Instead of WHINING about the base, start a REAL CAMPAIGN to motivate voters.

[nashville_brook]

What is to be gained by "going negative" on your own people?

It's not like the Dems don't have *anything* to run on, so why are they acting like their only rhetorical move is to harangue the "dissatisfied voter"? It's counter-productive, and really just painful to watch.

There are stark contrasts to be drawn between Dems and the GOP in this election cycle, but instead of talking about those distinctions, our leaders are spending precious time drawing stark distinctions between themselves and their own party members who aren't 100% happy with them.

No one wins elections belittling their voters' mortal insecurities. People who are losing their jobs, homes, healthcare and retirement, have no more room to "suck it up."

Here's a gimme: according to the majority of voters polled, healthcare reform didn't go FAR ENOUGH. So, show us how this will be enlarged and improved, and how it couldn't happen without the initial baby steps. Admit the shortcomings of the first swipe and show us a clear path to a better system.

Admit the shortcomings of Wall Street reform, and show us a clear path to a system we can feel secure to invest in. Admit the shortcomings of dealing with DADT and DOMA, and show us a clear path full equality for our LGBT brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters.

Falling short of expectations is a given in political life. Successful politicians carve entire careers out of broken promises. They do that by talking to their constituents like adults, admitting their shortcomings, and showing how they plan to put things back on track.

The less-than-100%-satisfied slice of the voters weren't the ones who blocked a meaningful stimulus, or the public option, or Wall Street reform. That was The Party of No. If people are apathetic about this election, don't scold. Stop acting like you're embarrassed to be a liberal and show us that you're going to fight like hell to keep the American Taliban, with their "Second Amendment Remedies" from taking power.

We can't afford to pick and choose which Dems are good enough for us -- it's time for our leaders to suck it up, and get to work winning some elections.

[WillyT]

1. HUGE K & R !!!

:bounce::woohoo::bounce:

:kick:

:hi:

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

2. Yup. nt

[blue sky at night]

3. ya....you are right....

but if you are dead and right you are still dead. I am afraid it may be too late to worry about all of this now, if they take back the house all we will be doing is trying to avoid impeachment for the next two years. I am voting DEMOCRATIC no matter what!

[nashville_brook]

6. even if this is a losing cycle -- there's losing with honor, and losing...not with honor.

i'm the kinda girl who believes win or lose, fight with honor.

it's a principle the GOP is genetically unable to understand.

:evilgrin:

[meeshrox]

153. What's honorable about losing by NOT casting a vote?

This is getting ridiculous...I'm outie, not reading threads like these anymore, blood...pressure...too...high...

I really can't believe y'all. We're eating our own faster than Palin's assistants!

[nashville_brook]

155. way to miss the point.

[meeshrox]

162. Umm...nice come back?

yes, we are all upset that we didn't get all of the goodies we wanted...Obama already mentioned the things that didn't get done, perhaps because there was a major blockage in congress (including the so-called blue dogs)...we just need a really great laxative called showing up to vote even though you're (dems in general) feeling pissy. Pie in the sky, sure...but it's better than thinking that "sitting on your hands" will bring anything helpful to the country.

We all have legitimate concerns about what could have been done better...but that doesn't mean we need fake outrage over every damned word we don't like! I don't need a list of what he should have done, I'm a big picture "kinda girl" and don't want those lying rejects back in office.

To put it another way than Nance did (brilliantly) earlier this week, are you a democrat and do you support the platform? That's what I thought...

[nashville_brook]

164. seriously -- no one here is talking about not voting. you missed the point.

[meeshrox]

170. seriously

plenty of dems are talking about not voting or voting indy...you've already responded to someone else that said exactly that on this thread! hint:51

I've read your point over and over in other posts since Obama and Biden said to "buck up" a couple of days ago, and because I have at least a basic reading comprehension, I understood what you were saying! I happen to agree with both of them! I've worked my ass off for that campaign by canvassing for weeks. I don't think that they owe me because of it; I am glad that I worked so hard and want to DO MORE than complain to others about how they've disappointed me. We all need to get to work, not just those running in the elections.

[nashville_brook]

176. how often does the subject of "ponies" come up when you're canvassing?

[nashville_brook]

169. wow -- what you wrote here doesn't make any sense.

but it does give me a sense that you're at war with people inside your own party and that's really sad and disappointing.

i don't think that "platform" is the word you're looking for, b/c it's the refusal to support the planks of the platform that the critics are critical of.

i see a lot of buzzwords here -- but not much coherence, which tells me there's way more heat than light.

[meeshrox]

177. Because I agree with the president

I'm against my own party? Says who, you? Other people on this thread that get upset over this? And yes, the president did admit some of his shortcomings...you might benefit from reading all of what he said in the RS article not to mention listening his speeches this week. It's not like he's going to come out and say that Heathcare Reform was a dud like so many here (including me) would say? Hell, no...he's there to sell it.

I disagree and that makes me at war? Nice...

All I ask is that people get over the knee-jerk reaction from the percieved insult from the president and think of the repercussions of the election. He cannot say all of the things we want him to say (like remind everyone that he didn't repeal DOMA even though it's cruel). Politically, he cannot do everything that dems want without commiting suicide. What's sad is that so many people are all-or-nothing.

[Gman]

4. If you supported Obama in 08, you either support Democrats now

or you basically are throwing away your vote from 08.

[slay]

It's not about that - it's about the Dems really standing up for us

and charting a positive vision of the future. Just saying "We're better than the Republicans" is NOT good enough. My dog is better than the Republicans. We want to see the Dems make real, substantial, positive change and if they would campaign on that it would motivate a hell of a lot more people.

Especially if they actually meant it this time.

[flyarm]

10. stop that crap..do you still not get it???????? Well You will when you see the poll numbers

tommorrow on White Democratic women!

Women do not like bullies..get that..can you get that in your head..you are not helping the Dem party..quite the contrary!

Women do not like bullies.

And they do not like either or's! Or losing their homes and losing security for their families!

[nashville_brook]

17. at some level, every Dem is an emissary of the party...so your point is spot on.

i've seen repubs at work be turned off from the GOP simply by the ugly talk that's tossed around the break room. it works the same way for Dems. be the group that people WANT to belong to. and don't divide that group up into the cool cats and dirty hippies, b/c people won't want to be a part of a group that eats its own.

[Lilith Velkor]

55. People don't want to be part of a group that eats its own.

This is exactly why these tactics don't draw independent votes.

[nashville_brook]

64. eggsactly. give shit/get shit.

[Gman]

32. Then they should vote for the Democrat

[flyarm]

51. psssss..your tactics are not working and you are alienating more than encouraging.

I got a very angry email tonight from a large Dem Club in my area encouraging Dems to vote Indy!

Keep up the great job you are doing!! Your tactics are back firing!

People are angry and they are not warming up to you're or the Dem party tactics!

BIG TIME!

Hear that big bang..it is the door slamming in your face!

[nashville_brook]

53. that's exactly my point -- the constant aggression/negativity turned them off of the GOP.

that's how it works.

[bobbolink]

97. If you were willing to actually LISTEN, you wouldn't be so inclined toward silliness.

[DirkGently]

5. Nailed it, Nashville. Campaigning isn't about telling voters what THEY need to do better.

[laughingliberal]

7. I think the White House got your memo. Rachel did a segment with Sam Stein noting they seem to be

backing away from the 'hippie punching.' The President's speech today was much more motivational in nature. :)

K&R for you!

[nashville_brook]

8. saw that while i was finishing this up -- gives me some hope.

:bounce:

[slay]

11. I just hope they're not Lucy with the football

and we're Charlie Brown. We all know Obama gives awesome speeches and I saw that segment on Rachel as well. I mean I'm not gonna vote Republican but the Dems need to realize that yes, they CAN lose the trust of the people. It's time they start acting like their jobs depend on doing right by us.

If the fired up Obama who gave that speech would lead with that kind of passion, we could all get behind him. I really hope the Dems learn to lead boldly.

[DirkGently]

9. Saw that. It'll be interesting seeing if Rachel makes the ever-expanding Enemies List around here.

[Techn0Girl]

39. It's 20 degres cooler under the bus!

But seriously, it seems the DLC contingent of the Democratic Party is rallying their own set of Teabagging Dems , using the same emotionally tinged "with us or against us" rhetoric that seems to draw in the kinds of uneducated and unthinking people you see on the fringe of ANY political party.

Only in this case the Republicans, and possibly the DLC Dems have tapped into that demographic and are very open about exploiting and incorporating that fringe into the Party itself.

I think the puzzling rhetoric that we're hearing from Rahm , Biden and Obama chastising those who aren't going along 100% with the "Plan" is intentional. I truly believe that there may be a growing DLC goal of organizing the very same kind of louts that the Republicans did via their Teabagger push.

Only they'll be our louts.
Go Team.

[nashville_brook]

42. Paul Begala, on Colbert, just said that the Dems need an enemy to run against...

have they decided to run against liberals? i surely hope that's not what we're watching.

Muslim vampires!!

[DirkGently]

45. "Libs" remain a popular punching bag in the U.S. Perhaps that's the "magic" they're trying to grab.

[nashville_brook]

49. muslim vampires has a lot more ring to it.

[DirkGently]

50. Agreed. And they're everywhere!

[DirkGently]

44. Seems to be a prevailing insider logic that mindless fanatics win elections. Sadly, they ruin policy

[LeFleur1]

80. Backing Away

They (White House) may be backing away from their condescending remarks after seeing the effect of their words, but it doesn't change how they really feel. THAT is the problem. They seem to think much as the Republicans think, that the people are to be manipulated, not respected. Sometimes hard lessons are the only things that work against arrogance.
Jimmy Carter once said, "I don't have to be re elected, I'll do what is right for the country".
He was fighting adverse publicity, inflation, much of it due to inaction by Congress on energy, the Middle East's quarreling over everything under the sun, as is their MO, as well as some infighting in the Democratic party, and other problems.
I'd like to see a bit of that patriotic attitude today. Damn the torpedos, full speed ahead to a better America. But that takes courage and it's a whole lot easier to blame failure to fight for right on previous staunch supporters, now disillusioned, than to take a look at your own reluctance to step up and fight for your country.
Disappointment is too small a word for many of us.

[nashville_brook]

129. they make nice on a college campus, but rage at "the left" in the mainstream media.

that's two-faced. or rather, triangulation.

[JerseygirlCT]

121. I saw that, too

And I thought: someone with some communications skills finally got through.

The "hippie punching" stuff is a non-starter. Nobody is motivated by abuse or insults.

[ProSense]

12. Yet.

"Falling short of expectations is a given in political life. Successful politicians carve entire careers out of broken promises."

This is true, and the President constantly points out where he could do better and when things are not going to happen.

His statements are usually met with sell out, corporatist, Republican lite, etc.

Seriously, do those who feel slighted by the President appreciate anything he has done: health care reform, financial reform, anything?

He appointed Elizabeth Warren after all the calls to do so and the response was pathetic. He was criticized for not doing it a certain way with no consideration of the reality of the situation and what Elizabeth Warren wanted.

The President has done a lot. If you can't find anything among his actions upon which to base your support, that is not his fault.

[nashville_brook]

13. that's not a message that's gonna sell.

[ProSense]

14. What? n/t

[jesus_of_suburbia]

15. She's gotta sell something!

:shrug:

[DirkGently]

16. Exactly. Any political professional selling "Blame the Voters" ought to be fired for incompetence.

[nashville_brook]

18. put out some sugar and the bees will buzz around you all day long.

put out vinegar and you'll never see another bee again.

[DirkGently]

19. And also, "Don't poop where you eat." This ain't political rocket science.

[nashville_brook]

20. That was actually a senior-level class...PS 4007 -- Political Rocket Science: advanced studies

in not stepping on your dick.

[DirkGently]

47. ....!

:spray:

[Lilith Velkor]

56. !

:spray:

[ProSense]

33. Clever.

Don't cut off your nose to spite your face.

The fact is that all this is simply an excuse to perpetuate outrage.

[Lilith Velkor]

57. Bad faith is a GREAT persuader.

In response to your "Huh? n/t" reply: :eyes:

[nashville_brook]

108. bad faith politics: quick and easy -- but ultimately not controllable. this will backfire,

likely...in an unpredictable way!

love your avatar, btw.

have you seen this?


Voodoo, Battlestar Galactica and the Gulf's Future

http://healthygulf.org/201009171501/blog/bps-oil-drilling-disaster-in-the-gulf-of-mexico/voodoo-battlestar-galactica-and-the-gulf-s-future

GRN is excited to announce that we will again be the official non-profit partner of the Voodoo Experience, one of NOLA's biggest and best music festivals, October 29-31 in City Park. In addition to checking out My Morning Jacket, Ozzy, Weezer, MGMT and all the great local bands, you should also come out to meet two of the stars of Battlestar Galactica, Katee Sackhoff and Tricia Helfer, who will be spending a little time at our booth.

[Lilith Velkor]

113. Oh, to be the meat in THAT sammich

:wow:

on edit: if EYEHATEGOD were playing, I'd be forced to get a bus ticket.

[nashville_brook]

116. too funny!!! -- well, EHG is in NOLA on halloween.

[ProSense]

31. Oh please

Everytime a politician says "look folks you have to get out there and vote" they're putting the onus on the voters.

It's pretty telling the reaction to the President's comments coming on the heels of Biden's.

Biden stated point blank: stop whining.

The President says voter apathy is inexcusable and the whining reach fever pitch.

Voter apathy is inexcusable, which is why there are those who are quick to point out that they plan to vote. If you plan to vote, then voter apathy doesn't apply to you.

[laughingliberal]

35. Yep. nt

[EFerrari]

22. "It's not his fault" sounds a lot like "It just doesn't matter"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3S_k1dRbXY

Except "it just doesn't matter" would be an improvement.

[walldude]

23. Funny, I thought the response to Warren's appointment

was generally very good. Maybe not by a few disruptors but even people like me who are very hard on this administration were grateful and asking for more of the same. Sorry if I didn't do a dance in the street, but the appointment came right after I was called a bunch of names by people that I worked for, gave money to and voted for. Somehow that dampened my spirits a bit.

[DirkGently]

29. Giving credit where it's due, and not where it isn't apparently isn't enough for some.

[walldude]

21. K&R...

In spite of the rhetoric being handed out by people who believe that this "shut up and vote for me" is an ideal campaign strategy there is no need for it. No need for the arrogance and hubris, no need to tell me how fucking great you are and what a sap I am for complaining. It's not necessary. I know you think you are great and I know you think I am a sap. The Dems have shown me what they stand for and what they want. Now I get to go vote for people I don't even fucking like anymore, because as they say, the alternative is 10 times worse.

It's a brilliant campaign they are running, "Hey we don't suck as bad as they do".

I seem to remember a time when there was a much higher standard. People are so used to getting wholly fucked over that now they are just damn happy to be only partially fucked over. Woo Hoo. Yeah I'm real "energized". :eyes:

One thing I realized the other day about this whole "insult" thing. I used to do some video stenography, and I have sat behind closed doors at political meetings, and believe me, if they are saying shit like this in public, in private behind closed doors, it's ten times worse. Which might be why some people are feeling a bit more insulted than others. People who have only seen the political circus from the outside, aren't getting the full picture.

[nashville_brook]

27. it's also stepping all over the campaigns of Dems who AREN'T stooping to this BS

how would you like to be a Dem running a campaign that's founded on treating Dems with respect, and having to compete with the national campaign of "going negative" on the base. you could spend a million bucks on advertising with perfect pitch...but the only thing voters are going to remember is that party leadership wants us to "suck it up."

i'd be pissed.

[glitch]

66. It makes matters worse that the Obama team isn't even at risk this election.

They are discouraging the base without facing the personal risk of their own actions. I call that craven. :wtf:

[nashville_brook]

68. arg -- that's an excellent point. classic Rahm-ian pitfall.

he's decided that he's having this fight regardless of how much damage it does to the party.

craven is exactly the word for that.

[EFerrari]

24. I'm just ignoring all of them for the duration.

We need Barbara Boxer to be re-elected here. That's it. I talk about local stuff in my phone calls and don't stay on the topic of the president when it comes up.

If they won't help, I'm going around them. And, btw, that's the first sign your job is in jeopardy, when people by-pass you.

[nashville_brook]

40. how is it going with Boxer? do i need to send $$ -- :)

i LOVE her.

[EFerrari]

41. Things have picked up after the debate.

I think she'll be fine.

[nashville_brook]

43. i saw some poll numbers a few days that made me feel pretty good.

but that's no reason to relax.

[liberation]

I am in the same boat in norcal with you...

... however I would not have believed 2 years ago that this november progressives would be not only fighting the GOP but also the Dem leadership.

[OhioBlue]

25. "the base" includes a lot of people

and a lot of people that don't normally vote in midterms. I think what the Pres is doing now is trying to motivate those that don't normally vote in midterms - especially the thousands that voted for the first time in '08.

[nashville_brook]

52. midterm voters are usually the hardcore...those who don't miss an election, even for dog catcher

so, going negative on these voters doesn't seem to be wise. doesn't seem to be a viable strategy to pull in new voters, and seems designed to demotivate. i can see no upside to it.

[KoKo]

26. Good point...Why are they not running a Positive Campaign for the Mid-Terms

Folks really could use something upbeat and hopeful. It's negative to go after folks who voted for you and accuse them of "lacking enthusiasm" and "whining."

I don't know what the strategy could be. What I've heard around the blogosphere doesn't all add up, either, unless one wants to think the darkest thoughts.

A Positive Campaign urging Dems to go forward with specific goals for the future is more inspiring than this crap that keeps coming out every day where it sounds like fellow "Dems" are the problem and not the Repugs. I wonder who was the strategist on this negativity. Someone they respect in Campaign Ops must have told them this is the way to win the MidTerms. :shrug:

[DirkGently]

34. Yep. This "doth protest too much" defensiveness is what's making the Dems look divided.

[nashville_brook]

36. i'm sure this has been a controversy within the inner circle...which means, someone will talk

about it eventually. prolly sooner than later -- say, when the strategy fails miserably and people start to worry about their careers.

Howard Dean has actually written about this in his new book:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/28/dean-called-rahms-contemp_1_n_741942.html

Dean Called Rahm's 'Contempt' For Base 'Devastating And Incredibly Demoralizing': Book Excerpt

"The White House began to believe that they could mobilize their supporters without hearing what their supporters really wanted in terms of specific change," Dean is quoted as saying. "The principal problem with OFA is the same one the president's having. You can't dictate to your base what's going to happen. It's got to be a two-way deal, and it hasn't been."

Addressing a telling moment in the health care debate, when White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel (a frequent Dean critic) called out progressive activists for running ads against conservative Democrats, Berman asked the former DNC Chair for his reaction.

"I'm not looking to pick another fight with Rahm Emanuel, but the contempt with which he held the progressive wing of the party was devastating and incredibly demoralizing," Dean said. "That's basically saying to your own people -- you got us here, now FU."

Dean did not immediately return a request for comment about the most recent round of Obama-Biden statements.

[DirkGently]

38. You know someone's writing a book on how bad this strategy is as we speak. 8)

[nashville_brook]

54. all the eggs were thrown into Rahm's basket...

after much breakage, if he's produces no omelette, people are going to scramble for his seat at the breakfast table.

(it's an egg metaphor CHALLENGE!)

[DirkGently]

78. You're henpecking us with this clucking egg metaphor challenge.

[nashville_brook]

134. i'm just saying -- his chickens have come home to roost.

[bullwinkle428]

28. My regret is that I can only recommend this one time.

[stevedeshazer]

30. Yes, I agree

I hope your thread doesn't get locked.

[nashville_brook]

37. staying positive is its own reward.

can't do anything about the other stuff. i'll try to keep the flamers under control.

[DirkGently]

48. Ignoring them seems to keep things civil. 8)

[me b zola]

46. K&R

[Greyhound]

58. K&R.

[JoeyT]

59. It sounds too much like actual work.

And it would require stepping out of bubbles that they're entirely too comfortable in.

[southmost]

60. I think they're back is against the wall and they're starting to get it

at least I hope so

[nashville_brook]

62. i hope so too .

[Radical Activist]

61. I think he did that in the Rolling Stone interview.

But let's say for the sake of argument he hasn't. What would happen if he took your advice? I suspect the result would be:
1) The corporate press ignores it.
2) The netroots and left pundits follow the lead of the corporate press by mostly ignoring it except to point out the parts they don't like.

And so it wouldn't do any good because no one would notice. I think Obama is right to push back. Left punditry hasn't adjusted their tactics since Bush left office and they're essentially acting as saboteurs of anything Obama does whether they realize it or not.

[Dr.Phool]

63. meow

[nashville_brook]

65. in Madison, Obama said, "stay with me; you can't lose heart."

so, it would follow that his supporters from the right should refrain from stabbing supporters from the left "in the heart."

we want to "stay" and not "lose heart." admonishing the base is no way to achieve that.

[Radical Activist]

101. Oh well.

Obama will respond to critics. The dysfunction of left punditry needs to be dealt with but I guess you'd rather not discuss it.

[nashville_brook]

127. wouldn't it be nice if Obama attacked the GOP with the same intensity he attacks his own party?

[Radical Activist]

128. He attacks them much more often and much more harshly.

Why don't you know that? Is it because the corporate press and online pundits usually ignore it when he does? That doesn't really help progressives fight the GOP, does it? Maybe "attack the bad and ignore the good" isn't working so well?

[nashville_brook]

130. that's actually not been the case running up into the election -- they've had a CHORUS

a coordinated, full-throated singing-together, of how much they wish the left would go away.

[Radical Activist]

131. Not really. There have been a few comments

which were exploded by childish netroots poutrage. His comments against Republicans have been much more frequent and harsh...and ignored. Left pundits couldn't be any more counterproductive than this.

[nashville_brook]

133. again with the whining! haven't you heard that you're supposed to be making nice?

:rofl:

[speppin]

142. HA HA.

[The Uncola]

67. An excellent way to say it.

If it's us that are "to blame" for those we supported, worked for, and voted failing to do the things they ran on, then exactly how am I supposed to think that sending the same ones back again is going to get the job done. The definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over and expecting different results.

Furthermore, on what planet is waiting to speak up for those things that are not just important, but have become a matter of survival to you, until the only bargaining chips you have left, your support and vote, are gone, a good strategy? I mean REALLY. If they won't listen to us now, when keeping their jobs depends on it, why in the world should we believe they will after the election?

As much as I hate to say it, perhaps getting a beatdown in November for the arrogant ignoring of our needs, is exactly what these out of touch DINOs need to refocus on what a REAL Democrat is all about.

(edited for poor typing skills)

[nashville_brook]

69. i think it's really weird that we're not hearing more about "Citizens United" -- b/c i think that

explains a LOT of this.

this is the first election with the SCOTUS stamp of approval on buying politicians wholesale. maybe they're saying these things b/c that's what their paymasters are paying them to say.

dark, i know.

[DirkGently]

70. That certainly doesn't help. Note the new emphasis on not looking too "anti-business,"

which, D.C. parlance, generally means not looking "too" pro-regulation / pro-environment / anti-war. E.g., liberal. We're not in the current mess because "business" has received too little support in Washington.

[nashville_brook]

90. pro-biz interests would love to see the Dems scapegoat unions, teachers, and other lefties.

that's THEIR agenda, and it's really sad that it's become this administration's.

[laureloak]

71. Instead of being a whiney base, do everything you can to

keep the republicans out of office. Motivate yourself.

[nashville_brook]

72. way to miss the point -- we ARE doing that. but they have the bully pulpit --

if they're going to spend precious time "going negative" they need to focus that like a laser beam on THE OTHER PARTY. not their base.

[DirkGently]

74. Exactly. Who, in the history of politics, has campaigned by complaining about their own supporters?

[nashville_brook]

106. Obama is distancing himself from Democrats...who, he thinks are going to lose.

obama and his handlers will do anything to insulate him from the upcoming losses, including TRIGGERING those losses. he's setting up the narrative that the election is lost anyway, so there's nothing to be done but find a scapegoat.

[DirkGently]

122. I hope we're not dealing with that level of cynicism. Great goat, pic, either way.

[DainBramaged]

73. I like being talked to like a kitteh........

[DirkGently]

75. Conformity kitteh says CONFORM!

[DainBramaged]

85. WAY too many of those threads in GD lately

and I'm working one now.

[nashville_brook]

87. isn't there some sort of kitteh solidarity movement afoot?

[DainBramaged]

88. HAHAHAHAHA

:fistbump:

[nashville_brook]

91. tangential: a "cat's paw" is someone used unwittingly by another to accomplish his own purposes.

[DirkGently]

89. Konformity Kitteh says, "You can has some SILENCE now!"

[laughingliberal]

93. Yeah, those are the ones who didn't get the memo. The bashing is 'out' now.

The President even sent props to 'professional lefties' Maddow and Olbermann for 'keeping us honest.'

[nashville_brook]

98. muffin baskets for the "professional left" -- card says, "just joshing @ the drug tests"

bygones? -- your pal, O

[laughingliberal]

107. Lol! nt

[eilen]

76. I don't really care what the party says

If their politicians are skillful, work hard and pass their platform issues that help the people, the people will vote for them. If instead they are bought off, don't pass stuff (the recent failure of the bill to increase taxes on outsourcers, the failure of DADT for instance) and whine about the republican minority, or the "bluedogs" and don't get anything of real substance passed, and fail to get their PR guys moving the electorate then they will lose.

It's not the whiny left's fault if the party in charge can't put their big boy pants on and take charge of the issues. They have the power to change the rules for the filibuster. Corral those blue dogs and play hardball, stop handing anything to the republicans and call them out on their shit every time. Get some wealthy Democrat to buy a media outlet or two.

The progressive "radical" left wing of the Democratic party can't be expected to carry their water in elections and be their whipping boy too.

I am so tired of this. Just do the job you were hired for. Be leaders.

[nashville_brook]

77. shit howdy -- i couldn't agree more.

[yurbud]

111. that sums it up perfectly: THEY WHINED instead of going to the mat to get the most done possible

and squeezing the balls of the corrupt conservative Democrats.

[treestar]

79. That's not what they are doing

IMO, they are appealing to the base, that is, those who have lives and might think, from all the negativity they get wind of, that it's no use. P and VP just told them it's a bunch of whiners. Now they know what the POTUS thinks of it. He's not scared of them. Now they realize the media is full of shit and the POTUS isn't really losing support - it's just a bunch of whiners.

"Falling short of expectations is a given in political life?" Are you kidding? The voters can accept that too, then. We are supposed to be adults. And most of the base are.

[nashville_brook]

82. again -- way to miss the point. thin skin and political success are mutually exclusive.

they have to pick one.

1) whine about criticism and lose thru the inability to admit shortcomings

or

2) win with a united base by admitting your shortcomings and showing the way forward

[DirkGently]

84. Adults don't run around calling those who criticize their failings "whiners." That's kidstuff.

[laughingliberal]

95. I'm trying to picture how that would work out for us if the people who hire us had a criticism of

our work.

"Look, Lady, these kitchen cabinets were a disaster before you hired us. Now, they're 70% of what you wanted. Quit whining and pay up so we can start on the laundry room."

Somehow, I don't see that working.

[nashville_brook]

96. your expectations of a job well done are completely unrealistic, you whiner. now, write me a check!

[DirkGently]

125. Perfect. It's the weirdest approach to pursuing "party unity" ever attempted.

[nashville_brook]

132. since i wrote this i've seen enough to realize that this isn't simply "dumb" -- it's intentional.

[DirkGently]

160. If it's strategy, it's a bad one. Run on accomplishments. Run against Republicans. Running against

the lefties and commentators that put you in office comes off peevish and insecure.

[DirkGently]

137. All depends on who you think works for whom. Apparently, someone thinks voters need candidate's

approval, when we all thought it was the other way 'round.

[myrna minx]

81. K&R n/t

[femrap]

83. Send this to the WH

....who knows maybe they'll be open-minded enough to 'get it.'

I'm sending one.

[nashville_brook]

86. you mean...they might not read DU already!!???

:evilgrin:

[oswaldactedalone]

92. I've started a network of friends...

Good Democrats who are emailing fund raising and GOTV info to friends in their address books. You can do the same with your key politically attuned friends. Facebook is another option to get a cycle of voting reminders going. If many people do enough small things, big results can happen. Let's get this done!!

[nashville_brook]

94. been rousting my circle for nearly 30 years. that's not the point.

the Dems have a problematic record especially regarding jobs and foreclosures. instead of admitting their shortcomings on this, they're pointing fingers at me and all my lefty FB buddies. so, there's not much i can do if the campaign message remains "buck up." people who are losing their jobs and homes don't need to be told to "buck up."

[femrap]

135. Well, maybe they

have an intern reading DU for a couple of hours/day....:hi:

[nashville_brook]

136. social media is crack for sycophantic interns.

[jannyk]

152. Reading? I think they have a couple here writing 24/7!!!

:crazy:

[krawhitham]

99. You people just can't handle the truth

No one should have to beg you to vote. Everything they said is 100% true. You see nothing but the media spin, Obama has been one of the most successful Presidents of out time, (look at all he has done in 18 months) and you do nothing but whine.

[nashville_brook]

105. "you people" -- been a LONG time since i've seen that phrase trotted out.

[ClarkUSA]

114. I and others saw it last week, when someone said it to an Obama supporter.

It's really "creepy" when some people do that, eh?

[nashville_brook]

124. yep -- sure is. looks like there's quite the us/them atmosphere being created here.

[laughingliberal]

110. ROFL!!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=9219328&mesg_id=9222784

[nashville_brook]

112. damn. that's almost creepy.

[krawhitham]

100. according to the majority of voters polled, healthcare reform didn't go FAR ENOUGH

and they barely got passed what they did, guess what no other president in 60 years got as much as Obama did. Had he tried to go farther we would have got NOTHING, like all Democratic presidents for 60 years had got. If you want more VOTE the RETHUG shits out of office.

Or you can sit at home, not vote and bitch on the internet about how Obama is not getting it done

[nashville_brook]

103. that's actually not true -- Obama spent no political capital on HCR b/c Rahm already made deals

with pharma and the insurance co's behind closed doors. also, the "commission" that was set up was stacked with extremely right wing Blue Dog Dems -- Ben Nelson, who just spoke to THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION!! give me a break.

Obama is distancing himself from Democrats b/c he know there's going to be big losses. That's why he's attacking "the left." My question is, why you are following suit?

[yurbud]

102. actually, the public option was blocked by the Republican wing of the Democratic Party

the same people Obama let take the lead in drafting the legislation.

Instead of backing ANY Democrat, we need to take the long view and start weeding out the corporate owned fifth column that successfully makes the whole party look like wimps by selling us out all the time.

[nashville_brook]

104. on the Public Option...exactly -- see my response above

as for the fifth column -- the money is pooling at the top of the hierarchy. i'm wondering how long it's going to take Dem house members at the lower end of the food chain to respond to this...and, what form that might take.

[defendandprotect]

144. +1000% . . . .

and many here just don't want to know that --

[Ganja Ninja]

109. It's too late.

Instead of capitulating at every turn they should have been thinking ahead. They should have forced Republicans to filibuster everything and then used the c-span footage in their campaigns. It almost seems that they thought they had 8 years instead of 2. It's as if the election just snook up on them. Where were their heads at? The planning for this has been terrible. Tim Kaine should be fired.

[nashville_brook]

118. i agree. there's policy and there's politics. if the policy side of the equation had been better

they wouldn't need to counter a weak record with strong campaigning.

they've done neither. and now the Executive office is distancing themselves from their party to insulate the president from the impending failure in November. They want the left to take the fall.

[ClarkUSA]

115. "No one wins elections belittling their voters' mortal insecurities." Who's doing that?

The entire OP is a mass of baseless strawman arguments. Boy, was Biden ever right.

[nashville_brook]

117. what was Biden right about?

[ClarkUSA]

119. Sorry, I'm not nibbling at red herrings today. Why are you ignoring my question?

[nashville_brook]

123. i don't understand your question.

[liberation]

140. I don't think "red herring" means what you think it does...

Unless you were in full projection mode, given that you were being asked as simple question. LOL

[nashville_brook]

149. if you picture that being said, followed by him sticking out his tongue...it makes perfect sense.

[JerseygirlCT]

120. I said this to my husband yesterday - it was a major communications gaffe

If you want people to join you, you don't say: "You need to quit whining and get on it". That doesn't foster cooperation, OR a sense of shared mission.

If you want people to get involved (or more involved) you say "We need to get on it! There are things we got done, and there's still a lot to do. Let's not let the Republicans win. I need you. Join me!"

One is an invitation, one is a rebuke. Which is more likely to motivate you?

[nashville_brook]

126. There's "we" statements, and there's "you" statements. "you" statements, as in "you people"

are a wedge used to separate people not wanted in your group.

"we" statements are the opposite.

[JerseygirlCT]

138. Exactly!

I would have thought that would be pretty basic, but apparently not. And it's disturbing that the first impulse is to "you", not "we".

I think an acknowledgement that we (and I mean we!) have not all gotten all that we hoped for - preferably with an acknowledgement that it's not all the president hoped for either - and a rallying cry not to stop fighting now, not to let the GOP win by becoming apathetic, would have done wonders. Hearing the speech on Rachel last night gave me some hope again.

Being told to quit whining just pisses me off. That's what we're here for, and if you don't respect that - that people on the left are going to hold you to promises, are going to push you and the administration to be the best you can be - well, then you've got the wrong idea of how this is supposed to work, Mr. President.

[nashville_brook]

148. i'm trying to understand what he means here:

from the Rolling Stone article: "If people now want to take their ball and go home, that tells me folks weren't serious in the first place.

[JerseygirlCT]

157. Reads to me like

"Fine! Be that way! I never liked you in the first place!"

[nashville_brook]

165. it's like he's saying he wishes he could give those votes back. petulance isn't presidential.

[DirkGently]

161. Sounds like projection. If you're telling liberal Dems to go home, who's not being serious?

[JerseygirlCT]

181. Great point! nt

[DeSwiss]

139. K&R!!!

"The 'professional left' is busting our butt to mobilize progressive voters in 2010, picking up the ball that this White House dropped when they refused to fight for the overwhelmingly popular public option, refused to break up the big banks, and demobilized Obama voters who expected this president to at least fight for big change. When Biden tells Lieberman to 'stop whining' about the public option, and tells Ben Nelson to 'stop whining' about voting on a middle-class tax cut that benefits 98 percent of us, he'll have some credibility on the whining front. You're welcome, Joe Biden, for helping to get the more electable Democrat who actually excites voters to be the Democratic nominee - instead of a lame corporate stooge. How's Blanche Lincoln working out?" ~ http://www.whorunsgov.com/politerati/uncategorized/bidens-instruction-to-base-to-stop-whining-backfires/">Adam Green

[JoePhilly]

141. Instead of Whining about the whining about the whining ... let's just vote against the GOP!!!!

[nashville_brook]

151. i don't think anyone is being kept from the polls at this time.

[JoePhilly]

158. Me either ... I'd just like, for once in my life time, for Dems to FOCUS ...

Our immediate tactical goal should be prevent the GOP from gaining a majority in any part of the government. That should be the focus from NOW, until the elections.

AFTER the elections ... we Dems should feel free to beat the crap out of each other up until, and during the next set of primaries ... and then, however that works out, we need to again FOCUS our collective anger on the insane right wing manics who would destroy this country.

If the insane Tea Party nuts don't energize us ... we are useless as a party.

[nashville_brook]

167. when the party loses big in november, it will be b/c they abandoned democratic values

[JoePhilly]

171. You seem almost happy about it.

[nashville_brook]

179. not at all -- but nice try at a smear.

[JoePhilly]

185. Yes ... and the Dems have "abandoned" Democratic values.

Talk about a weak attempt at a smear ...

[DirkGently]

168. Part of beating the GOP is being BETTER than the GOP. Simple cheering doesn't do that.

[JoePhilly]

172. What was the vote count on the bill that included DADT???

Which party was "better"???

[defendandprotect]

143. How about a Democratic Party RALLY for Medicare for All?

[defendandprotect]

145. Agree completely ... HOWEVER, we still need a way to move to the LEFT ... not backwards -- !!!

And, the only way I can see doing it is blasting out as many Repugs as we possibly

can -- and then dealing with moving out right wing Democrats!!

If there's a way to knock out corporate Repugs and corporate Dems -- let us know how!!??

[nashville_brook]

154. get lobbyist/corporate money out of our system. we can't compete with Exxon, Goldman Sachs, HCA

[defendandprotect]

159. I mean ... THIS November .... And while we're all interested in what you're saying ....

And Teddy Roosevelt was interested in what you're saying --

Teddy called in early 1900's for "barring corporations from any participation

whatsoever in our elections"!!!

But what about THIS NOVEMEMBER?????

[nashville_brook]

163. short of divine intervention, there's not much that's going to help this November.

[Sheepshank]

146. Instead of the base whining, why don't they start REAL INVOLVEMENT

and motivate their electred officials to see and act beyond the corporate, Rep, media crap.

[nashville_brook]

147. public pressure is one way to do that -- do you have suggestions for others?

[DirkGently]

166. Possibly real involvement means critical thought, rather than simple-minded partisan trilling.

[walldude]

173. Um.. by virtue of being the base

they are involved. That's why they are whining, because they worked, donated, and voted for these people and are not happy with the result. Not only that but when they have the audacity, to express their unhappiness, they are attacked, belittled and made the scapegoats for a party that can't get it's shit together. And then to top it all off, the phone rings and the party that just told me I'm a "fucking ret*** who needs to go to drug rehab and stop whining" wants money. :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[nashville_brook]

180. spot on.

[Sheepshank]

183. Simply slapping on a 'd' label and offering a few buck on line is involved?

no wonder so many are disappointed. Sitting around waiting for someone else to spoon feed them info, the current whine etc. All that is involvement? Baloney.

[walldude]

186. Wow you have some real insight as to how much people

are involved. I'm sure no one who is complaining went door to door, or phone banked or work for anyone in any capacity :eyes:

As I said, worked for donated to and voted for. I think after all that I have a fucking right to express dissatisfaction without some manicured asshole telling me I'm a whiner.

[DirkGently]

184. That sums it up very well. Some really screwy logic going on here.

[bertman]

150. thank you, nashville_brook. REC. nt

[jannyk]

156. Huge K&R!!

:bounce:

[EmeraldCityGrl]

174. Humiliating the base may be some twisted

strategy to attract moderates and independents. It's their way of assuring them that this Administration
is not aligned with the Progressive side of the party. I see no other explanation for the very public and
disrespectful attempt to humiliate the base. We'll just have to wait and see how that little plan works for
them.

[MrTriumph]

175. Lyndon Johnson must be spinning in his grave.

President Johnson showed every president that followed how to get things. He secured the passage of more important legislation through the congress than any president since the 30's.

Obama and his team have no sense of history. Example: Obama has foolishly omitted President Carter's accomplishments in moving the US toward energy independence. Reagan later stifled these efforts, but Carter's program was incredibly impressive.

Maybe Obama and his team should have studied the presidency and how presidents get things done prior to his inaugural.

Hint: It isn't by brow beating your base.

[nashville_brook]

178. throwing hissy fits at the media is another post-Johnson phenomena.

[meow mix]

182. some nerve, calling me a whiner and then asking for money the next day

sorry all your getting is a worded reply now.