Looks like Rahm's "Message Discipline" Program isn't working out so well.

[bvar22]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeremy-scahill/rahm-emanuels-think-tanke_b_185203.html

The Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party is in open and vocal rebellion against the DLC Center-Right administration.
Just check out "The Greatest Page" at DU.
Rahm, other White House "spokespersons" (Gibbs et al), the White House "message discipline" team are all openly attacking what they call the "fringe Left", "Loony Left", or "Left Wing Bloggers".
Their "friendly" media mouth pieces are joining in direct attacks on The Left.

I find this encouraging because:
"First they ignore you,
then they ridicule you,
then they fight you,
then you win." -- Gandhi

"First they ignore you".....the Clinton administration, and Gore (and Kerry) campaigns.

"then they ridicule you"...The last 10 years, "Left wing wackos", "Fringe", "Loony Fringe", Naderites"

"then they fight you"...the recent direct attacks by Rahm, Gibbs, Obama himself, and other White House mouthpieces. The recent escalation in hostile rhetoric directed at The Left represents a movement from "ridicule" to open aggression.

"then you win."
Don't give up YOUR principles or VISION of what America SHOULD be.
The current administration is telling us that we should just settle for far LESS than the rest of the WORLD takes for granted.
I won't.
Neither should you.

[katandmoon]

1. How'd that work out for Indira?

[Cleita]

6. He's not talking about Indira but Mohandes.

However, both did get assassinated in service to their country.

[katandmoon]

7. I know. And thus the quote is NOT applicable.

[Fumesucker]

14. India is still part of the British Empire?

You learn something new on DU every day..

[bvar22]

22. If you don't know which Gandhi I'm quoting....

..then nothing you have to say is of any possible relevance.

[Daphne08]

34. +1

[Why Syzygy]

59. lol! k&r baby

[katkat]

50. Indira? Geez Shakes head n/t

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. I hear that!

[leftstreet]

3. K&R

[DontTreadOnMe]

4. The BEST message we can send

is to start talking about a 2012 Primary Challenger.

Progressives need to move the Democratic Party to the left. If it takes running a candidate against Obama, then it needs to be done.

Feingold/Dean 2012 would be a great choice.

[monmouth]

9. It would scare the bejeebus out of them and get their attention. As

has been stated before, it was millions of us who got Pres. Obama in the WH in the first place. We can remove him just as easily. This is the message that needs to be loud and clear. Wish I could rec your post...

[AllentownJake]

11. I post Dean 2012 everytime the White House or OFA posts something on Facebook nt.

[quark219]

49. +1 You, sir, are 100% correct. N/T

[old mark]

32. I think you are right, and it is time to start working NOW. We will NEVER

get respect from the "moderates". We must gain power, promote good candidates and actually VOTE THEM INTO OFFICE.

There are too few real Democrats in congress and evidently none in the White House and no one will change that but us.

It will take effort and money, and it will take every vote we can muster, and it will not be easy or pretty.
We will never get them to respect us; we must make them FEAR us.

mark

[Goldstein1984]

62. It's true

The moderates are part of the problem. They believe the system is working.

[tomp]

36. dean said recently he WILL vote for obama in 2012. nt

[pocoloco]

47. ...but not vigorously support him.

You remember that also......right?

[tomp]

66. he's already backpedalling on that.

but really, what difference does it make unless you're actively opposing obama?

[Goldstein1984]

63. Unless a better option comes along

[lib_wit_it]

61. YES! "Progressives need to move the Democratic Party to the left."

This cannot be emphasized enough. We are not the fucking *fringe*. We are made to seem that way by the MSM's lack of responsible coverage, including their presentation of the teabaggers as representative of a great majority, to the point where a huge number of those polled have now apparently been convinced of that.

[AllentownJake]

5. I have a feeling message discipline is over nt.

[bvar22]

23. Rahm's "Centrist" White House Message Discipline Program?

[AndyA]

8. Rahm and his goons need to remember that those "fringe Left,"

"Loony Left," "Left Wing Bloggers," "Left Wing Wackos," etc., are by and large responsible for getting his boss elected.

Without them, fat chance of that happening again.

No support = you lose.

[AllentownJake]

10. Oh as soon as the stepping stone is behind them

it isn't necessary anymore. Republicans and Independents are going to all vote for them in 2012.

[Ildem09]

12. The funny thing

is that the guy that replaced Rahm in the IL-5 Mike Quigley is a Badass Liberal He supports abortion. and he voted against the recent defense bill. Rahm must be pissed off his home turf has went to us wacky silly leftists

[AllentownJake]

13. Absolutely furious from what I heard nt.

[Ildem09]

15. Rumor mill

is that Rahm didn't think Quig was not a real threat and then bam the people were given a real progressive choice and they loved him

[AllentownJake]

16. I love it when Rahm's arrogance gets in the way

[laughingliberal]

18. yep. best thing we have working in our favor. nt

[bvar22]

24. I didn't know that.

"the guy that replaced Rahm in the IL-5 Mike Quigley is a Badass Liberal"

LOL

Anything that makes Rahm furious, I support.
Rahm seems to have more "issues" with the Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party than he has with Republicans.

I pray he has many sleepless nights.

[bajamary]

27. Mike Quigley is great

I live in Illinois 5th Congressional District. Thank God we have a real Progressive Democrat in Mike Quigley.

Remember, Rahm called Gov. Blogovich to have a "seat warmer" replace him in "his district", so when Rahm left the administration he could run (and win) back "his" congressional seat.

Mike is an excellent Progressive and if he continues on this path, I will work and contribute for his next term.

[dflprincess]

28. Wouldn't that just be too cool if Rahm tried to primary Quigley

when he leaves the White House and lost really big?

[Eric Condon]

60. Isn't it sad when we have to list being pro-choice as a "badass liberal" trait?

It's supposed to be part of the Democratic Party platform. Seriously, I'm sickened by how all this anti-choice coat-hanger shit seems to be coming from supposed "Democrats." Why do we even need a GOP anymore?

[laughingliberal]

17. And we vote. Not that we can count on the vote counts but we show up nt

[tomp]

37. their final resort will be, as it is every election year...

..."we're better than the republican" and many will fall for it. that is their ace in the hole. unless we are willing to not vote democrat the corporatist dems will continue to win and progressives will still be out in the cold.

[katkat]

51. tomp

"better then Republicans" worked before. I always believed it. Never again with anyone who;s been paying attention this year.

Somewhere we need a list of true progressives/liberals to support. Is anyone keeping such a thing? I mean besides my tiny personal notes :-) I re-signed up for DFA, so that's some help, although alas they still have The Great Presidential Liar on their home page.

[dflprincess]

55. I always believed it too

but I've learned the lesser of two evils is still evil - even when there is a "D" after their name.

[dgibby]

65. Yes, indeedy!

Here ya go!

http://www.pdamerica.org/

http://www.actblue.com/

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/





:hi:

[defendandprotect]

57. As long as the Democratic Party's only competititon is the near-facist GOP, the

party will continue to be moved to the right --

That's why the Democratic leadership avoids discussions of stolen elections, computers,

IRV voting -- and continues their pressures to keep third parties locked down.

[tmyers09]

19. It's not going too great...

Which is why they're releasing a new video game for the holiday season:

[TiberiusGracchus]

20. We need to "Glenn Beck" Rahm out of the white house...

It's partly because the shitmongers at faux seemed to have little trouble sniping WH staffers at will that this administration has been amenable to conservative suggestion.

Do you really think that HCR would be in this horrific shape if the white house has gotten a case of once-bitten-twice-shy with regards to the vocal right? And how robust do you think the HCR would be today if the white house and the congress were JUST AS AFRAID OF THE PROGRESSIVE LEFT as they have shown to be of faux news and the teabaggers.

We need to start flexing our considerable muscle and show the white house precisely how and who won 2008 for them. It's clear they have completely forgotten how they won 2006 and 2008.

If Glenn Beck's reedy and irrational yelling can get the white house to flinch and abandon it's progressive members, perhaps its time we show them that we can rattle skeletons in closets too.

God knows the country would do well to be rid of Rahm Emmanuel.

[bvar22]

21. Aaaahhhh!...The Eyes...The Eyes.....

Don't look at the EYES! :scared:

"Look into my eyes
You are getting sleepy...sleepy
I am in complete message control.
You WILL do as I say."

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

25. They, inadvertantly, started a brush fire and are trying to put it out with kerosene. Like LBJ did.

[Laelth]

26. That is the most hopeful piece I have read all week. Thank you.

Kill the bill.

Forcing people to buy insurance is no more the answer to a failed health care system than forcing people to buy houses is the solution to homelessness.

:dem:

-Laelth

[Blue_In_AK]

29. Excellent post, Bvar22

You've been on a roll lately. That country living must be agreeing with you. :)

[WorseBeforeBetter]

30. Huh. I actually feel...dare I say..."hopeful."

I need pie.

[Odin2005]

31. Rahm can fuck himself sideways.

[juno jones]

33. K&R! n/t

[Ex Lurker]

35. Rahm=Rove 2.0 n/t

[zeemike]

38. you have to consider another possibility.

That things are going as planed.
The GOPers could not get it their way so they move the Dem's over to the right.
And to do that you must disable the left wing and demoralize them....they are doing just that.

[jgraz]

41. Things are going "as planed"?

So far, results are flat. :P

[rhett o rick]

39. IMPEACH RAHMBO nt

[Jefferson23]

40. So true! K&R n/t

[midnight]

42. That's right... Don't give up YOUR principles or VISION of what America SHOULD be.

The current administration is telling us that we should just settle for far LESS than the rest of the WORLD takes for granted.
I won't.

[Hawkowl]

43. Thank you!

Ghandi is one of my personal heroes. Thank for pointing out that we are very close to winning!

[ChiciB1]

44. Is The Article Saying g The Left Leaning Groups ARE WORKING WITH THEM??

If so, WHAT ARE THEY SMOKING?? Is this just ANOTHER attack on "we the people" and the likes of Howard Dean and DFA??

Are they NOW NUTS??? FIRE THEM ALL! I've had it with this shit!!

[defendandprotect]

56. Exactly . . ..Catholics want coverage for CONTRACEPTION and ABORTION....

America is an overwhelmingly liberal nation though the truth of that has long

been kept from the people --

that's one of the internet's main values -- letting us actually hear one another and

how alike we are.

Chomsky has often pointed out that the proof of America's liberalism is that the right

wing needs to keep a lock on information/truth -- control over our free press, TV/radio,

news gathering organizations, publications, publishing houses. Even a tiny pebble of truth

will shatter their mirror of myths!!

[dana_b]

45. as the old mantra goes

change starts at the bottom, not wih those at the top. We have to do this because they are too comfy with the status quo. I didn't think I'd write that about this administration but so be it.

Thank you bvar for the reminder!!

[earcandle]

46. Love the quote! It is about time, isn't it?

They had their 30 years of selfish destruction.  

[Mari333]

48. I gave up on MoveOn.org when they became a mouthpiece for war

I trust no one but the ACLU these days.

[bvar22]

52. MoveOn has pulled out of Rahms "Message Discipline" Program.

I also stopped donations to MoveOn when they stopped opposing the WARS, but they recently ended that silence. I'm STILL a little wary of sending them any money, but take this as a good sign.




http://www.moveon.org /

[defendandprotect]

53. America deserves much better than corporate/fascist health care DEFORM . . . !!!

Exactly how we're going to win, I'm not sure . . .

I often kid about liberals/progressive incorporating and gettig our own lobbyists --

Erin Brockovich? -- and/or suing to get our people's government back.

But the first part of deciding upon an action is to be TOGETHER and to understand what

the true problem is : CORPORATISM/FASCISM

And, I'm full upon on articles at DU telling us Obama needs time!

The day Obama eloped into the White House with Rahm Emmanuel/DLC and Goldman Sachs, time

was up!!

We can keep hoping for miracles -- and maybe a little handout from this corrupt corporate

government -- but I don't think it's going to happen???!!!

[bvar22]

54. I also stopped donations to MoveOn ....

...when they stopped opposing the WARS, but they recently ended that silence. I'm STILL a little wary of sending them any money, but take this as a good sign.




http://www.moveon.org /

[Torn_Scorned_Ignored]

58. We are Now at

The Barricades.

[Goldstein1984]

64. Good post, bvar22

They marginalize us at their peril.

I'm going to enjoy making them suffer in 2010 and 2012.

[Individualist]

67. kick

[Hidden Stillness]

68. Now, the "D"LC is Going to get "Change" They Never Counted On

This has been building up for a while now, and you don't need bloggers, etc., to tell you, of course; it is all based on the worsening economy, and on Obama Inc. Administration's strange and cold lack of response to it, especially after all the sloganeering bullshit that fooled so many gullible young people who had not heard it a million times before. Couple that with a male media that cheered everything Obama did, viciously attacked Hillary Clinton as some kind of a "pest" who did not deserve to be there, and which attacked anyone who tried to ask a real question--about the fact that most of Obama'a donations came not from individual donors, as the media lied, but from corporate financial-investment interests, etc.--and you had an inevitable result. You can't keep Democrats, and the American people "on message"--thank God--the way they do with Republicans and corporate spokes-servants.

I hope this is the beginning of the end for the corporate lobbyist "D"LC, which has been undercutting real Democratic candidates and replacing them with corporate operatives, telling us all "we don't know how to win," dismantling the National Party structure and replacing it with media "personality" advertising, turning the Democratic Party from the legislative representative of the people, to "a brand," and cooperating with Republicans every single time, on every single issue. When the numbers of people outraged and disgusted were smaller, the talk was always "How do we get rid of them? What do we do? We can't fight them, they have all the power"; now that it is getting to be the whole general population, you no longer need tactics or strategy--now, the great vast bulk of the people will just rise up and throw them out with the mass social power of their anger.

When you really get some sucess at fighting them--such as Obama-the-brand losing popularity, because what was needed was a new New Deal, and we got corporate slogan bullshit--then they start having to fight you back, showing their ugly selves, and the mask of grinning "friendliness" slips. Then, having shown themselves, they really slip, and it takes on a momentum of its own. This is why I think this is all actually good, not bad, even though it will take a long time, because of all the damage that has been done, and the way they changed all levels of law, and deregulated all levels of protections, and so we still can't get at it to effect it yet. People sre sick of the media lying, and computer websites will not replace a general and educated population; they are sick of the corporate money, and oppressive influence, no matter how it is dressed up as "helping the ecomony," which it does not, they are sick of the endless, strategic vitriol, derailing the people's will over and over, eternally.

The most helpful rebellion will be done by those who actually have memories of pre-Bill-Clinton real Democrats, fighting Republicans and corporate power. They will be hardest for Republican "D"LC types to lie about, because they actually know what was lost and what we need, and because they are NOT "computer savvy," and so the stereotype attack will not work against them, and will now show itself to be as phony a slander as everything else these people do to real Democrats. People sincerely thought they were getting the prayed-for return of a Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt and updated New Deal--it was a sincere vote for progressive reform, NOT cheering for endlessly vapid "personality advertising"--people actually meant something by the 2008 vote (as also by the huge angry 2006 mid-term, and 2004). This was a serious call for reform and help, and it was treated as another phony "D"LC "marketing coup." Yes, there is a rebellion--the Democratic rank and file is back.