I called the DNC and spoke with them

[debbierlus]

I just called the DNC, and they said they are letting the Senators decide what to do. There is not a cohesive message from the DNC to support a filibuster. I told the woman that they do not even have the nomination of Alito as the main topic on their web page. She forwarded me to some guy named Tim who is the blog master for the DNC. I told him that the DNC is in danger of alienating their base, and that the dems need to stand up & filibuster Alito. I spoke as the authority for the web based community which was a bit of a stretch, but for some reason they took it as I was some kind of expert on the blog world's stance....so i went with it. They were asking me what the blogs were saying!!! (They don't follow this stuff???!!!) I told them that the web activists are absolutely perplexed by the dems not filibustering this man, and that the Republicans have already succeeded in 'nuclear optioning the filibuster, since the dems won't use it because of the mere threat'.

Keep calling your Senators. I think they are surprised at the amount of opposition they are seeing.

Don't let up. DON'T GIVE AN INCH. I think they are confused. They were not expecting this much of an outcry.

CALL AND FAX AND WRITE - DON'T GIVE UP!

[pberq]

1. Good work - there's still time to stop Alito

[thereismore]

2. That's not good news. Such ignorance. Good work. nt

[Freddie Stubbs]

3. What is the alternative to "letting the Senators decide what to do?"

How would the DNC force Senators to vote a certain way?

[jsamuel]

4. I think what he means is the DNC is like "shrug" so the Senators are like

"ho-hum, what to do"

As opposed to:

DNC - "Filibuster Alito"
Senators - "Filibuster or no?"

[debbierlus]

7. What SHE means....

And, yes, you are right....

The democratic party needs to get its act together and show what they stand for.....

They are leaders (unfortunately) in the democratic party.

[jsamuel]

18. yes, SHE

:silly:
I guess I coulda gotten it from "deb"

[madfloridian]

41. Then contact your senators. The DNC can NOT filibuster.

You can criticize them, make fun of them, but they can not filibuster.

[madfloridian]

5. The DNC can NOT filibuster.

This is all getting so out of control. Nobody here has even an inkling of the different parts of party apparatus....they just bash indiscrimiately and it is hurting all of us.

Boy, if you got that much attention on a day when they are so busy...and I though Tim was still in Ohio with Dean.

[patcox2]

13. They're "letting" the senators vote as they please?

jeebus, I am scared.

Please, people, understand what the DNC is and what it is not. (And what the democratic party is and what it is not, for one thing, its not a lockstep group of rigid ideologues who take orders from a central authority on how to vote.)

The DNC assists democratic political campaigns. It provides financial and logistic support, some research, it does do some talking points. But its not the "head" of all democrats.

So many people want the democrats to act like republicans.

[Bjornsdotter]

17. How is it bashing?

A voter called to give their opinion and to enlighten somebody there as to what is going on with some public opinion on the Alito confirmation.

That's not bashing.

Cheers!

[madfloridian]

21. Because it is not up to the DNC to filibuster.

It is up to congress. Because it is going after the wrong part of the party, because it is not being realistic about who can filibuster.

There are other becauses, but I best not say right now.

[Bjornsdotter]

25. Yes, of course it's up to the congress

...But passing along information (opinion) is still not bashing.

:shrug:

Cheers!

[madfloridian]

26. Yes, it is bashing.

Most definitely it was bashing. It was not just passing along information.

And I would say cheers in return, but I don't feel that way when I see a forum like this just freely attacking the wrong Democrats for the wrong things...and making up excuses and then attacking those who correct them.

If you want a strong party you have a responsiblity.

If you want politicians to take you seriously, you have to be more informed.

[Bjornsdotter]

27. Huh?

Actually I am informed....maybe not to your private criteria.

I would never presume to say that you were uninformed, rather I hold to the opinion that we see things in a different light.

I do not see that giving one's opinion is bashing....perhaps you do and of course that is your right and I can respect it. Too bad it's not reciprocated.

Cheers!

[madfloridian]

29. You missed my point.

If I go and attack the DCCC for something the DSCC did, then I am not very informed. And I would be bashing.

The OP does not seem to be aware that Dean could call for a filibuster in the name of the DNC....and they would laugh him out of town.

[annabanana]

47. I suspect that the op would like all groups

of Democrats, every "branch" to be sufficiently informed to know what the progressive blogosphere is up to .... and to pass that information on to those who DO make those decisions..

no need to be so harsh..

[madfloridian]

49. Harsh?

I think you need to read the OP again.

The DNC is well aware of what the blogsphere is saying. The bloggers there are quite well-informed and well-known.

There is more going on at DU right now than rather I am harsh or not.

[FreedomAngel82]

32. Did you even read the original post?

[madfloridian]

36. Oh, yes, I did.

Several things bothered me about it, mainly the fact that the DNC can not do filibustering. The OP needs to talk to the congressional leaders, call the DSCC and DCCC.

Other things bothered me as well. But I won't go there.

I have seen way too much bashing of Democrats when people simply do NOT seem aware of the jobs of the groups, and their limitations.

I don't think we have a chance in hell to win anything if all we do is ignore the good things the Dems do and bash them the day they do it.

[madfloridian]

45. Here is DSCC website for state races.

http://www.dscc.org/2006races/

You should be able to contact your senators from here. That way you will reach the people who vote, not the people who are organizing the party.

[Horse with no Name]

28. uh huh

:eyes:

[Pacifist Patriot]

50. It sounds like the OP knows that.

It sounded to me like the individual was asking if the DNC was communicating any sort of playbook with the Senate. Which explains the sentence "There is not a cohesive message from the DNC to support a filibuster."

The primary concern of the OP seems to be that the DNC is not addressing the topic of Alito and therefore making it seem as if it is of little importance.

No, the DNC cannot filibuster but they can certainly make a statement regarding their desire for one, or lack thereof. I got the impression the OP wanted the DNC to function as a communication conduit from the people to the Senators to help get the message across. Not requesting the DNC filibuster themselves.

I don't think it's unreasonable to ask the Democratic Party to take a position stance with respect to Alito's confirmation and share feedback from the people with the Senators. Geez, the least they can do is mention it on their website.

Sorry, but I too see no bashing. Rather, I see a plea for help.

[madfloridian]

6. Did you talk to Tim?

Just curious.

[debbierlus]

9. Tim is out of town

I talked to some woman for about 10 minutes about everything I wrote above, Tim was 'out of town' but I left him a very detailed message and told him to call me back. I gave him my phone number. We will see, if I get anywhere. I am just calling ANYONE I can think of...

[B Calm]

8. It bothers me that we have to tell our senators to vote down a fascist

corporatist. You'd think they would at least think of the people they represent once in awhile!

[debbierlus]

11. One would think....

I feel the exact same way.

[madfloridian]

40. Go to the DSCC website for senators.

The DNC is NOT the senators.

[madfloridian]

10. Again, did you talk to Tim?

Just wondering.

[FreedomAngel82]

33. The person already answered your question

Gee. Can't you read?

[madfloridian]

37. Yes, she did. No, I can't read. I never learned to read.

Let's just go after each other here and now. Attack our Democrats, attack those who defend them.

I can't read. I taught school all those years, and I never learned to read.

Check the times on the answer.

The DNC can NOT do a damn thing about filibustering and we are only hurting ourselves doing this crap.

[Horse with no Name]

42. Something doesn't smell right here angel

That is the point that madfloridian is trying to convey without saying.
But you know me, I'm just gonna say it.
In the original OP, the author says "She forwarded me to some guy named Tim who is the blog master for the DNC. I told him that the DNC is in danger of alienating their base, and that the dems need to stand up & filibuster Alito."
Then when told Tim was out of town, she changed her story that she talked to someone else and left a message for Tim.
Sorry this doesn't pass the smell test.
It's appears to me to be someone who doesn't want us to support the DNC.
Why do you suppose that would be?

[madfloridian]

43. I am glad you said it, but I did not.

I am getting told I can't read, and I am sick and tired of it.

[Horse with no Name]

44. I read ya loud and clear

:thumbsup:

[madfloridian]

48. Thanks, I feel battered and beaten now.

Guess I should never bother, but good Lord, this is ridiculous.

[Horse with no Name]

56. Yes it is

:hug:

[mzmolly]

53. I thought so as well. Something smells funny here.

hmmmmm

[Horse with no Name]

55. and it looks like many bought it

hook, line and sinker

[mzmolly]

57. Pity, that.

;)

[Sammy Pepys]

12. Hit them folks...

This kind of thing is exactly what needs to happen.

[madfloridian]

14. Do you remember the name of the woman?

By any chance?

[radio4progressives]

15. You have got to be kidding? Please say it ain't so!!

the DNC staffer wasn't AWARE????

did you direct them to DU??

[madfloridian]

16. Don't react to this just yet.

Read it again.

[patcox2]

24. I wouldn't direct any political professional to DU.

They'd have to wade through mountains of crap for the occasional good stuff. Kos, Atrios, Josh Marshall, and even bartcop would be more efficient.

Many posters here don't even, for example, know the rudiments of the congressional rules, or what the role of the DNC is.

Good place to go for satisfying if poorly written tirades a-la Will whatsisname, but not for serious political information.

Even as a sample of public opinion, its a self-chosen sample and thus worthless.

[John Q. Citizen]

19. I don't think it's opposition the Dems are seeing. It's

the Dems need to know that we the people are going to back them up if they do filibuster.

Not one Dem Senator has said they will vote to oppose a filibuter that I know of.

They need to hear from the American people on this.

I'm on hold (2 calls away) on the Ed Schultz show as I type one handed phone in the other.

A guy just called in in support of the filibuster. A few million people just heard him and they will hear me in a minute.

I'm going to ask folks to call/email thier Senators and ask them to filibuster

[madfloridian]

20. Who is the "they" you refer to?

"She forwarded me to some guy named Tim who is the blog master for the DNC. I told him that the DNC is in danger of alienating their base, and that the dems need to stand up & filibuster Alito. I spoke as the authority for the web based community which was a bit of a stretch, but for some reason they took it as I was some kind of expert on the blog world's stance....so i went with it. They were asking me what the blogs were saying!!! (They don't follow this stuff???!!!) I told them that the web activists are absolutely perplexed by the dems not filibustering this man, and that the Republicans have already succeeded in 'nuclear optioning the filibuster, since the dems won't use it because of the mere threat'

I can see why "they" would have been puzzled. Congress filibusters, not the DNC.

When you say you imply more than one person spoke to you. So I am trying to figure it out. Also, many bloggers now are part of the DNC. So that is puzzling as well.

The minute our Denocrats spoke out today, attacks on them started all over the internet. Forgive me if I question, but it is just enough to make one put on a :tinfoilhat:

[debbierlus]

23. I spoke with one woman, and I left Tim a message

I wasn't attacking anyone. I was trying to figure out, if they had a position on the filibuster. I read on the Randi Rhodes blog that the DNC was saying that there was not going to be a filibuster due to the nuclear option. So, I called and asked them there stance.

I spoke extensively with one person. And, I left a message for another.

There is nothing to 'figure out'. I apologize for writing 'they', it was sloppy. I have been on the phone with aides all day protesting this...

I apologize for any misunderstanding.

[mattclearing]

22. The DNC doesn't determine or drive policy/strategy unrelated to elections.

Best to stay after the Senators (pro-choice Republicans included).

[Rainscents]

30. I'm calling again tomorrow!!!

Fuck the DNC and DLC!!! We The People have to take charge!!! DNC can only do so much and I believe they want America people to speak out on this matter!!!

[madfloridian]

39. Why do you say fuck the DNC? They can not filibuster.

Why are you guys wanting to hurt the party so much? Go after the congressional leaders who can filibuster.

Posts like this just make me so sad, they are very hurtful.

[FreedomAngel82]

31. I'm surprised

they don't keep up with popular blogs like Kos, Liberal Oasis, etc.

[EFerrari]

34. A phone number would be helpful. n/t

[Nutmegger]

35. Thank you for this

I'm harassing the hell out of LIEberman...I think we'll have him on our side.

Oh and welcome to DU!!! :toast:

[madfloridian]

38. They DO know what the blogs are saying overall. They don't read DU.

Because people don't pay attention here to what they are doing and who they are calling. If you want to be taken seriously, you need to know each group's limitations.

They don't read DU because there are too many posters here who don't take time to figure out who to bash before they start blasting.

If you want DU to become a respected place where politicians will post, there has to be a degree of sensibility.

Telling me I can't read and saying fuck the DNC does not change anything. It just makes it less credible here.

And by the way, Tim and the other bloggers there at the DNC are quite well known bloggers, so stop acting like the DNC is in a different world.

[madfloridian]

46. Here is the Senate site for Democrats. With phone numbers.

http://www.dscc.org/2006races/

You should be able to reach all of them through this page.

[mom cat]

51. nifty tool .....Thanks.

[mom cat]

52. Great work. That was a good idea!

[madfloridian]

54. Here are the groups in the Democratic party.

BTW this thread is getting good coverage at Free Republic...they love stuff like this.

I have been told on this thread that I am harsh, asked if I could read, and I have seen someone say fuck the DNC on a day when they don't deserve it.

Howard Dean, Paul Hackett and other Ohio leaders stood on the capitol steps there today in Columbus to condemn the corruption there. No one here has paid much attention, they would rather criticize. The media does not cover it fairly, the right wing attacks, and we here at the almost Anti-Democratic Underground just bash along with them.

It is the senators who will have to filibuster or not. I imagine if Gov. Dean at the DNC told them what to do, he would not be there much longer. I think we have a responsibility not to call each other names, not to say fuck the DNC (at a Democratic forum), and not to mislead. And I think some misleading is going on here.

Here is a site that tells the role of the various party entities.
http://www.democrats.org/a/party/ourorganization.html

And I am feeling sick at my stomach over this stuff of condemning them while they are in action. Tim has been in Missouri and Ohio with Gov. Dean for several days. Anyone at the DNC knows that. I am sorry, but I don't think I am the one off base here.

[Horse with no Name]

58. You're not off base at all

I'm surprised this thread has 9 recommendations.
Insane really.

[preciousdove]

59. You did very good (and I just added one more to my ignore list) n/t

[madfloridian]

60. I guess you mean me. But we just proved that the DNC is aware.

There is a thread going right now, with all kinds of stuff from the DNC about Alito. Right is right, wrong is wrong, and fair is fair.

You are really not supposed to say that you are putting someone on ignore, but I don't mind it.

It is against the rules.

Here is the thread that proves that the DNC has been right on top of this. Let's be fair.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x179661

I don't mind if you put me on ignore, but you are not supposed to tell me in public.

"You did very good (and I just added one more to my ignore list)" your subject line.

When people fight fair and post fair things, I am behind them 100%. But our country is in real danger now, and we need to be honest and up front with each other and stand together.