NY Times explains why we haven't heard from any Democrats (doh!)

[BigBearJohn]

The silence of many prominent Democrats in publicly criticizing Mr. Bush
for his handling of the crisis reflects their conclusion that the president
is on treacherous political ground and that attacking him would permit
the White House to dismiss the criticism as partisan politics-as-usual,
a senior Democratic aide said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/04/national/nationalspecial/04bush.html?ei=5094&en=23cce9f23aa42f66&hp=&ex=1125806400&partner=homepage&pagewanted=print

[dave29]

1. smart

.

[kenny blankenship]

4. Yeah and it's worked so well for us this far...

[XanaDUer]

2. When your enemy is about to hang himself

don't stop him and hand him more rope.

[wtmusic]

7. No, kick the chair out

and the GOP is working overtime trying to keep it there

[XanaDUer]

18. Well , yeah

or put the proverbial bullet through his brain.

[roguevalley]

30. go to www.jameswolcott.com and read his part one and two, the

two top ones and then tell me what you think. I'm interested, all who are posting here. Very good ideas from Mr. Wolcott.

[XanaDUer]

35. Will do.

I always enjoy Mr. Wolcott's stuff.

[Raksha]

55. I am so sick of hearing that!

What is so wrong with pointing out LOUD AND CLEAR that your enemy is about to hang himself?

[wtmusic]

3. What a lame excuse

Here's a better one: "I'm too afraid to confront the president on anything of substance."

[libhill]

46. I think you're right,

but don't forget the second part of the statement - "Gee, I wonder why we can't win elections anymore?"

[wtmusic]

48. yep

and the wheel goes round and round :thumbsup:

[Mass]

5. Nagourney and Baumuller - No surprise there-

[Spazito]

6. Totally agree, that is exactly what would happen

The repubs would see any attacks as a major gift horse to change the subject. The dems are being very smart right now, the focus must be on the victims until they are safe.

[MadeinOhio]

8. Okay.....I guess that explains it....

But secretly are they planning an investigation and impeachment proceedings? That's how Kerry's mind always works, someone must have made mention of this or something....

[TankLV]

36. Why yes, yes they are - with LIEberman heading the "democratic" side

of the CLOSED DOOR hearings!

I'm sure they will assign the proper blame where it belongs and give us a true and impartial "investigation"! :sarcasm:

Glad you asked!

[Connie_Corleone]

9. The Democrats have done this so many times...

It hasn't worked yet.

[MadeinOhio]

14. What would work is if their leaders talked about the failures on TV....

In terms of Iraq, because Iraq is on everyone's mind. If they don't pummel the failure of Iraq while the time is ripe and go after big oil........WHAT WILL BE THE RESULT?

More chaos!!!! Its time to end this.

[magnolia]

27. Something is working......

His approval ratings are plummeting and the MSM is finally questioning/criticizing him...so it's NOT the same old same old.

[Ladyhawk]

65. I agree. It's time to try something else.

Didn't someone say the definition of insanity is to keep trying the same thing that didn't work over and over and over?

*note* All posts written under the influence of too much Vicodin until further notice.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

10. Yep.... It will only take the heat off of Bush and be a diversion.

You can bet Rove is ready with a book full of replies and dirty tricks for any Dem who dares to speak.

Right now, only the black and New Orleans politicians can get away with it - because Rove won't DARE attack them....

[Gabi Hayes]

51. riiiiight...who do you think is behind all the violence/looters/rapist

stories?

you think that happened in a vacuum?

[aquart]

11. One problem with that...

It does lead people to believe that there is NO ONE standing up for them.

I suggest the quiet Democrats start finding something to do that helps these Americans.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

15. We need to serve as a CONTRAST to BushCo....

n/t

[longship]

12. That's correct.

Let the criticism come in Congressional hearings and in the wording of articles of impeachment.

[aquart]

19. Now that works for me.

Although my heart would prefer to straight to hanging.

[libhill]

50. From thr nearest available lamp post -

yeah, I like that idea.

[SoCalDem]

13. and in other news...

:puke:

[enid602]

16. bullshit

Bullshit. Each one of them are afraid that Bushco has something on them, or that Rove will arrange for suitable retaliation. While not beating a dead horse might sound noble, this might be our best chance to get rid of these fuckers. I have felt for a long time that they are the real thing; real, honest-to-God facsists. Might as well take advantage of a free space while we have it.

[NYC Liberal]

17. This is good because...

Democrats cannot actually DO anything about it, as only Bush can send NG, etc.

So all they'd be doing is complaining about Bush. Simply complaining wouldn't help, and it would not look good.

Their strategy is smart.

[nonconformist]

20. I'm not concerned about them coming out to criticize

I'm concerned that they're not doing jack shit.

[MadeinOhio]

24. Thats what I mean...

If its really all part of the game, they need to be sending their leaders into NO like Al Gore did!!!

They can save so many lives and score alot of points by being democratic, IMO none of them is flying into NO to do something and that is disgusting!

[bpilgrim]

21. same old BS we've been hearing for 4 1/2 years

hey, if it ain't broke don't fix it, right?

peace

[Booster]

22. I reallon don't buy that. There are ways to criticize at the right time,

and if tis isn't the right time then there never is a right time. They could at the very least get their faces on TV saying what they are doing to help with the situation. You can't tell me that those powerful people in Wash DC couldn't do exactly what Al Gore has done and just jump in and help. Their silence makes even me think they just can't be bothered with this.

[mzmolly]

23. It could drum up sympathy for him instead of accountability.

I expect we'll hear just criticism trickle in - in the coming weeks.

[Gabi Hayes]

52. EXACTLY what Fat Tony Blankley said tonight, and

it's what they ALL say in lockstep every time....just another inoculation strategy

whenever they fuck up, which is every day, they trot out the old, "dems will overplay their hand to Bush's advantage"

they do this EVERY Fffffing time, and it always works!

never works for dems, though

ask Gore

ask Cleland

ask Kerry

ask the former Senate Majority leader....I can't even remember his NAME!

[mzmolly]

59. I don't think we should refrain from criticism and we haven't - but

I do think we have to wait until people are safe before we blast Bush with all barrels.

[tandem5]

25. Democrats should work hard on relief and...

just let bushco hang themselves with their own actions and words.

[BigBearJohn]

26. Maybe we shouldn't be HEARING from them but we should be SEEING them..like

helping out in some fashion.
Organizing...
On t.v. asking for donations,
helping out in ANY way they can

no VERBALIZING

DOING SOMETHING

as opposed to you know who

[MadeinOhio]

28. Yes exactly they all need to be. n/t

[Lindsay]

29. I gotta say, I'm all right with the usual suspects -

the CBC, Dean and Kucinich, Jackson, Sharpton, etc. - speaking out right now.

The focus needed to be on the victims of Katrina, and on that enormous hole Bush was digging for himself.

But as soon as our brothers and sisters are safe and sound, I expect to see Congress start taking up the issues, and I expect some leaders to step up and shame every lying, conniving mfer of a Repug in the United States of America without end.

[applegrove]

31. Yep. Why they let Cindy be herself too.

[applegrove]

32. See if you just stand back - say during a storm of criticism against

how Bush didn't send help - the storm hits really hard.

At least the Dems admit their vacuume and have good reason to use it. How is Bush going to explain his on days 1 - 4 of the rescue?

[Hubert Flottz]

33. Now look who's "playing politics!"

"WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 - Faced with one of the worst political crises of his administration, President Bush abruptly overhauled his September schedule on Saturday as the White House scrambled to gain control of a situation that Republicans said threatened to undermine Mr. Bush's second-term agenda and the party's long-term ambitions."

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/04/national/nationalspec...

Sounds like Rove politics as usual to me!

[JNelson6563]

34. Yes, the masses are mumbling

without any promting.

[Marr]

37. They dismiss criticism NOW as media bias! What sort of stupid ass

"strategy" is that?

God forbid they open their worthless gobs and point out Bush's failures. He might say they were being unfair! Seriously- give me a fucking break. Most of our so-called "leaders" will continue to let everyone else do the heavy lifting, and just sit there waiting to reap the rewards.

[BigBearJohn]

38. How funny. When the media attacks THEM, they cry FOUL! hahahah

[Marr]

40. I actually had a Republican acquiantance tell me this-

"the media is only showing pictures of the flooded houses. They don't show pictures of all the houses that are high and dry. They only show bad news to make Bush look bad".

Now this idiots didn't just get that out of nowhere. It's the same thing they've saying about Iraq for years. I saw people on Fox this week suggesting the same thing- though not quite as moronically.

[BigBearJohn]

43. OMG -- if that wasn't so pathetic -- it would be hilarious!!!

[MadeinOhio]

39. Well at least Howard Dean and them are speaking out, and continue to. n/t

[Marr]

42. There are some, sure. Dean isn't bad. Carol Mosley Braun has been good.

There are the usual suspects who step up to the plate. But there are way too many of these do-nothing sorts who say they can't criticize the president, basically because he might get mad. It's ludicrous.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

41. They've already called criticism political!

http://www.gopusa.com/commentary/onorth/2005/on_09021.shtml

[BigBearJohn]

44. Yep! And it will be political when we kick their useless asses out

[proud patriot]

45. makes sense to me

meanwhile I screaming :rant: as should we all

[Skwmom]

47. I thought maybe the Democrats were afraid that the Republicans

would blame the Democratic Gov, Senator, and Mayor for this debacle. In 06 and 08 the Republicans would argue that the Dems are too weak to handle a major terrorist attack or disaster. In addition, portraying Blanco as a weak Democratic female, unable to handle a national disaster is the last thing the Clintons want the public thinking about in 08.

By comments made to date, I think Rove has let the Democrats know if you start trying to blame Bush, the Republicans will start an all out pr blitz to blame them. Bush hinted at this when he said how prepared the Republican Gov was - insinuating Blanco wasn't (and various comments were also made by others). I think they've both decided at this point in time to blame FEMA. Of course, that doesn't keep the Republicans from blaming the Dems in 06 or 08.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

49. Let's see, can't criticize him when things are going smoothly, because

people won't be receptive, and can't criticize him when things are going badly, because that's "politicizing a tragedy."

Yeesh!

[BigBearJohn]

54. cant criticize him during war either -- wouldnt be patriotic h.mmmm

[Greylyn58]

53. As I just said in another thread

I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt, one more time.

I think apart from defending the Mayor of NO and the Gov of LA we need to show the country and the rest of the world that Democrats don't just spout rhetoric, we roll up our sleeves, we jump in (Al Gore is a perfect example) and do whatever we can to help the people of LA, MS and AL get back on their feet and rebuild their shattered lives.

We believe in trying to help the least among us. Let the GOP try to spin their asses out of this. Let the country see them point fingers, try to place blame. While they are doing this, we will prove that what we say and believe is real and that we do indeed care and don't just play politics.

There will be plenty of time afterwards to grind the GOP into the ground for the failures. Trust me--the people involved in this WILL NOT FORGET!!!

[BigBearJohn]

60. Your dog is GORGEOUS

[Greylyn58]

61. Thank you

Sheridan is my baby. He was 8 months old when that picture was taken. He's 9 now and as I've been watching this I wonder about all the people that had to leave their pets behind because shelters won't take them.

I don't have any children so he is my furkid and I wouldn't have left him.

[BigBearJohn]

66. I feel the same way about my "Woofie"

[NashVegas]

56. I Think They're Doing the Right Thing

The Dems are out of power, we gotta accept that. If they talk, all they can do is talk.

Better to be like Al Gore - keep your mouth shut but engage in action.

[LoZoccolo]

57. Agreed, they should do this.

The criticism is coming from the media and people, which cannot be as easily dismissed. It's happening anyways; why neutralize it by making it vulnerable?

What they can do is be the alternative that the people seek when they complain, which is still a veiled criticism, and also what people really want to hear.

[RSchewe]

58. LOL, the news has already been saying the Dems are politicizing it

anyway. So if they do or don't it is a Catch-22. Miles O'Brien on CNN was talking that crap today.

[Imagevision]

63. Dems aren't even commenting yet for a specific reason

[Imagevision]

62. Let's wait for the body count to come in and more documented facts

to be published in days/weeks to come.
Example: Bush already screwed up bigtime by saying; "no-one knew the levee was going to break" he hung himself on that one, Republicans are even questioning Bush's response - Bush will have serious problems soon!

[LeftyDarthBrodie]

64. On Bill Maher last night they were talking about this

and Michael Eric Dyson made the point of saying that if the Republican's ever smelled blood they would attack until they won while the Dems have had many chances to attack but haven't for whatever reason they might be willing to give.

It would be so much sweeter to take them down than to let them do it themselves.

[nodehopper]

67. what a pile of crap, people want to see real leaders now

not pathological spinlessness