Was today a good day, or a waste of time?

[WilliamPitt]

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. It's a good day if We the People grab this ball and run with it like this

------------------------------------------------------
Election reform can help save this country!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/electionreform.htm

[Webster Green]

13. Great day!

Got to watch the repukes present and defend their head torturer.

Got to watch the repukes defend election fraud and disenfranchisement.

Got to watch the mainstream media embarrass themselves for not covering real news stories.

[Peace Patriot]

138. I see your point, Webster Green. I'm revising my opinion upward.

I was at first put off by the constant repetition by the Dems that "this is not about changing the outcome." It's hard when your side keeps saying something that is patently untrue over and over, in your opinion.

And I'm alarmed by federalization of voting under BushCons--proposed by the Dems. They might well take away our power to fix it locally.

And the irony kept hitting me. 2000, now this. And they're going to fix it NOW? It just burned me, because they kept saying the voting system "is broken," yet denying that the outcome should be different, and never acknowledging their own failure to warn voters.

So anyway...

We worked on this campaign for two months. Starting from nothing, we got significant numbers of Congress people to contest the election--and a Senator to sign it! That is remarkable.

We even got some to mention the exit polls, nationwide discrepancies, and secret source code--in addition to a raft of people talking about paper trails. An great educative moment for the Congress people AND the public and press.

We got some fine speeches about voting rights and what's important in our democracy and history spoken on the floor of Congress.

We pissed the BushCons off royally--stained their coronation--and pushed several of them to make fools of themselves (Tom Delay in particular--but all them, repeating their talking points over and over), and NOT ONE Republican expressed a word of sympathy for poor or black voters. They really looked bad.

We've gathered enough information to disgrace them from now until kingdom come. We need to make a movie, do a book, put on a Peoples' Investigation and Indictment, etc.--use this stuff.

We got the voting rights and transparency issues out there big time.

We truly separated the wheat from the chaff. Now we truly know who believes in democracy and who does not--maybe not final judgments, but very telling all around.

It became VERY CLEAR that we have to do election reform locally. Our next task, joining with groups working locally on each jurisdiction, or starting our own, and getting this done. Could transform the '06 Congress if we get busy. An easy sell campaign.

We connected--with our friends among the Dems, AND with the BushCons. They know we're here.

I was deeply moved at times: by Jones, by Boxer, by Conyers, by Waters, by Lewis, by Obama and others.

This was indeed our day--the arrival of the new democracy movement in DC. The election fraud nearly destroyed this beautiful but fragile young movement. We're still here. We should give into joy and self-congratulations for once--even if we know the next mountain is a steep one.

[Klimmer]

166. I completely concur . . .

It was a great day. After watching all the happenings on C-SPAN today live with my students at school today, the pre-event, the contest, the debates from the House and the Senate, the call-ins from listeners, the post events it was a great day. The Republicans absolutely embarrassed themselves. We stood proud and tall and fought for all US citizens for the constitutional right to vote in free and fair elections. Who can possibly argue with that? We framed the debate. The world could see just how evil and fraudulent the Repugs really are. Priceless.

Now we have to keep it in front of America and the world, and work hard to achieve meaningful national election reform. We have a new talking point that everyone can buy into . . .

"Got Vote?"

---Not if the Republicans can help it, and not if they get their way. We need National Election Reform Now!


By the way, we better protest the shrub's fraudful inauguration Jan. 20th big-time! We'll probably need egg canons this time since they won't let real patriots anywhere close (I'm kidding about the egg canons, however a strong arm will do).

[ruthg]

172. it all depends on where we take if from here.NT

[Sodium Pentothal]

33. I keep pressing good day, but it shows waste!

I hate these touchscreens!

[Higans]

65. Computer Technician acting as a poll worker:

"Oh no, Your vote was not recorded properly you say? There there, did this machine steal your voice? Let me reset it for you so you can try screaming into it again. Please try to be quick because there are about a thousand people in line for their turn screaming into a machine only to have their voice stolen, and We wouldn't want any one to get clued in to the fact that no one really counts the votes at all now would we? Have a nice day."

[eowyn_of_rohan]

75. thanks, you 2, for at least making me crack a smile.

:-) ;( :cry: :puke: :toast:

[yardwork]

46. It was a step in the right direction - follow up with more!

[lakelly]

68. It's a Beautiful day. (sorry Bono)

It was a really good day. Remember the last time there was no Senator willing to stand up. It has been tough going to get to this point. But here we are, on the record. Our opinions have been officially voiced and that feels good. I didn't expect a throng of Democrats voting aye, holding hands and singing "We shall over come". It would have been nice but I'm good with what was accomplished. Now we need to pick up the ball and run with it. Full voting transparency in 2006.
:toast:

[genius]

71. Good day. But the CSPAN callers are smarter than all but one Sen

I think we need new Senators.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

2. Not only did it open the dialogue, but it also shows who

truly has the 'balls' in our party. Barbara Boxer and Stephanie Tubbs Jones rock!

With regard to the speeches, actions (votes) speak louder than words.

[crispini]

3. It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood! n/t

[mycatforpresident]

50. A beautiful SKIPPING around kind of day! n/t

[goodboy]

4. defining this thing on OUR terms for once tells me it was a good day.

plus I'm gonna take solace in knowing that from now on, anything that goes wrong is the puke's fault..HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[stray cat]

5. One person=one counted vote is worth fighting for.

Both republicans and democrat should agree on this. Drawing attention to fraud and fighting to prevent it is good for all of us.

It is not about Kerry. It is about every vote being counted and counted once and no one being disinfrachised by fraud.

[Higans]

74. Agreed 100% n/t

[Patsy Stone]

6. BETTER than good. n/t

[Alizaryn]

7. The odds makers would have given the odds of this being

pulled off as: 50 to 1

We did great!

[AlwaysDemocrat]

8. A wonderful day!

I can breathe again! The cloud that desended on me on November 3 has lifted. There is hope for our democracy. Thanks to all who made it happen.

[DearAbby]

12. YeeeeeeeeeeeeHaaaaaw :::Dean Yell:::

:headbang:

[lakelly]

80. Yeeeeeaaaaah

:headbang: lmao. Thanks Abby. Its just what I needed.

[Freddie Stubbs]

9. It provided several Democratic Senators the opportunity to say

that Bush won. :shrug:

[MissB]

10. Best day in years

It was rewarding to watch the process, even if it was difficult.

[meganmonkey]

11. The grumpy bastards are just the loudest

I think most of us understand the significance of the day.

Thanks for your hard work, Will!

[Mobrule]

128. Good day?

I dunno. I was talking to people at work---most of them sympathetic---and they were pretty torqued. They thought we looked like fools. Hey, don't shoot me, just the messenger.

[emulatorloo]

143. But the Republicans looked like they were against fair elections

tell your friends that. . . .

[YellowDoginthehouse]

169. They're not real bright, are they?

The people you work with must be slightly below average...

[vanboggie]

14. Awesome day!!!! Thanks Will

This was a major victory - we've come a long way from being tin-foil hat conspiracy theorists.

[incapsulated]

15. The middle one

It was a good day if this leads to some real reform. If not, it was a waste of time.

[Snivi Yllom]

16. kick

[blm]

17. GREAT day. It's part of the HISTORIC RECORD and a serious effort into

voting problems can be launched more credibly now. I believe they do know now that a national, standard and transparent voting system MUST be in place for future elections.

The Republicans are PISSED, because they know they've been exposed a bit today and they can't seriously fight against a national standard.

[Higans]

87. The Republicans Should be honored to be given the opportunity

To Bring into existence the Dream that the people of America had when they wrote our constitution. To uphold that dream In such a way to give the voice back to the people as our founders intended Should be the only criteria a congressional medal of honor be given on.

[comsymp]

18. Third option - potentially bad day

Yeah, more progress was made than in '00.

Yeah, interested Senators got their 5 minutes in the spotlight.

Yeah, Boxer showed guts.

But the bottom line is that, despite the pontificating, not one Senator besides Boxer demonstrated the conviction that things in Ohio were serious enough to warrant challenging their EV.

The take-home for Joe Sixpack will be that, if Boxer couldn't even get one partisan Dem to join her in challenging the vote, there must be no there, there. Frankly, IMO, the whole Ohio discussion is now over.

[johnnie]

19. Good day

Now it just isn't some "blogs" speaking out, we had a wrench thrown into the sprockets of the system.

[Miami Liberal]

20. A great day!

[maddiejoan]

28. Hey!

I wanna a verified paper trail on my vote for this poll!!!!


::::duck:::::

[Darknyte7]

21. A great & historic day! n/t

[BattyDem]

22. Fighting for our Democracy is NEVER a waste of time!

It was a very good day! Thank you to all the Dems who stood up today and to all the activists who continue to fight. We're with you. :toast:

[spooked911]

23. See? Most of us are happy about this!

So don't be giving us shit.

[No Exit]

24. Wonderful!! Marvelous!!

Beautiful!! And I love it!

Every journey begins with but a single step. And it's gonna be a great journey for us--and a rotten journey for the Bush/Cheney criminals!

[Zan_of_Texas]

150. Single step my bippee.

I've been doing single steps on a daily basis on this topic for two years.

I would say Congress/Senate was maybe a tad better than expected, maybe a tad worse. Speeches, a few, were better than expected, but less votes in the Senate than I hoped for, especially since Boxer put her neck on the line.

The very very good thing about this day is that tens of thousands of Americans woke up, got off the couch, and did a myriad of things in the build-up, whether it was investigate, work Election Protection, do statistics, write, broadcast, call, write, fax, email, set up websites, arrange protests, speak to their local groups.

Those efforts WAY outstripped my expectations.

You may all take a bow (except for freepers, and you know who you are. Freepers, please take a hike.)

[mzmolly]

25. Great day! And, in 4 years we'll see a change that demonstrates

as such.

[Goldeneye]

26. How are 6 voters

able to turn this board into the biggest downer in the world? I thought everything went well. There were far more democrats than republicans speaking, and the democrats held positions like "every vote must be counted" "we demand paper trails" "minorities were suppressed" "this is not partisan, this is about democracy." The Repugs were left with "these guys are sore losers" "this is a waste of time" "there is no proof" "why are these democrats crying wolf? Voting isn't that important!"

[sendero]

27. I can't pick a vote...

.... if this leads to something of substance, it is a great day. If it is just another whipsaw, it is not.

I (and nobody else) can answer that question at the present time.

[mordarlar]

29. Today was a fucking great day :D

[strangesttribe]

30. Especially for the dems in congress

They get to let their colleagues from across the aisle know that there will be challenges and that this is just the beginning.

[wiggs]

31. Another choice: good day, should have been much better....

Or another one....good day but we never should have been in this position to beging with.

[Raster]

32. DAMNED GOOD DAY!!! This is the beginning of a movement.

This gives us a position and rallying point that can't be impugned or marginalized.

Count every vote in clean, fair elections that accurately reflect the will of the people.

We can serve notice to EVERY member of Congress that this will NEVER be tolerated again.

[frictionlessO]

34. that is the most lopsided poll ever on DU! LOL!!

yeah it was a damn good day!!

[SnoopDog]

35. Great day today - we showed them that we have guts and

are willing to stand up for democracy.

These Repubs are very, very evil people.

[snot]

36. FANTASTIC DAY!

[slw]

37. Great Day

Today was a great day. It's a beginning, and for most of us, that's what we wanted and why we spent time out of our busy lives contacting our representatives and senators. We wouldn't have even gotten THIS had it not been for an awesome grass roots movement. Congrats to us!

[understandinglife]

38. "We The People" MADE TODAY HAPPEN!!! Step one; of many, many...

...more.

Peace.

[flpoljunkie]

39. It is the beginning of the fight to have transparent & auditable elections

The fight has now been joined. No more 2004!

[marcologico]

40. Great day. Bush is dead man walking.

The Neocons are ready to throw Rummy and Blair overboard, and Chimp is next. We'll see you again, NOT!

[mdhunter]

41. Good day, with caveats.

Strictly speaking, I wish the Democrats that did speak had a somewhat more cohesive message. They did not seem, to me, to be presenting a case - in the style of a legal trial - supporting the reasons why the challenge was valid. Rather, they generalized about the need to reform the broader system.

Now, I'm not so naive to think that the challenge was going to be upheld. But I think that presenting it as an accusatory case would have served both the purpose of calling for reform generally, and making a specific case that Ohio needs closer scutiny and perhaps congressional investigation.

I regret that the format of the debates today did not offer an opportunity to present the information in this style.

Overall, though, good day. We'll see legislation this session - that's the best news out of Washington in a while.

[mvd]

42. Good day

Though Boxer needed some more support in the voting! I didn't expect all Democrats to vote with her, but I thought she was hung out to dry.

[seito]

43. A Great Day. n/t

[aWaKeNoW]

44. It only takes ONE person to stand up for people to listen...

This IS a great day in our country's history! :dem:

[MoonRiver]

45. It was better that it happened than if it had not happened.

I am extremely disappointed with the hypocrisy of most Democrats in Congress however. How can they stand up and give eloquent speeches in favor of Senator Boxer's action and then vote to ratify the fraudulent Ohio results??????? I will never contribute another cent to the Democratic Party as a result of today's actions. I MAY contribute to individual candidates, but I no longer consider myself a Democrat. I am Independent.

[librechik]

156. exactly, me too n/t

[forgethell]

47. Waste of time; it's

called "butting your head against a stone wall".

[SmokingJacket]

55. Beating your head against a stone wall is better than

sitting there and letting someone else hit you on the head.

Go down screaming, for chrissakes.

[forgethell]

102. I just think we

should pick battles we have a chance to win.

[acorn]

122. Embarrassing Waste for Us

it was a terrible waste of time and embarassing for us. The speakers put out so many unsbstantiated claims of misvoting issues. So what if people stood in line for 2 hours. It took me two hours because of the high turnout...big deal, I still did it. Those that left because it was taking too long, that's THEIR fault...not voter fraud.

Next time, we get a REAL STATESMAN...not some lackey who thinks it's HIS turn...the MEDIA slimed Dean and look what happened after that...

We have to get our schit together and remind the US what is RIGHT and WRONG with the pubbies...THEN we'll start winning.

A

[Phoebe_in_Sydney]

158. your claims about unsubtantiated claims

... are unsubstantiated.

Having to wait two hours to vote in the alleged flagship of democracy is disgraceful. If you're compliant enough to put up with it, bully for you. What about people who had to wait 4 hours, 6 hours, 8 hours. It was all over the international news on the day the outrageous times people had to wait to vote. That's third world country stuff.

I can't believe you think anyone that didn't have hours to wait in line just wasn't interested? GMAFB. Have you ever had a job, kids, other commitments? I live in a democracy where I've never had to wait more than ten minutes to vote -- and voting here is compulsory. We vote on Saturdays -- not a work day for most people.

Making it hard for people to vote is <b>vote suppression</b>

Anyway, what they stood up about today was more than long queues. It was about people who weren't allowed to vote, votes that weren't counted, machines owned by Republican-supporting companies, and the fact that the person who supervised the recount was the co-chair of the Bush/Cheney re-election campaign.

I agree with you that the Dems need to stand a real statesman instead of a dead weight like John Kerry but I applaud what tubbs jones and boxer did today -- and I can't believe you heard what they said and didn't believe they had cause to protest.

I still can't quite believe that no-one else in the Senate besides Boxer saw fit to stand up against your pathetic election system.

[acorn]

177. Hey Phoebe,

we could use some more people like you here in the States!
Come on in, the water's fine!

But for real, nobody has been able tofine any REAL proof about the Diebold machines being set up for Shrub, too bad tho, because some of us believe there HAD to be some sort of funky goings on with those things.

[Sydnie]

48. Any day that your efforts will be reported in the history books

is a great day!

[drummer55]

49. Awesome day! dont whine mobilize

find your local groups and effect change on the local level.

Be supportive of the senators who stood up and spoke out! Call them and thank them.

Be super supportive and vote for Boxer as President in 08. what she did today was the most difficult thing a Senator can do. She was honest and spoke from her heart. She put her neck on the line. Senator Boxer is what democracy looks like and it looks good on her!


For the rest of the slimey bastards who said nothing and did nothing

do everything in your power to remove them. They are the deadwood on the tree of democracy and we need only healthy, growing branches on this tree.

Thanks Will for all of your hardwork you are awesome.

You are what investigative journalists used to be like!

[Higans]

101. I just sent her a thank you note here: http://boxer.senate.gov/contact/

http://boxer.senate.gov/contact/

[AmerDem]

51. the coward freeptards are making up the majority of the negative

of this poll. don't forget, like always they showed up here in droves on this historic day.

[noamnety]

52. a great day

We're having our moments of frustration and outrage with certain individuals, but it's a good day.

[dolo amber]

53. Well, I didn't use my uzi or my AK...

[Ladyhawk]

54. It was a good day, but only if it was a START.

This needs to be harped on and taken to the next level by both Congress and the people.

Please, everyone, e-mail MY senator, Barbara Boxer. Today she is DU's senator. Tell her how much we appreciated her courage.

As I said in another thread, I wish I could think of an appropriate gift.

I would like to have a video of the event (no TV), so I could send letters to senators who spoke up but didn't vote with Senator Boxer. I haven't decided if they need encouragement or a swift kick to the ass...

[Higans]

106. Yup send thank you's here if you live in California:

http://boxer.senate.gov/contact/

[Kosmos Mariner]

56. Every day....

... we as a party take positive steps towards creating a transparent and standardized voting system is a GREAT day!! Give 'em Hell Dems!

:dem:

[kydo]

57. today was both

It was a good day in that Boxer stood up. It was a bad day because we had to listen to the crap spewed by the rethugs. I'm happy and angry. I'm glad it went this far but I am sickened beyond belief at how low our standards have been reduced.

I care not what the rethugs spew. I will forever believe this election was stolen and will not hesitate to tell everyone just that. Bush is a FRAUD! Welcome to NaziAmerica.

~kydo

[pamela]

58. This was a great day!

I'm happy. Boxer played an historic role in our electoral process due in large part to our efforts. Senators,Congressmen and Congresswomen stood and debated the very issues we have been asking them to debate. Fuck the nay-sayers.

[desertalien]

59. It's a great day

My only regret, as I watch Tom DeLay, is that it gave the rabid rethugs another platform to spew their name-calling while falsely demeaning and belittling, patronizing and attempting to devalue our efforts and integrity. To many simple minded Americans buy into that garbage. I fear the MSM will cover that more than the real reasons for the challenge.

[SammyWinstonJack]

Well speaking

As a member of the "Whining Asshole" association, unless election reform was the goal today and we shall see, I think today was more lip service than anything else.

[KittyWampus]

60. Glorious Day

[keepthemhonest]

61. It was a milestone

It was history being made

A good day.

I want more,I want more!

[candice]

62. This is the second election of Bush II that doesn't seem legit

...another sign of WEAKNESS.

[Wilms]

63. Kick n/t

[govegan]

64. Very good... and McDermott is awesome!!!

"Senator Kerry said yesterday that he will introduce comprehensive election reform legislation when the Senate reconvenes at the end of this month. I have already joined in some initiatives in the House that I believe are critical, including:
• abolishing the electoral college so the candidate supported by the most voters
nationwide will be declared the winner;
• making election day a federal holiday so voters who have to wait in lines won’t
have to give up their right to vote because they have to get back to work;
• requiring a verified paper receipt and paper trail for electronic screen voting
machines; allowing ex-felons who have completed their sentences to register
and vote;
• and fully funding the Help Americans Vote Act (HAVA).

This is a beginning. There are doubtless other needed reforms. I will continue to work on this issue until this problem is finally solved."

http://www.house.gov/mcdermott/pr050106.shtml

[consciousobjector]

66. Need more choices

This poll only gives 2 choices and I can't answer yes to either.

I'm proud of what we here at DU and other groups fighting election fraud have accomplished today. I'm happy and a little surprised even that we convinced Sen Boxer to join in the contest of the election.

But if you really believe that a vote of 76 to 1 in the Senate is a victory, sorry...it just ain't gonna fly...

The repukes are going to style this in the media as a joke...the Dems in the Senate have cut their own throats because they can't stand together on anything.

I know everyone has worked very hard and we all want a "feel good" moment...but I can't applaud a bunch of Senators who gave support to this issue on the Senate floor, only to take it back with their vote.

I think they were only placating us and all those who deluged their offices with emails, calls and faxes...but in the long run, it was just a pat on the head and a turn of their backs...sorry, I can't be happy...or optimistic

[earth mom]

95. I agree

Okay, I'm new here, and my first response was to go along with everyone else on this thread and say it's a great day just to get along. While I applaud the efforts of the brave reps and senators on our our side, my gut says how can this be good? If these senators didn't vote their words then what was the point? Is this just politics as usual-talk the talk and then do what's most popular in the end? Isn't that just lip service? Maybe there wasn't enough of them to "win" the vote, but they negated whatever good they did by not following through.

Yeah, maybe this is the start of change, and maybe it's too much to expect any kind of change in a couple of hours. But if not now, when? How bad do things have to get in this country before people act? Will it be too late then?

(ducks head to avoid flying objects)

[rhite5]

134. I can't answer this poll either

[jackster]

67. DEFINITELY A GOOD DAY but

I am disappointed that no other senators stood up - I called Kennedy's office crying like a baby and told them that I couldn't support him any more after this although I love him - he had nothing to lose - he should have stood up

BUT YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA - and more good news - CNN drops bowtie carlson and the exec dir of CNN sides with Jon Stewart

DEMOCRACY IS NOT DEAD YET - just really really really sick

[crispini]

69. Looks like it's "good day," 206 to 29.

Yipppeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

[Raksha]

70. We do not have a national right to vote in this country.

That just boggles my mind...I'm 58 years old and I didn't know that the right to vote is guaranteed by each individual state, and NOT by the U.S. Constitution!!! I didn't realize that after the Selection in 2000. I didn't realize it until a few weeks ago when I started hanging out at DU. To me, THAT is the issue that was brought front and center today.

Next item on my to-do list: We NEED a constitutional amendment guaranteeing each American citizen right to vote! It's absolutely outrageous that we don't already have one.

[Up2Late]

72. This was the FIRST time in years that a debate was started

By a Democrat.

Still I think WE ARE Screwed! Maybe for Years to Come :cry: :nuke: :cry:

[juslikagrzly]

73. GOOD GOOD DAY

opens the door wider so the light can shine through.

Thanks to all who make this happen!

[Stephanie]

76. A Great Day in the apparently never-ending struggle for CIVIL RIGHTS

thank god the black caucus was not forced to stand alone again today

[itzamirakul]

77. Good day...

Disappointing moments

[merh]

78. Good - HELL IT WAS GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They heard us Will, they heard us - we have a voice still!!!

MSM ignored us, the repukes pretended there was nothing to see, BUT WE WERE HEARD and History was MADE!!!!!


:bounce: Great day!!!

[me b zola]

79. It was (is) a GREAT day

I suspect that now the real work begins.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

81. My best case (realistic) scenario

was that all the lawyers and private investigators and Michael Moore's camera crews were secretly squirreling away incriminating evidence, and John Kerry with loads of excellent prosecutorial experience steps out of the shadows to make a perfectly plausable case for fraud. And bush pees his pants, and we all live happily ever after. I really did think that might happen. But still all in all, it was not a bad day.

[bleever]

82. You were right, Will: I was pleased. Listened to the whole damn thing.

I thought there were some great speeches in the Senate. Clinton, Obama, Dodd, Harkin top my list.

In the House (some of which I missed, focusing on the Senate) great speeches by a number of folks.

And a special award to the Bug Man, for his stirring oratory on "What if someday there IS a stolen election!" Mr. Orwell, rest his prescient soul, would have been proud.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

83. From those two choices I would pick; Good Day.

It was a step in the right direction. Our voices WERE heard and at least someone stepped up to bat for us. It's more then we got in 2000.

If this does lead to reform of the voting system in the US then it will be remembered as a great day in history.

If nothing else, it was fun watching all the republicans show their true colors.

[brindis_desala]

84. Duers should take a bow this was historic!

This is an ongoing struggle. And your work helped MAKE history. Thank you ALL!:yourock:

[dogindia]

85. gd but hard

... gosh some cspan callers great

[mountainvue]

86. It's a good day. n/t

[mdhunter]

88. The more I think about it IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE MEDIA

Unfortunate as it is, the media alone has the power to make this story central, and to keep the pressure on.

If we turn on the 6:00 news tonight and someone mentions in passing that the Democrats challenged the vote (ostensibly to get Kerry elected, they'll say) and then moves on to how that guy who won the lottery divorced his wife first... then, well, we're screwed.

They stood up today, but our Democratic representatives will need pressure to keep this going over the long run - and that is pressure that ordinary citizens can provide most, but not all, of. It has to be broader, the media must carry it as well.

We should all be calling the major outlets pushing for positive coverage. It will help more in the long run than congratulatory calls to Boxer's office.

[Nothing Without Hope]

115. Key, yes, but it all starts and finishes with the PEOPLE

When the people learn what has been happening, they will put pressure on the media. This has already begun to happen, as with Staples withdrawing advertising from Sinclair because of its partisan coverage -- they had received so much customer feedback demanding this that they realized that it was something they needed to do. There is much more work to do here.

Some in the media may have been holding back waiting for "solid evidence" so they wouldn't be burned for spinning conspiracy theories. Now that is coming in. And the films of voter suppression will move whoever sees them. Very powerful. And I suspect some have noticed Olbermann's ratings rising dramatically while he has been the sole MSM reporter on the story.

Think about how much has been done in just two months and take a moment to feel proud before going back to the fight.

Here's to us::toast:

[pat_k]

89. Monumental achievement

If each and every member of the Senate had failed in their duty, as they did in 2001, they would have been complicit with the Fraud, Voter Suppression, and Stonewalling that have corrupted Election 2004. And being complicit, each and every member would be invested in suppressing the truth about this election.

Now, as investigations go forward -- and they will go forward -- it is not just the Congressional Black Caucus and a few other heroes in the House that will be interested learning the truth and making the public aware of it. Now we have someone in the Senate who was not complicit. With her objection, Senator Barbara Boxer joins those who have an interest in learning the truth. And when the truth becomes apparent, she has no reason to hide from it.

In addition to objecting to Ohio for its many failures, I understand that Senator Boxer confessed that she made a mistake in 2001, and should have objected.

The objection to Ohio and the confession of error in 2001 are monumental, but somehow few people seem to get how important it is to break the chains of complicity.

Today was also a monumental achievement of the "outsiders." (I say "outsiders" not "grassroots" for a reason. There are plenty of "insider" grassroots groups in the center and left, and they generally opted out of this one.)

MoveOn, Michael Moore, the Nation, and other icons of progressive politics were not with us until we had made significant headway near the end.

Many others never "came on board."

But citizens stuck with it. Connected with each other. Took action. Perhaps not as effectively as a professionally-run and well-financed lobbying effort, and many opportunities were missed, but people – a few who have never even called a member of the Senate or House in the past -- were here, seeking meetings, getting heard. Others were making their concerns known loud and clear in other ways.

And we won. Conventional wisdom and the insiders -- even the Democratic Members of the House Committee on the Judiciary -- all said, with much conviction and a hint of dismissiveness, "We will never get a Senator."

We have proven that bit conventional wisdom to be false. And this builds confidence. Too often, people fail to challenge "conventional wisdom" because "everyone knows" it will not do any good. Perhaps more of us will be less likely to allow ourselves to be immobilized by unfounded beliefs in the impossibility of change.

Patty Keeshan
thedeanpeople
[e-mail]

[crispini]

90. What's this doing not on the front page?

:kick:

[TexasLady]

91. It was educational

for me personally, and those who stood up and represented us go down in my book as awesome patriots, and screw those against the fight for fairness and democracy.

What a GREAT day!!
:hi:

[LSdemocrat]

92. Can't it be both?

:shrug:

[impeachthescoundrel]

93. It was wonderful

Not in over 30 years have I seen so many republicans so angry and uncomfortable! And the things they said! If only one of them hadn't gone into that "waste of time" rhetoric, maybe I wouldn't hate the republican party so much.

Nahhh...I'd hate them anyway and everything they stand for.

[seito]

94. Looks like we overwhelming feel it was a good day

I wonder why there were so many negative threads...hmmmmm...

It seems that things are not always as they appear.

[crispini]

96. Back to the front page, you thread!

:kick:

[Der Blaue Engel]

97. So, Will, have you passed this along to the activists

who are in DC from those of us activists who couldn't be there and have been trying to combat the vocal minority of negativism here on DU today?

Because I think we've got your back. :D

[FULL_METAL_HAT]

100. You can say that again!

I've had something you wrote as my sig since you wrote it!

I think we should all be congradulating each other.

The more I think about it, the more I think this is a Tsunami quake in the making!

:loveya: :tinfoilhat: :hug: :grouphug: :pals:

Thanks Seito, and thanks to everyone!

All the best in this New Year!

Steeled Against All,
FULL_METAL_HAT

"There will be plenty of time to reflect on what John Kerry did or did not do after Jan 20. Now is the time for unity, not public flogging. We are ALL on the same team." - Seito

---

"The wronger a conspiracy is, the better it is." - Mark Twain

[seito]

170. Thank you, my friend

:hug:

[imenja]

98. Will, I hope you and your activist friends are heartened about this vote

We aren't all miserable complainers.

[Zero Division]

99. A good day.

Though it most likely will be spun in a negative manner and used against Democrats, the issue of voting rights and election fraud will see more light in the MSM and the minds of Americans. The final outcome is a positive.

[Bread and Circus]

103. More proof the the R's don't seem to care about anything but power...

and though many of the Dems tried, the problem is that D's
didn't really make the point that the contest was really in
contention. If anything, they stated over and over the "concession"
that Bush "won" as a preamble to their time at the podium.
If they can't stand up and stay the election
was a sham, then why stand up at all? The point of contesting
the electoral college was to contest the legitimacy of Bush's
hold on power. It is implied, so why not state what really needs
to be said? It really isn't just about counting every vote in
the future, it's about the fact that the votes were surpressed,
tossed, or mis-counted this time. Ergo, the election was
illegitimate and a remedy is needed.

I don't think it was a waste of time, I just think it was a bad showing.

Furthermore, the R's got away with more bullying and lying, which
about all they are running on these days. They are still using the
"if you don't support Bush, then you are supporting the terrorists"
canard. They are still getting away with it.

Either they believe their own rhetoric, which to me is scary, because
the folks running the gov't are nuts. Or they are just lying to
gain and retain power, which is a further step in the fascist
direction. Not sure which is worse.

hmmmm...........

I'm pretty discouraged my fellow DU'ers.

[Bread and Circus]

105. Dems would have been more effective had they used TIA's talking points.

Even RR used those.

[corky44]

104. Good day but a hard day...

Why not multi- state challenges???

[Verve]

107. Good! n/t

[Mistwell]

108. Give me a line in the sand criteria for victory

I want the folks in this thread who think this was a "step in the right direction" to give me a bright line in the sand clear criteria for when the cause has reached victory, and when this caused has been defeated.

If a cause simply becomes moving slightly up and back along an infinite line, at that point I consider it a hobby. Actual causes have a bright line goal than one can point at and know if you have reached that goal or not. There might be 2-3 goals, but not an infinite number of goals that are incremental changes. There are not "daily goal" or "weekly goal" criterias for a real cause. Because that inevitably leads to a silent defeat and people peel away from the cause over time and new people never join.

So, what is the goal? To impeach Bush? To make sure this doesn't happen again? To get someone elected who we like? At what exact point will people be able to say "We have achieved victory".

Because really, I'm so tired of hearing "it's a step". We can characterize ALMOST ANYTHING as "it's a step". If someone talks about the election fraud issue by saying "there was no fraud" people can characterize that as a positive step because "someone talked about it" or "it sounds like they are scared" or "see it's proof they pay attention to us".

Saying "it's a step" is like saying "anything that doesn't kill us builds character". It's an empty platitude. You need to know what it is your stepping towards...and what the last step is supposed to be. Otherwise, it's just stepping in a circle constantly thinking you are making progress.

[pat_k]

136. We've crossed a bright line

>I want the folks in this thread
>who think this was a "step in
>the right direction" to give me
>a bright line in the sand clear
>criteria for when the cause has
>reached victory, and when this
>caused has been defeated.

The cause can never be defeated as long as at least one person keeps fighting. And we're starting with 20% believing the Bush/Cheney victory to be fraudulent (over 40 million) and that number is only going to increase as more people learn the truth.

The Republicans can claim "nothing to see here" all they want. They cannot escape the truth that when 20% believe their government to be illegitimate, the nation has a real problem. (And that number is going up... in 2001, it took 9 months, but right before the towers were attacked, more than 50% believed Election 2001 was a coup. This year we have megaphones we did not have before... air america, media matters, and so on.)

As for a bright line victory, I believe we achieved several such victories today, as I described in this this post.

Senator Barbara Boxer has removed herself from the ranks of the complicit. An objection is no longer in the realm of myth. It happened. It was not upheld, but having gotten one is a "bright line" victory.

These are conversions. Barbara Boxer cannot become one of the complicit again. Her action transformed her. She probably doesn’t even "get it" but she crossed a bright line, and we convinced her to go there. It may not be the bright line you are looking for, but it is a bright line achievement.

[MellowOne]

109. The American public is now aware, the media is now covering it

We have a foot in the door!

[Nothing Without Hope]

110. Good because a necessay step was taken. But what's a "blivet"?

Your Truthout blog was my eyes and ears, for which I'm most grateful. Whoever that representative was whom you called a blivet (was talking about the war), I'm sure they deserved it. But I'd still like to know. Given the caliber of the people we are facing, it sounds like a useful word.
:crazy: :+ :wow: :dunce: x(

[WilliamPitt]

111. Blivet

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=blivet

:)

[Nothing Without Hope]

119. Wonderful! I won't spoil it by printing the definition here

I don't know how I lived this long without having that word to use. I'm now going to be using it a LOT, as it is an ineffably perfect descriptive term for our opponents.

I also had to smile at the little popup at the top of the dictionary page:
Get the Most Popular Sites for "blivet"
Didn't need to do click there, because we already know where to find high concentrations of them!

Best to you, Will. And thanks, as always.

[scottxyz]

112. Better to fight back and lose

than not to have fought at all.

So it wasn't a waste of time.

[pat_k]

113. And, BTW, our "Declaration of Intent" project is NOT over

A little off topic, but a follow up to my post above.

Our "Declaration of Intent" project (http://thedeanpeople.org) is NOT over, and will not be over until the project goals have been achieved. Our aim is to work on every member of the Senate and House until they:

(1) Agree that on January 6th, they have an affirmative duty to judge the validity of the Presidential Electors.

(2) Endorse a set of criteria for judging the appointment of the electors that protects the principle of consent and demands that each state meets its obligation to conduct a fair election and, if questions arise, meets its burden to prove the results to be sound. Some of the key points of our "case" have been captured the document posted at http://jan6points.org.

We made headway with many of the Senators, but have a long way to go. We are just changing the date to January 6th, 2009.

I hope that all of you who have promoted and supported what we are doing will be willing to continue the fight.

Patty Keeshan
thedeanpeople
[e-mail]

[goodhue]

114. good

[crispini]

116. Hm, looks like a MAN DATE to me! :D

[ivorysteve]

117. Here's why it's a good day: Google News

Go to http://news.google.com. Look at the national section.

The election fraud is the SECOND ITEM (at 5:20pm EST).

That's why it's a good day! I can't post it as a new topic, but somebody should. I think that qualifies as real progress.

[sportndandy]

118. Bad Day. Worst Fears Realized.

It sounded like the dems don't believe that significant fraud occurred. They spoke patronizingly of black voters, and hid behind them at the same time. It was humiliating at the core, no matter how one might dress it up. The DLC is snuffing out the liberal spirit of the democratic party. Republicans don't even need to help.

[locomotion]

120. Today was a good day!

Does anyone know a source for the written record. I was in the house after B.B.s news conference and would like to read the senate record. B.B. rules. Courage grace and vision. She is on the right side of this one and as time goes on it will only enhance her stature. You go girl!

[Helga Scow Stern]

145. Michael Moore said he would post transcripts soon at his site,

michaelmoore.com

or, C-Span? Do they post them?

[txindy]

165. Welcome to DU, locomotion!

You picked a very exciting day to begin posting! And I agree with you about Boxer. I thought she was terrific.

:hi:

[Vinca]

121. It was a good day if this was the starting line.

Now we have to finish the race. Two things bothered me today: #1 - how mean and nasty the Republicans were; and, #2 - how so many Democrats made the point of saying they were not speaking because they wanted to overturn the election. HUH? Then everyone in the Senate, except our heroine Senator Boxer, voted for the war criminal. Maybe my husband is right. Maybe 99% of the Congress consists of Republicrats.

[Wiley50]

123. It was a great day!

We now know exactly where we stand.
And we must continue to work for election reform.
But I think we need to make a distinction between their phony democratic party and a Real one.
They will continue their charade of a two party government, even now that we know the truth. There are big money democrats who are the same as republicans.
And then there's us.
What do we call ourselves?

Wiley

[crispini]

124. back to the front page with your bad self!

:kick:

[HomerRamone]

125. Good day BUT

it was disheartening to hear Dem after Dem say that there were "potential" problems, but Bush won, and vote no. They DON'T, CAN'T know that, and I've had it with their kowtowing. If it wouldn't be strategically wise to go all the way, then don't say he DIDN'T win, but don't LIE...

[theboss]

126. I didn't even have to use my AK

I gotta say it was a good day.

[dandrhesse]

127. good day for me

I finally get it. We need the code and the software to prove fraud and that means we need subpoena power to do it, which is granted to a full blown congressional investigation, correct? So let's start bugging the Senate Judiciary and House Judiciary Republicans right?

[BlackVelvet04]

129. A good day.

A historic day. It takes a lot to make me cry, but when I read here (from work today) about Boxer and Tubbs-Jones I cried. I'm so proud of them. It has truly been an honor to be part of the effort here at DU to make this happen. It's a beginning and it was a good beginning. Fight on!

[juajen]

130. It was a good day

I was thrilled to actually see our representatives and senators talking about this issue where it has largely been ignored before. We all need to take a breath, and start all over again working for change. As the saying goes "Rome wasn't built in a day."

Firstly, we should all work in any fashion requested to help Boxer. They will certainly target her. I was disappointed that our senators didn't vote with Boxer, but mine didn't even stand in support of the objection. I will not vote for her again. Stand firm, and keep fighting. It will be a long battle. Every victory is precious.

Thanks again, Will.

[Withywindle]

131. Overall, very good day!

The mood swings on this board are so extreme. Mine can be too, individually.

This honestly is waaaayyyyyyyy better than I really thought would happen in the dark moments. I'm proud of everyone who spoke out--and that's a lot of people. I'm proud of everyone who contacted their reps and made a fuss--and that's even more.

And I know damn well this was only the beginning of getting a foothold in the rock-face; the mountain still has to be climbed. Did people think it was going to happen in one day? Only in the movies.

[il_lilac]

132. Good- not great n/t

[Blue Christmas]

133. follow-up poll

I'm just learning how to link, so bear with me...

If you chose "it was a good day" go here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x255804

and if you chose "waste of time" go here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x255832

[IndyPriest]

135. Waste? Never! We've just getting warmed up! n/t

[InvisibleTouch]

137. A great day!

I followed your live blog this afternoon. Thanks, Will, and thanks to everyone who stood up for democracy today! I know a lot of us were looking for a more dramatic result, but this is only the beginning. We've collectively thrown the first snowball, with the courageous help of Senator Boxer. Now let it keep rolling to grow into a ... dare I even say this word here? ... landslide.

Listening to Cat Stevens' "Peace Train" at the moment, as one of the other threads reminded me of the song, and it seems somehow appropriate here....

[txindy]

139. Very interesting. Right now, it's Good Day 402 - Waste 72

Those who think it's a waste of time sure do have louder voices today. Or more prodigious keyboards. Or something. I knew there were more of us thinking today was at least a good day, but I didn't think the ratio would be quite so lopsided considering the number of negative threads today. :eyes:

Cool. :thumbsup:

[pointsoflight]

140. Thanks for helping to lead our grassroots effort, Will. n/t

[valis]

141. Any day I hear from Will is a great day!!!!

[In Truth We Trust]

142. Net Good. Oh the ying and the yang of our lives, huh?!!

Kinda like today when Barack and Dennis K were speaking simultaneously and a decision had to be made as to which I would listen to at that moment. So it goes with your question since I felt anger and hope at the same time.

[lostnfound]

144. Today rocked! We have friends in high places, &not just the ones who stood

up and were counted. Why do I say that? I can't say, but we have good reason to share in Will Pitt's optimism.

This is only the beginning, the Cons are going DOWN. The train has left the station.

Good news everywhere today folks. Put your ears to the ground.

A middle-roader nonpolitical friend watched Cspan ALL DAY today and said that she was impressed with the Democrats who spoke and disgusted with the Republicans who did. She said Barbara Boxer was very impressive and she wants to send flowers.

[FreepFryer]

146. Best day since Nov. 2.

[ChiciB1]

147. It Means SOMEONE Heard Us And See

that no matter what the discussion, we Democrats know how to take it and Dish it out! That regardless of all our frustrations we are still talking, thinking, grousing and letting others know that "this" means so much to us. Not necessarily to claim the WH, but to shed the first rays of light to the world that the Democrats aren't dead and never will be.

The tsunami made a lot of us think and wonder how could this have happened. Sometimes if you think about the phrase "things happen for a reason", maybe this happened to show us that we are ALL one people, only in different lands. I saw tears just like American tears, and I heard laughs just like American laughs, and I heard shock just like American shock and I saw pain beyond anything I've ever witnessed. And we saw "unity" to achieve a goal!

I remember the movie "What About Bob?" And in it the the psychiatrist keeps telling the patient... Baby Steps, Baby Steps.

[KaliTracy]

148. I was positively wired -- in a place where NO one knew what was

going on (and all Republican) -- I mentioned it to one person yesterday..... felt like I was going to explode if I didn't share with someone. Printed out the Conyers report yesterday to give to my in-laws 'cause they think I've gone a little loony, and told them about what was going to happen today. THEY were excited because they saw it on three news stations (though they didnt watch it on c-span) -- and they had begun to read the report together, too!

That made it an even better day -- validation always helps!

I plan on taking my report to kinkos tomorrow at lunchtime and making several copies... and giving them out when necessary. I emailed the link to all sorts of people last night.. media, alternative education group (many people on the list in other countries), elected officials. The more it is out there -- the less people can brush this off....

[jonnyblitz]

149. who noticed but us? n/t

[KaliTracy]

152. tomorrow talk about what happened being incredibly important

they might look at you like you are crazy -- but tell them why. And tell them what you think it means. And if they brush you off, tell them why they should care -- a point that should make it important to them.

[jonnyblitz]

161. thanks

:hi:

[marions ghost]

151. GOOD Day

:grouphug:

bring em on

[drpdx]

153. every day above ground is a good day

and I am so heartened to know that our efforts did have an impact. We must carry on!!!

[Osamasux]

154. Now hopefully those who didn't stand up and be counted

will start regretting it and wish they had. That also helps set up for whatever the 'next time' incident happens to be.

Since we're a minority in both houses, and completely marginalized in the House, it will take bold actions like today to be effective for the next two years.

[The Judged]

155. My hat is off to those at DU that got this done!

I'm glad I'm not Brezhnev. Being the Russian leader in the Kremlin. You never know if someone's tape recording what you say.
Richard M. Nixon
...
Rarely have so many people been so wrong about so much.
Richard M. Nixon
...
If I were to make public these tapes, containing blunt and candid remarks on many different subjects, the confidentiality of the office of the president would always be suspect.
Richard M. Nixon
...
There will be no whitewash in the White House.
Richard M. Nixon
...
I've analyzed the best I can... and I have not found an impeachable offense, and therefore resignation is not an acceptable course.
Richard M. Nixon
...
Under the doctrine of separation of powers, the manner in which the president personally exercises his assigned executive powers is not subject to questioning by another branch of government.
Richard M. Nixon
...
When the President does it, that means that it's not illegal.
Richard M. Nixon
...
I am not a crook.
Richard M. Nixon
...
The press is the enemy.
Richard M. Nixon
...
I have never been a quitter. To leave office before my term is completed is opposed to every instinct in my body. But as president I must put the interests of America first Therefore, I shall resign the presidency effective at noon tomorrow.
Richard M. Nixon
...
My own view is that taping of conversations for historical purposes was a bad decision on the part of all the presidents. I don't think Kennedy should have done it. I don't think Johnson should have done it, and I don't think we should have done it.
Richard M. Nixon
...
I let the American people down.
Richard M. Nixon
...
It is not too strong a statement to declare that this is the way civilizations begin to die None of us has the right to suppose it cannot happen here.
Richard M. Nixon

[FreepFryer]

167. Brilliant. That's in my journal forever!

[whometense]

157. Made me proud to be a dem.

I also "enjoyed" watching the repugs lie, slime, and obfuscate in full view of the American public - hope some of them were watching.

Just one small step towards an enormous goal.

For those who think it was a waste of time, I have this question: how would you have felt if the dems had sold out the CBC? There was a lot of passion on display today, passion for an important cause. I was moved.

Oh, yeah - and democratic strategery as well. What more could you ask for?

[shiina]

159. Very happy day

The Republicans looked ridiculous. They complained about what a waste of time it was, but wasted lots of time repeating the same baseless charges and attacking the Democrats. Whereas the Democrats talked about the importance of voting as the foundation of our democracy, cited facts, brought up lots of very legitimate concerns about the electoral process and the HAVA act, and made specific recommendations. Go Dems!

I'm not disappointed that most still voted "No" in the end. They said in their speeches that they weren't trying to be partisan and challenege the outcome of the election, and they proved it.

[thanatonautos]

160. I have mixed feelings: but it was a good day. n/t

[Blue Diadem]

162. It was a good day

We were finally heard and represented today by a wonderful group of Democrats.

[KoKo]

163. I'm glad that Boxer stood up in the Senate. She's a neat lady...Moore's

Movie opened some eyes.

But, sadly Moore is being trashed by the RW and even folks here on DU.

He was the best thing about the last four years.....Mike Moore.

Sadly, it was a bit of a disappointment given what we here know. It seems what we know is considered "Wacko Conspiracy Theorists" or "Left Wing Loonies."

That's our place out there by "Mainstream Bloggers like Kos and RW Hastert (what else is new, there.)

It seems in four years since "THE SELECTION" instead of becoming more "Mainstream" we have become more disreputable than Clinton..

MSM disn't give a s**t about what happened today... And, for most Americans it was nothing because it wasn't made a big deal compared to the Ukraine.

Four years, should have made a change. Kerry/Edwards didn't fight for us... But, I knew Edwards wouldn't fight. He was my senator...and I gave money and supported his election to Senator from NC to replace Helms RW successor....Faircloth...

Edwards was always about himself...(maybe he will grow..but he won't ever get my vote..and my vote won't be counted anyway). I liked Kerry before he ran..thought he would win...he DID WIN...but HE doesn't think he won...or he didn't want it anyway (which I suspect must be true given the campaign he ran and his behavior afterwards).

It's sickening....But, Good Luck to You!

[fearnobush]

164. A Good Day, We proved Dems are pro-voter, Pukes are Pro-Fraud

If all the Chimp-Pansy's party have a MAN DATE (Rep. Dryier)to reject voting by mocking the victems of Fraud, dismissing FACTS by reading an account of ONE precinct offical over the dozens of the oppressed, by calling FACT a conspiracy theory, by calling county lock downs - non issues - with no facts to refute, by endorsing a Sec. of State that steals votes by changing paper weight requirements of ballots, by rejecting voters equal protection with in his own state.

If they can have a MAN DATE to deny people their right to vote. Then we shall FRAME THEM AS THE PRO-FRAUD PARTY. They have truly renamed themselves the GOPhascists.

[demodonkey]

168. A GREAT DAY! Let's MAKE it the beginning of a NEW MOVEMENT!

No more fraud!
Everybody gets to vote for the candidate of his or her choice!
Count ALL the votes!

Educate the voters and the pollworkers!

BE READY FOR FUTURE ELECTIONS WITH TRAINED OBSERVERS READY TO SEE AND DOCUMENT EVERYTHING -- no more of this!

[eridani]

171. We are sure way ahead of where we were in 2000

We MUST keep the pressure on for election reform.

[RevCheesehead]

173. KICK

This poll is revealing... it sort of negates all the "doom & gloomers" on the board!

Thanks, Will. :thumbsup:

[jsw_81]

174. Waste of time

I know that you lefties in blue cities like NY and LA thought it was cool and cheered for Boxer but believe me, middle-class swing voters in places like Florida and Ohio were NOT impressed. This stunt is probably going to cost us a few Senate seats next year.

[Blissfulbride]

175. Here's proof that yesterday's challenge was not a waste of time

This link is a collection of media stories generated by yesterday's activities. Press! Media attention! This is some of what we were after. There are 983 stories as of 7am 1/7/05. Let's hope we can keep this going along with a genuine investigation of voting irregularities, at least by the press if not the authorities.

http://news.google.com/?hl=en&ncl=http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2005/01/07/ballot_box_basics

[The Time is Now]

176. Here's more

This Democratic Party is the same party that

• Voted in large numbers in favor of *'s illegal war in Iraq
• Failed to stand up for the Black Caucus in 2000.

Who could have predicted it would have found its spine now? When reduced to a minority in both houses and no chance for legislative accomplishments?

The progressive wing of the party represents leadership and direction - and the party is starving for just these qualities.

The most important work is the reshaping of the party. There are two wings to the party

The progressive wing - the Majority
The Republican-Lite wing - the past and current leadership and the Minority

Don't let up now!
Let's take it over.