Sheehan's anti-war crusade picks the wrong target

[wyldwolf]

As bad ideas go, this one is a real loser.

Cindy Sheehan, the anti-war mom of an American soldier who was killed in Iraq, is threatening to challenge the re-election of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Sheehan says she'll mount a third party campaign to unseat the California Democrat if Pelosi doesn't move quickly to impeach President Bush.

... unlike Pelosi, Sheehan doesn't seem to understand the politics of impeachment... While Democrats have the simple majority that is needed to adopt articles of impeachment against Bush, assuming the vast majority of House Democrats would support such a move, the 49 Senate Democrats and the two independents who are aligned with them fall far short of the 67 votes needed in that body to convict Bush of an impeachable offense. In fact, not a single Republican senator has shown any willingness to support a move to impeach Bush, the GOP's titular head.

The Republican effort to impeach President Clinton dragged on for four months from October 1998 to February 1999 — a time during which much of Congress' other business virtually came to a halt.

So why should Pelosi lead House Democrats into that political bog?

If Sheehan's goal is to end the war, and not just drag Bush into an impeachment process that he would likely win, she should set her sights on the House and Senate Republicans who are thwarting the efforts of Democrats to enact legislation that would force the president to accept a timetable for withdrawing U.S. forces from Iraq.

If it's an election fight she wants, Sheehan and her supporters should take on those Republicans. But, instead, Sheehan threatens to rain friendly fire down upon Pelosi, a leader of the anti-war forces on Capitol Hill.

That doesn't make sense.

Of course, Sheehan doesn't have a chance of unseating Pelosi. Two years ago, the San Francisco Democrat scored a landslide victory for an 11th term in Congress. She got 80% of the vote in that contest, which pitted her against a Republican and two third-party challengers.

But while Sheehan has no chance of beating the House speaker, she might be able to inflict some serious damage on the Democratic Party. As the leading voice of a nationwide anti-war movement, Sheehan has become a darling of more than a few left-wing liberals — a core voting bloc for Democrats. If she takes on Pelosi, Sheehan could cause a splintering among party liberals that might spread across the nation...

http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2007/07/sheehans-anti-w.html

[NavyDavy]

1. that is why she should not be discussed here or supported here

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[truebrit71]

7. Pelosi is the Dem, Sheehan isn't. This is DEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND...Not Cindy Sheehan Underground...

...pretty simple really...

:eyes:

[ixion]

18. Pelosi may be a registered Dem, but she acts like a DINO

IMO.

[Captain Hilts]

25. No, she doesn't. She remembers the harm an ineffectual impeachment process did to R's in 1998. nt

[MessiahRp]

27. I keep hearing that line.... What Harm?

Other than Jeffords turning into an Independent they did not lose their majority, they won the Presidency and eventually built a very strong majority that finally fell last November. Since they attacked the popular President Clinton with impeachment their power only grew.

I fail to see what blowback they suffered from that impeachment attempt.

Rp

[Captain Hilts]

29. Folks that supported it, like McCollum, lost re-election bids. nt

[MessiahRp]

36. That's a rather small example. Hyde, Lott, Burton all kept their jobs.

Seems like you're being selective on the actual impact.

Rp

[calimary]

58. And they weren't hurt all that badly in the general election, either.

They got close enough to steal it, after all.

The dynamics here are INCREDIBLY different. First of all, you have people actively clamoring for IMPEACHMENT all across the country. Second, you have some really serious, legitimate reasons to IMPEACH this time. It ain't some stupid-ass idiot blow job. Or a lie about some stupid-ass idiot blow job. It's lies that got us into a war and caused the deaths of thousands upon thousands of people including our own troops - COMPLETELY NEEDLESSLY. It's gross and relentless violations of the Constitution to the point of rendering it little more than so much toilet paper. It's green-lighting TORTURE and other hideous and downright Un-American practices. It's spying without a warrant on multitudes of innocent Americans, and then admitting it flat-out, knowing it was illegal (and trying to man-handle a sick man in ICU to sign off on it when even he disagreed. It's okaying the repeated and flagrant obstruction of justice. GEEZ. All that trumps a lie about a blow job???????? Sorry, I don't think so. And most of America can see the difference, too. Even during the depths of Monica-gate, Bill Clinton still had job approval ratings roughly twice as high as bush does on a good day anymore - mainly because people back then recognized the republi-CON persecution of him was piss-ant, partisan, and complete bullshit. They could tell the difference back then, and they can tell the difference now. Those same conditions are just NOT present in the here and now, nor are the dynamics.

[Perry Logan]

89. Impeachment backfired a ton.

They kept Congress but lost seats, lost Newt, lost Newt's would-be successor, and were roundly criticized for going too far. That's also where we got MoveOn.

Journalists from across the political spectrum have fully acknowledged that impeachment was mostly a partisan crusade on trumped-up charges to bring down a popular president. "From the viewpoint of history," the conservative Andrew Sullivan wrote recently in the New York Observer, "it's going to seem deranged."

[CreekDog]

41. Pelosi is not a DINO

Or 82% of San Franciscans in her district (nearly all of them Democrats and nearly all liberal) would not have supported her.

[ixion]

117. I go by her actions, and thus far

they say that she's become a loyal member of the DLC, and thus no friend to the Democratic party. It may be harsh, but I'm really sick of capitulation.

[Heath Hatcher]

118. She's was never part of the DLC

For christ sake, before becoming Speaker she was a mrmber of the House Progressive caucus, it's stupid to say she's now part of the DLC. You don't just go from being part of the Progressive Caucus to the DLC.

[ixion]

119. I'm speaking metaphorically, and it's not written in stone

when I see her start acting like a progressive, rather than a beltway insider, I'll withdraw the statement.

[Heath Hatcher]

121. All right, i'll take you at your word

Now Rahm Emanuel and Steny Hoyer, those guys are beltweay insiders, can't really say the same for Pelosi but well wait and see.

[ixion]

122. fair enough... thanks for understanding

:hi:

[Heath Hatcher]

124. No Problem man

When I see a corrupt politican I point it out, not cover it up and two I just mentioned whew are they dirty.

[ButterflyBlood]

108. Yep. Pelosi sure is a Zell Miller clone

:eyes:

[ixion]

116. sure, she ain't no Zell Miller, however

she's no Dennis Kucinish, either. ;-)

[Tom Joad]

40. to oppse elections is to oppose democracy.

all i'm saying is that it is good for people to have opponents in elections, and it makes them interesting.

[ixion]

120. yep, exactly...

:applause:

[shance]

9. You know ND, Nancy is not a princess, although she may see herself as one

and may have enough money to be one.

Its called a d-e-m-o-c-r-a-t-i-c form of representation.

And even for princesses like Nancy, she has to go through this thing called a p-r-i-m-a-r-y. Pesky things those primaries, they actually allow for others to run for office too! Isn't that wild?

With that said, I can't wait to vote for Cindy Sheehan. It will be one of the first votes I've punched with pride and enthusiasm.

I think America has had enough of candidates who support AIPAC more than they do the USA.

[CreekDog]

42. Cindy isn't running against Pelosi in the primary

If she did, then we could see which person SF Democrats think is a better representative.

But Cindy would lose that badly. You can disagree, but we will never know because Cindy won't run in the primary since the Democrats are "the party of slavery".

[shance]

57. In a fair election, I believe Cindy at this point, would win with a strong majority

However, the elites, whomever they are, have the potential capacity at this time, to influence that election to the point which insures that victory, and since we lack fair election processes, and since they have effectively avoided those fair election processes, we are very beholden to those privileged who count OUR votes.

[Tom Joad]

2. Pelosi was running against unknown third party people.

in the race for mayor recently, Newsom won by a hair's breath against a spirited campaign by a green party supervisor. sure, cindy's a long shot, but its gonna cause nancy to work at the campaign a little. maybe even debate.
people in san francisco want the troops home now, want this illegal, immoral war defunded, and want bush/cheney held accountable.

so everyone should support Cindy's right to challenge pelosi, it's democracy at work.

[Cameron27]

4. Not here Tom Joad.

If you're sympathetic to a third party candidate, support her, cheerlead her cause, but do it at her website.

[Tom Joad]

8. I only said that i support democracy, and her right to run

I know there are many DU'ers who do not have those values, so be it.

[Cameron27]

19. Oh bullshit,

DU'ers support her right to run, we just don't support her candidacy. I wouldn't support a Democrat who spouts Libertarian/Isolationist rhetoric, never mind an Independent.

[Tom Joad]

23. although i may not agree with everything Cindy says, i do think SF

might like to hear from someone who puts impeachment ON the table, war with Iran OFF the table.

[Cameron27]

26. So even though you have no idea what the

rest of her platform is, say fighting against the income tax, you'll vote for her on one issue, impeachment, something that won't even be a factor when the new Congress assembles.

[Name removed]

28. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Tom Joad]

39. i did not say i would vote for her.

[Tom Joad]

44. Please read what i write, rather than interpretations.

i find it very offensive. i never said i would vote for her, i just said the debate should be interesting.
obvoiously, cindy is going to lose it big-time on the issue of the income tax.

[Cameron27]

47. I can't read it, what I replied to was deleted.

Good I'm glad you're not voting for her, but whether you believe the debate will be interesting or not, isn't the point. She's not only running as an Independent against a Dem, but her nonsense about the role of government on some issues is so laughable, that I can't take her seriously anymore. On anything.

[Tom Joad]

50. post #23 generously still stands, and that is what i think you

somehow could not read correctly.
i also mentioned I Can't vote for her (or Nancy, or anyone else in that district), unless i lie on the voter registration form.

[Cameron27]

51. Something you said was deleted, and I don't remember

what it was. I'll take your point about voting, and apologize for suggesting that you would vote for her.

[Tom Joad]

54. okay.

i think my post was deleted because it was more angry than it should have been, so apologies from me also.

[Cameron27]

55. That might have been it.

We've all posted in anger, I know I have, so you don't have to apologize to me about it. (BTW, I didn't alert on you.)

Peace, it's a sensitive subject and I can go over the top too.

[Dhalgren]

20. I'm with you, Tom. Small "d" democrats catch hell here a lot...

[wyldwolf]

5. oh, believe me. I want Cindy to challenge Pelosi...

...then we won't have to read her supporter's bile here on DU.

[NoPasaran]

37. Another plus if St. Cindy is serious about running

She'll need to spend just about every waking hour on the phone asking people for money (like everyone else who's serious about running for Congress does.) Not so much time left for the sit-ins and the rallies.

[LoZoccolo]

106. She might be the source of numerous Sister Souljah moments as well. n/t

[ButterflyBlood]

110. And it'll be fun to watch Pelosi whoop her ass

Nancy wins this one by at least 70 points.

[saracat]

Yeah Good thinking.Make Nancy campaign so she can't legislate an end to the war!

Distract her from that pesky business of being speaker! Brilliant!:sarcasm:

[Tom Joad]

13. Elections are distractions...she can't do both?

isn't that part of the job description? isn't that part of what we have left of US democracy?

[shance]

14. Oh as always you are right Sara. Look at the bang up job Nancy's doing.

Wow. Who would even know she's doing anything about the war with all that legislating she's been doing???

[saracat]

49. Actually if you look back at the first 100 days, she IS doing a bang up job.

The war issue isn't as simplistic as some want to believe and neither is impeachment!

[northzax]

15. so what people in San Francisco want, you think

is for the Speaker of the House to commence impeachment proceedings against both the President and the Vice-President? get them both, and look who becomes President...oh right, the Speaker of the House. This is why Pelosi won't impeach Bush, then we get president Cheney, which no one wants. if she gets Bush, do you really think the REpublicans in the Senate will vote to, in essence, elect a Democratic President? really? really?

so, you prefer President Cheney? or can you name the ten senators you think will vote against their party to elect a Democrat as president?

[ClintonTyree]

56. So having Cindy Sheehan as a Congresswoman......

would ensure that the troops came home immediately? :shrug: I don't quite follow the logic of the Sheehan worshipers. If Sheehan won it would be a setback for Democrats. Sheehan would be low woman on the totem pole with no political pull whatsoever within the halls of Congress.

But go ahead, let's shoot ourselves in the foot just because things aren't happening as quickly as we'd all like. The DU circular firing squad is in full force again I see.

[Yukari Yakumo]

63. Except...

so everyone should support Cindy's right to challenge pelosi, it's democracy at work.

Except not here.

2. Who We Are: Democratic Underground is an online community for Democrats and other progressives. Members are expected to be generally supportive of progressive ideals, and to support Democratic candidates for political office.

[greenman3610]

6. Sheehan = Nader

no thanks

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Tom Joad]

16. Cindy would run in the general election against Pelosi, but still

you are right... we don't have monarchs here.
Even for those who support Nancy should support Cindy's right to debate and challenge Pelosi. If pelosi's position is really that strong, then she should not have anything to worry about.

[shance]

32. Thank you Tom. You said it much better than I did.

:toast:

[Cameron27]

21. She's not running in the primary as a Democrat against Pelosi.

[shance]

30. Well however she runs, the good news is we actually have choices. Isn't that what democracy

is supposed to be about?

I'm less concerned with the so called parties than I am with seeing people running and having legitimate elections. I believe both our parties have been hijacked by the corporate interests/banking conglomerates and neither seems to represent American interests. That should disturb every American, Republican or Democrat.

Give me a good, ethical person running as a Zebra and I'll vote for them.

My 'affair' is over with the Democratic (and long ago Republican) parties because I believe we've been duped one too many times by the corporate owned and operated Democratic/Republican party system.

They don'trepresent anyone but themselves and buying and selling off our government, our National parks, our pride and our country at large. Washington is putting our country at great risk and that worries me.

Thank you for the clarification Tom.

[Cameron27]

35. Good for you, I do work in the party system however,

volunteer work that is, so after I read the goals or purpose stated by the admins., this is the forum I chose to post in. If you're "affair" with the Democratic Party is over, and you start supporting a third party candidate, then take it to another board, or take it up with Skinner.

[CreekDog]

43. Cindy doesn't represent me

She makes too many mistakes and in turn harms the goals she says she supports.

It's foolhardy to support her.

[Captain Hilts]

45. Well said, Creek Dog. She's not helping the anti-war movement. nt

[shance]

65. I will proudly tell you as a former 'elitist', Cindy Sheehan definitely represents me.

for whatever it is worth.

I realize we are all in this together. I only hope more individuals will realize this truth as well.

[Yukari Yakumo]

66. Then I take you agree with her on the quote in my sig?

[Name removed]

67. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Heath Hatcher]

68. I don't think your being fair shance

The member simply asked if you agree or disagree with the quote by Cindy on the sig and wasn't being rude when asking it. You can atleast be cool and answer the question.

[shance]

69. Do you think he's being fair with the post and pic that he promoted?

With such a derogatory, crying Cindy?

There is method and intention there of course

It obviously shows me how he feels about Cindy Sheehan and probably women in general, much less those who defend those sons and daughters who have been murdered for no reason in this greed driven, profit obsessed war.

Frankly, I believe the individual has a lot of nerve using that picture.

Of course one can only assume he has not lost anyone in this war.

Seems sadly enough what they do to manipulate those who have actually endured loss.

With that said, I do not pretend to have endured such loss by family members/sons/daughters during this needless war.

However, that is not to say I have NOT endured the loss of both my parents at an early age in my life.

In my opinion, if you have lost both your parents you understand the true meaning of being on your own.

XO

[Yukari Yakumo]

71. However, she did say those words.

So answer my question. Do you agree with her?

[shance]

74. Was your son murdered in this illegal war?

n/t

[Yukari Yakumo]

77. Ah, this talking point again?

Answer the question. Do you agree with what she said?

[shance]

79. How pathetic and narcissistic. WAS YOUR SON MURDERED IN THIS ILLEGAL WAR?

If so, by all means please tell us.

[Name removed]

85. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[shance]

96. I have no problem with that quote if it is true.

Please prove it otherwise, if it is not true.

[Heath Hatcher]

99. Well it's kinda true Shance

Think about it. The Democrats were the party of slavery since most of our support throughout the 1800's was in the south and supported by people that did support slavery, it was the GOP when it first got started were the advocated of slaves and during reconstruction when Republicans and the freedmens bureau were down south to liberated the ex-slaves were constanly getting chased down by KKK members who were supporters of slavery. And throughout the century most of the wars that were fought were with Dem Presidents

WWI, Woodrow Wilson: Democrat
WWII, Franklin Roosevelt: Democrat
Korea, Harry Truman: Democrat
Vietnam, John F. Kennedy: Democrat, when the war was a "police action"
Lyndon Johnson: Democrat, esclated it into a war
Richard Nixon: Republican, ended the war
Gulf, George Bush: Republican

Now if I didn't name a war Shance please let me know, of course the BIG difference between the Democratic President that commanded these wars and Bush's war is that the Democrats actually tried to fight these wars right and had plans for success, Bush knows nothing on how to fight Iraq and had absolutely no plan except stay the course

[Heath Hatcher]

73. I kinda get with what your saying

Since I lost my father via a motorcycle accident in 2002. Personally I think the picture was kinda cruel, if you don't wanta like Cindy thats your business but find a better picture then the one the member has. But beside that I think the poster was being fair about his pic and his question and I think you should answer it.

[shance]

76. Was your son Casey murdered in this illegal war?

n/t

[Heath Hatcher]

80. Dude I have so son, I have no kids

And i'm only 19 years old so I have no idea what your getting that, all Iask if you answer the members question thats all.

[shance]

DUDE, have you had a child, son or daughter, who has been murdered in this war?

That's it.

Thats the only question needing to be answered.

[Heath Hatcher]

84. I just told you

I HAVE NO KIDS so your answer is NO, like i'm gonna be a father at 19. I'm not a loser.

[knight_of_the_star]

112. Shove it with the Ad Hominems please

Because such personal attacks are things that are quite frankly a great steaming load in my opinion and don't argue anything.

[Name removed]

72. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Yukari Yakumo]

75. So basically, your retort, instead of answering the question, is to run away.

How Cindy-like.

[Name removed]

78. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

81. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[shance]

83. Do NOT threaten me. If you were in the military , then you would sympathize with Cindy.

Again, DO NOT threaten me.

The question lies within you.

She has endured loss of her first born?

Have you?

[Heath Hatcher]

86. Allright both of you chill out

For god sakes, don't start saying stuff that gonna get all of ya banned. So take a deep breath and calm down.

[Yukari Yakumo]

88. The same Cindy who called virtually every soldier a war criminal?

The only thing she'll get from me is a slap in the face for saying that.

[shance]

91. Aya, I by no means should have to reiterate this, but her SON was murdered in this war.

That has no relevance to you?

That is the entire REASON she is active in politics now.

Where are we having a disagreement here?

[proud2BlibKansan]

123. When did she call the soldiers war criminals?

Please post a link.

[Heath Hatcher]

125. The poster has to be bullshitting us

Because Cindy Sheehan is not the type of person that would go out and call soldiers "war criminals". If she said that then her dead son would be a war criminal as well.

[proud2BlibKansan]

126. She is adamantly opposed to criticizing the troops

There is no way she would EVER say this. That's why I am asking for a link.

Should I hold my breath?? :)

[Heath Hatcher]

82. Why don't you just answer his question

And maybe he'll answer yours. I think thats fair.

[shance]

87. What's the question Heath?

n/t

[Heath Hatcher]

90. The question was

That do you agree with the quote by Sheehan in Aya's signature.

[ProudDad]

113. Her statement is FACTUALLY TRUE

It's one unfortunate statement plucked from an otherwise fine blog post...

[John Q. Citizen]

10. If Pelosi won't honor her oath to defend the constitution, I will help Cindy run.

My country and the Constitution is more important than the Democratic Party.

I know there are many here who are more loyal to the Party than the Constitution, but i'm not one of them.

[Cameron27]

11. Go for it,

no one's stopping you.

[John Q. Citizen]

22. I will if nessasary. i honestly hope Pelosi will honor her oath. It's up to her.

[Dhalgren]

17. Hear! Hear! My sentiments, exactly!

[Perry Logan]

92. OK, but just don't turn to us when you need help in the future.

We can play this game, too.

[Perry Logan]

93. Deleted

:)

[John Q. Citizen]

105. Do you mean if I become Prez, and I want to kidnap, torture, lock people up without trial

or legal oversite and I want you to look the other way and not say or do anything you won't help me out with that?

So how come y'all will help bush do that but not me?

Y'all give Joe Lieberman a committe chair? You wouldn't help me out also? What's with that, Perry?

Sounds to me like you don't have any power at all in the party you think you are speaking for.

If you did, you'd know how the game is played.

[Captain Hilts]

24. It's like occupying Pat Leahy's Burlington office. Our efforts are better placed elsewhere.

Like at moderate Republicans.

[John Q. Citizen]

31. Why. Do you believe the Repos are more likely to defend the constitution than the Dems are?

i don't. Which is why we need to remind the Dems of the oath they swore and of the importance of opposing tyranny.

The Dems seem spineless in this regard and they are the party in power.

[ClintonTyree]

33. I agree 100% with that article.....

many people here are advocating impeachment proceedings that haven't a ghost of a chance of succeeding. It would be an exercise in futility and delay the Democrats efforts to stop the Iraq war in ways other than impeachment. Impeachment WILL NOT succeed. There aren't the votes, at least not yet.

The Democratic "majority" is a myth. Granted, there may be more "Ds" than "Rs" but not all "Ds" are created equal. Some of those "Ds" are from red states and do not equate to a "D" from a blue state. It is a matter of fact that a few of the "Ds" vote more consistently red than blue. However, one of those "redder Ds" is NOT Speaker Pelosi. She's proven over time to be a consistent champion of progressive causes and will continue to do so.

Some people here act like spoiled children, holding their breath until they turn blue unless they get everything they want WHEN they want it. Please, give up on the thought of impeachment, at least for the time being. It has no possibility of happening now.

Ms. Sheehan has become a divisive force, driving a wedge between otherwise cooperative Democrats. She's biting the hand of the very people who made it possible for her voice to be heard in the first place. Where is the logic in that? A few weeks ago she stated she needed a rest, wanted to spend more time with her family. Now she wants to challenge to start a campaign to unseat Speaker Pelosi? :wtf: Yeah, that will surely afford her more time with her family and much needed rest, won't it? :eyes:

I have deep respect for Ms. Sheehan and her mission to end the war in Iraq. However, I think her methods have become unsound and that she could really benefit from that rest she claimed she needed.

All here who believe that Ms. Pelosi has suddenly morphed into the tool of George Bush and/or the spawn of satan are sadly mistaken. I believe she's doing everything she can REALISTICALLY hope to accomplish to end the war in Iraq. If it's not happening quickly enough for some or in the fashion they wish to see it accomplished, too bad. Go hold your breath until you turn blue, see what that accomplishes.

[rinsd]

34. The lowest vote total Pelosi has had in 8 elections was 77% in 1990 (nt)

[shance]

70. How do we know it was valid?

n/t

[Imagevision]

102. It doesn't seem realistic pelosi's vote today would be 77%... backin 1990 , Cindy today!!

[Marrah_G]

38. As much as I want to see the bastards impeached

the realist in me knows that it would take a long time, in the end the senate would not convict and congress would grind to a halt on issues like stopping the war, immigration, economics, etc.

I have a brother in Iraq. I want him to come home. I realize that no matter what is passed he will not come home any sooner then his scheduled time in late fall. I would like to see Congress working their asses off to make sure it is ended before he and all the rest can be deployed again.

Impeach and end the war now are both great, but neither can be accomplished at the same time.

Just my two cents.

I look forward to today and tonights Senate debates.

[Captain Hilts]

46. It's good to see some realism here. I agree with all you've said. nt

[ProudDad]

114. 3 months TOPS

It would take 3 months at a maximum to force bush/cheney to resign or to impeach and remove them if the People demanded it be done.

A majority of The People already want it done they just aren't demanding it yet...

[AtomicKitten]

48. this San Franciscan will be supporting Nancy Pelosi

I doubt Nancy's sweating it.

[SaveElmer]

52. Pelosi is doing a very good job under difficult circumstances...

How many bills have now passed that attempted to set a withdrawal date...

It is not her fault that the Senate is so hopelessly deadlocked...

[saltpoint]

60. Strongly agree. She's done her job and done it well. There's no leave

to replace an effective, capapble soul like Pelosi.

[Alamom]

61. I agree. eom

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

53. Congress is the wrong target?

Goodness gracious me.

[saltpoint]

59. I respect Sheehan's commitment to ending the war but were I still

registered in Pelosi's district I would support the incumbent in the primary.

I don't think Cindy Sheehan will crack 5% against Speaker Pelosi.

[Heath Hatcher]

62. Look I do respect what Sheehan is doing

But going after Pelosi is the wrong thing to do. Nancy is far from a DINO and has been working hard to end this quagmire in Iraq. Time after time I have seen her made speeches and come up with legislation to end it in iraq only to see it get thwarted in the Senate. And as I want impeachment i'm not gonna get and I have made peace with it. The fact is that there isn't support for it in Congress nor in the General Public(the latest poll conducted by USA today showed impeachment support at 36 percent with 62 percent disapproving)and with inpeachment in place it would totally shadow Congress for conducted matters that need to be worked on such as a real solution to fixing social security, a immigration bill that actually works and most importantly ending the war. Plus she really dosen't have too much to offer since her platform is basically two issues(iraq and impeachment). Tell me Cindy if elected to Congress, whats your strategy for foreign policy? tax cuts?, free trade?, a solution to fixing social security? because if your gonna be a Congresswoman your gonna have to address problems that don't have to do with the war and impeachment.

Look if Cindy Sheehan wants to run that's cool this is a Democracy you can run for office if you like there's no one stopping, but I believe here resources should be targeted at Republicans who are staunch supporters of Bush and the war. Cindy lives in a suburb near Sacramento then why don't you move to the 3rd District and run againist Dan Lungren a man who is a total ally on the Iraq, if would be better to run againist him then to run agaimist someone who has been trying to end the war. But since Cindy is running as a indy I seriously hope Skinner, Elad and Earlg seriously consider banning all pro-cindy Campaign threads on this board since this is Democratic Underground and cindy is gonna run as a indy.

[saltpoint]

103. I've heard Sheehan speak, and very much admired the strength she

has summoned to face detractors. There were certainly detractors in the crowd on the evening I heard her in West Lafayette.

I praise her citizenship and wouldn't wish for DU's admins to ban pro-Cindy threads, nor do I think they would.

All the same, I oppose firing anyone for no good reason, which means I favor Congresswoman Pelosi continuing in her role. I stand with my former Congresswoman against all comers.

I believe that Cindy Sheehan, a model activist, is making an ill-advised political move in challenging Pelosi.

[Yukari Yakumo]

64. We should all take bets to how many votes Cindy get

I'll bet Cindy Shithead only gets 3% of the vote. 2% if she participates in any debates.

[TSIAS]

107. "Cindy Shithead?"

Damn, I thought only people at that "other site" refer to her as that. What's next? Calling her the "ditch bitch".

Disgusting!

[LittleClarkie]

128. I'm no big Cindy fan either, but that picture's terrible

making fun of a crying woman is beyond the pale. And namecalling doesn't actually help much either.

I mean, what did she do, kill your brother or something?

[Perry Logan]

94. When the Republican Congress is voting to bomb Iran, I'll be there to thank Cindy and her followers.

Attack the one party we have left. Brilliant strategy.

[Heath Hatcher]

Perry I wouldn't waste your breath

Cindy can run but she dosen't really have a chance. She's not even running as a Democrat but as a indy that even marginize her more.

[shance]

97. Oh she most assuredly has the votes. At least in a FAIR election.

n/t

[Heath Hatcher]

98. Really?

You got the numbers to prove that? cause I can't see her really making a dent when she's not even running as a Democrat, at most I can see her pulling 10 percent of the votes since the 8th district has a history of support indy and 3rd party candidates before Republicans.

[LittleClarkie]

131. Sure does. Polled all his friends he did

and they'll all vote for her. So, that must mean...

[miceelf]

101. "has the votes"???

Pfft.

You can say that all you want. But you know you're wrong. You're just trying to delegitimize democracy when you discover that the rest of us don't share your cultish zeal for Cindy Sheehan.

"party of slavery" my hairy white a$$.

I was with her right up until that nonsense.

Fox news is promoting her heavily.

[Heath Hatcher]

95. Deleted

[beaconess]

100. This is a verbatim column written by DeWayne Wickham in USA today - you should cite him

[wyldwolf]

104. did you not see the link to USA Today in the OP?

:eyes:

[beaconess]

127. Yes - I saw the link - but you quoted several paragraphs, had no quotation marks or cites

[ButterflyBlood]

109. Fuck Cindy Sheehan

She's just another Nader-esque psuedo-leftist.

[RFKJr4PRES]

111. Pelosi won her last election,but people assumed she would do the people's work

and Cindy wasn't running against her at the time. Pelosi has alot of explaining to do ('Bush comes from such a nice family!') and Californians are sick of putting up with this abusive government.

When will we the people decide to take back our elections and our country?

New rule of thought- if they have a lot of campaign funding- they must be owing somebody something and it ain't the American people.

[ProudDad]

115. You're right. They're beholden to this group

"The Pelosi family has a net worth of over US$25 million, primarily from Paul Pelosi's investments. In addition to their large portfolio of jointly owned San Francisco Bay Area real estate, he also has millions of dollars in stock from publicly traded companies such as Microsoft, Amazon.com and AT&T. In 2003, the Pelosi family sold their eight-acre (three hectare) Rutherford vineyard. Pelosi continues to be among the richest members of Congress"


Pelosi...AMONG THE RICHEST MEMBERS OF CONGRESS...Too insulated to feel our pain...

[illinoisprogressive]

129. she doesn't realize if she was to replace Pelosi she would not have her power.

[Zorro]

130. It's idiotic to attack your natural allies

instead of focusing your energy against the Republicans.

Challenging Pelosi is a pathetic and fruitless gesture that only aids the Republicans.

[Heath Hatcher]

132. I wouldn't say that it would aide the Republicans

Because the GOP has less of a chance winning CA-8 then Cindy does. But your right it's stupid to challenge her when she's been trying to end the war, her energy would be better spent challengeing a California Republican.

[noamnety]

133. "a splintering among party liberals that might spread across the nation."

The democrats have split over things in the past. Slavery, civil rights.

When they've had previous shake-ups, do you think they generally came out on the right side of the issue?

Do you think it made the party stronger?