Be careful on DSM stuff. Expectations can kill

[TayTay]

I am thrilled beyond belief that my truly, madly, deeply esteemed Senator is going to raise the issue of the Downing Street Minutes in a speech on the floor of the Senate on Monday. But DU and other groups have a habit of expecting one action to result in bringing down the * Admin. This is, of course, not going to happen. When it doesn't happen, DU (and others) get their hearts bruised and get all angry at the messenger and get deeply pissy about it.

What can happen is mostly behind the scenes. The floor speech should be a start. It is a great thing to do and gives the faithful something concrete to point to. But the biggest thing Kerry can do is work behind the scenes in the Dem Party to make sure that this is taken up as an issue. He can try and persuade Sen. Reid to have the Democratic Oversight Committee hold hearings on this. These Committees do not have the power of subpoena, but they have been generating some news. They need to have one on this and have more than one Dem Senator show up to illustrate that this is important.

Sen. Kerry can also start to make the rounds on the talk shows. It is no small thing that this whole issue got into the blogs and discussions groups through one article in one small/mid-size market newspaper. The Boston Globe did not break this story. (I no longer think they are capable of looking at Kerry and seeing him anymore. They see what they want to see.) A small Mass daily broke this story. They did so because Sen. Kerry gave them an interview and this came up in the course of the phone interview. It was not the reason for the interview, it just came up. I think there is a lesson in there and I think we need to ask Sen. Kerry to do more media, especially on liberal radio and such. There is a good pattern here.

[ginnyinWI]

1. true

I think a lot of people on DU want instant gratification, but it ain't gonna happen that way. These things need to build, and build, and build and gain traction and momentum--and it's been about a month now and is beginning to see the light of day. Isn't this how other scandals came out--drip by drip until there was a flood?

If JK gets into this, he'll be building a good case for it--it will be really interesting to see what happens next. It doesn't hurt that poll numbers are way down for the lying chimp and also for the repubs in Congress--people will be listening.

[whometense]

3. I agree about the heightened expectations as well.

They are so ridiculously unrealistic. Those people are completely manic/depressive.

[Der Blaue Engel]

9. Speaking as a manic/depressive

(or bipolar, as it's now called), let them have their highs. I've having one myself, although I'm not going to crash if this latest development doesn't immediately bring obvious results.

But we need things to get excited about.

There's so much gloom and despair in the reality of things, and usually around here (i.e., DU) there's twice as much of it. It's the reason I keep leaving. I just can't stand listening to all the "this won't change anything," "don't get your hopes up," "the dems won't do anything," "we're all DOOOOOOOOMED" talk.

Just for a few days, I'm enjoying the enthusiasm and hope.

[whometense]

2. I love that a small local paper

scooped the Globe. (do you think the Globe even noticed??)

What was interesting to me was the alacrity with which it was taken up here and on Kos. That says to me that even thought they deny it, even the naysayers are looking to Kerry for leadership.

I WISH he would get on the radio shows (not just Imus. Wouldn't you love to know what Kerry really thinks of Imus and his crew?) Ed Schultz gave Howard Dean a hard time today. He'd probably give Kerry a hard time too, but we know he's up to the job. :loveya:

[TayTay]

5. Ahm, well, the Senator is not a bad debator

It is within reason that he could defend himself. (LOL! Oh my Gawd is that ever a LOL!)

Democrats are softies at heart. They believe in Truth, Justice and the American Way. They really do. It is why I am a Dem and why I tolerate the lefty freepers and such. At their heart, the Dem rank-and-file retain the ability to be outraged. The Rethugs lost that long ago.

I want JK to do what he is good at; get outraged over government lying and the truth. He does this rather well. Then I want him to pursue it and get other Dems to pursue it. He does this rather well.

[Dr Ron]

4. I doubt this by itself will change things

However sooner or later we may hit a tipping point and public opinion could change about Bush. To some degree it has started with polls now showing a majority against the war.

This story may or may not be the final straw, but each bit helps.

I also thought it was useful to spread the news on line about Kerry bringing this up in light of the amount of Kerry bashing by some liberal blogs. Hopefully this will help his reputation. Buzz Flash picked up LUTD's story on this, which is bringing in a lot of hits.

[wisteria]

6. I can't agree more!

More media coverage for John Kerry. It's important that he stays current and vital. These "minutes" however, are a bit of a concern for me. Do you think they could be viewed as being misinterpreted by the person taking the information down therefore, incorrect and having no merit and Kerry mentioning them just more sore loser junk? I would hope not. This is all very serious stuff. Obviously, Britain took the DSM seriously. On the other hand though, this could offer John Kerry an opportunity to be heard by a large audience and be at the forefront of something that could have a big impact on the current administration and history. I have always believed we were lied to and lead into this war under false assumptions.I remember Bush talking about the "evil Saddam" in one his 2000 year debates with Gore. It was plain as day that he had Saddam on his mind while running for the presidency. It's just the proof that has been lacking.
Oh well, this all makes me nervous but it is exciting to see this take hold and have Kerry out in front.

[karynnj]

7. I was very worried about the same thing before

but I would assume that because Blair did not deny them before the election when they were clearly hurting him and were relevant, that they have at least some credibility. If Kerry feels there is any likelihood of the minutes being portrayed as inaccurate, I would imagine he would call on Bush to answer the question of whether the minutes were true as part of what he says.

I doubt Kerry would bring up the minutes unless he has looked into the memo very thoroughly. Even during the campaign, contrary to Republican comments, Kerry made no claims that I can think of that have not been verified.

I also agree that the DU expectations are too high and very naive. I really can't see how this results in an impeachment, which would have to start in the house, where only the Republicans can start any actions. I do think it is important especially as it will become part of the Senate record. I hope that at least the serious part of the media will cover it. It does provide proof that Bush lied to congress, the UN, and to the American people. Although this had seemed likely before, this proves it. (By the way, wasn't there suppose to be a second part of the report on WMD on how the administration used the intelligence. Wasn't that well known Independent McCain on this committee?

[wisteria]

8. thanks for your reply.

And, I think I remember something about the report also. I wonder why it hasn't been released?

[FreedomAngel82]

10. I know how you feel

I'm excited about this but I'm no longer hoping for anything. I'm so tired of disappointing myself so I just go with what happens.

[BlueIris]

11. Fear not, beloved TayTay, my expectations are entirely realistic.

Especially because I, Iris, have taken an interest. That has a tendency to "curse" certain promising potentialities.

[TayTay]

12. Whoa, are you available for parties and such

beloved TayTay? Can you do my message on my cell phone? I need to print this out and show it to my kids. (Cuz I am the very epitome of dorkiness to them.)

Thanks! Now I'll take my swelled up head and go do great wonky things with it. (I feel a Congressional record perusal for Iraq stuff coming up.)