Sources: Reid, Pelosi backing Roemer for DNC chair

[goobergunch]

From Steve Turnham
CNN Washington Bureau

Tuesday, December 14, 2004 Posted: 3:04 PM EST (2004 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Amid strong competition over who will lead the party as the next Democratic National Committee chairman, a possible new candidate has emerged with the strong backing of Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid and House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, senior party sources told CNN Tuesday.

<snip>

Roemer's experience on the 9/11 commission, together with the fact that he comes from a "red state" -- one that voted for President Bush -- were decisive factors in Reid's decision to back him, the sources said.

more....http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/12/14/dnc.chair/index.html

[madfloridian]

1. Shows they are going for the securty stuff. CNP

http://www.cnponline.org/#n

Suits me. Gotta keep this country safe. Good article at Axis of Logis about the 9/11 commission.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

2. Does Roemer grok...

The grassroots? That the party is in the midst of change, or will they attempt more of the same old tired and unsuccessful shit?

That is the big question.

[Born Free]

55. these guys are turning me green

Reagan turned me into a democrat, now the democratic elite that run the party to loses every election are actually making me feel like I am turning green. I can't say I agree with the Green party more but at least they are willing to stand up and fight for America. I get the feeling the only candidates the leadership will promote are those that protect the current status quo - the current democratic leadership is more interested in protecting their positions than moving America forward.

I personally had just about enough, I was angry in 2000 but thought it might be different in 2004, but it was not. I feel like a abuse victim that listens to the abuser keep saying "I promise , I will not abuse you again, I will change, I will do better, I promise this time I will do the right thing" and just as the abusers never change the democratic party leadership continues to abuse the party members in order to satisfy their own wants. Just as the abuse victim feels guilty, I too feel guilty about thinking of leaving the party, but in my heart I see a future of the same abuse over and over again. I keep hoping they will prove me wrong, I keep hoping and waiting hoping they will stand up for America, but each time we get nothing but lip service.

[nickshepDEM]

70. They "stand up and fight for America" because

they dont have to worry about actually winning elections.

[Bouncy Ball]

83. How have we made standing up and fighting for America

and winning elections mutually exclusive? THAT'S the real crime here.

[EFerrari]

86. Maybe they're fighting for some other America? n/t

[Hebegirl]

106. No More Shrub-Lite

With all due respect to the calls for unity, my heart isn't in it anymore. No, "the Rumbling at Our Feet" spoke to where me and my spouse are these days. So I am with you, Born Free- I never was particularly involved with the Dems per se, but I am looking toward third parties. If I am not "Gitmo-ized" before then, that is. I have real "issues" with the high party potentates. It's like they are taking their cues from the Shrubbers and not boldly leading (as Dean did).I say if the blogosphere is going to support them in spiritual or material ways, we must DEMAND to be listened to. No more Shrub-Lite!!!

[pokercat999]

60. Most likely the SOS.

I would love to see the party turn liberal-libertarian.

[VTHoosierPatriot]

68. Second that thought,

although I would like more regulations placed on insurance and energy companies. But it is very evident that these industries operate outside of the free market anyway. At least we would agree to get out of the money pit called the Drug War and stop spending anytime on steroids in baseball.

[roguevalley]

3. well, if they insist on becoming irrelevent, I can't stop them.

[medeak]

4. CNN just reporting now

"he's telegenic"

just like a newscaster would say...

[Skidmore]

6. Ahh, shoot!

My phone bill is going to be sky high this month. Pelosi & Reid will get calls from me. :eyes:

[Leilani]

11. Telegenic?

Is that like charming or charismatic?

[NVMojo]

52. no one is as telegenic as John Edwards!!

[Leilani]

54. Yeah, & it got him really far, didn't it?

EOM

[Nordic]

5. gee, how about Daschle? He's unemployed

[leesa]

7. Oh Good...another Bush tool. I'm sure Pelosi is dying to

put one of those involved in the 9-11 cover-up in charge of the DNC. Another Bush tool...great! Thanks Nancy...does your check from the GOP come soon?

[reprobate]

75. How dare you infer that Pelosi's money comes from the GOP?

In point of fact, Pelosi's check will come not from the GOP, but from the corporations that OWN the GOP.

I, too have grown absolutely sick of the leadership of the party. They are all owned by the same corporations. Until we as a party oust the corporate whores from the leadership and replace them with new leaders from the grass roots nothing will change. The corporate whores have just what they want now: a ruling class and an opposition that opposes nothing.

That's no way to run a railroad!

[PurityOfEssence]

8. Anybody who calls Ashcroft's testimony "fulsome" to his face is fine

with me.

That was one of the ugliest and most deceptive moments in all of the hearings; it is to Roemer's credit that he called Ashcroft on it, even if it was a word Crisco Boy didn't even understand.

[dpbrown]

12. Not the word to pick if you don't want to be ambiguous

1. Characterized by abundance
2. Aesthetically, morally, or generally offensive
3. Exceeding the bounds of good taste
4. Excessively complimentary or flattering

Sense 2, which was a generalized term of disparagement in the late 17th century, is the least common sense of the word. Sense 1 has not only been revived but has spread in its applications and continues to do so. The chief danger for the user of fulsome is ambiguity.

Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition

[calimary]

23. When I learned that word, it was definition #2 that prevailed.

Since then, I think the conventional fixation has been on the first syllable, hence the adjustment in meaning. Everybody I know who uses the word - uses it in terms of definition #1.

[PurityOfEssence]

49. Sez who?

The principal meaning of this word is the second, and always has been. The very intonation of it is almost a spitting dismissal.

If you listen to Roemer's diction, it's pretty obvious, and Ashcroft's tentative response is fairly transparent: although he expects there's a barb there, he fumbles as if it's the praise he expects.

It's a pretty archaic word, but those who use it use it to depict grotesque and excessive fulmination. Look at those four definitions you give: the first can be construed as neutral--with a plethora of information or substance--but the other three are all bad. The fourth, and least used, is fawning and obsequious.

My take on it is this: Roemer fully intended to slag Ashcroft to his face in a way that he suspected was an insult, but dim Johnny couldn't do anything but respond as if being complimented. The look on Ashcroft's face betrays that he suspected something was amiss, but had to maintain the decorum of self-assuredness.

I don't know why you claim that the second of four definitions is the least valid; it's the traditional and prevalent use of the word. The only thing positive or neutral about this word is that it is commonly misunderstood; it's a deft insult as it was used here, and it was a hilarious bit of video.

[Wisc Badger]

9. Who????

never heard of him. Looks like a poor choice on the surface of it.

[wildwww2]

19. Yes it is a poor choice. As was Reid for minority leader. What is

Nancy Pelosi smoking? Bu$h`s private stash I guess. It`s about time to give up on these worthless dems and just sit back and wait for the end times. That these crazy pseudo Christians are all too eager to foist upon us.
Peace
Wildman
Al Gore is My President

[knight_of_the_star]

50. Reid might not be too bad

Just got this about the Supreme Court fight:

"If they, for whatever reason, decide to do this, it's not only wrong, they will rue the day they did it, because we will do whatever we can do to strike back," incoming Senate Democratic leader Harry M. Reid (Nev.) said last week. "I know procedures around here. And I know that there will still be Senate business conducted. But I will, for lack of a better word, screw things up."

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6704087/

Call it a hunch, but I don't think he's going to roll after making a bold statement like that and calling for investigations into the conduct of the war.

[wildwww2]

61. I had read that before I posted. I hope you are correct. But I still

believe he will roll. Bold statements are one thing. Lets wait and see if he can produce the bold action that will have the GOP owned media spinning. If I had money to bet. I`d bet the U.S. media will cow him just as quick as they did Daschle. If not quicker. I would have picked Dick Durbin for minority leader. If it was my choice to make. He does not have to appease a state run by the GOP bigots as Mr. Reid does. But common sense does not seem to run in our Senate.
Peace
Wildman
Al Gore is My President

[Hebegirl]

107. I Hope Reid won't Roll

I will give credit to Reid for "making news" with his call for investigations and committees. Hopefully these will have teeth and consequences. I am hoping the rest of the world decide to call these A-holes on the carpet. I hope Reid doesn't roll over. Or cozy up.
Like Arlen Spector did when his head of the judiciary position was threatened by the Zealots.

[hoosierblue]

67. Exactly...Reid looks like a poodle, but the man is a pit bull...

If anyone saw his performance on Tim Russert a couple weeks ago, you know what I'm talking about. Liberal Oasis had a piece on him this week too. http://www.liberaloasis.com

I'd prefer Dean, but I'm certainly open to whatever Reid's got in mind.

[hippiechick]

20. Welcome to DU, WiscBadger !

:hi: Another Cheesehead here, but now I'm in Indiana ...


:hippie:

[LiberalFighter]

40. I've heard of him only because I now live in the same state

But he hasn't done anything that is noteworthy to warrant the job.

Now Joe Andrew another individual from Indiana did a superb job when he was DNC Chair before the current person.

[dpbrown]

10. I don't think we need to learn how they lose in the "red" states

I think we should pick someone from a blue state, and export whatever they're doing right.

Like, say, Minnesota, where we turned a half-dozen incumbent Republicans out of office this time around.

Dan Brown
Saint Paul, Minnesota

[ClarkUSA]

17. Excellent point.

[MGKrebs]

13. Jeez, you couldn't tell he was a Dem from his record.

http://www.issues2000.org/IN/Tim_Roemer.htm#War_+_Peace

[MGKrebs]

14. From the same link:

# Supports Hyde Park Declaration of "Third Way" centrism. (Aug 2000)
# Member of Democratic Leadership Council. (Nov 2000)
# New Democrat: "Third Way" instead of left-right debate. (Nov 2000)

[ally_sc]

15. good at least i can put my unlimited long distance to use...nfm

nfm

[shance]

16. Who ARE THESE PEOPLE and what have they done with our leaders?

These people arent Democrats.

Democrats stand for Democratic principles, not Antonio Scalia and anti-women pro-life views, HARRY,

or love for further surveillence and secrecy ie, the Patriot II, NANCY.

Democratic leaders are actually DEMOCRATS. Not these individuals,

They're not leading, They are doing great harm though and keeping other good leaders from taking their rightful positions.

This is dispicable.

THey are so insulting to the American public,

namely the Democratic public who have come out in droves in support of Governor Dean and these smug individuals dismissively ignore the majority and breezily look the other way.

Their arrogance is breathtaking.

This is the most pathetic, embarassing leadership I have ever witnessed. Im talking about the Democrats.

We could have great leaders, but these essentially destructive, truly unintelligent Democratic leaders are holding DC and our party hostage and they don't give a damn that their leadership is killing our country.

THEY KNOW THEY are not doing a good job but they keep passing further oppressive, invasive legislation and supporting oppressive, invasive government so as to maintain a horrific protocol and so they can stay in the Washington game at the expense of our nation.

Makes me want to become a Republican again.

So Roemer was a part of the 9/11 Commission? The Bush appointed 9/11 Commission?

Whew! Thats comforting.

[Hebegirl]

108. New Blood

Don't do it, shance! We will forge ahead. I have an idea for a Third Way- A third party. It's so pie-in-the-sky, I know. But I agree, I can't follow these leaders. Dean- yes. Rosenberg- thinks the war w/ Iraq is defensible. Too hawky in the wrong way for me- towing that "don't appear weak" (ie girly-man) by protesting this wrong war. (As if the whole gendered debate about righties (macho, strong) vs. lefties (girly) isn't totally insulting to women and womanhood anyway!

[Edgewater_Joe]

18. This Makes Roemer The Pro-DC, Pro-DLC, Pro-Status Quo Candidate

Go Dean (or Rosenberg)!

[calimary]

26. DEAN, DAMMIT!! 1 (800) 839 - 5276 - TOLL FREE to Capitol Hill.

I thought that saying I might consider going green would be an idle threat. I may have to rethink that.

Don't forget that TOLL FREE CAPITOL HILL SWITCHBOARD NUMBER:

1 (800) 839 - 5276.

Time to crank it up again.

[Freddie Stubbs]

71. And that probably makes him the frontrunner

[iamjoy]

21. Seriously, I May Go Green...

I am strongly Pro-Choice.

This man supports a flag burning amendment.

Why do they want a DINO as our chair?

We need some one who will frame the values debate in Democratic principles, not mimic the debate framed by Conservatives.

If they put this man in, they will have to convince me why I should remain faithful to the Democratic party.

[MGKrebs]

22. I suspect you will not be alone.

There were A LOT of people who went door to door, gave money, and worked real hard in a lot of ways to try to win this "their way". And for them to come back and say that we need to do that again, only more so, is not going to sit well with many. I shudder to think of the implications.

Is this a response to MoveOn? Has the DLC picked up the gauntlet thrown down by MoveOn?

[American Tragedy]

56. He supports the flag-burning amendment?

Jesus Christ, my Senator is even against that, and he's the fucking Republican majority whip of the Senate.

That is just sad. I never dreamed I would say this, but I am on the verge of totally giving up on the Democratic party. I am getting sick of identifying myself with ineffectual leaders and ideological surrender.

[Justitia]

96. ya know, when ya put it like that....

it REALLY DOES make his (Roemer) voting for the amendment look totally ridiculous doesn't it?

Of course, we already knew that, but good god.....

[rucky]

24. A de facto lobbyist?!

http://www.heraldargus.com/content/story.php?storyid=2199

Roemer works for father-in-law's consulting firm
WASHINGTON — On Monday, Tim Roemer was a congressman. Now he is a consultant in the private sector.

Roemer retired after 12 years in the U.S. House and has now landed two new jobs. His primary job will be working at his father-in-law's consulting firm, Johnston & Associates. Roemer's father-in-law is former U.S. Sen. Bennett Johnston, a Louisiana Democrat.

(snip)

At Johnston & Associates, Roemer and Johnston are the only former Congress members among the staff of approximately 10 people. Former members of Congress are prohibited from lobbying Congress for a year after they leave office. But it is common for them to work for firms that lobby while they wait out that time.

The new office is just blocks from the White House, on the other side of downtown Washington from the Capitol.

[Forkboy]

25. awww....I'm getting the warm fuzzies again

[MGKrebs]

27. Not exactly a grassroots kinda guy...

small Individual contributions (<$200) $61,446 (9.0%)
Large Individual contributions ($200+) $143,986 (21.2%)
PAC contributions $457,960 (67.4%)


http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.asp?cycle=2000&cid=N00003828

[w4rma]

28. Sounds like a loser to me. How much work did he do for Dems in his state?

Why is his state red if he isn't a loser? I'm reading that he lives and works in DC and not his own red state. Maybe the folks in his state don't like him very much for some reason. He sure didn't handle himself very well during the 911 hearings and he sure wasn't able to get much bad publicity for Bush and Repugs out of those hearings.

No. He sounds like someone who got to his position by acting like he is buddy buddy with Repugs instead of pointing out problems with them and shining spotlights on those problems.

[iamjoy]

29. I'm Surprised At Pelosi...

I mean, I expected this from Reid, but I thought Pelosi was a true Democrat, stood for true Democratic principles and wasn't afraid to fight it out ("Democrats have it right.")


Has anyone read Thomas Frank's "What's The Matter With Kansas" ? Do you think they are trying to move the Dems back to the old populist agenda (fiscally moderate/liberal; socially conservative)? In so doing they would abandon the Environmentalists and Pro-Choice crowd. And all in a gamble to win back the hearts and minds of people who will always vote for the more socially conservative candidate. Look what happened in the Coburn/Carson Senate race in Oklahoma.

[VegasWolf]

45. I'm not, she's scared shitless about keeping her job. I watched

her for years when i lived in the Bay Area.

[EFerrari]

81. Well, if she was scared before, she better panick now because

this is NOT going to fly out here.

(Someone change our mascot from a donkey to a lemming?)

[TheDonkey]

30. AWWW RED STATE!! I'm sick of this BS red state, conservative crap

Democrats need energy and a clear vision, not someone from a red state!?

Look at our Senate candidates, we hadseveral in red states, some practically moderate republicans and they still lost. It doesn't matter where someone comes from, it matters how they make people feel.

Democrats need to understand this or we are in trouble. Gore was from a red state fo God sakes. Edwards from a red state!? The problem is far larger than just getting someone from a red state and having an accent. Damn, I thought these politicos are supposed to be smart.

[MGKrebs]

35. Yup. It's not like this is a candidate for office anyway.

The job is to raise money and articulate the message. What message will this guy articulate? A flag burning amendment? Pro death penalty? No record on the environment? Why would anybody vote Dem?

[Emillereid]

31. I think these people like to lose --

well if I'm going to lose, I think I'd rather do it Green! Go Cobb Go!!

[iamjoy]

33. I Might Join You

If I'm going to bust my ass walking my precinct, phone banking, etc only to lose anyway I'd rather lose standing for something real.

I never understood Nader voters. Now I think I'm starting to get it.

But really, I don't know if I could "abandon" my party (even if they abandon me first). They just wouldn't have my committment. I wouldn't give them money - I'd send that to individual candidates (true progressives) instead. And I'd turn my energy to election reform - ie: abolish the electorl college, have non-partisan commissions draw Congressional districts, etc.

[JohnOneillsMemory]

32. Centrist? "Let's send SOME of the Jews to the ovens..."

"Because I don't trust the radical fringe who want to either
1) throw all the Jews in the oven (right wing)
OR
2) throw none of the Jews in the oven." (left wing)

"Yes, all things in moderation. So the right answer is in the middle.See? Politics is all about...compromise.

-Compromising your values." (DLC/DNC)

The American public is so Orwellified and immunized against reality that Dems are trying to justify being 'centrist' and are instead reinforcing the lies by speaking in the same language of lies to enable mass murder for profit.

Dems must speak the hard truth for as long as it takes to get it to get through the propagandized fog. STRONG, CLEAR, ILLUMINATION.

Like Howard Dean's style in the primaries.

We must support: US Constitution, Bill of Rights, Geneva Conventions.
PERIOD. NO 'COMPROMISE'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THAT'S A MORAL STANCE ANY COLOR STATE CAN RESPECT AND EMBRACE.

[VegasWolf]

34. I'm finished voting Democratic. n/t

[ozone_man]

36. My sentiments exactly.

What a DINO.

[madfloridian]

37. He is pro-life, so we can see where this is heading in that area.

How coincidental, the day after Howard Dean on MTP declares again he is pro-choice, though he welcomes "pro-life." Oh, just a coincidence.

http://www.lifenews.com/nat1044.html

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A former Indiana congressman who takes a pro-life position on abortion is being touted by the top Democrats in the House and Senate as the best pick to become the next chairman of the national Democratic Party.

The surprising move by Senate Democratic chief Harry Reid and House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi is sure to bring forth concerns from leading abortion advocacy groups about how the party handles the controversial issue.

Roemer, a former member of the commission that investigated the September 11th terrorist attacks, released a written statement Tuesday regarding speculation he is a potential candidate for the party's top post.

"I have been approached very recently by several prominent Democrats inquiring about my interest in seeking the post of DNC chair," he said, according to a CNN report....."

[lostnfound]

39. Personally I want to know if he's procorporate and prowar.

And I expect I already know the answer to both is 'yes'.

[reprobate]

76. If he's in the leadership he is procorporate and prowar.

In my opinion anyone in the leadership of either party is procorporate-actually he is owned by the corporations that contribute money to his campiagn fund-nd prowar.

But you must realize that being prowar is really being procorporate. That is, pro the military manufacturers.

[Justitia]

97. Well, he did vote YES for the Iraq war...

if that is what you mean.

Interestingly, he voted NO to Bosnia!

[VegasWolf]

41. Pro-life, good, sell the soul of the party, I'm outta here!!!! n/t

[Hebegirl]

109. I must Digress. i am voting Green_Labor

"pro-life," how very convenient, just like Reid. Hmmm. Yes, the proverbial writing is on the wall. I agree with Iamjoy- I'd way rather lose
fighting for truth and ideals, rather than 'compromise' as JohnO'neill so nicely outlined. I can't say "win at any cost." That results in the 'some Jews to the oven' solution as outlined above! And off subject a bit here, the entire abortion debate drives me nuts. I am an RN. There are many private, personal situations in people's lives that involve ethical questions, esp. in the area of life, death, technology etc. And if these stories were "broadcast' on huge movie screens (as I understand was the case in Oklahoma, senate candidate Carson came to a church, not knowing he was going to be subject to a Hollywood-ized picture of an aborted fetus, courtesy of Coburn supporters). But I digress. These are heart-wrenching stories people go through- life and death decisions- and they are a part of life (and death) in the modern age. AND, it remains the personal
and confidential business of the families themselves, (and health care personnel if necessary- in a supportive/educator role). It really is nobody else's business.

[ChiciB1]

38. We DON'T NEED a Moderate/Conservative!

Puullleeezzzeee, enough with DLC PEOPLE! He's Likable, but this guy's NOT for me!

[Zorra]

42. No. Absolutely not. Bye-bye Democratic Party.

What do you call a stadium full of DLC Democrats?

A sell-out crowd.

Roemer "on the issues":

http://www.issues2000.org/IN/Tim_Roemer.htm

[VegasWolf]

43. I hope someone over at move on catches this thread. The

repukes came back because they pandered to their
base. Do these clowns think that being repuke lite
will help them win. All they will do is lose even worse.
C'mon Move On or somebody please start a real liberal
party.

[EFerrari]

87. I posted the question to the Action Forum but the place has

been like a ghost town since the election.

[VegasWolf]

44. Maybe the DNC could find a creationist or two too. n/t

[madfloridian]

46. "America's Role as Nation Builder" links from the CNP site.

and Roemer is president of the group. I have not read the whole article, but it is part of a PPI forum. I would imagine what it is about....a kindler gentler empire building.

http://www.mercatus.org/socialchange/article.php/476.html

There are videos here, and text versions, and speakers are Wolfowitz and Dobbins.

Here is the CNP site:
http://www.cnponline.org/

[madfloridian]

47. Here you go.

http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/washington/index.ssf?/base/news-0/11028363516300.xml

SNIP.."Democrats look for new leader

Add another possible candidate to replace Terry McAuliffe as chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Former U.S. Rep. Tim Roemer, D-Ind., a member of the Sept. 11 commission and the son-in-law of former Louisiana Sen. J. Bennett Johnston, is getting a push from some centrists who oppose the candidacy of former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean. Roemer, like Johnston, is anti-abortion, which would be a problem for abortion rights groups that actively back the Democratic Party. But Roemer supporters are arguing that his selection would help the party draw culturally conservative voters."

[American Tragedy]

58. bullshit!

Excuse me, but the logic that people are going to flock to the Democratic party now that their leader is also anti-abortion is wildly erroneous.

He is far more likely to alienate the overwhelming majority of the Democratic base that is pro-choice.

[PATRICK]

62. HOW is the Chair elected and by whom?

If the weak wing of the party keeps floundering around with weak candidates to go against Dean how is that necessarily anything bu t a good sign? They seem to have no heart for a real stop Dean movement OR an
obvious front runner. They come up with dark horses, sponsored candidates
and assorted ho-hum uninspirational conservatives.

So my question: Who selects the chair and how? Like the Pope? Do they burn their ballots and we get to see if the smoke coming out of the chimney is red state red or blue state blue?

Isn't this a rather open process, especially with the status quo failures still adept at making obnoxious public fools of themselves?

Lesson one. You DEAL with Dean. He seems more amenable to real progress than Nader. Lesson two: stop plugging the losing ways and take some GD responsibility. Lesson three: having a pleasant prudent policy is nice, but not if you are fighting a war against organized crime in a conquered nation bereft of a responsible press.

In the past reactionary conservatives TRIED to select their kind of guy only to have it backfire, so why fight it? Either way the DLC will lose, but in being dumb unaccountable snobs they will lose their input, influence and voice. IF they really value the latter, which they have shown no real backbone for at any level, they will dialog and be open to change.

Maybe Dean does NOT want the responsibilities of heading national campaign strategies. He should have input as an equal at the very least. I take that back. We ARE getting the very least from the top hounds of the organization.

The American Democrats will level with the DNC. We are from Missouri and we do not like what you are showing.

[MGKrebs]

69. Here are the DNC members...

I think they all vote.

http://platform.smartcampaigns.com/images/DNCRoster041108.pdf

[Justitia]

72. an Anti-Choice, Pro Flag Burning Amendment, DLCer from Indiana?!?!?!

ACK!!!!!!!

My hair is on fire and I am running screaming for the hills!

WTF???

Who is the next candidate for DNC chair? Zell Miller????!!!!

Reid and Pelosi are pushing for this guy???

WTF?????

[slay]

48. No way in hell am I staying aboard this train if Roemer is the engineer

I would really like to support the Democratic Party. But I will go Green before I see Roemer picked over Dean. When will the Dems realize that Howard Dean is THE man to save the party? Is this the best alternative to Dean they've got? What a fuckin joke.

[uhhuh]

51. I hope there's some good dirt on this fool

I am going to research him and I hope he can be taken out Kerik style.

I will not tolerate bullshit, and this, my friends, is grade A bullshit.
If we have to fight bad Dems to get this Party back then so be it.

I have no problem smearing stupid ass Dems by attacking from the Left. I say we take him out.

On edit:

Here's a start:
Tim Roemer represents Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

http://www.logicjungle.com/wiki/National_Commission_on_Terrorist_Attacks_upon_the_United_States

[bvar22]

53. Pelosi used to breathe fire!

Then she let all this House Minority Leader bullshit go to her head. She started buying tickets to her own show and caught the train to Rich White Establishment City!

She got a facelift that was so tight that her brains leaked out of her ear hole.

[American Tragedy]

57. How is it an advantage to have our leaders from losing states?

Why shouldn't our leader represent a state in which the Democratic party has been successful at the national level?

[Guaranteed]

59. Fuck it. Let the party die. nt

[LizW]

63. Anti-choice?

Could the handwriting be any clearer on the wall? The Democratic Party is telling women they can just sit down and shut up about that silly reproductive choice stuff. Don't worry girls, the white guys know what's best for your bodies, and besides, who else are you going to vote for?

[Rose Siding]

64. Pelosi's phone number and e-mail

This is a betrayal of women. Reid and now Roemer? BETRAYAL

[e-mail]

In DC: [phone], by fax at [phone]

In SF: [phone]

[EFerrari]

89. CALL NANCY CALL NOW HER PHONES ARE GOING NUTS N/T

202-225-4965 DC
415 556 4862 SF

[EFerrari]

94. Let's sell it on EBay!

I just read in the SFChron that a NY East Village woman put up a judge for sale (he wouldn't overturn her eviction).

Wonder how much we could get for the DNC?

[Justitia]

98. LOL! I like it! But I think the DLC holds the non-negotiable deed. -eom

[carnie_sf]

65. Sad to say

but the Democratic party may be going the way of the whigs. Possibly, though, it's for the best if this weak Republican-lite bullshit is all they have to offer us.

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

66. Tim "Freaking" Who?!

From "Freaking" Where?!

The state that was the birthplace of the modern KKK and just elected a right-wing governor? The guy who's not done the first damned thing for the Democratic Party nationally is going to be our leader?

No "Freaking" Way!!

[Merlin]

73. The National Journal says their recommendation is the "Kiss of Death"

In a blurb I just received, the prestigious National Journal says:

DNC chair watchers are now well aware that nearly every news cycle brings a new candidate being touted by Cong. Dems. The candidate du jour is 9/11 Commis./ex-Rep. Tim Roemer.
-- And while the Cong. Dem leadership has enough sway to get news outlets to report about a new candidate, they may not realize that to the DNC members, their opinion is a kiss of death. While DNC members are not in agreement about who the ideal candidate would be, there is a near unanimous contention that the next chair can't be a DC creation. So unless Reid/Pelosi are using some political jujitsu tactic to kill potential candidacies by endorsing them, they may need to realize that about the most influence they'll have on this process is veto-power (and even that has be used judiciously).
-- What's more odd about the Cong. Dems' actions are the types of candidates they are promoting: they are in search of messengers not mechanics. And while that is a valid concern among many Dems, doesn't it reflect poorly on their own expectations about being messengers? One would think the Cong. Dems believe they'll be suitable messengers and won't need somebody else at the DNC.

Personally, I can't imagine what the f*ck needs to happen to get them to grasp the fact that Howard Dean would be the best damn thing that could happen to this party!

[Justitia]

74. Roemer's abortion rights voting record & a quote re: RU486:

Voted YES on banning partial-birth abortions.
Voted YES on barring transporting minors to get an abortion.
Voted YES on federal crime to harm fetus while committing other crimes.
Voted YES on banning human cloning, including medical research.

http://www.issues2000.org/IN/Tim_Roemer_Abortion.htm

"Roemer said he was against the recent FDA approval of RU486, the abortion pill. “I’m a pro-life Democrat, and I opposed all along the development and then approval by the FDA of RU486. I have concerns still about the impact of that on women's health and the possibility that it may result in less adoptions, and possibly may result in more abortion,” said Roemer."

http://www.wndu.com/news/102000/news_4076.php

Another quote about "partial birth" abortion:

"Congressman Tim Roemer (D-IN), another pro-life Democrat, said the ban had "everything to do with banning a procedure that is, in effect, legalized infanticide." He quoted former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop who noted that partial-birth abortion is never medically necessary and could endanger the mothers health."

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Valley/1046/9710/971014_e.html

[annatopia]

92. unbelieveable

you know what i feel like right now? exactly like i felt during the leadup to the 2000 election: that my party (the dems) had left me in the dust in favor of retaining power.

i busted my ASS for two years trying to get rid of the shrub. i put my personal principals aside and worked for a guy i didn't even really like too much (kerry). i did my best to sell kerry and the dems to every single person i've encountered. and for what - to be sold out at the end of the day???

this is my first post on DU - i've been reading these boards for at least a year and i really appreciate the information i've been able to gather by lurking. just want to thank the entire DU community for helping me stay sane during the last 4 years, even if you didn't realise you were doing it.

[Justitia]

95. Welcome to DU! Let's hope this is a temporary lapse in judgment

And Reid and Pelosi will come to their senses - quickly!

I'm still willing to hope they will listen to the voices of their most loyal supporters - the grassroots out here, but I'm cautiously neutral at this point.

I can tell you, if Roemer becomes "their guy", I just don't see how I can align myself with a party that makes him their chairman - we are diametrically opposed on both a woman's right over her own body and the war (Roemer voted FOR the Iraq war).

Two very big ideological issues that he is DEAD WRONG about.

Please continue to hang around and post - there really IS strength in numbers.

BTW, I'm a Texas Lady too! :hi:

[madfloridian]

104. Are you the one with the annatopia blog that is so great?

Welcome to DU. :hi:

[Red State Rebel]

77. My vote is still for Ickes n/m

[reprobate]

78. Has anyone here joined Dean's "Democracy for America"?

I'm interested on what your take on the posibility of it becoming a major movement. I recall Dean saying that if the party didn't move int he right way, he and Trippi would start either an in party insurection, or a new party.

Anyone have any oppinion on this?

[MGKrebs]

79. On Meet the Press on Sunday

he said that he would rather fight for change from within the party than from outside the party. Struck me as a bit provocative!

I don't know what to think. The only "revolution" I have contemplated is against the jack-booted thugs taking away our rights and freedoms.

[madfloridian]

80. He never said that at all. Where did you get that?

He has always said he wanted to work within the party for change. He did say he wanted to keep DFA as a separate entity.

He has never said such a thing.

[MGKrebs]

102. This is what he said...

"...And I had a lot of debates with myself about whether to try to change things from the outside or change things from the inside knowing it was going to be a significant institutional resistance if I try to change things from the inside, but I concluded it's faster to change the party from the inside."

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6702005/

[reprobate]

103. You're right. It was Trippi who said it on a televised interview.

Can't recall the interviewer, think it was Charlie Rose but could be wrong. The question was about the future of the party and thier (Dean and Trippi) plans for the future of the party.

Trippi did say that they would rather work from within to change the party, but that if resistance was too high that they were not averse to going outside the party.

While watching the interview I recall having the opinion that I was more of a statement to the party powerfull to sit down at the table and negotiate. If so it doesn't seem to have worked.

[madfloridian]

105. That sounds about right.

I doubt he ever expected them to negotiate. My impression is he would like DFA to be under the party umbrella. You know the DLC is a think tank...very rightish. The DNC is the party organization group. I think he wants DFA as a separate entity to remake the party from the ground up....and maybe as a base for the future.

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

82. That's IT...I'M LEAVING THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

This is COMPLETE BULLSHIT. Apparently, the Democratic Party that was STRONG in it's convictions and PROUD to be liberal/progressive is DEAD!

I'm gone. Good riddance...Repuke-lite, wanna-be, Democratic Party.

JB

[DaveofCali]

84. THROW OUT Pelosi and Reid!!! TRAITORS TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND AMERICA

It looks to me like Pelosi and Reid plan to do the full sellout of the Democratic Party and use Roemer to virtually have the Republican Party to fully own the Democratic Party.

Someone needs to leave a dead horse's head on Pelosi and Reid's bed for starters.

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

91. Reid is a Mormon...so, by definition he is a religious conservative

Religious conservatives and Progressive ideals of inclusion ARE NOT COMPATABLE!

JB

[Bouncy Ball]

85. Fuck that.

The Democratic party doesn't want me? Fine.

I say all of the REAL liberals in this country who KNOW what they stand for and are willing to fight for it pull out all of the Dems who are like us (um, Dean and who else??? crickets chirping in the distance) and form our own damn party.

I don't care WHAT they say about third parties. We'd be a second party to the "two who are really one."

Dammit. I'm so fucking disgusted right now. I WANT to fight for Dems, but the elected Dems aren't fucking fighting for us, so who cares?

[Forkboy]

88. Gun...Foot...Fire!

dumbasses.

[VegasWolf]

93. HEAD ... GUN... FIRE n/t

[VegasWolf]

90. Hey MOVE ON! Calling MOVE ON! Here's an opportunity if you have

the guts to take it on.

[lateo]

99. No no no!

Auuughh! Just more of the same...

[trillian]

100. Aaarrrgghhh!!!

Republican Lite!!!

:mad:

[JaneDoughnut]

101. First reaction:

Who the * is that?

[Hebegirl]

110. Realign Ourselves- Strength In Numbers

Here is a party platform;

U.S. out of Iraq- prosecute the war criminals (all the way back to Kissinger). Indict * et al for criminal negligence for 911.

Beef up homeland security. Repeal the Patriot Act. Restore habeas corpus to all those incarcerated Gitmo.

Fund veterans health benefits completely, including state of the art prostheses for all amputees (like that will ever happen!!)

Voter reform now. Prosecute voter fraud. All states should seek voter referendums mandating paper trails and non-partisan computer technology.

No more NAFTA/SHAFTA - revisit international trade agreements. Re-organize relationship to China (maybe join the E.U.? There are some progressive,
environ-friendly ideas coming out of there!)

Eliminate the punitive Rockefeller Drug laws (Working Families Party did it in New York!!)

State by state, get voter referendums on unionization via card check, beef up labor protections, and restore overtime take-aways. State referendums on minimum wage (passed in florida and ?Ohio on Nov.2)

Preserve Social Security, and move toward national health care starting at the state level.

Remove the subject of women's reproductive health/life cycle from political-- public debate and place it back where it belongs- in private discussions among partners and families --(in conjuction with their health care providers and/or faith communities, if desired).


Open to In-Put from the COMMUNITY. STRONGER-- TOGETHER.