What We Need In This Country Is More Dems Like The Wisconsin 14

[kpete]

What Wisconsin Democrats can teach Washington Democrats

By E.J. Dionne Jr.
Thursday, March 10, 2011

Consider the contrast between two groups of Democrats, in Wisconsin and in the nation's capital.

Washington Democrats, including President Obama, have allowed conservative Republicans to dominate the budget debate so far. As long as the argument is over who will cut more from federal spending, conservatives win. Voters may think the GOP is going too far, but when it comes to dollar amounts, they know Republicans will always cut more.

In Wisconsin, by contrast, 14 Democrats in the state Senate defined the political argument on their own terms - and they are winning it. ... . .. Here's the key to the Wisconsin battle: For the first time in a long time, blue-collar Republicans - once known as Reagan Democrats - have been encouraged to remember what they think is wrong with conservative ideology.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/09/AR2011030904549.html

The Deal was a terrible mistake, in part, because President Obama avoided a chance to fight for the middle class, for the ordinary American, and instead signed on to the "no sacrifice for the rich" Norquistian GOP agenda He had a chance to fight for what Jim McDermott called the Common Good:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/05/13/113858/-Rep-McDermott-on-the-Common-Good
via: http://www.talkleft.com/story/2011/3/10/10554/2711

[Jackpine Radical]

1. Every once in a while, EJ surprises me by getting it--

like he's gotten hold of some canned air from outside Foggy Bottom or something.

[Vincardog]

2. Schumer dared to put new revenue on the table - including some tax increases that are popular among

S Schumer, for example, spoke of Obama's proposal to end subsidies for oil and gas companies and for higher taxes on "millionaires and billionaires." Yes, closing the deficit will require more revenue over the long run. But right now, the debate with the House isn't focusing on revenue at all.

Snip

To this point, Washington Democrats have been too afraid and divided to engage compellingly on the fundamentals of what government is there to do and how the burdens of deficit reduction should be apportioned. Wisconsin Democrats have shown that the only way to win arguments is to take risks on behalf of what you believe. Are Washington Democrats prepared to learn this lesson?

[FBaggins]

3. Duh! If they were the Wisconsin 18 we wouldn't be here today.

Of course we could use more of them.

The 700 or so that we lost in November would be a nice start.

[Kurovski]

4. Now the entirety of the country can come to realize that.

IMO, We also need more cupcake shops!

Union ones. :-)