We should primary out Feinstein in 2006

[Lenape85]

I believe that she has stabbed us in the back many times before, and that there is a great talent pool in Farr, Filner, Lee, Waters, Watson, and Woolsey, anyone of them is better than Dino-Fi, and are very electable in California, if one of them would try.

[Pachamama]

1. Totally agree...Ilook forward to it...

My checkbook is ready for making Boxer our Senior Senator...Di should have stood side by side w/ Boxer...and???

I will not vote for her and will work hard to support a challenger...she is no defender of Democracy....

[Lenape85]

4. I'm being very serious here

Any one of these fine representatives could pose a serious challenge to Dino-Fi, not only that, but they could win state-wide.

You or someone else should try organizing a citizen's group to (1) draft one of these people to run in the 2006 Dem primaries and (2) show support for any true Democrat voting against Dino-Fi

[imenja]

2. and who is your replacement?

You know very well Feinstein is the highest voter getter in California politics.

The tireless efforts to bring down the Democratic party and promote Republican rule on this site are amazing. Carl Rove loves you folks.

Have you written to thank Boxer and the House yea voters? Or is the point to foster as much animosity as possible?

[lazarus]

3. What?

Why do you think the poster said "in the primary"?

I agree. And I'd have worked against Boxer, too, if she hadn't stood up at the last minute.

We aren't allowed to work to improve the party by cycling out the people who don't help us? That's the freaking point of a primary. Or should we just have primaries when an incumbent isn't running?

[Lenape85]

6. Exactly my point

We must let our politicians know that they must be held accountable for every action. We put them into office to serve us, and they should live up to their duties, else they become unaccountable politicians who care more about their $1,000-a-plate DLC banquets than their constituents.

[lazarus]

7. That's one of the worst outcomes of

gerrymandering. I know that doesn't apply to Senators, but when we gerrymander Representatives into "safe" districts, we remove accountability from them.

[Lenape85]

8. 'Tis true, but...

Many of the people who voted for the objection were in fact from safe districts and they remained accountable.

Thank god they resist the temptation of being a career politician

[imenja]

9. fair enough

Your point about a primary battle is well taken. It's just that I've read dozens of posts with people swearing not to vote for any of the Democrats again, to fight to defeat them, etc....
I hope everyone takes time to pen a thank you note to the politicians who did stand up yesterday.

[lazarus]

11. I'll answer both posts here

I understand your reaction; I've had the same to people who just want to give up or condemn all Democrats because of the actions of some. There isn't an alternative party, IMO. We have to take this one back.

The way we do it is from the ground up. We need to be mobilising to get progressives in the local party machinery. School boards. County commissions. Everything.

That's what the far right has done. The fundies turn out en masse to vote for the smallest election, which gives them a disproportionate voice.

We also need to reward our politicians when they do something right. Boxer has been written, and her office called.

As for who would replace Feinstein, I don't know. That's why we should have an open primary. The problem is that it's nearly impossible to get elected without your party's support. Just look at what happened to Cynthia McKinney. The party abandoned her, and she lost.

The party won't abandon DiFi. But we can at least put someone up to make a good fight, so she'll realise that she has to represent the progressives in this state.

[imenja]

12. you're right of course

and I stand corrected. Since I live in Florida, I'd be happy for a Senator as reasonable as Feinstein. But like you, I want a far more progressive and responsive party. Best of luck.

[mitchtv]

13. I will not support Dianne, if there is a primary challenge

An open primary will not help dems to allow pukes to meddle. I will Support Dianne(vote for) if she survives the primary. I like many of our Dems. Woolsey is the best Mike Thompson is cool too. Lee or Waters or Waxman.

[lazarus]

14. Did that open primary bill pass?

By "open primary", I really just meant that we should encourage people to run against DiFi. I've never liked the open primary system that lets people cross party lines.

[mitchtv]

15. did not pass

thank god

[pinto]

24. I agree, Las. We so often look to the top of the ticket to move the agenda

when the agenda isn't defined from an informed and involved base. There's a recipe for disconnect if I ever saw one.

And by base, I mean a base that is also informed and votes locally...County Supervisor, State Rep and Senator, School Board, local Dem Party election, and dogcatcher for cryin' out loud.

[imenja]

10. still wondering who you have in mind

If you support someone else, it should be someone who you think will be better than Feinstein on such issues. None of the 99 other senators stood up, including Kerry, who decided to schedule his Iraq trip for the very date the electoral count was voted on.
It would have to be a very rare individual. I appreciate seeing political action take a positive direction, toward that which we want to see accomplished rather than simply against a particular candidate.

[Lenape85]

5. I don't know if I can, I don't live in CA

And Senator Corzine didn't vote, Senator Franky got Cranky, and Representative Saxton's a neo-con tool

[calimary]

16. Either that, or give her a GOOD scare for her money. She's been WAY

too cautious and "moderate" (read: sell-out). We have NOW seen evidence of what a backbone looks like. And what it looks like when someone realizes she has one and decides to USE IT to stand up. Barbara Boxer just showed EVERYBODY. So we have a template. We KNOW it can be done.

Feinstein has capitulated just once too often for my tastes. If it means the seat stays Democratic, okay, I'll vote for her - holding my nose. But I'd LOVE to see someone with more spine in there. You get respect when you TAKE A STAND. Remember bush himself - "you may not agree with me but you know where I stand." Evidently, that was enough to gain him a LOT of votes. Incomprehensible to me, but it clearly worked with a lot of people. I want to know if she's gonna fish or cut bait. So far I see far too much sushi preparation.

[Lenape85]

17. kick...Barbara Lee in '06

[davidinalameda]

19. rather have Lee in the House

than to make a run against DiFi

I can't see DiFi losing the primary

I rather see her retire

[Freddie Stubbs]

18. She would make mincemeat out of any of those people

There is peobably only on person who could beat Senator Feinstein next year, but he will probably run for reelection for Governor instead.

[sophie996]

20. what are you smoking?

don't you know there won't BE a democratic primary contest for that seat until Di retires or dies in office? we're not _that_ suicidal. maybe it's different in jersey?

i agree with what you say about her, but we're stuck with her until one of those things happens. of course, the party could pressure her to step down--and beware of low-flying pigs.

[davidinalameda]

21. the "party" knows she's a safe seat

and if Ahnuld does run, she's one of the few to be able to take him out

[pinto]

25. good, pertinent point, dwickham...n/t

[Ladyhawk]

22. Just what I was thinking...looking forward to reading this thread later nt

[xxqqqzme]

23. I had heard dino-Fi

was retiring (yyyeeeeeaaaaaa) then I got an email from Art Torres that said she was running in '06(boooooooo). Many people here in So Cal R fed up w/ DF.

[Jack Rabbit]

26. If Feinstein has a good primary opponent . . .

. . . I will vote for that person.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

27. Feinstein could also hand Arnie his ass if she ran for Governor too!

Feinstein is not perfect but she is guarenteed a victory and is a Democrat! I support Feinstein and you should too!

[Old Mouse]

28. She has put her aspirations for a presidential bid

ahead of her political duties. But getting rid of her also loses her power base, her personal connections, and her relationships with the more sympathetic members across the isle. She is powerful, and a junior senator would not have the political clout, for what its worth, that DiFi has.

Giving her spot to a junior senator might be giving the whole state to the Republicans.

[lazarus]

29. What good is power

When she uses it to vote for the war, vote for the tax cuts, and doesn't use it to protect our voting rights?

She refused to stand up in 2000 and 2004. Therefore she must go.

I'd be campaigning for Boxer to go if she hadn't stood up this year. I'm that serious about this. I'm sick of being represented by people who don't represent me.

[Old Mouse]

30. I am so close to agreeing with you

she has really pissed me off. But politics is an elaborate chess game, and emotional reactions only serve the other side.

[lazarus]

31. I understand that

But I keep hearing "chess game" and then seeing our side lose pieces; mate is just around the corner, if it's not already here.

I'll vote for her in the general, but I want her scared. I want her to realise she has to represent me in the future. I want something besides a form letter telling me that she's concerned about Patriot Act II, but will probably vote for it anyway.