The Alito Betrayal - Bob Fertik

[pberq]

http://www.democrats.com/alito-betrayal

We, the voters who elect Democrats in every election, were utterly and completely betrayed today by 18 Democratic Senators that we elected, all of whom can be reached at 888-355-3588 or 888-818-6641:

Akaka (HI), Baucus (MT), Bingaman (NM), Byrd (WV), Cantwell (WA), Carper (DE), Dorgan (ND), Inouye (HI), Johnson (SD), Kohl (WI), Landrieu (LA), Lieberman (CT), Lincoln (AR), Nelson (FL), Nelson (NE), Pryor (AR), Rockefeller (WV), Salazar (CO)

There was no reason for this betrayal. We only needed 40 of the 45 Democrats to sustain a filibuster. We could have won even if 5 Democrats who were flat-out stupid enough to believe Alito's lies (like Robert Byrd and Kent Conrad) had voted against the filibuster.

Every Democratic Senator knew what was at stake - both in the rulings Justice Alito will make for the rest of his life, and in the anger - even rage - that will greet their decision to betray us.

So why did these Democrats decide to stab us all in the back?

For one simple reason: because we let them.

Democratic candidates - at every level - take us, the Democratic base, completely for granted.

They ask us for money and we give it to them - with no strings attached. They ask us for votes and we give it to them - with no strings attached.

They are not accountable because we don't hold them accountable.

That must change - and with your help, I will make sure that it does change.

In the coming weeks, I will offer a plan for holding elected Democrats accountable. The plan will be based on some core principles:

* We have a right to be furious at the 18 Democrats who betrayed us - and we have a right to share our fury with those Democrats (888-355-3588 or 888-818-6641), as well as the DSCC (202-224-2447) and DNC (202-863-8000).
* The Democratic Party belongs to the people who vote for Democrats, not to the elected officials, party bureaucrats, and rich consultants whose power and wealth comes entirely from us.
* We, the Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party, represent the majority of all Americans on every issue Americans care about, and we will win majorities in every state (almost!) if we fight as hard as Republicans do for our issues
* We must find politically strategic ways to channel our anger towards constructive goals, rather than the obvious destructive ones (like electing even more Republicans to accelerate the rise of Fascism in America).

[connecticut yankee]

1. Well

I'm doing what I can to get rid of Lieberman!

[pberq]

2. Similar thoughts from Buzzflash

http://www.buzzflash.com/index.php?story=Story3

. . .The biggest thing that the entrenched Democrats are worried about is that the pro-Democracy Democrats will stop giving money to the old Guard Bush enabler Democrats. They still don't think that the progressives will mount successful primary challenges to Dems who sell out democracy (the right wing Republicans have been picking off moderates in just such a way for at least two decades), but Joe Lieberman is starting to break into a sweat. (And given his vote to end the filibuster on Monday, he should now really be worried.)

So, whenever you get the chance, let a Bush-lite elected official know that you won't be sending them a check -- and let the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee and Harry Reid know that you won't send them money, but will only send cash individually to Democratic candidates that you feel advance democracy and an agenda for the common good of the nation. But do send THOSE candidates who stand up for democracy contributions. They will need it.

[Talismom]

3. This betrayal has profoundly effected my attitude to the

democratic establishment. That's it baby. I'll assist real progressives working to overthrow the DINOs and hard work at the local level to take the party back. No more feel good easy stuff, like Malloy said last night. No more simple petitions and calls and quick checks sent out to democratic organizations that piss it away, no more carrying signs. I'm dead serious now and don't expect much satisfaction for a long time. This is for my kids and their kids--if we can even get it back in time for them.

[Stephanie]

4. Baucus can go already

What is the Senate, a lifetime appointment. I remember Baucus when he was a liberal. Now? You're OUT!

[second edition]

5. Everyone of these Senators got an e-mail from me yesterday.

I have surprised myself with how angry I am over this. They were afraid of being "Dashled" by the repubs, so they betrayed the American people and their party base.This was such an important appointment. With Senators like these we stand for nothing and represent nobody.
I actually consider myself more of a moderate, but I believe in the grassroots efforts of reaching the people with a real message they can understand. We are suppose to be the party of the people.

I'm with you, they ignore us and don't represent us at all. I give money to the DNC, but I am going to make sure it is only going to the grassroots efforts. And, I will continue to give money and my time to John Kerry and now Ted Kennedy.True leaders- they made a statement both inside Washington and out and they are being ridiculed for it.

I am going to write and say thank you to the other 23 senators that stood on principle and took a difficult stand.