Reid, Pelosi plan shake-up

[Rose Siding]

Sen. Harry Reid (Nev.) and Rep. Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), the Democratic leaders of the Senate and House, plan to shake up the Democratic political consulting community and break the grip that a small number of consultants have had on strategy and contracts, party sources say.

The Democratic leaders want to bring in new people with track records of success and innovation and look beyond the Beltway for message smiths to help guide the party.
...
Durbin said, “We don’t want to turn our backs on anybody that has been good to us. We want to be open to new people.” There were “new people out there” getting results and others “who produce the same cookie-cutter ads with the same results, and we don’t want that anymore,” he added.

A Democratic leadership aide said, “There’s general agreement in both chambers and at the House and Senate political party groups that we need to rethink our relationships with consultants more accountability for results.

“Senator Reid is interested in reaching out to new talent both within and beyond the Beltway. He’s looking at our rebranding effort to simplify the message and looking for new professionals to assist him.”

http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/021605/reid.html

[bemildred]

2. Ah, we need better bullshitters ... nt

[w4rma]

30. Actually. Yes we do. (nt)

[bemildred]

46. Perhaps, but I favor less bullshit myself. nt

[Peace Patriot]

71. It doesn't matter what "line" the Democratic leadership puts out there...

...if they don't address upfront as priority no. 1 how/why they let BushCon companies gain control of our election system with SECRET, PROPRIETARY programming code counting all our votes, and no paper trail--why they didn't scream bloody murder about it, why they didn't investigate the 2004 election, and what they are going to do now to RESTORE our right to vote, with a BushCon voting machine company elected BushCon majority in Congress.

How are they going to support the STATE BY STATE fight that we need to conduct to ESTABLISH the integrity of our vote and to retrieve the election system from private BushCon company control?

The donkeys can bray all they want about the looting of Social Security, or any other issue--and can do boffo sexing up of their message--and it won't mean a damn thing if our votes continue to disappear into the electronic ether.

The Democratic leadership's silence/collusion/ignorance/corruption on this matter is beyond my comprehension. Are they suicidal...or what?

[IrateCitizen]

3. Wow. What a novel f***ing concept.

A Democratic leadership aide said, “There’s general agreement in both chambers and at the House and Senate political party groups that we need to rethink our relationships with consultants more accountability for results.

More proof that the Washington Beltway is actually a portal into some kind of alternative universe. Did it really take these clowns this long to arrive at a conclusion like this?

[ClassWarrior]

6. Why doesn't it surprise me that this good news would be greeted with...

...someone calling our people a bunch of clowns?

NGU.

[Pirate Smile]

7. Really, Isn't this what everybody wanted? I think so.

[ClassWarrior]

9. Apparently not everybody.

:shrug:

NGU.

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ClassWarrior]

22. Which would be?...

Which statements? Huh?

NGU.

[IrateCitizen]

27. That I didn't want to see a shakeup, that's what.

You've all but called me out as someone whose motives are to be questioned around here.

[IrateCitizen]

11. What you mean, "our people"?

Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi are not "my people". They live in a world that is completely alien to me, and to 99.9% of DUers as well. They don't represent any of us, either -- rather, they represent a lesser impediment to the implementation of policies that further the idea of peace through justice than their cohorts on the other side of the aisle.

Furthermore, do you disagree with my basic premise that they've waited too long to make these kinds of changes? Hell, I'm ecstatic that they're finally doing it -- perhaps it will result in the adoptation of policies that actually speak to the concerns of regular Americans too! But only in Washington DC would you have someone making the statement that Congressional aide made as if it were some kind of revelation, when in the rest of the world if you don't do your job in a high-profile position you're shitcanned in a NY minute.

[ClassWarrior]

21. They're Democrats. This is Democratic Underground. Now what was that...

...about reading comprehension?? And while we're on that topic, where on earth do you get the idea that I disagree with your "basic premise?"

But thanks for demonstrating how ecstatic you are by calling our reps "clowns" and slamming them for not doing the right thing on your timetable.

NGU.

[IrateCitizen]

26. Seeing as how I've been on DU since 2001...

... I think I know a bit about its premise. Democratic Underground is a place for Democrats and like-minded progressives....

Seeing as how we probably agree on about 90% or more of actual policy positions, I think that I would qualify for membership. But then again, I also long for the days when DU was not a Democratic Party echo chamber, but a place in which challenging the basic assumptions of the Democratic Party -- especially when they did not agree with progressive goals -- was a welcome thing.

Furthermore, are you a multi-millionaire? Do you regularly rub elbows with captains of industry and high finance? No? Neither do I. But Nancy Pelosi certainly fits all the above criteria, and I doubt that Harry Reid is far behind. Therefore, neither of them are really "my people", because they exist in a world that is completely different from that of the overwhelming majority of Americans.

Finally, the "clowns" remark was not directed at the reps in particular, but at the entire Beltway Democratic Establishment. And yes, I do consider using the same consultants who have proven nothing but their ability to consistently lose as worthy of being called "clowns". The fact that finally somebody stepped up and announced a stop to it does not change that assessment.

[VegasWolf]

53. I agree, as a liberal these democrats are going to have to work to get

my vote again in the future. The spineless like Schummer, Lieberman,
Pelosi won't be getting my vote again. I'm going third party
if things don't straighten up pdq. Dean is a damn good start,
but actions are needed not words. The conservatives have no trouble
pandering to their base but spineless dems like Pelosi and Schumer
want to be repuke lite.

[spotbird]

70. Are you a like minded progressive?nt

[IrateCitizen]

72. Why don't you tell me? (n/t)

[VegasWolf]

91. I am a like-minded progressive liberal! n/t

[TankLV]

73. Well, they're clowns to me as well - incompetant boobs actually.

Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a differenct result.

This is a prime example of too little too late.

But better late than never, I guess.

And that clown Reid is my senator. But he has exceeded my expectations for the low threshold I set for him from the beginning.

We shall see.

[ClassWarrior]

89. FYI. DU has spell check.

NGU.

[VegasWolf]

92. TankLV, I completely agree with your sentiment. How's the Rampart? n/t

[ClassWarrior]

24. By the way, that's the way RepubliCON corporatists operate.

"If you don't do your job in a high-profile position you're shitcanned in a NY minute." All the Progressives I've worked for have always tried to have a bit more compassion and understanding that that.

NGU.

[IrateCitizen]

29. So are you calling me one, or just saying I have tendencies?

I'd really like to know, just so I'm clear on where we stand.

[ClassWarrior]

35. I'm pointing out that, in your bitterness, you're saying things...

...that don't reflect the Progessive values you claim. Of course, we all say foolish things when we're upset and thinking with our rage instead of our hearts and brains.

NGU.

[IrateCitizen]

36. Now, if you would've taken that line at the beginning...

... perhaps we wouldn't have gotten into such a row.

And you're largely right WRT my anger and bitterness toward these folks. While some of is certainly was misplaced in my post, I still hold my belief that people like Pelosi and Reid don't really represent "us". And I still believe that the Democratic Party is not the answer in itself, but rather the lesser impediment to reform and a vehicle more accessible to outside takeover by groups working both outside and inside the system (like the old Rainbow Coalition).

Perhaps we'll disagree on that assessment. But like I said, we probably agree on 90-95% of everything else, so there's no reason to get ourselves in a huff over it.

Truce?

[ClassWarrior]

40. Well, if you would've taken this line from the beginning --

"Hell, I'm ecstatic that they're finally doing it -- perhaps it will result in the adoptation of policies that actually speak to the concerns of regular Americans too!" -- I KNOW we wouldn't have gotten into such a row.

Instead you chose to lead with something akin to "too little too late from these worthless clowns." Seeing as you've been here as long as you have, you know as well as I do that this kind of faint praise is a common disruption technique from our friends at Le Free Republique.

And yes, I'm glad to enter a truce with you. All I want is for all of us to be more careful and responsible in choosing the words we use in public.

:toast:

NGU.

[ClassWarrior]

59. By the way, I don't think we even disagree on that point.

How much any one of our Democratic reps "represents" me varies by degrees. Some represent me more than others. None of them perfectly. For instance, I don't think Joementum Lieberman represents me very well at all. However, I'm blessed to have elected reps of my own who represent me about as well as anyone can. All three are Dems, and two are true Progressive Dems. I guess that's just the way the system works.

But when folks start trashing the entire party with broad, hostile blanket statements, instead of making rational criticisms of particular reps or encouraging constructive action against them, all it does is undermine the party and divide Progressives (and like it or not, the Dem Party is the locus of the Progressive movement in this lame two-party system).

And while this may seem as though "we must all think with one brain," to use NVMojo's intemperate words, I'd rather create that impression than let the Radical RWers giggle and rub their sweaty white thighs while we willingly divide ourselves.

NGU.

[Old and In the Way]

93. Good points.

We have to remember, the Democrats we elect are a reflection on us, who elected them. To say our Reps are clowns sorta means the Democrats who elected them are clowns. Not really a good way to maintain harmony in our ranks.

I wish every single Democrat in our Party were DU members....maybe then we could elect Democrats more in line with our worldview.

[CAcyclist]

85. But you're the one who's attacking

Why don't you take your own advice? I understood IrateCitizen's point and I see no reason to flame her.

Now, if you want to flame me, go right ahead. I will just put you on Ignore.

[ClassWarrior]

90. My first post in response to IC was...

"Why doesn't it surprise me that this good news would be greeted with someone calling our people a bunch of clowns?"

IC's first response to me was deleted.

Now WHO exactly is on the attack?

NGU.

[NVMojo]

28. I am starting to get it, we must all think with one brain on DU ..sort of

like Freeperville. Sorry you couldn't have a different opinion here. I've seen this here before.

What worries me is what has really happened to the Reid, Lautenberg, Kennedy FOIA on fake journalists in the White House on the payroll?

[IrateCitizen]

32. Nah, I've gotten quite used to it.

DU wasn't always like this, back in the "olden days". But more and more over time it has become an echo chamber for the Democratic Party.

I remember back when it was democratic with a "little d".

I guess I set myself up when I clearly state that I only view the Democratic Party as a lesser impediment to the realization of progressive goals, rather than the answer.

[Name removed]

33. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[silvermachine]

47. Calling the remarks...

..."hate-filled" is way over the top. Your rhetoric wasn't exactly sweetness and light ya know.

[ClassWarrior]

52. Which remarks?

Go back and read that post. I was speaking generally. This isn't the first time I've urged posters to be more responsible with the words they use in public. And yes, those words are often rife with seething hate.

Why, by the way, do you choose to single me out?

NGU.

[TankLV]

76. Maybe it's because you're the one makeing ridiculuous statements.

[ClassWarrior]

87. I didn't ask you.

NGU.

[TankLV]

75. "Clowns" is hate-filled language? Brother!

You must live in a really select world where that can be considered hate-filled.

I've got a lot more choice words to describe some democrats than that, I won't hesitate to use them, either.

Glad to have the thought police back.

[ClassWarrior]

88. Why don't you share some of those choice words you have for Dems with us?

NGU.

[trof]

13. Wow. Hire people who have actually worked on winning campaigns.

Sounds way too risky to me.
<sarcasm off>

[IrateCitizen]

16. Yeah, my point exactly.

But apparently pointing this out immediately causes others to assign questionable motives to you. :eyes:

[ClassWarrior]

4. This is AWESOME. Bye Bob Shrum!

I've nominated this thread for "The Greatest Page." Someone please join me?

NGU.

[calimary]

15. Joined.

Maybe there's hope for Pelosi after all.

I'll reserve judgment but I called her office the other day to demand that she stand by Barbara "Backbone" Boxer, launch probes of "Jeff Gannon" and go after Contradicta for perjury. I also complained to her staffer about Pelosi's recent statement that Democrats should hold off til they're better prepared before they go on the attack against bush's Social Security trashing campaign. I basically said - "IS SHE OUT OF HER MIND?!?!?!?!?!?" I asked if she really wanted to be Mary Beth Cahill II and do like they thought was the smart thing when the swift boat swifties attacked. They waited. I said by the time she decides to get off her ass and fight this, the seeds will be planted and they'll be taking root and she'll just be putting on her garden gloves. The staffer said that what Pelosi meant was - Dems should get their alternative plan together before fighting this. I repeated - "IS SHE OUT OF HER MIND?!?!?!" I told this guy = hey, for Christ's sakes, at least go out there NOW and say NO! At least you can do THAT. You don't have to have details. The other side certainly doesn't. Just talk about its negatives.

And he responded in such a way that it appeared he hadn't even thought of this before. That this kind of response really hadn't occurred to him.

My forehead hurts from smacking it so hard and so frequently. Christ on a Crutch, WHEN will these people stop acting like losers?

[IrateCitizen]

18. More proof of the Beltway "alternative universe"

Seriously, I've come to believe that people like Pelosi are almost as much the enemy as the RW, simply because they're so divorced from the reality that everyone else exists in. They seem to have no idea what life is like for the 300 million or so Americans who live outside of the DC Beltway.

It's like you have to smack them upside the head with a 2x4 before they get a fucking clue about ANYTHING!

[carnie_sf]

55. There is definitely a "fifth column"

within the democratic party. I'm not sure if I'm quite ready to assign Nancy Pelosi to it yet, but certainly Joe Lieberman, Zell Miller et al are doing nothing to advance Dem interests, and seem to be giving their all to furthering the RW agenda.

[IrateCitizen]

65. I don't think that's really it at all.

Miller was a Dixiecrat who never changed his affiliation. He was a true "DINO".

Lieberman is just deluded, IMHO. He's gone from a stalwart contributor to the Civil Rights cause to a huge proponent of US imperialism abroad, albeit an imperialism that is a bit more "enlightened" at home. He's also a willing tool of the military-industrial complex, trading his support of militarism for fat contracts to build Pratt-Whitney engines in CT.

As for Pelosi, she's a multimillionaire. She got her post as Minority Leader due to her fundraising prowess. She's considered a liberal because she represents a SF district, but her constituents are probably much more liberal, overall, than she is. She doesn't impress me at all -- she always comes off to me as lacking any sort of passion, and as fully representing moneyed interests with a socially-liberal face.

Personally, I think they're largely removed from reality. The have lost complete touch with what America is really like now. Some of this is voluntary, and some involuntary. It's the effect of the Beltway cocoon, with its media echo chamber ready to lambast anyone who steps out of the establishment tune.

[ClassWarrior]

37. I hear ya. It's gonna be tough work turning around this frickin'...

...behemoth of a party. But we're not going to do it by badmouthing its members to our fellow Progressives.

We're only going to do it the way you did. By going to our reps themselves and holding their hands through some of this BS. No, it's not instant gratification, as some people around here seem to want. But we need to keep our eyes on the prize and not let our rage overcome us. After all, when we lose control, the Radical RW wins.

NGU.

[lancdem]

20. Exactly what I was thinking

Bob Shrum is the first name that popped into my mind.

[shoelace414]

5. yay!

He’s looking at our rebranding effort to simplify the message

like changing "Gay Marriage" to "Gay Marriage Benefits"
like changing "Bankruptcy" to "Medical Bankruptcy"
like changing What Bush did from "Tax Cuts" to "Tax Shift"

I really should make a website for these.

[Walt Starr]

8. Now I'm starting to get impressed with Reid and Pelosi!

This is OUTSTANDING news!

[Alpharetta]

10. Good.

#1, As a longtime consultant, I always said my job was to take blame. I enjoyed walking into meetings and asking if there was any blame I could take to deflect heat off the management team. It got good laughs but it was funny because it was true.

#2, Democrats have used the same consultants for far too long. Even if those consultants were not on a huge losing streak, you need new consultants after a while so you can expand your organization's toolkit.

In spite of their residual respect for Mr. Trippi, that toolkit needs some additions.
- viral marketing
- a new class of leveraged cultural affiliates
- improved test marketing of catchphrases, images, etc.

[meganmonkey]

14. This is very good news

Really, it is good news. Sounds like they are actually listening to the people they represent. Between this and Dean as chair, I might even start calling myself a Democrat one of these days!

:)

[calimary]

17. What we have to make sure to do is REINFORCE this.

CALCIUM SUPPLEMENTS, NOW!!!

Call their offices and say attagirl/attaboy! You train dogs best by giving them treats and rewards after they do something correctly. So here, too. Call them and urge them to do MORE like this. www.congress.org is a good resource - directory of contact info for EVERYBODY on the Hill - their DC offices AND their local/regional ones.

[Liberty Belle]

23. Kick!

This is so true. While you're calling, suggest that Reid and Pelosi add "media cartel" (not mainstream media) to their list of new frames, as someone suggested at DU yesterday.

[ClassWarrior]

25. And that's MY point exactly.

Thanks for your eternal eloquence, Mary.

NGU.

[calimary]

44. Ha-cha-cha!

Yes, I have to keep this in mind myself. Because, most of the time, I've got a few dozen cream pies with these people's names on them...

[ClassWarrior]

48. Hey everybody - pie at Mary's place!!!

Yummy!!

<LOL>

NGU.

[Sugarbleus]

97. Supplements on the way!! =o)

Indeed this is a great sign. I'm ready to reinforce. Great suggestion.

(I wonder if Boxer ever got the mountain of roses intended for her/Valentines day?)

[Larkspur]

19. The Dean Revolution has finally knocked commonsense into

our Washington Dem leaders heads.

Of course, Dean is not setting policy, but he sure showed what a bunch of old foggies the Washington Dems had become.

[peacetalksforall]

31. We have to decide whether we're going to slam the for their pasts or

praise them for the future. I believe we have no choice.

We must recognize that thousands of non-political people are becoming very worried about their life and country. Now and for their children.

[DU GrovelBot]

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[mzmolly]

38. Two Words.

GEORGE and LAKOFF!

Good deal! I like the way Reid is "thinkin" :hi:

[ClassWarrior]

69. Now that would be FANTASTIC!!

He doesn't live too far away from Nancy, either.

And hey, Mol! :hi:

NGU.

[mzmolly]

96. Hey!

:hi:

NGU! :)

[HereSince1628]

39. Good...Keep It Simple Stupid, And Say Something

[librechik]

41. go for it

change is good!

[stillcool]

42. Gillespie/Quinn losing clients? n/t

[Callboy]

43. something needs to be done bravo

[Jack The Tab]

45. Goodbye Brazile! Now you can go work for Karl Rove

Because I guarantee you the minute her inneffectiveness is put into public view, she will go work for the Repugs. She will pull a Zell Miller so quickly, you'll wonder if she ever really believed anything this party stands for.

Just wait and see...

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

54. I COMPLETELY AGREE. She's the worst of the worst and will turn tide

Brazille is one of the MOST INEFFECTIVE campaign consultants I have ever seen. She buys her own hype and thinks that she has all the answers...even in the face of MULTIPLE FAILURES.

JB

[BiggJawn]

62. WORK for Rove?

Well, of course. after all, she pretty much admitted after 2000 that the Evil Genius and her had phone sex all through the campaign.

Only, WE were the ones who got fucked.

[65 rambler lady]

66. Oh goodie

I thought I was the only one who thought little miss brazile was a piece of useless flesh. I gave up listening to her on CNN, they ate her alive during the campaign and she let them. Totally useless and a disgrace to free thinking people.

There is an idea floating around on the John Edwards grassroots web page that is a good one and it is to leave informational pamphlets around in areas we frequent (paper boxes, dr. offices, etc.) - - items like, "what is a facist regime really like?" No mention of Bushco, just facts. Someone else had other ideas of facts that could be disseminated in a very non-political way, but still enough to make people think and draw parallels to what is going on today with smirky and his cast of clowns. After all, if the Jehovah's Witnesses can do it, I see no reason we cannot use this method as well.

One of the members is exploring using the AFL-CIO materials she gets....

If Dr. Dean says we are the party, then it's high time we took it back.

And if this was good enough for our founding fathers to use, it certainly is good enough for us, especially since MSM is now officially bought and paid for.

Just a thought and if you need more information, the link is www.jregrassroots.org

[papau]

67. I disagree - Donna will not pull a Zell - and she's effective as an

organizer.

[ClintonTyree]

98. And Carville, and Begala.............

and the rest of the 'Clinton Crew' that has dominated the Democratic Party for the last 15 years. I love Bill Clinton, he's one of the greatest statesmen to ever serve his country. But that era is over, it's time to move on. We can't keep basking in 'remember when Bill Clinton.........'.
I say 'hazzah' to a new and innovative leadership. It's time for Democrats everwhere to unite, get pissed off at what's happening in our country and start kicking some Republican ass!

[murray hill farm]

49. What the Democratic Party REALLY needs...

is an A-1 ad campain...to sell the party to the American people..and to start now and continue it non stop...with simple sayings and logos and massive exposure and billboards...get it in the heads of the american people through continous exposure and repeated over and over..that it is the Democratic Party that cares about your lives and your jobs and our country.

[candy331]

81. Mexicoxpat, I like your idea, The party needs to know that it has to

spend money to buy ads on radio, TV, billboards, and just anywhere an ad can be placed to let people know what they really stand for.. I think of Tylenol when their product was tampered with by several persons and they were loosing sales big time, tons of people stopped buying Tylenol, they put on a mega ad campaign and turned their product and company around. The Dems have to invest the money to hire competent loyal people and go on a nationwide campaign to get their message out. I for one quit buying Tylenol products but have some right here with me today.

[merh]

50. They would give a wonderful fucking message if they would

vote based on what is right and not what is popular. Stand up the way Boxer and Conyers have - don't toe the line with the bushbots and call them out on every lie and crime they commit!

That would be a tremendous message and if they sent it we would save money as we wouldn't need ads! We just need them to get backbones!

[ewagner]

51. 'bout @#$%&*#@ Time!!!!!

Insanity is repeating the same actions and expecting different results..........

We need to hold those consultants, pundits and advisors who have been responsible for the failed strategies of the past accountable and do something different, and, hopefully more productive.....

[upperleftedge]

58. Donna Brazile

I have to disagree about Brazile. If it weren't for her Dean might not be the new DNC Chair. Perhaps if you asked the good Dr. he would explain. Don't believe what you see on TV.

[tedzbear]

56. Does this mean they want to welcome anti=gay & anti-abortionists?

People who are the chimp's base.

:puke:

[ClassWarrior]

61. Wow, what hat did you pull THAT out of??

And besides, I think you mean "marriage rights opponents" and "forced pregnancy advocates."

NGU.

[Old and In the Way]

94. I like your retooling of the labels.

We most definitely need to using language that reflects the truth of where our opponents stand.

[VegasWolf]

63. LOL. anti-abortionists are anti-choicers (i.e. pro-lifers)

[grasswire]

57. does this mean Pelosi will not carry the message?

I hope so. I hope she'll let someone else give the party responses now. She's an exceptionally poor spokesperson -- always looks as if she's sucking prunes.

Let's see some fire! Let's see Menendez and Durbin and Boxer and CBC members out there. REAL Democrats!

[biscotti]

60. There was an ad on AAR

the first part of January for StandUpDemocrats.org. They wanted suggestions for new ideas by January 14th. I submitted,

"Muffle the DLC. Get the Black and Latino Caucuses air time on National main stream media. They Have the guts to articulate the most important aspects of what is important to the working class people in the party. Previous spokes people and elected officials in the party, roll over to the thugs in the GOP. There is no time for niceties. Get in their face and expose the total hypocrisy of their misguided agenda. Forget being above the fray. We need real people out there and less consultant addicted politicians."

Evidentially they have presented 900 submitted suggestions to Senator Reid this week.

[ClassWarrior]

64. Good for you. WE are the party.

Also note this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x327341

In an email quoted in that thread, the new DNC chairman urges us all to offer suggestions here:

http://www.democrats.org/plan

NGU.

[UCLA Dem]

68. Its about time. Fresh ideas are definitely needed.

[aquart]

74. Hallelujah.

Oh, yes. The anger in the boonies must be profound.

[welshTerrier2]

77. before Reid gets "New Talent" to shape the message

why not try to find out where ALL Democrats stand on the issues ...

changing consulting companies doesn't get at the root of the problem ... let's give ALL Democrats a chance to be heard and THEN shape the message ... otherwise, the "New Talent" he's seeking will be telling us what to think ...

sounds like Old Harry is sticking to the same old top down approach ... it didn't work before; it won't work now ...

the "new talent" he's seeking needs to bubble up from an open process ... hiring "new professionals" to assist him should be the second step, not the first ...

[TankLV]

78. This IS great news. The latest of a few good ones lately.

Maybe the leadership DOES have a plan and IS listening to the BASE for a change instead of the beltway insiders!

Could it be true!?!?!

[candy331]

79. Add Begala to the list and while they are at it stick a fork in Carville

because he is done too. I see this as good news, the Dems have been knocked off their feet so long they will have to take some small steps to regain balance. Now if they will just stay on their feet until they gain strength because it can be done. How do you eat an elephant, one bite at a time.

[Cocoa]

82. bye bye Crossfire boys!

they can boo-hoo about it with their buddy Novak. :cry:

[bvar22]

80. Brightening up the packaging won't help...

...if they're going to sell the same old shit.

What will sell:

1) A loud, vocal, focused opposition party that is proud to obstruct the bush* plan to give America to his rich friends.

2) If the message is too long to fit on a bumper sticker, it is too complicated for most Americans.

3) The confusing and ineffective packaging is not the problem, it is a symptom.

[Upfront]

83. Great!

Get rid of these poor spokespersons on the Sunday talk shows 1st. Donna Brazil 1st. Wonder if Dean is bringing this massage? Reid may be all right after all. Like what I have seen lately.

[CAcyclist]

84. Merely bringing in new consultants

isn't going to do the job.

I hope they are reevaulating the need for consultants at all. They could get better advice if they would just convene a series of conventions with the non-profit groups and unions that represent our interests.

Earthjustice sends around activist trainers to other environmental - related groups like bicycle coalitions and does training in media relations and organizing. On their website is a good summary of effective letter writing, as a small example of the help they can provide to the grassroots:

http://www.earthjustice.org/action/faqs.html#seven

They should use the assets we already have, not seek info from people who really don't have a vested interest in seeing Democrats succeed.

[drummer55]

86. PUT BOXER and CONYERS IN CHARGE! n/t

[lebkuchen]

95. Hide Lieberman in a closet

for starters

[Dickie Flatt]

99. Reid, Pelosi plan shake-up (of consultants)

http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/021605/reid.html

Sen. Harry Reid (Nev.) and Rep. Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), the Democratic leaders of the Senate and House, plan to shake up the Democratic political consulting community and break the grip that a small number of consultants have had on strategy and contracts, party sources say.

The Democratic leaders want to bring in new people with track records of success and innovation and look beyond the Beltway for message smiths to help guide the party. ...

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), the new chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), has also said he wants to diversify contracts awarded by the party committee, a Democratic consultant close to one of the party committees said. ...

A Democratic leadership aide said, “There’s general agreement in both chambers and at the House and Senate political party groups that we need to rethink our relationships with consultants more accountability for results.

[sasquatch]

God bless you Howard Dean

I know the headline says Reid & Pelosi but, this is his making. Today I thank you sir for saving my party.

[BayCityProgressive]

1. Jesus Christ it's about time

How about getting some consultants form Michigan? We elected Granholm and in 04 we ousted a record number of Republicans from the state legislature. How about some from Montana, those Democrats had a major blow out this last election cycle. Get rid of the idiots like Shrum and Brazille.

[AnneD]

100. About damn time

Should have done in 2000!

[Guaranteed]

101. And people say the base doesn't have any effect on our leadership...

Tsk tsk. :)