Skinner: Can we start a "STOP McCAIN PROJECT" at DU?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

Here's the idea, please chime in !

Let's harness all the knowledge, ideas, talents, of the DU membership
so that it actually could make a difference.

Let's start a DU STOP McCAIN PROJECT to assist our Democratic nominee.

Here's how it could work:

1. DUers research and develop a campaign idea, provide links, and submit in
a pre-determined format as a post in a separate forum.

2. We establish a contact with the democratic campaign.

3. We consolidate these ideas and submit weekly to the democratic campaign office.


Here's an example (Although the idea doesn't have to be specific to legislation)

TOPIC: Veteran's Affairs

SYNOPSIS: McCain claims to care about veterans. If this is true, why did
he vote against the veteran's supplemental for mental health assistance?

BILL: Bill Number: S 2020

McCAIN VOTE: NO

Official Title of Legislation:

S Amdt 2634 to S 2020: To provide an additional $500,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2010, to be used for readjustment counseling, related mental health services, and treatment and rehabilitative services for veterans with mental illness, post-traumatic stress disorder, or substance use disorder.

http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=V3692&can_id=53270

[Mist]

1. Someone just posted that there's something similar at the DNC site:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3179910

[blm]

19. McCain compilation thread in DU's Research Forum started in 2006. Here's the link

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_oet&address=358x2860

[Laura PourMeADrink]

21. that's great. I wonder how it could be brought to the forefront

somehow. Most people live exclusively in GD. And, how do you take
the ideas and get them to someone that matters in the campaign.

[shadowknows69]

2. Great ideas and initiative Laura

[CTyankee]

3. Great post LPYB! I stand with you and hope we can get something started here.

The is a leadership issue for DU. We've got to take this campaign in hand and give it some direction. That's why we're here.

NOT to moan, groan and handwring over the competing Dem candidates.

NOT to attack and beat down other Dems.

NOT to viciously tear down our fellow DUers when they disagree with us.

I hope the DU leadership will give your suggestion every consideration. If not us, who will do it? We're the grassroots, we're the voters. We need to join the fight RIGHT NOW against our REAL adversary: John McCain and the Republicans!

As far as I am concerned, this is a moral imperative. Otherwise, DU is just a big waste of time...

[Laura PourMeADrink]

13. You're right - if all the energy here - all the good ideas - all the

excellent research - could be harnessed for a purpose - how great
would that be !

How many times have all of us thought - man, we know a hell
of a lot more than the media and people who are running
campaigns? I see it all the time - watching the talking
heads - you find yourself saying - "what he said - that's
not true." Or, "he forgot to mention this or that". All
because of what we learn here !

UGH, just thought of something - what would keep the freepers
from seeing what we come up with and passing it on so McCain
can build a defense?

[CTyankee]

14. I think the freepers know all about McCain's problems.

I'm sure McCain's staff have all gotten talking points on just about everything that can be thrown at him. So I don't think we should even worry about that.

The big thing that they CAN'T change is that McCain is not offering ANY solutions to the problems most voters want to see solved, or at least addressed. McCain doesn't seem to have anything on health care, relief for mortgage holders in default, the economy, jobs, and of course the never ending war in Iraq.

That's why this guy is ultimately beatable. Voters are tired of the same old, same old, IMO. You can only get so far by talking about guns, abortion and doublespeak on Iraq. People are gonna say "That's it? That's all you are offering?"

[JohnnyCougar]

4. This is a really good idea.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

5. can happen once we are working together

but Hillary Clinton has endorsed John McCain, employs same firm to consult
as McCain, and is doing his campaigning for him.

Until we can settle the primary, we have two sides rowing in two different
directions.

[Maddy McCall]

6. I would GLADLY support this...

even though you rained on my BAN ALL CAPS parade.

:P

[phrigndumass]

7. Good idea, I'd gladly participate n/t

[unblock]

8. i have a great name for this project: "www.democraticunderground.com"

except that name has already been taken by a "dual purpose stop obama / stop clinton" project....

[BlooInBloo]

9. Let's see what happens after the non-candidate actually admits it, first.

[Irishonly]

10. It Sounds Great

I would love to see everyone sniping McSame instead of each other.:applause:

[windoe]

11. Great post and links!!

K & R --There are people who want to leave the US if McCain gets in. We still have electronic voting machines, and I am concerned that a third presidential election will be stolen. The two summers before Gore and Kerry campaigned against W, I was SURE that they would win in a landslide victory...there was too much criminal evidence then against this administration. Every time I hear a national pole that McCain numbers rival the Democrats, I do not trust the information, cannot believe anyone would vote for such an idiot-----yet this is what 'apparently' happened in 2000 and 2004.

[gateley]

12. Agree -- thanks for the posts and the links!

Bonobo once posted a thread on McCain strategy -- and it was great! Lots of smart people here, and it was exciting all working toward a common, and the most important goal!

[liberalla]

15. Yeah Skinner, Can we? can we? can we?

Good idea!

Here's some info at the DNC: http://www.democrats.org/johnmccain.html

[cliffordu]

16. YES!!!

:kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick:

[symbolman]

17. This is a great idea and harkens back to how people on the DU used to act

when this place was more like a Think Tank, generating works, action alerts spontaneously, and hundreds, if not thousands would pour behind a move and create a wave of Zeal... Hell, Takebackthemedia.com was practically Born right here, when American Stranger and I would challenge each other to Flash attack ad duels :)

We used to kick the stuffing out of the right wing clowns and any issue they invented...

I've got a few ideas, but not as much time (three year old now, and will probably need to find actual WORK soon, thanks to Bush's sucky economy, the bastard..)

But THIS is what this place Should be about, banding together to fight a common Enemy, NOT each other.. Can't spend all day here fighting Snark with witty reparte much anymore :)

I've got me a whole Reel of govt approved nuke footage just itching to be joined at the hip with some cool music and "Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran" McCain...

[Laura PourMeADrink]

20. You are right. I discovered DU in Nov 04 - and even back then

I remember it was a very positive collaboration of ideas. Now, not so much. More
and more just zinging people.

I really do think, once we have our candidate, we can all be 100% against McPain

[PerpetuallyDazed]

18. YES! We need a forum dedicated to this. n/t

[Laura PourMeADrink]

22. Second Example - McCain and Homeland Security

TOPIC: Homeland Security

SYNOPSIS: McCain claims to care about protecting the US against harm. If this is true, why did
he vote against cargo inspection?

BILL: Bill Number: HR 4954

McCAIN VOTE: NO

S Amdt 4999 to HR 4954: To improve the security of cargo containers destined for the United States.

Project Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt an amendment that requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop a plan for guaranteeing 100 percent of all cargo containers that pass through U.S. ports are scanned. The plan must include annual goals for increases in the percentages of cargo being screened.
Official Title of Legislation:

http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=V3896&can_id=53270

[Laura PourMeADrink]

23. Third Example: McCain on Homeland Security

TOPIC: Homeland Security

SYNOPSIS: McCain claims to care about protecting the US against harm. If this is true, why did
he vote additional funds to protect our nation's bridges, tunnels, transit, bomb detection.

Official Title of Legislation:
S Amdt 4553 to HR 5441: To increase the amounts for the rail and transit security programs, and for other purposes.

McCAIN VOTE: NO

Project Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote on a motion to waive the Budget Act in order to adopt the amendment increase rail security program funding by $1.1 billion, including funds for intercity passenger rails, Amtrak Police, and tunnel upgrades as well as an increase in funds for transit security programs including research and development of bomb detection technology.

NOTE: A MOTION TO WAIVE THE BUDGET ACT, IF ADOPTED, TEMPORARILY SETS ASIDE A SPECIFIC PROVISION OF THE BUDGET ACT OF 1974, SO THAT AN AMENDMENT THAT VIOLATES THE ACT CAN BE CONSIDERED. A MINIMUM OF THREE-FIFTHS MAJORITY IS REQUIRED FOR ADOPTION.

Highlights

- $670 million for tunnel upgrades

- $250 million for passenger and freight rail security grants

- $100 million for research and development of bomb detection technology

- $65 million for intercity passenger rail security upgrades