What could possibly get the Democrats enthused between now and November??

[kentuck]

I am not sure that the President's sag in the polls are all Republicans or Independents. I think many Democrats are unenthused about voting this November, even though they know it is poison for the country if the Repubs gain control of the House and/or Senate.

I think the key to getting the Party fired up is the same key that brought them out to vote for Barack Obama in the first place. That is the progressive base. When the Party loses that group, there is no one that can step in and do the job - not the moderates, not the DLC, no one.

What could the President do to fire up his base? I don't know. But he had better figure it out soon.

[Nite Owl]

1. Honestly, I don't know

if anything would work. If he does things to 'appease' the base I doubt it will be effective. Trust has been lost and it would take longer than a couple of months to restore that. I'll vote but all my work is on the state level not for congress.

[DJ13]

2. Well, the GOP has "small" business owners going around bashing the Dems over HCR

They are claiming they "wont hire as long as the cost of the HCR is unknown" on several MSM outlets, so the one thing Obama could do would be to claim he's heard their concerns and propose opening up Medicare to everyone in lieu of the passed reform.

Not only would that remove a huge GOP talking point, but it would remove an excuse of business as to why they arent hiring, putting them on the spot so to speak.

Besides, it really would be a stimulus to the economy to (finally) remove the employer from our health care system.

[AndyA]

3. I think it's too late to finally realize the base has been neglected.

The progressive base has had it with Obama and the Democrats.

If you're gay and were looking forward to equality and keeping your military career, sorry.

If you are drowning in medical bills and were hoping for health care reform that would control costs, too bad.

If you were anticipating more transparency in government, forget about it.

Obama had his chance, and he failed to lead. He was quiet on health care, quiet on gay rights, DADT, etc.

Those of us who worked very hard to get him elected, and donated our hard earned money are feeling a bit taken advantage of. I'm still waiting for most of what he promised me. And they want me to donate more money? I've done my part, did that back in 2008. I'm still waiting for Obama to do his part. Spending another two years trying to appease the GOP isn't going to cut it.

[bigwillq]

32. Good post.

:thumbsup:

[inenemyterritory]

53. I agree

great points.

The M$M is my biggest concern.

They are twisting everything positive into a negative.

[Vincardog]

4. Obama could FIRE SIMPSON and declare that the cat food commission can not cut Social Security PERIOD

IF it's recommendation is to cut SSI in any way OBAMA needs to veto the legislation.

Pelosi needs to REVOKE the rule that MANDATES a vote on the recommendations WITHOUT AMENDMENT.

IF not they can forget any help from this LIBERAL.

[WI_DEM]

5. remind them if they sit on their hands that all they will get is the same old policies

and gridlock. If House goes GOP committee chairs will be republicans and they will decide the agenda. If Senate goes GOP committee chairs will be republicans and they will decide agenda and control the Judiciary Committee which could block Supreme Court nominees. If Dems want to punish Dem represenatives or Obama by not voting that is up to them, but they will have to deal with the consequences.

[villager]

7. "remind them if they sit on their hands that all they will get is the same old policies"

Sadly, this what this Administration has done at every critical juncture, and this what we've wound up with...

[WI_DEM]

9. That is just stupid if you think Obama has done the same old policies as Bush

[saracat]

20. Lets see, renewed Hyde, increased military spending for the War

expanded FISA, renewed Patriot Act and expanded the office of Faith Based Initiatives. The Education policy is straight out of the GOP playbook and an expansion of NCLB but more draconian. He did renew a lot of Bush Era policy. He has done some things that are not like his predessor but he has dome some things that not only support but expand existing policy.

[villager]

24. +1

n/t

[sandnsea]

25. That is a laugh riot

Renewed Hyde?? Look forward to your logic on that one.

Increased military spending for the war? You mean put money into Afghanistan and put war funding on the budget?

Expanded FISA? Actually that would be a good thing, but I think you mean things like letting existing law cover additional technology.

Renewed the Patriot Act? All by himself?? Or with the full support of the House and Senate? And for just one year.

Obama created the Office of Faith Based Initiatives and NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERSHIPS. Meaning he changed the focus and added agencies that qualify for assistance.

And the crap about the Education Policy is just that, crap. It's about as far from Bush policy as it can be.

[Winterblues]

38. War funding on the Budget, then why have there been three supplemental

War Spending Bills since his first Budget? They were not in the Budget and in fact after the First one, Obama promised there would be no more, then every six months a new one rolls around..Your talking point lacks credibility.

[sandnsea]

41. Bush war supplementals were over $100 billion

Obama's was less than $40 billion for actual war spending. It is now, and was under Bush, an EMERGENCY supplemental meaning money that isn't traditionally budgeted. Theoretically, you don't budget for a war. Consequently not everything can be in the regular budget, although much more has been under Obama.

The remainder of the supplemental covered things like disaster spending.

The stupid part is turning it into a War Suppelemental in the first place, or calling real needs "pork". That's why we lost so much time in getting aid to schools or unemployment benefits or a jobs package.

[saracat]

39. Not only renewed Hyde (Under his watch) but wrote

executive orders extending it to the High Risk Pool. He also advocated the Hyde like language included in HCR. Anything to get that crap HCR passed, dont'cha know. I have nothing to say to anyone that supports Afghanistan OR FISA. I do not support those efforts didn't with the last president and I'll be damned if a see why I should change my mind and support them now when I previously marched against them. Wrong is wrong no matter who is in office. As for the Office of Faith Based Initiatives, he did expand funding for organizations that are religious in nature, and that is disgusting. They have a bigger budget then when his predecessor was in office. That should be disbanded not expanded. And of course he didn't any of it do it ALONE, anymore than Bush went to war ALONE or did the Patriot Act Alone. I stand by my words on the Education Policy as do all the teachers I know.

[sandnsea]

42. Hyde was passed in 1976

Three states pay for abortion. THREE. Now how do you get from there to Obama renewed Hyde? It's whacko. Hyde is the law and nobody has been able to beat it back in over 30 years. Hyde is still law. That's it.

FISA courts oversee secret government investigations of individuals. That's a good thing.

I already explained about the NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERSHIIPS that are getting money and may work with religious groups. In a small town, sometimes there isn't any group available except a church group, like our local Montessori is in the Episcopal Church here. And the Lutheran Church has a very good pre-school too that doesn't teach anything religious at all. Our one and only food bank is on the same Lutheran Church property. Should none of those groups get any help just because a church donates some real estate?

As for Education Policy, well, see Hawaii.

And you're certainly welcome to think whatever you want on Afghanistan, but it's not realistic to think any other Democratic President would do any different. It's sad that the Iraq drawdown is on schedule, will be complete by next year; and that the Afghanistan drawdown will begin next year; and that's not enough for you to support.

I don't know what happened to you, I really don't. You're not the Saracat I knew 5 years ago, that's for sure.

[rusty fender]

65. The Repubs are controlling the agenda now!

That's the problem right there! If the Dems controlled the agenda now, they wouldn't have to worry about the midterms.:banghead:

[vi5]

6. I'm pretty much done....

I'll vote. That's it. No more money, no more verbal support, no more phone support, no more even bothering to argue with people who criticize the democratic party or Obama or any of it.

They've at the very least taken too many factions of the democratic base for granted, and at the very least have shown outright contempt for others.

So I'll vote the lesser of 2 evils which as it stands now is the democratic party. But the rest they can just go put their hands out to their corporate donors since that's obviously their primary concern.

[Chan790]

8. Armed class-warfare posses.

Plenty of lampposts on Wall St.
Most of DE and SD are flammable. That's where the banks are.

You bring the matches, I'll bring the rope.

Oh oh oh, I've got it. Mondays at 9PM on ABC! It's The Capitalist Pig-dog CEO Public Execution & Pornography Show! I can see it now, it'll be the new Monday Night Football. Everybody will watch. People will host bar events and serve free popcorn and stuff.They'll discuss it around the water-cooler Tuesday morning.

:beer: :popcorn: :toast: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot:

(Note: Not serious. Blowing off steam.)

[LWolf]

10. Those running need to actively, energetically, and loudly

stand their ground and fight for the disenfranchised. They need to distance themselves from the Obama administration.

[karynnj]

11. I hate to say it, but hate and fear are the two things that have always

fired up both bases. One way to leverage this is for a strong message that the Democrats will NOT extend the estate taxes or the income taxes for those over $250,000 AND equate this dollar wise to something the Republicans want to cut. (If there is nothing that works - speak of decreasing the deficit by that amount.)

The second similar values choice has to be Social Security.

How does this tie in with fear? Those choices affect everyone's economic security.

[harun]

12. Public Option

[global1]

13. A Public Option Or Single Payer Health System; Real Wall Street Reform; .....

reinstating Glass-Stegal; Closing Gitmo; Pulling out of Afghanistan; ending DADT; supporting gay marriage; firing Simpson; firing Rahm; saying he'd veto any bills coming out Congress that messes with our Social Security,rolling back the Bush tax breaks to the rich,etc, etc, etc. Basically making good on their campaign promises that helped get the White House, the Senate and the House. These are the things that got me enthused when I voted for Obama and the Dems. These are the things that now they have to do in order for me to become enthused.

Oh - I know - he didn't promise he'd pull out of Afghanistan. I threw that one in there because there is no better time than now to end it there. Bring home our troops and use the money we would have spent - creating jobs and putting people back to work.

[EnlightenedOne]

14. Two. Words.

Sarah Palin

Mitt Romney

Newt Gingrich

Tim Palenty

[donco6]

18. FEAR - the perfect motivator. n/t

[Tesha]

43. You know, stopping all those two-word combinations was well within Obama's power.

But he decided to waste two years playing nice
with the Republicans while pissing on "them that
brung him" instead of dancing with us.

So your fear-mongering won't work on us; we
*KNOW* who'll be to blame if any of those folks
come to power.

Tesha

[EnlightenedOne]

68. Oh Bull.

Obama had the power to silence Sarah Paychek and Faux Noise, etc. That's ridiculous. I don't fault the man for trying to negotiate and get done what he could get done.

So you will blame Obama if these people get into power. Yea, that's going to really help.

And its not FEAR MONGERING - we had Bush/Cheney for God's sake - IT CAN HAPPEN. People are just that stupid.

[sandnsea]

15. Certainly not you

I can't recall you ever being enthused about any Democrat since you've been here.

[Name removed]

16. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[donco6]

17. I will definitely be voting this November.

For all the local issues.

[w4rma]

19. Fire Rahm and Obama's entire economic team and replace them with decent people. (nt)

[bvar22]

21. An Emergency BILL in Congress to expand Medicare Eligibility to 55,

NOT as "Health Care Reform", but as an emergency economic assist to the most vulnerable and unemployable segment of the population during this economic crisis.
This IS "do-able", and would be an easy SELL to the American Public.
A CLEAN "Emergency" Bill, Up or DOWN Roll Call vote BEFORE the November elections.

Once THIS step is taken, Medicare for ALL is on the way.

This would be one of the few ways left of providing some indication the the "New Democrat" Party hasn't completely Sold Out the Working Class.

[Newsjock]

22. ENDA, DOMA, DADT

And actions, not just words.

A real test will be what the DOJ decides to do about the Prop. 8 appeal.

[Raksha]

23. As part of that super-alienated Democratic base, I truly don't care.

I'm sick of being sold out, and then insulted on top of that. I'm NOT enthusiastic about this election and don't give a damn who knows it. In fact, I'm likely to vote Green on general principles--something I've never done before. And if anyone wants to tell me--AGAIN!--that I'm handing the Repukes the majority, I'm going to tell them I've heard that crap one time too many.

It won't be my fault if that happens--Obama and the Democrats have raised their finger in the face of progressives one time too many. Actually, more like 10 times too many. They can either start representing us or stop expecting our votes.

[Capitalocracy]

26. I'm glad you used the word "enthused".

Because a lot of people are saying yes, they'll vote, but no, they're not going to volunteer, donate, etc. And that's an important distinction, because not staying home on election day is great, but it doesn't necessarily win elections, and that's why the Dems really need to give us something to vote about.

And I don't know why anyone would be crazy enough to donate to Koch's DLC or the Democratic Party general slush fund rather than to the individual candidates they like, btw.

[rufus dog]

27. The Irony is

That Pelosi and the House will probably take the hit. The Fucktards in the Senate and the Admin will not take the beating.

So the group least responsible takes the beating.

[Juche]

49. True

The house is the most progressive of the executive and legislative branches, and they will take the hits.

As long as dems maintain the majority it should mostly be ok, since most losses will be blue dogs and conservadems.

I am with other posters though, I will vote but I don't feel enthused to donate money or volunteer.

[B Calm]

28. Repeal NAFTA

[Radical Activist]

29. All of your positive, motivating posts on DU should do the trick.

That's the key to victory, I'm sure.

[kentuck]

33. I'm sorry.

Go team! Yeah!

[asdjrocky]

34. Victory for who? nt

[SoxFan]

45. ...

[Bobbie Jo]

48. *snort*

:rofl:

[kentuck]

51. What is your idea to get them motivated?

Just curious.

[Radical Activist]

54. What I would do...

Get Obama on the campaign trail with this message:

"You voted for change in 2008. I've been fighting for that change with most of the Democrats in Congress. But we've been blocked every step of the way by Republicans with no ideas and no solutions. They didn't listen to the message the American people gave us in Washington. We've made a lot of progress, but I need your help to finish the job. I need you to vote for candidate X on election day so he/she can help stop Republican obstruction and finish the job we started in 2008. Yes we can!"

That's the message which would be much more accurate and productive on the blogosphere as well rather than constantly searching for the daily poutrage.

[bobbolink]

30. If you want poor people to vote, then do something good for US.

More housing, increased food stamps, etc.

Its really quite simple. Meet peoples' needs (desparate as they are!), and they will vote for you.

Continue to ignore us at your own peril.

[Bluebear]

31. I don't know, I'm told we need drug-testing...

:silly:

[Johonny]

35. I don't know what will fire people up, cause I'm plenty fired up :)

I think the "new" generation of Rethugs running is plenty scary enough to get me to the polls to vote against them.

It's a good question though. Democrats control congress and the White House. In theory they control the political debate. You'd think Democrats would have a great winner base issue to stick on the floor of congress come September. Something that really gets their base motivated. Perhaps the Dem base is too diverse to fire up this way because the base spend too much time in-fighting over policy semantics. The Dem base seems to fire up better when you give it Republicans to fight about. Personally the ideas underlying the current Republican party is more than enough to get me to the polls, but that's not exacting a ringing endorsement FOR the Dems. I guess I'm more optimistic that 2 more years will make the Obama Administration look far better than it was going to after having to absorb 8 years of Bush politics.

[Faryn Balyncd]

36. REPEALING the rule that lets Simpson's Commission write the bill with a NO-AMENDMENT vote & ....

.... letting Democrats (& all Americans) know that FINALLY the Democratic majority will stand up for our stated values, and will not continue down this path to destruction.

As it stands, Democratic voters are thoroughly disillusioned because, after caving in on the Public Option, the Democratic leadership is on a path that results in passing a Republican dream: gutting Social Security BY DEMOCRATS. Such a course will be disastrous, will result in destruction of the Democratic majority, and will drive middle class voters into the waiting arms of the GOP.

After middle class voters who have given a lifetime of payroll & self-employment contributions which have created a $2.5 trillion surplus, loaned in good faith to the Treasury as bonds, see their SS stolen by fraudulent re-calculation of CPI/COLA, delayed retirement age, and by means testing of the middle class, they will be fair game for the GOP and see privatization of SS (which the middle class now OPPOSES) as a better option.

If the Democratic majority is to survive in November and beyond, there is ONE ACTION that will re-kindle the passion of the base, and put the GOP on the defense with the middle class:

Take the only action that shows they are serious about defending SS from Simpson's band of thieves who intend to steal it:

REPEAL the rule embedded in the July war funding bill that requires a lame duck session vote in the House on the UN-AMENDED Simpson-Bowles bill.... Then, and only then, will the American peop


:kick:

[Faryn Balyncd]

37. K and R

[lib2DaBone]

40. I don't know.. DEMS are willing to settle for whatever the Repukes allow....

We need Kucinich..Grayson..Sanders...

I know.... Kucinich fights time and again for the working people.. but he just isn't "REPUKE" enough for the DLC.

[JamesA1102]

44. Sorry but you are just not dealing in reality.

Elections are won in the middle not by the extremes. Firing up the base is not going to win an election. Getting moderates and independents to vote for Democrats will.

[bobbolink]

47. You have a good point, and one I have been trying to get through to DUers, with little

success.

The administration is really pissing off the general population, and that was a dumb move.

Also, *we* haven't done a good job of educating the general population to the real facts.

[JamesA1102]

57. Thanks but I don't think it is the administration's fault.

I blame the MSN for not simply reporting the facts. They've been letting Rush, Beck, Cheney and FAUX News drive the narrative since the President took office.

[bobbolink]

71. So, turning the Cat Food Commission over to Hater Simpson wasn't the doing of the Administration?

So who is operating the puppets, then?

Likewise, harrassing people on disability.. if this isn't the doing of the administration, then why the hell aren't they in control of it????

[Juche]

50. Low information voters don't do anything other than sometimes vote

If you want money or volunteers you have to go to the base. The Dems have labor and liberals as their activist base, the GOP has the religious right and now the tea party. You need those groups to turn out and encourage other people to turn out.

Supposedly for every 100 phones calls that are made, about 4-5 people decide to vote but another 4-5 who are in the household of the person called decide to vote too. So you need the activist base to make the low information voters who barely pay attention feel like voting (on both sides). Sucks but it is true.

[JamesA1102]

56. You have a point but up to a point

You are forgetting that the Dems have a big money advantage so that point is moot. Plus, you are making the incorrect assumption that everyone in the middle is a low information voter and that is just not the truth. Like it or not, elections are won in the middle in this country not by the extremes of either party.

[kentuck]

52. I disagree.

I think it is the passionate supporters on both extremes that drive the vote, not the middle. The middle may determine who wins and who loses but they seldom motivate anyone to get to the polls. Just my opinion.

[JamesA1102]

55. The middle does determine who wins.

That is not opinion it is fact.

[Zorra]

46. President Obama going primetime and telling people that the government has been taken over

in a coup by multi-national corporations, and he's going to fight to get it back.

I'd paint myself red white and blue and run through the streets naked singing kumbaya holding a sign that said "Vote Democrat" if he just got up and plainly told the truth about what is going on.

[LiberalAndProud]

58. oops.

The answer is staring them in the face. They know what to do. But there are these pesky Bush arrangments lurking about.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=9022941&mesg_id=9022941


pesky error message anyway.

[LiberalAndProud]

59. Jobs.

The answer is staring them in the face. They know what to do. But there are these pesky Bush arrangments lurking about.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=9022941&mesg_id=9022941

[Fumesucker]

60. The fucking retarded Professional Left needs to STFU and report to the DEA for their drug tests

Until then we can't possibly clap hard enough to save Tink... umm... the Democrats..

ETA: I forgot, the Obama administration is far too left wing, they need to move hard to the right in order to convince the low information voters that there is no effective difference between them and the Republicans. We all know that when given a choice between real Republicans and fake ones the low information voters will vote for the fake Republicans every time..

[Tesha]

69. Face it: This time around, Tink is Toast. (NT)

[hobbit709]

61. If our congresscritters suddenly grew a spine.

[olegramps]

62. The problem is not that he is losing his base.

I believe that it is two pronged. Firstly, the base has to be energized to get the Independents to support them by being the champions of their concerns. Without the support of the Independents and the huge potential youth vote the Republicans stand to regain control of the congress.

The polls definitely reveal that the younger voters have cooled in their support of the Obama administration along with Independents. While the loyal Democrats will vote for Democrats, without their enthusiastic support to campaign for the vote of Independents there is little hope that Democrats will maintain control of the congress. It is a sad fact that many loyal Democrats feel that they have been betrayed by the lackluster leadership of this administration on a number of key issues and will not be pounding the pavement to support their candidates. For those who continue to give their unrestricted support for the Obama administration, I can only asked what is it that make you continue to enthusiastic. Was it the Health Care Reform, Financial Reform, Race to the Top, disparaging the Teacher Unions and making teachers the scapegoat for poor results educating poor Black and Hispanic kids?

All of the test results that I have seen have revealed that kids who qualify for government lunch programs who are not excelling. It appears to me that the root cause is poverty, not teacher incompetence. Why is it that the vast majority of kids whose families are not poor are succeeding? I guess that is also the fault of the teachers. Perhaps the solution is to take all the kids that are failing and put them in government run institutions to break the poverty cycle. Oh, I forgot that was tried with American Indians and it didn't go over too well.

[kentuck]

64. I agree with this comment:

"Firstly, the base has to be energized to get the Independents to support them by being the champions of their concerns."

[VMI Dem]

63. A courageous President.

[kentuck]

66. Perhaps one that would veto a Democratic bill....?

if they vote to extend the Bush taxcuts??

[joeybee12]

67. He had a chance to dump Simpson...clealry he's not going to do

anything to fire up the base.

[Name removed]

70. Deleted message

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