Primaries for the 19 Democrats who voted for cloture on Alito?

[More Than A Feeling]

I post this in here to take the temperature of those who may not be posting in the Alito forum, and thus may have a different view.

I would like to see serious primaries for every Democratic senator who voted for cloture on Alito, even the ones who later voted no on his confirmation. We in the blogosphere and the base in general have momentum now. We caused a filibuster attempt where there would have been none, and dragged Feinstein and Obama to the point where they'd rather throw the base a bone than be seen as "bi-partisan", at least on this issue.

I believe the next step is attempting to demonstrate the consequences of crossing us, by supporting progressive, primary opponents against every one of the "Alito 19". Truly, I would like to see them replaced, but even if they survive, they will be suitably chastened. If we could start by taking down one or two, that would be a good lesson, and the survivors might improve, just as the GOP harvested Specter's balls (especially regarding judges) after he nearly lost the Toomey primary challenge and almost had his chairmanship taken away.

So, do you support primary challenges for the "Alito 19", as listed below?

Daniel Akaka (Hawaii)
Max Baucus (Montana)
Jeff Bingaman (New Mexico)
Robert Byrd (West Virginia)
Maria Cantwell (Washington state)
Tom Carper (Delaware)
Kent Conrad (North Dakota)
Byron Dorgan (North Dakota)
Daniel Inouye (Hawaii)
Tim Johnson (South Dakota)
Herb Kohl (Wisconsin)
Mary Landrieu (Louisiana)
Joseph Lieberman (Connecticut)
Blanche Lincoln (Arkansas)
Ben Nelson (Nebraska)
Bill Nelson (Florida)
Mark Pryor (Arkansas)
Jay Rockefeller (West Virginia)
Ken Salazar (Colorado)

*edit for spelling

[acmavm]

1. I don't know about anywhere else, but I do support a primary

challenger for Ben Nelson of Nebraska. We are not one damn bit better of than if we had TWO republican senators from Nebraska. Because for all intents and purposes, WE DO.

[LynneSin]

2. I know I'm not bothering with Carper and I'll vote for the guy!

Seriously - my time and effort could be better used elsewhere.

I'm done worrying about the Senate - but I think we have a chance with the house.

[xchrom]

10. i used to think that

until somebody showed me what has happened with redistricting.

and it could get a good deal worse if the supremes uphold the texas efforts.

[LynneSin]

14. Then that's something I can fight for

local races so that we have the ability to redistrict stuff in the proper manner!

[rucky]

3. I'm for term limits on Senators & Congresspeople

Primary challenges are HEALTHY for many reasons.

[Laelth]

4. Invite them to become Republicans.

If that does not work, run a strong primary opponent against them. They need to learn some discipline. The Repukes can teach them.

-Laelth

[PAdem2]

5. IMHO, excellent post & question

Especially the Specter reference.

[SaveElmer]

6. Waste of time and money...

Everyone of these Senators are going to win. Money and time would be better served knocking off vulnerable Republicans than going after fellow Democrats

[More Than A Feeling]

7. I addressed that in my post

Even if every single one of them won, it would influence their future voting. A strong primary challenge happened to Arlen Specter, if you recall, and he is in lockstep on judges now, where before he brandished his "pro-choice" credentials.

[Laelth]

8. If they're all going to win anyway

then why didn't they have some guts and vote with their party leadership?

:shrug:

-Laelth

[ISUGRADIA]

9. Akaka has a serious primary challenger in Congressman Case FYI

[More Than A Feeling]

12. ah, that's the scenario I didn't think of...

from what I have heard (not much) Ed Case is challenging Akaka from the right. Please correct me immediately if that is a misperception.

If the only primary challenge is from a more conservative Democrat, then what? I guess the solution is to bring a progressive challenge too, so that scenario doesn't occur.

[ISUGRADIA]

13. From what I understood his challenge is based more on Akaka's

age (82) and Case's ambition than ideology. Case's record with various interest groups seems rather liberal and for some groups more liberal than Akaka.

Case's position on this issue would be a good question for those in Hawaii to pursue.

[Talismom]

11. I'm very serious...I want them to be very serious! n/t

[mattclearing]

15. Thank you.

This is what we really need to be doing. All those people whining about leaving and going third party have missed the point.

We need to replace our weak Dems with stronger ones.