Campaign 2008 begins... now

[NoodleBoy]

so... who's up this time?

[Tweed]

1. We need to start by focusing on 2006: Get the Secretaries of State

We need to control the positions that control the voter rolls. We got screwed in Florida 2000 and Ohio 2004 because we had Republicans in charge of the voting process. This can't happen again.

[NoodleBoy]

2. good idea

never too early to start vetting for 2008 though

[cire4]

4. Agreed...its waay to early to even think about 2008

Lets start targeting some senate seats that we can take from the Republicans in 2006.

[Tweed]

8. Mark Warner vs. George Allen in VA Senate

VA governors can only serve one term and Warner's term is up in '06 anyway.

[NoodleBoy]

9. if we have any Louisiana DUer's in here, what's the feeling on that one

ass who went Nighthorse on us?

[pstokely]

21. and keeping seats

nt

[Quetzal]

3. Honestly, I am not even looking at 2008

We need a broad progressive movement to counter the power of the right. I am not focused on winning - I am focused on expanding our base. Winning comes along with the package.

We should be registering hundreds of thousands of voters each year.

[Abelman]

7. Why aren't people like you in charge?

We do need to expand our base. We can do this by going back to the very core of the Democratic Party: A party for the people. We need to keep working for the blue-collar, stop working with the white collar, and start really working for the no-collar.

[carnie_sf]

12. That's exactly right

We need to build a broad grass roots movement if we are going to counter the hijacking of American political life by the right wing. I recently re-read tentacles of rage and it sent me off on a meditation about what we need to do to further the progressive agenda in America. In my opinion we need to look at what the right did right and learn from their successes. And what they have done right, IMHO is to focus first on low level offices like school boards, county commissions, and so forth. If the left is ever to make a comeback in this country we need to start right now building a broad low level coalition, and forget about presidential politics until at least 2006. My $0.02

[Abelman]

16. Exactly

I'd like to try running for something in '06, but at 24 (22 now), I'd like to travel more and do that type of stuff.

But how many of my elders are settled down with kids and a mortgage? Why don't they get out there and run for school board, Township Supervisor, or any local position?

I doubt many here would say they are "old" just yet, so take this fight off the streets and into the town halls.

[Hatalles]

5. 2008 Democratic Ticket: It won't be passive, centrist, or defeatist.

We're taking the fight to these SOBs!

[NoodleBoy]

6. I'm looking at Feingold as an excellent runner

I don't think Hillary should run... that would be setting us up to lose. The right wing, by then, will have been hating her viciously for 16 years, and alot of your average moderate Americans have fallen for it and are suspicious of her.

[Hatalles]

10. Hilary is not an option.

It will have to be the one man even the GOP was afraid of: Howard Dean.

[JBoris]

11. Yes Howard Dean Definitely , but more importantly

we need to dissect every aspect of their tactics and use the same methods to promote the facts.

[lilsourgoose]

13. Ron Reagan Jr.

I think he'd be a great candidate. He's a great guy, very charismatic, seems very progressive. And I can't see the Republicans eager about the prospect of tearing him to pieces...!

[NoodleBoy]

14. where could he run initially though?

[lilsourgoose]

15. Ron Reagan lives in Seattle, I think ?

[Bluebear]

17. It doesn't matter who is up

Mike Malloy really got me to thinking tonight. He said forget your meetups, forget your coffee meetings and rallies, it will not matter who we put up if the electronic voting machine scam isn't uncovered.

[Tweed]

18. You have to work together to get it done though

[LauraT28]

19. no one will will win dummies, until we get rid of the BBV...

WAKE UP!!! IT'S FUCKING RIGGED!

[txdude10]

20. Three things we need..

to start working on. We need to get Democrats elected into key state and local offices (especially those in charge of the voting process), crusade to abolish paperless electronic voting machines, and build a media infrastructure (including a television network or cable system) to counter Republican and corporation domination of this area. Look, Republicans didn't get to where they are now overnight. It took them over 20 years to lay the groundwork for their current political dominance. Just like Republicans did, we too will go through the normal growing pains associated with the building of a movement.

Come to think of it, the groundwork is already laid. It's amazing what we, Democrats and Progressives, have been able to accomplish in the last two years in terms of laying the foundation for progressive political power. What with the creation of the AirAmerica Radio, the establishment of moveon.org and other progressive 527s? The challenge for us is to put all of these together into a coherent whole. I believe the Republican victory yesterday is a pyrrhic victory. The Democratic Party is actually in a better position to take the White House in 2008 and possibly the Senate as well. We have an attractive, battle-tested and Southern candidate in John Edwards--if he decides to take another shot at it. Whom do Republicans have? Cheney is too old, and with the exception of Arnold and Gulliani, I don't see any viable Republican presidential candidate out there today. Perry in Texas? That's a long shot. I don't think the country would want another dumbass Texan in the White House so soon.

By 2008, the Iraq situation will be a mess (unless Bush orders the "pacification" or complete destruction of the country). Based on history, Iraq insurgents aren't going to go away. No foreign power has been able to colonize the country. Actually, a civil war or breakup of Iraq seems more likely today than ever.

Domestically, the budget deficit will become astronomical, driving interest rates up and causing economy stagnation. The pains of the Republicans' radical social and economic agenda will soon become obvious to the morons who voted for them (at least I hope so). All we Democrats need to do is be ready when the opportunities come beckoning, and I believe they will.

[burrowowl]

22. Campaign 2006 begins

to change Congress!

[Cinletharwi]

23. Voting now, voting then - same same with BBV

Vote with your dollars, the only votes they really count