]

76. Yes!

"Talk to an affluent black/hispanic/asian/asian indian in Horse country NJ - Us is fucking pissed.
Talk to a woman - she's pissed.
Talk to a blue collar business owner - she/he is pissed.
Talk to a teacher in NJ - they IS pissed.

On and on and on . . .

I'm canvassing in the 6th wealthiest county in America - and us folk? We is pissed."

[Bryce Butler]

24. Results of your Jury Service

Mail Message
On Mon Oct 13, 2014, 08:23 AM an alert was sent on the following post:

Short and bitter
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251379788

REASON FOR ALERT

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

If you are trashing, bashing or undermining voting for Democratic candidates during election season, it is a violation of the TOS. This is over the top

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Mon Oct 13, 2014, 08:30 AM, and the Jury voted 1-6 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: I agree. Democrats should act proud of being Democrats. If they're in a red state and need to point out their differences from the national party or from the president, that's ok but they should not pussyfoot around about being a Democrat.
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: LEAVE IT.
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Agree or disagree with the poster, this is heartfelt opinion.
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: I think the alerter misunderstood the post. As I see it, the post is urging us to stand up for out principles and support our candidates. Nothing to hide as far as I can see.
Juror #7 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given

Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.

[Vietnameravet]

47. To whoever filed a complaint against me..

You sir or madam are rude and ignorant . Your attempts to silence those that see a problem and want to do something about it leads me to question your motives...you are like those that tried to silence those of us who saw a serious problem with Obama's performance in the first debate...and wanted to say something about it...Turned out we were right..but people like you tried to silence us..and I cant help but wonder why.

So you think I am rude and hurtful toward you? I might be meeting with Obama Thursday when he arrives here.. I will tell him that you think attempts to get Democrats to grow some balls and support him is rude and hurtful!
Object to that!

[oldandhappy]

29. well said

Can't speak for the candidates.

I work my precinct and help with voter registration. Most people who approach us at voter registration tables want their photo taken with the stand-up cardboard cut-out of Obama.

I do not want to talk you down. Your points are well taken.

I just finished reading the Century trilogy by Ken Follett. These problems are not unique to our time. That does not make them correct. The third book covers 1961 to 2008. I was horrified by what Nixon and Reagan did and by what all the Dem presidents had to endure. I can only think that the evil one is alive and well on planet earth. It is not a simple fight. Dems are really messy when it comes to getting things done. I do not know the answers.

Everyone -- please work phone banks!

[hfojvt]

36. thank goodness you are helping the "cowardly Dems"

By using the front page of DU to bash them right before an election.

Bravo!

[JustAnotherGen]

40. +1000

[Vietnameravet]

49. Its an ongoing problem and now is the time to get them to wake up!

Like you think those on the fence read this site?

[hfojvt]

59. Anybody can read this site

What I think is an ongoing problem is that the other side has a mighty wurlitzer - a noise machine that they crank up to spread their message. They have the money to put their message on TV, on the internet, in the newspapers, until we are swimming in it. A big part of their message is "the Democratic Party sucks, don't vote for them".

Instead of refudiating that message, you are promoting it.

I like to see myself as somebody on the other side, spreading a different message. Instead of spreading the message that "the Democratic Party sucks", I try to spread a message that says "Republican policies suck" and "Republican politicians suck".

like so http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024400678

or like so

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1052268

or so

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/hfojvt/53

Preaching to the choir? Maybe, but if a non-choir member happens to see it, maybe it will do some good.

And especially right before an election it would be sorta nice if voters who came to DU would see a message that would encourage them to vote FOR Democrats and AGAINST Republicans - instead of the other way around.

[Vietnameravet]

62. I have a chance to meet with Obama on Thursday and

I will tell him that some folks dont like my criticizing Democrats for not supporting him, and proudly so! I will ask him what he thinks,,,if I have the chance..;

Keep in mind...I never repudiated the Democratic ideals,,,only the fact that Democrats dont proudly support them and the accomplishments of the man they helped elect..so I dont see how I am promoting the GOP message..
Sorry

[hfojvt]

65. bully for you

you get to meet Presidents.

If I got to see him, I probably would tell him that I am disgusted by him and think he has been a sellout.

Here's how you promote the GOP message

"But what do the cowardly Dems do?"

Insulting Democrats (except for the glorious Obama).

'My brother who lives in a deep red state said he is voting for the Republicans because, "How can you trust them to defend the country when they wont even defend themselves?"'

Instead of explaining WHY your brother is wrong, and why people should vote for Democrats, you basically say "my brother is right" meaning "we should vote for Republicans" - just like your brother.

As if standing up for Obama in a "deep red state" is gonna win an election. Yep, all those Romney voters are thinking "well I was gonna vote for Grimes, but she just wouldn't stand up for Obama".

"the party is hardly a profile in courage."

Yep, the Democratic Party sucks. Preach it brother, preach it. Buncha cowards.

Oh, and just for kicks, while you are at it, here's another way they suck

"And finally, why are Dems so reluctant to campaign in the South and in rural areas? How can you expect their votes when you dont even ask for them?"

Yeah, they sure do suck, don't they?

Oh, and why doesn't the Democratic base show up to vote?

Uh, the Republican's don't either. Things are not that cut and dried.

2008 - Kansas there were 699,635 McCain voters, and 514,755 Obama voters and 24,453 voters for other candidates.

2010 Kansas Republican totals

Governor - 530,760
Senator - 587.175
All four Congressional races - 524,136
Sec of State - 489,640
AG - 458,497
Treas - 481,704

2010 Democratic total

Governor - 270,166
Senator - 220,971
all four Congressional races - 274,982
SOS - 308,641
AG - 349,340
Treas - 341,324

Some voters voted D for Treasurer and attorney general, but R for Governor and Senator. Tens of thousands of voters. Some voted R for Senator and R for Governor but D for Congress. Clearly all of the McCain voters did not show up and vote straight ticket.

You don't get those voters to cross party lines by tying yourself to Obama.

Nor do you convince them to vote for Dems by telling them how much the Democratic Party sucks.

[Vietnameravet]

70. Answer me this!

Twisted logic

By what stretch of your twisted logic do you figure my complaining about my brother voting for Republicans because he doesnt trust Democrats lead you to conclude that '"Instead of explaining WHY your brother is wrong, and why people should vote for Democrats, you basically say "my brother is right" meaning "we should vote for Republicans" - just like your brother.

You really ought to stop trying to silence dissent by projecting false meanings into what others say!


And you mockingly refer to Obama as "glorious" Here is a fact! The ONLY other place I have seen that word used is on far right websites that mock those that support Obama. And that my friend is a fact!

And telling me that the Republican base does not show up either is hardly a justification for Democrats sitting home.

And you think i am harming the Democrats while you call Obama a sell out and say you are disgusted with him??


I never said the Democratic party ideas sucked! Quite the contrary.. My complaint was that Democrats do not stand up and fight and running away from the party leader is not going to inspire confidence in what we stand for. Maybe if Democrats had shown some courage from day one in defending Obama and their principles they would not be on the defense now! Apparently you dont remember not so long ago when people on this very site were talking about the death of the Republican party and now everyone is scared shitless that we may lose total control of congress.

But You think Democrats should run away from Obama and attack anyone that wants to stand and fight..Well that is just what so many have done for the last six years.. CARE TO BET ON THE RESULTS OF THAT STRATEGY?

[CANDO]

53. The base will show up

It's the casual voter who won't. We can't win elections with just the base. What you say about Democratic political cowardice is absolutely true and it sickens me.

[polynomial]

54. Short and Bitter or Long and Sour

When things could be infinitely savory and great...


It’s with a comedy charged laugh to release those frustrations that are what is realized in the politics of the day. You should try to laugh about what is out there on the system. Otherwise you will go insane…

At least half the electorate is in a mosaic of misunderstanding because of the American mainstream media, or no matter because the Meta Data secretly monitored and psycho-managed into the system screwing with everyones mind every commercial minute.

It is not unusual to view free air commercials on one channel that offer erection tablets then surf to another in almost the same time frame that describes how erection tablets cause skin cancer. We must be in a the twilight zone of a renewed tobacco age of healthcare self-denial.

Notice lately that a lot of the videos are transmitted over the Internet muffled in sound. Especially, about politics on DU. Seems sophisticated technology is being exploited by very knowledgeable people but the media calls them hackers albeit they are trained professions.

Anyway it might be my Internet provider not sure but being somewhat savvy about this communication medium and knowing the large Republican ownership in all sorts of media has an effect everybody.

The other day in the grocery store I made a fool out of myself bursting into a loud cackling laughter while browsing the Chicago Tribune newspaper that is endorsing Bruce Rauner. I never heard of this guy before till now Bruce Rauner has political advertisement about how he was on contract to invest Illinois pension funds. Yikes.

It was not too long ago a huge news scandal and fiasco about the pension plan corruption in Illinois was center stage, and Quinn was trying to sort out the mess. It’s insane to think the Illinois has a pension plan mess and Bruce Rauner has the courage to advertise he was a principal investor all suppressed in the political mainstream media, worse the Chicago Tribune totally ignores it… Sheesh, wow that's not politics that's just being crazy!

[mopinko]

61. yeah, the trib has been a joke for a long time.

once upon a time it was a respectable news organization where the editorial opinion stayed on the editorial page.
but that was many, many years ago. i stopped buying it when they cut their foreign bureaus. replacing mike royko with nutjob john kass is another disgrace.

they also censor the comics page harshly. i happen to know nicole hollander, who does the sylvia comic strip. she is syndicated through them. they make her submit 3 comics everyday. one is always pointedly political, but they almost always choose the ones about cats and long baths.

and their endorsement of rauner is about as tepid as it gets.

a sad, sad joke these days. and a loss to a once great newspaper town.

[world wide wally]

55. I live in Colorado, and you would think from the ads that (R) Cory Gardner was running against

Obama. His ads constantly attack Udalll for voting with Obama 99% of the time, campaigning with Obama, and hanging out socially with Obama.
Udalll just ignores the issue completely instead of pointing out the success of the ACA, or how the Republicans have obstructed the President relentlessly.

So, how is it working out for him? Udalll is trailing by 5 points. Great strategy!
Fucking say something already!

[hfojvt]

63. so in other words

even in a state Obama won by 5%, tying your opponent to Obama is a winning strategy.

And you think Gardner is winning because Udall is not touting the benefits of Obamacare? So you think voters will rally around Obamacare and are voting for Gardner, who puts "repeal Obamacare" on his front page, because Udall is not running on Obamacare?

[world wide wally]

64. I think Udall would better sreve himself if he defended his votes, explained why he voted that way,

and how it has been successful. Not to mention other issues like minimum wage and alternative energy along with his focus on women's rights and health issues.
He could also point out how Republicans vote in lockstep and all the things they have opposed in the past 6 years and how Gardner will be no different.

[hfojvt]

66. you don't win just playing defense

and if you have to do a lot of explaining - you have already lost.

[world wide wally]

69. Just look at what the polls say

[Vietnameravet]

71. Here is the answer

Last edited Mon Oct 13, 2014, 10:08 PM - Edit history (1)

Chickens are coming home to roost for Democrats. Ask yourself How is it that tying yourself to the President that saved up from an economic collapse, has seen the Dow soar to record heights and has brought health care to millions in spite of relentless opposition..how is it that being associated with that man can be so toxic?

.I believe its because Democrats have been far too defensive for far too long,,Maybe there is nothing that can be done in Colorado but we have won before and maybe if Democrats had consistently and courageously defended Obamacare and what the president has accomplished over the last six years Udall would not be in this situation..

But whenthe news if filled with stories of Dems running from Obama and democrats are acting meek and defensive, the public thinks something is wrong,,,the Democrats dont believe in what their party chief says and this is the result.

Do you think Tea Partiers got where they got by being accommodating? Or easy going? or failing to fight at every turn?

It will take time but having principles and showing a willingness to fight for them is our best chance get us to where we want to be..

[NHDEMFORLIFE]

67. We don't know how to go on the offensive

With the exception of Pres. Obama's reelection campaign, we allow the Republicans to go on offense, define who we are and what we stand for, and don't start a counter-attack until it's too late in the game. This is especially true in mid-term elections.
Add to that the cowardly way too many Democratic officeholders backpedal away from a Democratic president as far and fast as they can, and you have our current plight.
I'd be deliriously happy if we can manage to lose just a handful of House seats, manage a 50-50 split in the Senate (with VP Biden serving as the tie-breaker), and pick up a handful of governorships. That would be a great night for us, all things considered.

[Vietnameravet]

74. adding to what you say...

Do you remember a few years back when on this very site, people were talking about the demise of the Republican party? So what happened? In spite of huge success by Obama we are now scrambling to avoid a total loss of both houses of congress! Amazing!

I submit the reason for this is that we have allowed the Republicans to dominate the discussion and worse of all.. we have all too often run away from the President..giving the impression to the public that we are not firmly in support of his programs...and that gives them reason to wonder..and room for Republicans

People want firm leadership and my impression is that too few democrats are willing to stand and fight but prefer to dodge and weave in hopes of avoid a hit.. They are far too concerned about the next election rather than building a solid core of support which means sometimes going down fighting for what you believe in. With Dems its always about "compromising and understanding..."

That is hardly the strategy of the right and look at where that has taken them!

But some here dont get that..they want to play softball with tigers..

[NHDEMFORLIFE]

79. Exactly

And the worst of it is that we never learn. We are like Charlie Brown trying to kick a field goal with Lucy as the holder!

[world wide wally]

75. I have to totally agree with the OP and all of his subsequent posts. Running from the Prez is

a losing proposition and always looking for a way to appease Republicans just shows people that we cannot lead at a time when they are crying out for leadership.
If Republicans can get away with saying about 90% of everything they say and still lead in the polls, why can't Democrats support all the things that have worked over the past 6 years?