We have to REACH OUT to the abstainers and those who threaten abstention in 2012....not BAIT them.

[Ken Burch]

It's up to us and it's up to the party's leaders to make a positive case for why people should vote FOR this party, rather than just vote "against Republicans".

"lesser-evil" campaigns always fail and can't lead to progressive results after the election.

There's a majority out there we COULD reach if our party talked truth about class and about the schemes that get us into unwinnable wars.

We can win by being straightforward and unashamed of disagreeing with the ugliness of the right.

That's how we win.

Not by dredging up the past.

Stop the baiting. Stop the hating.

Unity is the way.

[Blue_In_AK]

1. 2012, Ken?

Is it too late for you to edit?

[Ken Burch]

4. Fixed it.

One of the usual suspects had been bringing up 2000 again and the year stuck in my mind. Thanks.

[Blue_In_AK]

2. Dupe

[TriMera]

3. Ken, I totally agree...

but I think you've got a bit of a time warp going on in the title of your post.:)

[Ken Burch]

5. Fixed it.

Sorry.

[TriMera]

7. NP. You're right about reaching out.

We need to pull ourselves back together or we're totally screwed.

[Radical Activist]

8. That Freudian slip said it all.

Some people still think it's the 90's and are trying to relive their battle with Bill Clinton. He's still campaigning for Nader over the sell-out Gore in the upcoming 2000 election.

[Ken Burch]

9. No, it's not that at all.

It was another thread where this guy was STILL blaming Nader voters for Bush even though there's no reason to even go there anymore.

[TriMera]

10. Actually, I know exactly where the "slip" came from.

I don't need you to explain it to me.

[Radical Activist]

6. It's nearly as effective as pushing for progressive issues

in a way that's sure to alienate Obama supporters. It might help divide the left, but it doesn't help advance the issue.

[Ken Burch]

15. And I try my best not to do that.

This thread certainly couldn't offend Obama supporters, since one of the things that it could help achieve, if the suggestions were taken to heart, would be the re-election of President Obama.

[Radical Activist]

16. pppttthhh

:spray: :rofl:

[Ken Burch]

18. Reaching out to 2010 abstainers WOULDN'T help President Obama?

How do you figure that?

[DJ13]

11. I agree, but I think we know why many people use the "it could be worse" tactic

Its usually said by those who support the centrist/conservative policies we end up with.

I never see a known liberal warning people it could be worse if we dont support the status quo.

[defendandprotect]

12. We just went thru that -- 28 million expected voters stayed home ... you're

working the wrong end of this --

it's not the voters -- it's Obama --

move him to the left and the people will come!

[Ken Burch]

13. Well, I was including that in the "reaching out" part.

n/t.

[defendandprotect]

14. Think you have to recognize ....

that the party leaders are going in the direction they intend to go --

it's not some mistake. It was an agenda put in place the first days after '08 election.


While I have all sympathy for your heartfelt eagerness, I think it has to be clear to

you that Rahm/Obama language wasn't reaching out to voters -- it was intended to turn

off voters and it did just that. Pelosi heard it and didn't deny it -- she went after it.

And she went after the White House twice on those "turn off voters" comments.

Pelosi was asking White House, in general, why they were spouting disrespect for

Congressional Dems -- were they trying to tell voters not to vote for Democrats?


We also have to recognize that we now have one right wing party and one radical

right wing party. If Obama is in the "center" of that -- he's way far right.

There's a majority out there we COULD reach if our party talked truth about class and about the schemes that get us into unwinnable wars.

Think it also has to be recognized that both parties have agreed NOT to discuss populist

issues -- candidates have been kept from it. Every year, there is less and less populism in

debates, on purpose.

In fact, evidently it's taboo for Dem candidates to even discuss computer voting perils

because the Dem leadership fears that it could give Democratic voters the idea that our

elections aren't honest -- (!!!!) -- and keep them from voting! :evilgrin:


Again, I am offering this with due respect to your earnest plea --

but the answer is in FIRST moving party and leadership to the left -

then the voters will respond.




:)

[ibegurpard]

17. The disillusionment you are seeing

is a result of the attempts to do just that.
There are many people who have devoted their LIVES to transforming the party from the ground up since the early Bush years.
Seeing the party establishment piss all that work away is EXCEPTIONALLY disheartening.
And yet, even in the face of the continual rebuffs from party establishment, we are told to work for change within the party.
That message is getting very stale...

[defendandprotect]

19. Understand ....

and like to think I was part of that effort beginning decades ago --

but the $$ barrier also went up long ago -- as I'm sure you recognize.

My sister also tried in running for office in Boston --

Almost all of us who have tried saw the same thing --

I worked with Jerry Brown campaign --

We're a huge voting bloc, but the longer we wait the greater the evil grows!!

Every day our corporate enemies are enriching themselves more and more at the

expense of taxpayers and corporations are replacing sovereign governments.

[lovemydog]

20. I agree with you one hundred percent

A few things to consider and maybe emphasize.

Letting the Bush tax cuts expire for those who make over $250,000 in income per year will help reduce the deficit.

Ending or reducing foreign military involvement will save money and help us commit resources to protecting social security and medicare.

Arms reduction makes us safer and saves money.

Expand liberty to gay people, keep women's choices personal and free, extend freedoms to those within our country. That's the American ideal. The American ideal is to expand liberties, not restrict them.

Make the tough choices to close unnecessary military bases overseas.

Make the tough choices to get out of wars abroad or we will go down the path of other failed empires.

Health care reform was a decent start. You have to start somewhere. Vote for candidates who will improve it. Not for those who want to repeal it.

Republicans represent one interest - the wealthy elite. Screw them. Stand up for yourself and others like you who are sincere honest hard working people.

Progress occurs when people think critically about lies and propaganda by paid mouthpieces of the right wing - break it down and talk with others about it and reject it.

Change doesn't just take place in Washington DC. It takes place within yourself and by those with whom you choose to associate. DIY (do it yourself). Do things with friends that help make you happy and more comfortable. This can include simple steps like bartering with friends to help provide things you each want or need.

That's just a few things off the top of my head. Thank you for your post.