posted on February 11, 2005 08:05:48 PM new
Be careful what you ask for, you nay get it...
Democrats Ready to Follow Howard Dean's Lead
By John Whitesides, Political Correspondent
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic Party activists, recovering from a stinging November election loss and a fresh round of soul-searching, rallied around Howard Dean on Friday and promised a grass-roots drive to make the party competitive in the South, Midwest and Mountain states.
With the election of the former Vermont governor as chairman set for Saturday, Democrats put aside lingering doubts about the party's future and opened a two-day party meeting with promises to keep the heat on President Bush.
"The time for introspection and second-guessing is over," said New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, a possible Democratic presidential contender in 2008. "It's game time."
"We have to be ready with ideas, with policies that work," he said. "We cannot just be negative."
Former vice presidential candidate John Edwards, another likely White House contender in 2008, joined Senate Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and House Leader Nancy Pelosi of California in condemning Bush's budget and legislative agenda and promising to stand up for Democratic values.
"Don't tell me that Democrats don't stand for anything," Edwards said, echoing his presidential primary campaign theme of fighting to lift up working-class Americans and break down the "two Americas" -- one for the rich and one for the struggling.
With two governorships -- in Virginia and New Jersey -- on the ballot in November and regaining control of Congress at risk in November 2006, Democrats said there was no time to waste.
They promised to join Dean in building up the party's grass roots base and reaching out in states where Democrats have been losing ground.
"In Southern and Western states, we have to start by showing up," Richardson said, urging Democratic leaders to listen for a change to input from west of the Potomac River -- the river that runs along the western border of Washington, D.C.
The election of Dean, an early and fierce critic of the Iraq war and Bush during his Democratic presidential primary campaign, runs counter to the advice of some Democrats that the party should adopt a more moderate approach that would broaden its appeal in the South and West.
But even Democrats who supported some of Dean's rivals -- all of whom have dropped out of the race for chairman -- have adjusted to the idea of Dean at the top.
"There has been some anxiety about him in a lot of states, not just Alabama," said Alabama Democratic executive director Jim Spearman, who originally supported party activist Donnie Fowler.
"He wasn't my first choice, but what he brings with new ideas and his ability to build up the grass roots could sell well in Alabama and rural areas everywhere," Spearman said.
Dean appealed to state party leaders with promises of more spending in the states and more effort at grass-roots organizing.
"What you're going to see is more money spent on the grass roots," Dean promised a caucus of homosexual Democratic National Committee members. He promised them that as chairman Democrats would never "stoop to dividing Americans or scapegoating Americans to win elections."
posted on February 11, 2005 08:20:33 PM new
Let's all give old Howard a cheer!
"Yeargh!!!!!!!"
Sorry, I'll never get over that scream
did I say "Yeargh!!!!!!!" yet?
I see many mentions in the artices about Grass Roots. Maybe they should give up that crap and just come up with a consistent and believable message that actually is going to benefit their constituents and forget all the gimmicky junk like grass roots.
Oh yeah. One more thing... "Yeargh!!!!!!!"
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posted on February 11, 2005 08:23:53 PM new"We have to be ready with ideas, with policies that work," he said. "We cannot just be negative."
Now there's a dem who can see what they've been doing and realize it wasn't working.
----
YEAH!!! On dean being the DNC chairman. Nothing like a man who can't control his rage to lead the party's into another Republican win.
I don't think, from statements I've been reading, that many of the more moderate or conservative dems are too happy with this choice though. We'll see.
But as far as raising funds goes....there most likely will be changes made because of the 527's in this past National election. I don't think we're going to be seeing ol' Soro's, or others like him, giving $23-24 million dollars again. I'll be real suprised if that's allowed in 2008.
Imo, by placing dean in this position, it proves the dems still don't have a 'clue' about the majority of American's wanting a more 'centralist' leader in the WH. But hey....maybe they'll muzzle him or threaten him like their doing to other more moderate dems who support some of this President's positions.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Four More Years....YES!!!
posted on February 11, 2005 08:27:35 PM new
Republican Zell Miller Republican Zell Miller Republican Zell Miller Republican Zell Miller Republican Zell Miller Republican Zell Miller.....you know the screaming nut case at the RNC who challenges people to duels!
posted on February 11, 2005 08:30:52 PM new
Zell Miller is a Democrat. Or at least he used to be until the Democrats got so crazy they ran him off.
He turned to the other side because they just made more sense.
Kinda like Darth Vader turning from the Dark Side and joining up with the good guys
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posted on February 11, 2005 08:38:01 PM new
It seems that we here on the RT have our own screaming idiot from the left. Haven't guessed who it is yet? Ok, ok i'll give you a hint, it's user id looks like bigpeepa.
posted on February 11, 2005 09:11:02 PM new
This is for your crowfarm.....maybe if you say his name enough you will realize he is a democrat.
See Y'All in New York
Why I skipped the Boston convention.
BY ZELL MILLER
Saturday, July 31, 2004 12:01 a.m.
Twelve years ago, I delivered one of the keynote addresses on the first night at the Democratic National Convention in New York. It was a stinging rebuke of the administration of George H.W. Bush and a ringing endorsement of Bill Clinton. This summer I'll again be speaking in New York, but it will be to the Republican Convention that renominates George W. Bush.
Many have asked how I could have come so far in just over a decade. Frankly, I don't think I've changed much at all. At 72, I don't feel much need to change my opinions. Instead, the reason I didn't attend the Democratic Convention in Boston is that I barely recognize my party anymore. Most of its leaders--including our nominee, John Kerry--don't hold the same beliefs that have motivated my career in public service.
In 1992, I spoke of the opportunity and hope that allowed me, the son of a single mother growing up in the North Georgia mountains, to become my state's governor. And I attributed much of my success to the great Democratic presidents of years gone by--FDR (a hallowed man in my home), Truman and JFK. The link these men shared was a commitment to helping Americans born into any condition rise to achieve whatever goal they set for themselves.
I spoke of Americans who were "tired of paying more in taxes and getting less in services." I excoriated Republicans who "dealt in cynicism and skepticism." I accused them of mastering "the art of division and diversion." And I praised Bill Clinton as a moderate Democrat "who has the courage to tell some of those liberals who think welfare should continue forever, and some of those conservatives who think there should be no welfare at all, that they're both wrong."
Bill Clinton did deliver on welfare reform, after a lot of prodding from the Republicans who took hold of Congress in 1995. But much of the rest of the promise I saw in his candidacy withered during his two terms in office.
Today, it's the Democratic Party that has mastered the art of division and diversion. To run for president as a Democrat these days you have to go from interest group to interest group, cap in hand, asking for the support of liberal kingmakers. Mr. Kerry is no different. After Hollywood elites profaned the president, he didn't have the courage to put them in their place. Instead, he validated their remarks, claiming that they represent "the heart and soul of America."
No longer the party of hope, today's Democratic Party has become Mr. Kerry's many mansions of cynicism and skepticism. As our economy continues to get better and businesses add jobs, Mr. Kerry's going around America trying to convince people that the roof is about to cave in. He talks about "the misery index" and the Depression. What does he know about either?
And when it comes to taxes and services, you'd be pressed to find anyone more opposed to the interests of middle-class Americans than John Kerry. Except maybe John Edwards. Both voted against tax relief for married couples, tax relief for families with children, and tax relief for small businesses. Now Mr. Kerry wants to raise taxes on hundreds of thousands of small-business owners and millions of individuals. He claims to be for working people, but I don't understand how small businesses can create jobs if they've got to send more money to Washington instead of keeping it to hire workers.
Worst of all, Sens. Kerry and Edwards have not kept faith with the men and women who are fighting the war on terror--most of whom come from small towns and middle-class families all over America. While Mr. Bush has stood by our troops every step of the way, Messrs. Kerry and Edwards voted to send our troops to war and then voted against the money to give them supplies and equipment--not to mention better benefits for their families. And recently Mr. Kerry even said he's proud of that vote. Proud to abandon our troops when they're out in the field? I can hear Harry Truman cussing from his grave.
I still believe in hope and opportunity and, when it comes right down to it, Mr. Bush is the man who represents hope and opportunity. Hope for a safer world. And opportunity for Americans to work hard, keep more of the money they earn, and send their kids to good schools. All the speeches we heard this week weren't able to hide the truth of what today's Democratic Party has become: an enclave of elites paying lip service to middle-class values. Americans looking for a president who understands their struggles and their dreams should tune in next month, when we celebrate the leadership of George W. Bush.
posted on February 11, 2005 09:34:50 PM new
Now there's a dem who can see what they've been doing and realize it wasn't working.
I agree Linda. I saw a titbid on the news today about him and if anyone can rock that party where it needs to go, it sure is him.
cf, what is good ole zell's stated party? He is a repub pretending to be a dem, or a dem pretending to be a repub? I am pretty sure I heard him state he is a registered democrat.
posted on February 11, 2005 09:43:40 PM new
Zell Miller is not pretending to be anything, he is just a Democrat who is disgusted with his own party and his moral conscience dictates that he should speak out against those that have changed the direction that his party has been going in.
posted on February 12, 2005 07:34:20 AM new
Oh Yellowstone, YOU are SO clever! Wow! I never heard that one before! You are one creative guy!
The originality of thought , the sheer cutting edge wit of "cow plop" should get you places !
You could be a really well-paid writer! OH , I bet you already are! Making tons of money...doing what...writing witty , hilarious books that are all over the Best Seller list? Writing great movies....I bet your shelves are FILLED with Acadamy Awards! Or do you write for some scintillating TV show ????
No, you're just some sad sack loser who hasn't got the brains to make a sentence.
posted on February 12, 2005 08:26:28 AM new
Crowfarm, tell me the truth about something, are you a cocaine addict. The reason I ask is because people with your type of addiction don't like one liners.
posted on February 12, 2005 09:30:13 AM newCrowfarm, tell me the truth about something, are you a cocaine addict. The reason I ask is because people with your type of addiction don't like one liners.
Well.. that is very interesting... I've never heard that before...do you know why that is? Is there scientific data that shows that?
posted on February 12, 2005 10:50:31 AM new
I take it that's just a rhetorical question, Maggie and you really don't expect an answer.
Otherwise there is data that shows it, however, it isn't scientific.
posted on February 12, 2005 11:00:18 AM new
::Imo, by placing dean in this position, it proves the dems still don't have a 'clue' about the majority of American's wanting a more 'centralist' leader in the WH.::
I don't know LInda - 49% of America went for what you describe as the second most liberal leader in America (second only to Kennedy). A 2% swing changes everything. Doesn't seem that you are going to need to go all that much more to the center.
I also think you may be ignoring the fact that
1) DNC leadership does not set policy. It's function is organize and fund.
2) Even if Dean was to become a policy setter, he is much more moderate than he was portrayed in the campaign and I've even seen a number of Republican operatives state the same.
Replay.... forget all the gimmicky junk like grass roots.
WHAT?!?!?! How are DAs, mayorialships, govenorships, etc "gimmicky"? That's how you build momentum. That's where your future senators, congressmen and presidents come from. They grow from the ranks of those positions you seem to think of a "gimmics". Most would refer to those types of efforts as building a strong foundation. Of course if you think the republicans should ignore those areas, I certainly will not argue.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
posted on February 12, 2005 02:01:34 PM new
As a matter of fact, I found that interesting, Yellow.. and wondered if you were just joking.. why would one liners irritate a cocaine addict? If your pulling my leg... let go!
49% of America went for what you describe as the second most liberal leader in America (second only to Kennedy). A 2% swing changes everything.
I'd would have stated it as 51% Bush to 48% kerry. And kerry's record has been shown to be even MORE liberal than kennedy's. kerry earned the #1 spot, edwards the #4. But yes, a 3% difference which amounted to approx. 3.5 million more votes for Bush is not a huge difference out of approx. 114M voters.
But I also don't forget that those votes weren't FOR kerry....most were for 'anybody but Bush'.
Doesn't seem that you are going to need to go all that much more to the center.
Oh...but we see that is exactly what h. clinton has been doing as of late. And from what I've read the clintons always like t. mcAllife...but don't care for h. dean. There's a definate division in the dem party.
I also think you may be ignoring the fact that
1) DNC leadership does not set policy. It's function is organize and fund.
2) Even if Dean was to become a policy setter, he is much more moderate than he was portrayed in the campaign and I've even seen a number of Republican operatives state the same.
Nope not at all. I'm fully aware of what the chairmen do for their parties. Dean raised a lot of money on the internet...I did, above, make a point that the rules governing the 527's most likely will be changed.
And I sure don't agree
he's a more 'moderate' dem. All one has to do is look at his record in Vermont to see that.
And I do understand that many are hoping dean does great things for the dem party....I just happen to be one who thinks this move clearly shows the party leaders still don't have a clue.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Four More Years....YES!!!
posted on February 12, 2005 02:15:59 PM new
So, as I understand it the neocons would be happy with just one party.....JUST LIKE THE COMMUNISTS and other dictatorships.
How anti-American.
But it does prove my point that most neocons in here are commies .
posted on February 12, 2005 02:24:39 PM new
::As a matter of fact, I found that interesting, Yellow.. and wondered if you were just joking.. why would one liners irritate a cocaine addict? If your pulling my leg... let go::
I may be wrong but I think Yellow was referring to the Motor Mouth factor. I think the only thing that goes faster than a heart on speed, is a mouth. (shut up and behave Classic!)
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
posted on February 12, 2005 05:32:38 PM new
Pulling your leg, pulling your leg, I would prefer to pull both of your legs but it would be in opposite directions.
or threaten him like their doing to other more moderate dems who support some of this President's positions.
