Blogosphere fury at Dems on Iraq vote

[babylonsister]

http://www.opednews.com/maxwrite/linkframe.php?linkid=36177

Blogosphere fury at Dems on Iraq vote
By Jonathan E. Kaplan
May 30, 2007

Furious that congressional Democratic leaders did not fight harder to pass a supplemental spending bill with a timeline to end the war in Iraq and tougher benchmarks, liberal online activists have ripped party leaders and threatened to halt contributions to Democratic lawmakers.

The power of the so-called netroots — liberal activists who rally likeminded supporters on the Internet — is not clear. They have a loud voice and they have the capacity to raise money quickly for a candidate they favor, but they so far have been unable to push House and Senate Democratic leaders on a range of issues, including ending the war in Iraq.

“They let us down this time,” Markos Moulitsas Zúniga, the founder of the site DailyKos, wrote. “But the opportunities for them to make amends still exist. And if they don’t? Well, no one, not even the most rabid partisans, have an endless supply of patience.”

Liberal bloggers even criticized House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel (Ill.), who helped recapture the House last year as chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), for saying that the deal was “the beginning of the end of the president’s policy in Iraq.”

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (Md.) and other senior Democrats have promised to use the regular defense appropriations process and other legislative vehicles to end the war in Iraq. In addition, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has guaranteed centrist Democrats a vote on a measure this fall to de-authorize the use of force.

But nothing that Democrats have said seemed to placate the party’s left wing. Most galling to some activists was a DCCC letter that tried to claim credit for forcing President Bush to agree to “accountability and reporting provisions” and “cancel the President’s blank check in Iraq.”

more...

[Totally Committed]

1. This part PISSED ME OFF...................

The netroots activists also targeted Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). His approval rating sank to 33 percent based on an unscientific poll of more than 17,000 DailyKos readers, perhaps indicating that he has a difficult job corralling 49 Democrats. Pelosi had a job approval rating of 52 percent.

“The netroots and local activists, like the vast majority of Americans, are frustrated with the direction in Iraq, as is Harry Reid. But activists trust Sen. Reid as a person who is fully committed to bringing a responsible end to this war,” said Rodell Mollineau, Reid’s spokesman.

As angry as liberal activists are over last week’s vote, it is not clear now whether they can punish congressional Democrats who supported the supplemental spending bill.

Some Democratic lawmakers and aides are frustrated with the liberal wing of the Democratic Party and feel whatever they do would not be good enough.

“No American troop will go without … just so the most liberal activists in the country can be quieted,” said a senior House Democratic aide. “If it means Democrats in Congress get tea bags and hate mail, so be it — we will not be irresponsible with the lives of our troops.”

Now even our own Party is framing our mandate as if we are expecting them to make the troops do without just for our own selfish demands. F*ck these b*stards! I am up*to*here with almost everyone who is in a "leadership" role in this Party.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrgggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

TC

[babylonsister]

2. Very condescending imo; and that part about activists trusting Reid?

While it's bullshit, Reid's spokesman said it; what else could/would he say?

[Totally Committed]

3. I can't even form a sentence right now, I'm so angry. And insulted.

Harry Reid and his entire officeful of mental-midget aides and spokespeople can just BITE ME.

I was *this close* to being prepared to try to find a way to stay with this Party, but I may not even try now. I am livid. That quote put me over the edge, I tell ya.

Over. The. Edge.

TC

[tavalon]

28. Insulted? Why?

All they said is that you don't matter. We're you under the misguided belief that you did?

:sarcasm:

[Sparkly]

4. That is unbelievable.

I can only hope it was a "senior House Democratic aide" who was "freelancing" and promptly lost his/her job. :mad:

[Totally Committed]

9. Sparkly: So what is Hubby saing about this???

If YOU'RE pissed off, he must be ballistic!

Ugh.

TC

[jgraz]

12. Clearly the Dems want to compete for the moron vote in 2008

Cuz that's the only voter who's buying this bullshit. I wonder if they realize yet just how many votes they've lost with this disgraceful capitulation.

[tavalon]

27. They just want to remind you

that they aren't so different from their "esteemed colleagues from across the aisle".

I am almost through with these Vichy Dems.

Hell, I'm almost through with America.

[jmp]

33. — we will not be irresponsible with the lives of our troops.

I bet the 124 American soldiers murdered in Iraq this past month are feeling all warm and fuzzy over that sentiment.

These people only understand money. Choke it off and it will get their attention.

[Toots]

34. we will not be irresponsible with the lives of our troops.”

We will keep them in harm's way as long as the Republicans want us to..... More money for war .... sure how much...Eliminate the US constitution...sure as long as bush* wants it that way...we're here to please...

[Anita Garcia]

5. sunshine and daylight rec'd

Lots of sunshine and daylight is what we need.

[welshTerrier2]

6. not an "endless supply of patience"?

there is NO supply of patience ... the IWR took care of that ... that was more than 4 and half years ago ... patience? long gone!

the progressive wing of the party needs to do more than just threaten Democrats with various punishments (although I have no problem with discussions of withholding funds, campaign work and votes) ... progressives need to do more than just express their anguish over the treasonous betrayal from people we helped put in office ... venting and ranting are great ... it at least let's them hear the intensity of disdain for what they've done ...

but progressives need to do more ... we need to put together a list of demands ... we need to tell our so called "representatives" exactly how we expect them to represent us ... when you see threads like this one, i.e. themes about the hostility of the netroots caused by the total, inexcusable cave-in on Iraq, put out your very own little platform. don't just make noise; make policy. and be clear that what you're demanding does not have to be implemented overnight. we want to start hearing "our party" talking about "our issues". yes, ultimately, we expect our agenda to be implemented. today, we are laying out a platform.

if the Democratic Party wants to earn back my support, here are MY terms:

1. The Democratic Party needs to clearly let the American people, the republicans and bush know, in no uncertain terms, that there will be ZERO additional funds EVER to continue offensive operations in Iraq. Z-E-R-O ... got that ... the only funds that will be available after September will be for full, i.e. 100% withdrawal of every single troop including those Blackwater mercenaries. We will not be leaving troops behind to guard pipelines and fields for private oil companies.
2. There will be no Oil Law. Not a single penny will be allowed to be earned by any non-Iraqi entity be it private or public. Iraqi oil should be for the sole benefit of the Iraqi people.
3. The Democrats will launch a REAL INVESTIGATION into the manufactured lies that led up to the invasion of Iraq.
4. The Democratic Party will do everything it possibly can to eliminate corporate money completely from the campaign process (i.e. publically financed campaigns) and from the lobbying process. Disclosure is not a solution. It's time to restore our democracy.
5. Serious investigations should be launched into vote caging in all elections since and including 2000. If bush and cheney had knowledge of these crimes, they should be executed, impeached and then deported in that order. Treason is punishable by hanging.

How's that for a start? Until power is truly returned to its rightful owners, all the little programs proposed by all the little candidates will not ultimately change anything.

[Totally Committed]

7. Can you believe that sh*t ????????????????

“No American troop will go without … just so the most liberal activists in the country can be quieted,” said a senior House Democratic aide. “If it means Democrats in Congress get tea bags and hate mail, so be it — we will not be irresponsible with the lives of our troops.”


TC

[welshTerrier2]

8. arrrrrrggggghhhhhh ...

the really sad answer is, "yes, i can believe it."

it was bad enough they let bush and the republicans frame the issue in the first place. the whole damned discussion was whether the Democrats would leave those poor young American troops stranded naked in the desert with no food, water, clothing, shelter. Will the Democrats make them all swim back to the US? Has the "McGovern wing" of the party, you know, all those Jane Fonda hippies, finally regained control?

How in the hell am I going to talk myself into staying in this Party?

We care as much about the troops as anyone else if not more. I'm sick of having the assholes in Washington characterize the anti-war movement that way. We want the returned home as quickly and safely as possible. We want to see this de facto draft stopped immediately. Stop loss = draft and it should not be allowed!

Democrats should have passed some version of the McGovern bill that called for a cut-off of funds for all offensive operations. Money should only be spent to protect the troops and bring them safely out of Iraq.

If the Democratic Party wants a war with its progressive wing, they are damned well going to get one.

[Totally Committed]

10. Amen, brother! n/t

TC

[jgraz]

14. Why does our party always attack its most faithful voters?

My guess is that they don't think we have anywhere else to go, so why not use us to score political points with the Idiot Middle? This shit has GOT to stop. Somehow we have got to stop it.

[tavalon]

29. Send that simpering DLCer to some classes on framing

Oh, wait, he's doing the framing just fine.......for the Republics! Yep, I've come to believe the DLC is populated with Republics trying to take over our party from the inside. The plan certainly seems to be going fine.

[reprobate]

23. May I adopt that as my platform too? But I would add a number 6.

6. Absolutely no Fast Track on Free Trade. Fair Trade must balance Free Trade. American jobs are more important than CEO bonuses.

[welshTerrier2]

36. works for me, reprobate

it's really about more than just American jobs, too. it's about whether our government is serving us or just the big boys ...

[bvar22]

35. I like these, but would like to add:

Since it appears that the Democratic Leadership is content to let bush* administration run out the clock on a number of criminal acts (see 1992), I would like to have a pledge from the Party to continue criminal investigations and prosecutions AFTER bush* runs out the clock in 2008.


"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans. I want us to compete for that great mass of voters that want a party that will stand up for working Americans, family farmers, and people who haven't felt the benefits of the economic upturn."---Paul Wellstone

[welshTerrier2]

38. continue criminal investigations

i especially like your "AFTER".

anyone convicted of a crime, except of course bush himself, could get pardoned if they're convicted while bush is still in office ... investigate NOW; convict AFTER ... and investigate AFTER and convict AFTER too ...

great addition, bvar22!!

[mike_c]

39. hear hear!

I agree completely!

[babylonsister]

11. . for T C! nt

[snot]

13. Here's what I said: Demtoids: The Curiously Weak Dem Leaders

-- on my blog, c-blog (http://c-cyte.blogspot.com/ )

Thursday, May 24, 2007
Demtoids: The Curiously Weak Dem Leaders

Please contact your U.S. Congressional representatives TODAY to protest the pending bi-partisan compromise that would fund the Iraq War without imposing any meaningful timeline or benchmarks. You can identify and contact your reps through the "Contact your U.S. Congressional reps" link in the left-hand side-bar on this page under "Sites I Like." For more info, see Keith Olbermann's comments (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mSsPtJ5LY4&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fj%2Dwalkblog%2Ecom%2Findex%2Ephp%3F%2Fweblog%2Fposts%2Folbermann%5Ffor%5Fpresident%2F%20 ). K.O. agrees: Bush is holding our kids hostage, demanding more money though he's demonstrated he won't spend it on them anyway.

Then watch this video about the problems with pending election reform bill, H.R. 811 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjFHNfKWkCs ), and you'll understand more than Dem leaders seem to care to know about what it takes to ensure fair elections.

One starts to wonder whether it's merely the Dems' near-equal dependence on monied interests that accounts for their apparent weakness . . . does Rove have dirt on them or something? The revelation could hardly bring more shame on them than they've brought on themselves.

I'm giving you the links instead of embedding the videos so you can go to YouTube and rate these videos up.

[MasonJar]

15. Relax, folks. This is a fairly obvious strike against us internet politicos.

You are bent out of shape by a quote by an anonymous staffer. What got my goat was the bit about Rahm Emanuel. It was Dean not Emanuel who got us back the Congress. Rahm was out there in front of the line disparaging Dean at every opportunity so he could replace him with a DLC light and so he could take credit personally for the win. At least that is the way I read it.

[ToeBot]

26. Saint Emanuel attacked! The "savior" of Congress, what bullshit. n/t

[tavalon]

30. Relax?

Why?

[kiteinthewind]

40. My first thought, too. Dean is too good for those bastards. They will never appreciate him.

[Zodiak]

16. "Democratic Senior Aide"

What's his %$@#% name and which Democrat does he work for, Ben Nelson?

Message from liberal activists to "Senior Democratic Aide": We love our country more than our party, so fuck off!

1. Secret trade deal
2. Immigration bill for slave wages
3. Backing down on Iraq bill
4. Acting like they don't need activist and bloggers.

Been a hell of a couple of weeks, Mr. Aide....what other advice are you giving? What other crap are you trying to slip by us only to be foiled by us "meddling bloggers"? Better not let your bitterness and moribundity (is that a word?) show too much on your sleeve.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

17. Here we go again. We bloggers are even making the DLC Dems uncomfortable. Quite uncivilized, I dare

say. MKJ

[tavalon]

31. DLC Dems

In my book, there are Dems and there are DLCers but the two have little in common. Frankly, the DLCers are republics attempting to infiltrate our party and doing a bang up job, may I add.

[unkachuck]

18. again....

....they've told us to go intercourse ourselves because we've no place else to go....

"But nothing that Democrats have said seemed to placate the party’s left wing."

....it's not in what they've said, it's in what they've done and they've done shit to stop this illegal immoral REPUBLICAN war for profit....

....they haven't done much of anything but posture....so far, I give them a 'D-' just above a repug 'F'....

[Imagevision]

19. What are you most impressed about withy this new House and Senate?

[Vinnie From Indy]

20. The fact that they feel compelled to even respond to the blogosphere

is a small bit of progress. Also, I have a hard time understanding why a reporter would use an "unidentified" source in this story.

[glitch]

21. It's from The Hill, on K Street. What do you expect?

Consider the source and take it with a lick of salt. Just the little old DLC trying to reframe the debate (in a much kinder to them) light, same as it ever was.

They are courting unhappy Republican moderates, not us. You won't feel so jerked around once you stop expecting otherwise.

[Arugula Latte]

22. "But nothing that Democrats have said seemed to placate the party’s left wing."

We don't want empty words -- We f@#$ING want ACTION -- Not BETRAYAL!!!

Why is that so hard for them to understand?

[tavalon]

32. They understand just fine

They don't give a fuck how we feel.

[sampsonblk]

24. Close, but no cigar

He tried, but he doesn't quite get it. Not unusual.

[ToeBot]

25. If they weren't, "...irresponsible with the lives of our troops.”, they wouldn't be in Iraq. n/t

[bvar22]

37. Note to Democratic Leadership:

Continue to ignore the Majority Party Base AT YOUR PERIL!

Remember Joe Lieberman?
YOU will be next.



"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans. I want us to compete for that great mass of voters that want a party that will stand up for working Americans, family farmers, and people who haven't felt the benefits of the economic upturn."---Paul Wellstone