NYT: Democrats' Mission: Win Back an Angry Base

[babylonsister]

http://www.nytimes.com/cq/2007/05/29/cq_2804.html

Democrats' Mission: Win Back an Angry Base


By David Nather, CONGRESSIONAL QUARTERLY
Published: May 29, 2007

No one would mistake Peter A. DeFazio for a supporter of the Iraq War. One of the House’s most liberal members, the Oregon Democrat voted against authorizing the war in 2002, and this year he’s been a reliable vote for measures to withdraw U.S. troops. When Democratic leaders agreed last week to give President Bush a war funding bill without withdrawal timetables, DeFazio was an instant “no” vote.

But even DeFazio hasn’t been immune to complaints from the party’s liberal base. Last week, on the morning after the funding deal was announced, he vented his frustration in a telephone call to the Air America radio station in Portland. Anyone upset that Congress hasn’t ended the war, he said, should focus on persuading more House members to support a withdrawal of troops — not “waste their time” on the 169 Democrats and two Republicans who voted for a withdrawal earlier this month.

“It’s easier to beat up on your local congressperson, even if they voted the way you wanted, than it is to organize around the country and go after more votes,” DeFazio told the talk radio hosts.

The reality, though, is that DeFazio and plenty of other Democrats won’t have the luxury — at least for a while — of deflecting the anger their base feels over the leadership’s retreat from forcing Bush to bring the troops home. Last week’s completion of a funding package that no longer challenges Bush demoralized many of the party’s most committed supporters, raising the risk that some might simply stay home in 2008 if they don’t see a greater change on the single biggest issue that put the Democrats in power: the war.

That’s why the party’s next challenge is to figure out how to get the base back.

more...

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. Goddamned right.

Oh, and Rep. DeFazio, here's a little advice:

Instead of getting your dainty nether-garments in a wad because the base is ready to rip some throats out(figuratively speaking...), perhaps you can spend a significant part of your day communicating that rage to the gormless and triangulating leadership of the party. Maybe tell John Murtha that perhaps, just perhaps, he might stop playing games with earmarks and start getting us the hell out of that delightful little slice of Armageddon?

I don't know. The possibility just popped into my mind.

[elocs]

7. The Democratic Party needs people who are willing to stay and work to make it better.

So our Democratic Party is less than perfect and because of an unpopular vote the other week some are willing to walk away from an election a year and a half away or throw their votes away. Who did we get the last time that happened? If you are disappointed with the Democrats because they are not perfect, then it is a sure thing that you will not like the Republicans. Or is it so long ago that they were in power that nobody remember. Nothing like biting off your nose to teach your face a lesson.
The Democrats are not perfect, but they are leagues better than the Republicans. Instead of just shaking our fists and ranting in rage let's work to make this a better party. Sure they let us down, but welcome to life--even the people you love the best will let you down and make stupid mistakes from time to time. You don't just walk away from something important just because you are pissed or disappointed. There are other battles to win and another vote on funding the war in the months ahead. Work to make it happen the way you want it to happen.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

9. My friend, I tried.

For my troubles(and mild and a non-shitstirrer I was) I was purged from the local party, because I was considered "one of those goddamned DFA'ers". And I never joined the DFA.

[elocs]

15. I have no doubt you tried. Can you try harder or do something different?

I don't see how the answer is to give up or walk away. You may have a less than perfect chance with the Democrats, but no chance with the Republicans.

[Toots]

11. How do you do that? What work do you do?

I demand representation. It is my right. If I don't get it I apply pressure. The ONLY thing they respect is your vote. If they refuse to represent the majority of the people then they don't need to be there. The majority of the people apparently want this war ended now. Not in 2009...NOW....We also want accountability NOW not in 2010 or 2020 NOW..What have they done you like so well compared to what they have done we don't like. I don't like that they took Impeachment "off the table" I don't like that they have done zero about National Health Care, I don't like that they continue to support this occupation. I don't like their secret trade pacts, I don't like their disdain for the "moveon Democrats". I am weighing their actions and I find them wanting..

[elocs]

14. In other words, you prefer Republicans. It's one or the other.

It's a simple decision for me.

[Marr]

19. It's not one or the other.

It may take Democratic losses in the short term to purge the party of it's DLC slant. The fact is that the Democrats could sweep every election if their aggressively pursued a populist platform. They're unwilling to do so at present because the money is in the corporate platform, and they can still get elected with it.

I refuse to vote for people that do not represent me. These people don't own my vote just because they aren't Republicans. They have to earn it.

[elocs]

24. Like it or not, it is either Democrats or Republicans who hold power.

It makes no difference if it makes you feel better to vote for Mickey Mouse, it is either a Republican or a Democrat who will hold the office and either Democrats or Republicans hold power.
If you have a clear conscience about allowing another Bush to take power, you have to live with that, not me. I am now and will remain a Democrat. That does not mean I accept or like everything they do, but I will vote Democratic.

[Marr]

27. I'm saying it's not either or in the broader scheme of things.

If you're looking at any given (national) election, then yes- the winner is almost certainly going to be either a Republican or a Democrat from the parties as they exist today. What I'm saying is that you should vote by your conscience, not by brand loyalty. The Democratic Party establishment has to realize that they cannot betray their base- or even more- progressive values, and expect to keep those votes.

Pledging your support, no matter what, is a great way to ensure that you will be ignored. Look at this last presidential election. The cry that went up early and often was "anyone but Bush". I mean long before the primaries. People were that anxious to compromise.

And we got no more than we demanded. We got a DLCer.

If you'll accept nothing, they'll give you nothing.

[elocs]

29. I am simply a Democrat and I vote for Democrats.

Save you DLC for somebody else. I'll take a Democrat over a Republican anytime. That does not make me a DLCer. If you can find it possible, then we must agree to disagree because there is no point in taking this farther.

[Marr]

31. I didn't call you a DLCer, or anything else, for that matter.

I'm not sure why you're so determined to be offended, but I would agree there's no point in continuing the discussion.

[elocs]

32. Sorry, I misunderstood. I thought by "we got a DLCer" you were referring to me.

My mistake. I am happy if we can respect each other's point of view.

[Marr]

18. Double-post

[Nite Owl]

2. Now they are worried about getting

the base back? They should have thought of that before instead of taking our work, money and votes for granted.

[Geek_Girl]

3. If they don't start doing the right thing I'm staying home or voting green

nt

[Coexist]

4. they SHOULD damn well be worried.

very worried.

[AnOhioan]

5. Good, maybe the fear of losing the majority will give them...

pause the next time they want to enable the imperialistic desires of Herr Chimp.

[Toots]

6. If it is between twiddle dee and twiddle dum I will stay home

My vote is precious, they don't deserve it if they keep this stuff up..I would rather have the peace of mind that I didn't help get them elected if they don't stop this out of control Administration. If you chose best of two two evils you still wind up with evil and I won't participate in electing evil.

[porphyrian]

8. There's nothing to figure out if they would fucking listen to us in the first place.

It's not like we are the ones being deceptive, evasive or hiding an agenda.

[calimary]

10. Start the goddamned IMPEACHMENT proceedings, goddammit.

That would be one really decisive way of winning the base back. Sure would work for me!

[magellan]

12. Here's a clue for them

Kucinich is getting my vote. No one else.

Will the Dems miss my independent vote in '08? Hell no. I'm pretty sure most of them feel about me the same way some do here: if I've got problems with the Dems, I can STFU.

And that's why I won't give my vote away anymore.

[welshTerrier2]

13. Here are my terms.

What the Democratic Party just did on Iraq was abhorrent. It was unconscionable. It was inexcusable.

They want to NEGOTIATE now? They should have done it BEFORE the vote. But fine ... here are my terms:

1. The Democratic Party needs to clearly let the American people, the republicans and bush know, in no uncertain terms, that there will be ZERO additional funds EVER to continue offensive operations in Iraq. Z-E-R-O ... got that ... the only funds that will be available after September will be for full, i.e. 100% withdrawal of every single troop including those Blackwater mercenaries. We will not be leaving troops behind to guard pipelines and fields for private oil companies.
2. There will be no Oil Law. Not a single penny will be allowed to be earned by any non-Iraqi entity be it private or public. Iraqi oil should be for the sole benefit of the Iraqi people.
3. The Democrats will launch a REAL INVESTIGATION into the manufactured lies that led up to the invasion of Iraq.
4. The Democratic Party will do everything it possibly can to eliminate corporate money completely from the campaign process (i.e. publically financed campaigns) and from the lobbying process. Disclosure is not a solution. It's time to restore our democracy.
5. Serious investigations should be launched into vote caging in all elections since and including 2000. If bush and cheney had knowledge of these crimes, they should be executed, impeached and then deported in that order. Treason is punishable by hanging.

How's that for a start? Until power is truly returned to its rightful owners, all the little programs proposed by all the little candidates will not ultimately change anything.

[scarletwoman]

20. Brava!/Bravo! ("undeclared" gender in your profile) My sentiments exactly! Beautifully said!

In particular I like your: "...they should be executed, impeached and then deported in that order." :evilgrin:

Seriously, I'm totally with you. I've had it. I'm not putting up with bullshit anymore, not even from our beloved Dems.

sw

[depakid]

16. "some might simply stay home in 2008"

This is rather telling- and my thoughts are it has more to do with the overall pattern than anti-war issues...

The first step, however, is to acknowledge that they have a problem. While most Democratic lawmakers shrugged off the issue last week, insisting that their constituents understand their dilemma, most of the consultants and activists said the problem is real, at least in the short term, and that Democrats’ prospects in 2008 depend on how they address it.

“This is a big deal, not a little one,” said Robert L. Borosage, co-director of Campaign for America’s Future, another liberal group.

The backlash against the Democrats for their retreat was as predictable as the retreat itself.

[Marr]

17. Sorry, but it's mainstream America now- not just the Democratic base.

The DLC managed to back exactly the wrong horse again, and undermine the Democratic Party.

I wouldn't be a bit surprised if this idiotic move costs them their majority. Nitwits.

[BlooInBloo]

21. It's easy: just do the right thing.

[scarletwoman]

22. k & r -- glad you posted this! (nt)

[MissWaverly]

23. OMG, you mean GASP they may listen to us FINALLY!

[dflprincess]

25. How many Congress critters listen to people outside their districts?

Unless it's someone who has a lot of money to donate to their campaign?

For that matter, how many of them listen to people in their districts, unless it's someone who has a lot of money or influence?

I'm becoming a bitter, cynical person.

[BurtWorm]

26. How to get the base back

Don't cast stupid votes that only please some other base.

[Pastiche423]

28. That's my rep!

I :loveya: me some Pete DeFazio!


My Dem senator, Ron Wyden voted no, as well.

Maybe they actually listened to us at their last town meetings. All anyone wanted to talk about was Iraq - not local problems, just Iraq.

[Yukari Yakumo]

30. Oh, that answer is easy.

Just wait.

That's all.

Several of those Dems are in districts a bit redder than some of us realize.

If people want change, they should try to oust more Repub Congressmen so the Dems can have a veto-proof majority. Or, at least, a more concrete majority. Being able to give Holy Joe the finger when we no longer need him to form the majority will be oh so sweet.

And get a Dem in the WH too, regardless of who it is. Even if Hil gets the nom, she would be a whole hell of lot better than the alternative.

[ComerPerro]

33. I honestly think the Sheehan crowd goes after Dems because it is easier