I sure hope we're not going to "make nice" agian at the convention this year

[PlanetBev]

Remember the rules at the Democratic National Convention in '04? No anti-Bush signs, no Bush-bashing. The conventional wisdom was that the Dems had to stay above the fray to win.

How were we rewarded when the Repuke National Convention rolled around? By the sight of Kerry-trashing rednecks with their bellies rollling over the top of their silver belt-buckles, wearing cowboy hat with purple bandaids and waving flip-flop sandals around. I can still see that piggish woman with purple bandaids on her three chins.

We need to attack these mother-fuckers every opportunity we get, most especially the convention.

[flowomo]

1. if Obama makes that call, he'll disagree with you....

and I'll agree with him. "Staying above the fray" is part of the change our system needs if by that you mean not indulging in divisive, angry attacks. People are tired of it. Let the Republicans do it if they want; it'll just bury them further.

[Autumn]

6. It didn't bury them four years ago,

why would we think it would bury them this time?

[flowomo]

10. one word: Obama

surely, you can see the difference.

[depakid]

14. And you'll end up backing yet another loser

What people in America want is someone who'll stand up and fight (even if its for things they don't believe in).

Another Kerry/Dukakis style snorefest- one that ignore the outrage that many if not most Americans are feeling is a prescription for disaster.

[flowomo]

17. there are many ways to "stand up and fight".....

Did Obama roll over Clinton by attacking her? I am not saying "ignore" McCain and the entire GOP record, but the OP (and you) seem to be urging some sort of scorched-earth slamfest. That isn't Obama's style, nor should it be. Dukakis/Gore/Kerry were simply boring people -- and not because they failed to attack. Obama is exciting -- and not because he's an attack dog.

[depakid]

18. Same old same old recycled rationalizations

I've heard every year as to why Democrats should "take the high road"

Bottom line: the high road has proven over and over in campaign after campaign at many levels to be the losing road for Democrats.

[flowomo]

22. I'll root for the high (road) and you root for the bottom (line)

and we'll see what happens. I suspect it'll end up somewhere in the middle.

[Howler]

2. I'm With ya PlanetBev!!!!

Trash them at every opportunity!!!!!

[anonymous171]

3. We need to use the convention to define McCain and unify our base.

[PlanetBev]

4. You hit it, anonymous

DEFINE is the key word for the convention.

[Youphemism]

5. I'd like to see a "McCain's not a real Republican" speech

An Obama surrogate should talk about all the issues on which McCain -- either now or in the past -- deviates from the Republican party position...

The Democratic convention happens before the Republican convention. In most ways, that favors the Republicans.

One way to take advantage of going first would be to make sure the Republicans are reminded of why they hate McCain as they go into their convention.

[PlanetBev]

7. Anybody remember Obama's keynote speech at the '04 convention?

It was awesome...no doubt he'll top himself.

[Cheap_Trick]

8. you mean this pig eyed sack of shit?

Can't wait to see what "clever" shit they come up with this time.

[Howler]

9. AHHHHHHHH ! MY Eyes! N/T

[eShirl]

15. what's with her Hitler button?

it looks like she cut herself shaving and then scribbled a goatee on the bandaid

not that there's anything wrong with that... just sayin'

[Cheap_Trick]

24. I THINK someone photoshopped it on

probably said BUSH or something.

different asshole, same mindset.

[PlanetBev]

25. Yep, Cheap

that visual atrocity is her. (I like the little Hitler pin you added.)

[loyalsister]

11. Time and place

There will be massive media coverage. Let's hope protestors come from the other side.

[SaveAmerica]

12. Why stoop to that level? It showed who the children were, I'd like to send a message that

we are above that and ready to fix this country the right way.

[anonymous171]

13. We need to define McCain with the convention. But we can do it without RW-style lies.

I'd say paint him as the sycophant he is and use his own words against him. He has flip-flopped on more issues than can be counted. The Double Talk Express.

[Overseas]

16. Me too -- I hated the sugar sweet romantic convention -- DUMB & WIMPY

I believe the Republicans were using NSA wiretaps to find out the Dems planned the dumb "Showing Up For Duty" hearts and flowers crap in 2004, which enabled them to go gangbusters with their ugly mean convention. They knew enough people would see them as the tough guys and Dems as The Wimps to keep the election close enough to steal.

It was also irresponsible, during the worst administration in US history, to have deliberately stopped some great speakers from making solid critiques of Bush actions and policies. That stupid, sappy "Showing Up For Duty" crap was really revolting. You can make a solid indictment of the administration without swift-boating. Honest critiques are NOT "stooping to their level." Luckily I've heard Obama give some strong critiques of the Bush administration and he must continue to do so. Some of my friends think Obama is too soft because he's polite. I have to tell them to keep listening because he can be very polite and still slice and dice their mistakes clearly and decisively. The truth is devastating enough.

DON'T LET THE OPPOSITION OR STUPID OUTDATED D.L.C. GROUP PUSH US INTO BEING SWEET AND ROMANTIC AGAIN !! It really is irresponsible and ridiculous to ignore the blatant corruption and idiocy of this administration on all fronts-- war, ecology, economy.

[backscatter712]

19. Fuck it. Trash McCain. Show no mercy.

We'll receive no mercy, and time has shown again and again that when one side plays nice and the other doesn't, the side playing dirty has the advantage.

So fuck it. I'm through being "better" than them.

From now, he's Wet-Start McCain, and everyone needs to hear about how his hotdogging caused the fire on the Forrestal. I don't care if the story's true or not. I just want to hear it on the news, and I want to see McCain squirming as reporters ask him about it. Don't think he won't do the same thing to Obama.

I want that man absolutely ruined.

This country can't take four more years of neocons driving it into the ground. We can't afford to play nice. We can't afford to fight with one hand tied behind our back. Let's break the son of a bitch.

[Lisa0825]

20. I think we should be on the offensive, but with much more mature tactics

than stupid bandaids and flip flops. I'd rather see signs about the 100 years' war and other serious issues than childish props like the rethugs.

[Autumn]

26. I like the way you think

:thumbsup:

[bunkerbuster1]

27. Agree. Obama's acceptance speech can be the "good cop."

I want all right wing republicans dumped on in new and inventive ways each day of the convention. I want all Americans to know how they've been fucked by these criminals since Newt's hostile takeover of Congress and Bush's 5-4 selection.

I want Americans to say "you're fucking right that we're bitter, and we want our fucking country back."

Obama can be the healer. But we need to vent too.

[Paladin]

28. Yes. Yes. YES!

Take no prisoners. You DUers who are spewing the same, tired old Turn The Other Cheek/God Forbid We Get Down On Their Level/Democrats Must Always Make Nice-Nice/It's OK If We Lose As Long As We Take The High Road To Do It line, need to get the hell out of the way of those of us who are ready to go toe-to-toe with these right-wing motherfuckers. It's not enough to think sweet, hopeful thoughts about beating the Republicans this time around---we need to rub their faces in the dirt every chance we get. When Obama's in the White House, I'll be ready to be a nice guy---not before.....

[tekisui]

21. McDubya is not a sitting President leading a propagandized war

with the backing of the media. We can hit McDubya hard, with no worries of being labeled unPatriotic or Traitorous.

[Cha]

31. That's right..Big Difference.

Telling the facts about mccain and they'll think we're "Trashin'" him.

[TheDonkey]

23. LOL. I agree that we could have been more edgy. Having our convention late will help though

I think that is going to give us a nice late bump and it will be after the repukes hatefest.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

29. I hope so too!

[On the Road]

30. What Happens When You "Attack at Every Opportunity"

is that all the old defenses immediately fall into place. Then when you actually have something substantial to say, half the audience is already innoculated against your message.

It has to be the right attack at the right time. Bill Clinton was a master of attacking with a positive spin; I'm seeing some of the same talent in Obama. No reason to spoil it a lot of frothing -- that isn't the way this election is going to be won.

[anonymous171]

32. Agreed. We should attack positively. nt

[eridani]

33. Can we dispense with the class-baiting "redneck" meme, pls?

KTHXBAI