Enough of the D.C. Dems Molly Ivins

[rodeodance]

http://progressive.org/mag_ivins0306

Enough of the D.C. Dems
By Molly Ivins
March 2006 Issue

Mah fellow progressives, now is the time for all good men and women to come to the aid of the party. I don’t know about you, but I have had it with the D.C. Democrats, had it with the DLC Democrats, had it with every calculating, equivocating, triangulating, straddling, hair-splitting son of a bitch up there, and that includes Hillary Rodham Clinton.

I will not be supporting Senator Clinton because: a) she has no clear stand on the war and b) Terri Schiavo and flag-burning are not issues where you reach out to the other side and try to split the difference. You want to talk about lowering abortion rates through cooperation on sex education and contraception, fine, but don’t jack with stuff that is pure rightwing firewater.

I can’t see a damn soul in D.C. except Russ Feingold who is even worth considering for President. The rest of them seem to me so poisonously in hock to this system of legalized bribery they can’t even see straight.

Look at their reaction to this Abramoff scandal. They’re talking about “a lobby reform package.” We don’t need a lobby reform package, you dimwits, we need full public financing of campaigns, and every single one of you who spends half your time whoring after special interest contributions knows it. The Abramoff scandal is a once in a lifetime gift—a perfect lesson on what’s wrong with the system being laid out for people to see. Run with it, don’t mess around with little patches, and fix the system......

[LincolnMcGrath]

1. Go Molly

[WildEyedLiberal]

2. Molly Ivins is getting more extreme, and it's a pity

I really like her. But this half-cocked "fuck tha system" rant could have been written by someone at DU.

Come on, Molly. Why are you ignoring the dozens upon dozens of good things John Kerry has done in the past year? Does she think Ted Kennedy and Barbara Boxer need "kicked out" too?

Feingold? Nice guy, but seriously? While we're sainting/crucifying people for individual votes, we can thank Feingold for Ashcroft - he was one of the Dem turncoats who voted for Ashcroft in a razor-close vote (there were a few Repub defectors in a 50-50 Senate, so Ashcroft could have gone down). Or how about Roberts? Point being, Feingold isn't perfect either, and it disappoints me extremely to see Molly Ivins ranting like a corner radical. She's better than that.

I agree with her take on Hillary, but the rest of this article is worthy of Counterpunch.

[leftstreet]

6. Well, she does offer the Dems some suggestions

Most rants are useless unless they offer alternatives, plans, ideas - anything.

From the link:

1) Iraq is making terrorism worse; it’s a breeding ground. We need to extricate ourselves as soon as possible. We are not helping the Iraqis by staying.

2) Full public financing of campaigns so as to drive the moneylenders from the halls of Washington.

3) Single-payer health insurance.

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

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

[WildEyedLiberal]

28. Phony? Because I disagree with you?

How very "progressive." Purges aren't really in vogue in a free society, sorry.

[ixion]

37. you think we live in a free society?

man, what you smokin'?

[cornfedyank]

14. J.Kerry has courage

let's try brains.
wes clark and russ feingold

[yurbud]

43. I get the impression Kerry is working on persuading haves and have mores

behind the scenes that the Bush, oil first, cronies second, fuck everybody else approach isn't a good long term plan.

[smoogatz]

45. Had courage. Past tense.

Now he's just another political maneuver-master, trying to play both sides of the net.

[bpilgrim]

16. my friend we are living in very extreme times...

it's been a long time coming but more and more people are OUTRAGED and the expression of that is a natural consequence of not only the chimp but our leaders capitulation to the status-quo.

if may be too late for change before we are forced to but i for one am going to go down fighting and appreciate the rest of the fighters.

john fucking kerry should be on a CRUSADE about the BBV that goes on in this country but he's not, he's thinking he can beat the system, next time :eyes:

as we loose more rights, soldiers, jobs, security, etc. expect more OUTRAGE.

fyi


more...
http://GlobalFreePress.com

peace

[NMDemDist2]

18. her and me both! I used to be a "whatever" voter

whatever Democrat was listed I voted for em, but it's about damned time they started standing up for the Constitution, the county and the citizens

I'm pissed and so is Molly and I don't blame her one bit!

you know I love ya Wild, but it's time to chit or get off the pot and that goes for every damned one of them up in DC

:hug:

[theHandpuppet]

21. Molly's too extreme? What a furkin' joke!

Yeah, maybe too extreme for DLC ankle-grabbers like these: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=2151545&mesg_id=2151545 The 66 Dems who just voted to renew the Patriot Act!

[Raster]

25. Sorry, oh WildEyed One, Molly doesn't go far enough. I am through with

this namby-pamby bullshit. Throw the bums out. All of them.

[CheshireCat]

62. Throw the bums out, Raster! You are right!

The Democrats who have sold out are just as guilty as the Republicans. It is time for all of them to go! I've voted Democratic for more than 30 years, but will no longer vote for any politician who openly sells out the middle class and the poor.

[Raster]

82. And that's what they've done. Instead of listening to and protecting the

interests of their constituents, they kowtow to their masters--the same masters as the rethuglicans. The corporate overlords rule D.C. with an iron fist and we pay the price. No more!

[cry baby]

26. Your quote:

"But this half-cocked "fuck tha system" rant could have been written by someone at DU."...Evidently you think DUers are "half-cocked". Maybe you should consider that Molly Ivins, like many DUers are just ready for a change and have the courage to say it out loud.

I am one of those half-cocked librul fringe lefties that agree that we need to find strong, courageous, ethical candidates to replace many that are in DC. I believe Ms. Ivins was talking about the majority of DC dems, not ones that actually have a pair of proverbial cajones.

[WildEyedLiberal]

27. Amazing

I can disagree with a Molly Ivins article and get flamed. Yes, to be fair only a couple people flamed me - but still, that it happened at all is sad. Message: don't commit thoughtcrime at DU.

[depakid]

29. What's fair for the goose...

Message: don't commit thoughtcrime at DU.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2496864&mesg_id=2499282

[Boomer]

32. Your heat tolerance is quite low

But only when it's directed at you, evidently.

"But this half-cocked "fuck tha system" rant could have been written by someone at DU."

So this insulting statement is not a flame, but people disagreeing with you is? I didn't read any replies to your message that crossed the flame threshold; I read dissent. Just as you disagreed with Molly Ivins in strong terms, other DUer's disagreed with you in strong terms.

[WildEyedLiberal]

54. Well, the most egregious one got deleted

So obviously the mods agreed.

The rest of the replies are fine. One poster called me a "phony" for disagreeing with Molly Ivins. I have no problem with dissent, but questioning my liberal credentials because I disagreed with an op-ed? That's extreme. I didn't really have a problem with the rest of the posts, I suppose I could have made that more clear.

[ixion]

38. well, c'mon, I mean calling Molly an 'extremist' is going a bit far

don't you think?

[WildEyedLiberal]

55. Perhaps

Look, I said I like Molly Ivins. And I do. She's incredibly clever and witty, and I have read and loved both "Shrub" and "Bushwhacked."

I couldn't disagree more with this op-ed, though, and it disappoints me deeply to see a "burn the coward Democrats" rant coming from her - I expect to see that "dime's worth of difference" crap from idiots like Alexander Cockburn and Joshua Frank, not Molly Ivins, whom I respect. I'm just very disappointed.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

30. Extremism is the only proper response to the extremism of the righties

They're so far off the charts that nicey-nice stuff like Molly deplores just rolls off their backs.

[WildEyedLiberal]

56. I don't agree

Combating extremism with extremism doesn't somehow even out in the end; it just leaves you with two sets of foaming radicals who hate each other. Not exactly an ideal solution.

Before someone decides to call me a DLC DINO sissy wussy pink tutu (insert slur of your choice here), I'd like to point out that not being extreme doesn't have to mean moving to the center. Just stand up for the principles the Democratic party has always stood for - that's not extreme. We don't need to move to the right or the left; our ideas are good, we just need to stand firm on them.

Yes, I realize there are many Democrats in Washington who can't even manage that, and it is to them presumably that Ivins was directing her article. But in her blanket condemnation of every Democrat except Feingold (and why? His overall record is no more liberal than Boxer, Kennedy, Kerry, Durbin, Harkin, etc), she throws the baby out with the bathwater. Not productive and not smart.

We see what happens when a major political party gives into extremism - we're seeing it right now. Extremism is not the answer, because in the end, the political spectrum is a circle, and the extreme ends wrap around to meet each other. Extreme radical left, extreme radical right - as Stalin and Hitler proved, there isn't much difference.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

59. Okay, how about unified lack of wussiness?

Tell the lice who vote with the Republicanites that they're on short funding rations until they start acting like Democrats.

[WildEyedLiberal]

63. Unified lack of wussiness works for me

Lack of wussy leadership would help, also. There are some great Dems in Congress - Kennedy, Kerry, Boxer, Feingold, Conyers, etc - but the leadership almost unanimously sucks. If Molly had said we need to scrap the Democratic congressional leadership, I would wholeheartedly agree. Reid is a massive failure - does anyone else find it interesting that he "leaks" his "concerns" about other, more liberal Democrats to the press? His "concerns" over Kerry's filbuster of Alito and his "concerns" about Dean's job at the DNC? Pelosi isn't much better, and honestly, I think Dean could be a lot more visible and a lot more strenuous about Dem issues.

[yurbud]

66. how does that relate to counterpunch? They are factual

not extremist.

Some of the issues they discuss just make some people uncomfortable, like merely entertaining the idea that Palestinians are equally human, or that Democrats might be compromised by corporate interests too.

On the latter, there is a depressing amount of evidence including actions of the Clinton administration in defense of neo-liberalism in dealing with Haiti and signing NAFTA which was only good for corporations and the wealthy.

I think Molly singled out Feingold for his Iraq War Resolution vote. I like the other people you mention too, and several of them have consistently stood up for our values (though I seem to recall Durbin apologizing for something he didn't need to). Unfortunately, those who represent our core values are either a minority in the party or they don't hold the reins of power, with the exception of Howard Dean.

If we had public financing of elections, the Democrats would quickly thin the corporate wolves out of the herd, and I don't even know what would be left of the GOP except for John McCain and Ron Paul.

[WildEyedLiberal]

67. I pretty much agree with that

My loathing of Counterpunch stems in whole from Alexander Cockburn's endorsement of Bush in 2004, becauase let's face it, anyone stupid enough to say there wasn't a "dime's worth of difference" between Bush and Kerry has basically endorsed Bush, as well as lost every single ounce of my respect, valid as his point may be on other issues.

It was pretty unfair to compare Molly Ivins to Counterpunch, I will admit that.

Crazy theory time: I think Durbin is being negatively influenced to the right by Harry Reid. I know that sounds weird, but Durbin's seemed to get a lot more "establishment" since Reid took control - ie, less willing to take risks (apologizing for the Guantanemo comments) and more... I dunno. But you know what I mean. I may be crazy; I hope I am, cuz I like Durbin and he's my senator. But I just really cannot stand Harry Reid as a leader and I hope he isn't influencing Durbin too much.

[yurbud]

70. Cockburn endorsed Bush? Are you sure that wasn't sarcastic?

Although when you look at what the Dems said about the war, that they would have done it better with more troops, there was something to that argument though there would definitely be more than a dime's worth of difference domestically.

Your guess about Durbin doesn't sound so crazy. He seems like a guy with the right impulse but who sometimes listens to bad advice.

I've gotten the impression Reid is right on some issues and the media is freezing out some of the nuance of what he's doing, like the Miers endorsement, which threw the right wing into conniption fits, but I could be wrong.

Interestingly, the last thing I remember reading on Counterpunch was how party leaders were holding mavericks like McKinney and Waters to keep them from introducing articles of impeachment, which seems to fit your Reid impression.

[WildEyedLiberal]

71. Well, it was sarcasm, but

Like I said, to me, implying that there's a dime's worth of difference between Kerry and Bush, when you know your audience is left-wing and thus inclined to vote either Kerry or not at all (or third party), is tantamount to endorsing Bush. Not endorsing Kerry in 2004 achieved the same end as endorsing Bush. And the dime's worth of difference crap is wrong on about 100 levels, so again, I have absolutely NO respect for Cockburn.

I hope I don't have to enumerate the one hundred ways in which Kerry is superior to Bush issues-wise, his personal integrity notwithstanding. I don't think you're arguing that there was only a dime's worth of difference so I won't. But after that, I will never respect Cockburn again.

[kaygore]

74. We have to stop falling for the not voting Democrat is voting Republican

If the Democratic Party keeps giving us corporate puppets, then what we are choosing between is a fast death or a slow death...but death nevertheless!

[WildEyedLiberal]

78. If you really think that was the choice in 2004...

... then you deserve what you get with Bush. End of story.

[Desertrose]

80. I'm sorry...but that WAS the choice in '04

corporate puppets...brothers in secret fraternities...phrase it anyway you like. It was/is all about the monied keeping the status quo . Seems very clear to those not expecting a dem savior to magically undo all the crap this administration has wreaked on us all.

Sorry...I DON'T deserve Bush- NONE of us do..and that is pure BULLSHIT...because I don't like Kerry I deserve bush? gimme a break.

[WildEyedLiberal]

85. Because you refuse to educate yourself, you do deserve him

Everything you just posted is bullshit and lies.

What corporations does Kerry serve? Please do tell me. I want names. Bills. Proof.

You don't have any, because it doesn't exist, so don't waste your time.

Kerry exposed more fraud and corruption in government than any politican in the past half-century. And I CAN back that up with real honest-to-God fact.

Peddle your lies elsewhere.

[Desertrose]

86. Wow.

So I guess I asked for bushco by disagreeing with your opinion of Kerry. Interesting.

Sorry. I am educated, but I just don't agree with your view of Kerry as the Dem savior.

and no.....everything I posted was not lies and bullshit, but I can see there is no point in attempting this discussion.
I should have noted your name before I posted on this one. wild eyed indeed.

Go back to your happy Kerry place. Sorry to have intruded.

[yurbud]

81. I don't think anyone reading that webpage would be kept away from polls

by anything.

[ixion]

36. I beg to differ

I don't find this extreme at all. I find it truthful and spot on.

[yurbud]

40. Counterpunch has been more accurate than most of the MSM

go back and read their stuff before the invasion of Iraq.

I agree that there are more good Dems than just Russ Feingold, and there are even a several I would rate higher than him.

But the basic point is valid--Democrats try to whore for corporate dollars almost as much as the GOP. They just use different cultural window dressing to attract voters.


The DLC or DC Dems seem to think they can as the uptown call girls and get elected because they don't have the open sores, bruises, and wrinkles the GOP has gotten working the street. As disgusted as they are with their rival, the DC Dems hope to turn just as many tricks, but somehow think they won't end up looking the same.

[WildEyedLiberal]

57. See my response 56

I assume those were the Democrats Ivins was referring to, although her "throw the baby out with the bathwater" approach is more harmful than beneficial. It's good that she offers some solutions, but if she's advocating for the defeat of every Democratic congressman, who exactly does she think is going to pass those solutions? A Republican with a conscience? That's an oxymoron if ever there was one.

Also, Counterpunch is like anything else: now and again they'll make a valid point. But let's not forget that Counterpunch heartily endorsed the "not a dime's worth of difference" horseshit about Bush and Gore, and then, when you THINK he would have learned, AGAIN with Bush and Kerry. Cockburn essentially endorsed Bush, and therefore has destroyed every gram of credibility, right as he may be about the Iraq war or free trade or whatever other issue. Pat Buchanan occasionally makes some really good points too, but he's still a paleocon who admires Hitler.

[smoogatz]

44. Extreme?

The country's been hijacked by felons, idiots and madmen and somehow calling for a revamping of the system that created them is extreme? That kind of thinking is exactly what's wrong with the DLC/New Democrat types, IMO.

[stillrockin]

49. Extreme ? WAKE UP SHEEPLE!!!!

You gotta be kidding me. She's telling it like it is. The longer we wait for our "leadership" to snap out of it, the worse things get. John Kerry failed us miserably, end of story. Boxer, I like. What we really need are some LEADERS to f'in draw a line in the sand and demand the return of democracy.

[WildEyedLiberal]

58. Yawn

:boring:

[bpilgrim]

60. you seem to be in the DLC minority on this one...

Poll question: Molly Ivins -- "Enough of the D.C. Dems"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2500602&mesg_id=2500602

peace

[WildEyedLiberal]

64. I wondered how long it would take until someone called me DLC

Honestly, can't you stick to debating the issue and challenging my points on their merits? Calling me "DLC" is not only completely unfounded, but shows that you have no better point to make. I'm ready and willing to support my point of view with facts and reason - are you?

PS- just because the majority of DU thinks something doesn't grant that position any sort of moral authority. I've seen a lot of wacky opinions on DU.

[bpilgrim]

65. just pointing out that you are in the minority on this, like the DLC

i made my point on the issue in a post above, which you ignored.

it is time for passion and backbone, the 'third-way' has only helped make the problem more EXTREME.

peace

[WildEyedLiberal]

68. I didn't ignore it

It was basically a one-line post, so I didn't really think it was necessary to respond. I may be in the minority about this Molly Ivins column, but that's fine - DU is a site full of liberals, so it's certainly not necessary that we agree on everything.

Read my response to Lydia Leftcoast. I am in no way an advocate of the third way - Democratic principles are fine, we just need to stand up for them. Sadly, I realize there are plenty in the party who can't do even that, but unlike Molly, I don't think that includes everyone except Feingold.

There are still more Feingolds and Boxers and Kerrys than Liebermans or Zells in the party, but until we get a Congressional majority, we won't be able to control the agenda Congress sets.

BTW, I really enjoyed your "No Bravery" video - it prompted me to download that song on iTunes.

[kaygore]

75. Y E S !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DrunkenMaster]

61. you make Molly's point quite well, actually

By attacking her instead of being willing to analyze and critique the Dem's obvious failure as opposition party...be sure to blame Ralph Nader while you are at it.

Jees,, what a clueless response.

[LincolnMcGrath]

69. I knew there would be at least one attack on Molly

I even guessed the poster correctly.

:eyes:

[EnfantTerrible]

72. The point is

It SHOULD'VE been written by someone at DU.

Instead it's more of the same here: Electability trumps what you are electing... just so long as it's a DEM!!!!

Lemming behavior, IMO

[kaygore]

73. No, I think Molly has actually voiced what a lot of us are voicing

And by "us" I don't mean DUers or Democrats or Progressives only. I have recently heard people who call themselves Republicans saying the same thing!!! People are tired of of situational ethics. Either a person has ethics and is honest or he/she is not.

[Warpy]

3. Like I've said before, the new wave of progressivism will begin

in the west and midwest and sweep out from there. The last people to catch a clue will be hidebound urban conservatives on both coasts.

You tell 'em, Molly!

[bedpanartist]

22. In total agreement from Dayton, Ohio USA

the coastal folks I speak with don't seem to have a clue as to what is going on in middle America.

Petty crime here is out of control. Junkies everywhere and jobs leaving, leaving, and leaving. Dayton has gone from one of the most beautiful cities in America to one of the fugliest cess pools of hedonism and hatred ever invented.

You gots to be a mean mothafucka' to survive this matrix.

[madfloridian]

4. She seems different.

The last few times I have read her, she has not been aware that many good Democrats are speaking out and standing up for things.

[Tesha]

34. I'm not aware of it either.

> The last few times I have read her, she has not been aware
> that many good Democrats are speaking out and standing up
> for things.

I'm not aware of it either. How's that Alito fillibuster
thing going? How about that USA PATRIOT Act reautherization?
Any sign oof restoring the Pell Grant money? How about
national health care or even a prescription drug benefit
for seniors?

Tesha

[Cults4Bush]

47. Exactly!

Where is the opposition? It's in about 10% of the elected dems and thats it and that in turn is a big fat freaking failure to loyally oppose (even at the best of times, which is most certainly not the case these days).

[teryang]

5. 'f..k tha system!" n/t

[msgadget]

9. Ditto! n/t

[occuserpens]

7. Kemp-Edwards report: rightist dems' death wish?

2006-03-07 Kemp-Edwards report: rightist dems' death wish?

[Gregorian]

10. Thanks Molly!

I may not be full of facts, but I have a superbe bullshit detector. And I keep feeling better every day I read reports like Molly's. She has the fire. The common sense. Yes, Russ Feingold is totally real. I think we're awake now. What a long five years it has been. We caught up with thirty years worth of sleeping. Thirty years of their agenda. I guess five years isn't too bad, in that respect. Now let's get organized. Flotsam, jetsam, and all of that.

[kiteinthewind]

11. AMEN! Russ is my candidate!! What a spine! So refreshing...

:applause:

[niallmac]

12. Hey, I'm not good at making polls. Can someone make a poll...

Those who agree 100 percento with this Molly Ivins piece like me for instance and those who take issue with it or however you want to
put it.
I would really like to get some idea where I stand amongst DUers in a 10 cent poll sort of way.
Some of the replys in this thread surprise me.
I thought a lot more people realized how much our party in general has lost its way.
Molly speaks for me.

[Iowa]

23. I'm with you...

Our party is not representing the little guy. It has become another big business out to get what it can for those who sit at the head table. But the party isn't dead - it lives in all of us - true progressives. We carry the torch and keep the dream alive.

Too many Dems are living in the past when the "Dem" brand actually meant something. It's a different world. Our team is represented by far too many self-serving lightweights. We have been sold out over and over again. As bvar22 says, "The Democratic Party is a BIG TENT, but there is NO ROOM for those who advance the agenda of THE RICH (Corporate Owners) at the EXPENSE of LABOR and the POOR.". That says it all.

[mcscajun]

39. Here's your poll...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2500602&mesg_id=2500602

[CrispyQ]

52. I'm behind what Molly said 100%.

I agree with you that the majority of dems have lost their way. They are beholden to their corporate campaign contributors, not to WE THE PEOPLE.

[bvar22]

13. K&R

Molly hits this one out f the park again.
Couldn't have been said better.

"I can’t see a damn soul in D.C. except Russ Feingold who is even worth considering for President. The rest of them seem to me so poisonously in hock to this system of legalized bribery they can’t even see straight."

"As usual, the Democrats have forty good issues on their side and want to run on thirty-nine of them. Here are three they should stick to:

1) Iraq is making terrorism worse; it’s a breeding ground. We need to extricate ourselves as soon as possible. We are not helping the Iraqis by staying.

2) Full public financing of campaigns so as to drive the moneylenders from the halls of Washington.

3) Single-payer health insurance."


The Democratic Party is a BIG TENT, but there is NO ROOM for those
who advance the agenda of THE RICH (Corporate Owners) at the EXPENSE of LABOR and the POOR.

[Boomer]

15. Hit 'em again, harder!

Molly says exactly what I've been feeling:

"I can’t see a damn soul in D.C. except Russ Feingold who is even worth considering for President. The rest of them seem to me so poisonously in hock to this system of legalized bribery they can’t even see straight."

We are in the midst of a crisis, a war to preserve our democracy. This is no time for "working in the system" because THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN! And it's going to STAY broken until we make meaningful changes in campaign finance (and clean up electronic voting machinery).

Political compromise and conciliation only perpetuate the corruption. We're beyond half-measures, and if advocating full measures doesn't win elections we might as well go down fighting because we'll have lost all that counts anyway.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

31. When the mainstream Dems react to rightwing outrages with

"maybe that's not so nice" or words to that effect, I want to fly out to Washington and personally put them through assertiveness training.

Note that the Republicans know exactly what they want and are ruthless about going after it.

[yurbud]

41. they are plenty assertive in attacking progressives

[Lugnut]

17. Right on!

I'm as outraged as Molly is. Since she's far more articulate than I could ever be I'll just completely agree with her.

:applause:

[Terran1212]

19. I agree completely most current Dems are lame BUT

Living in one of the most right wing districts in america, I'd gleefully take a Kerry or Clinton over the scumbag we have now.

But that doesn't mean I'm not much more left than them!

[SeaBob]

20. Molly

Molly can really get to the gut

[vademocrat]

24. One of her best evah - IMHO -

I've read & loved Molly Ivins for years - I love it when her passion comes through like it did in this column. I'm with her - Mad as hell and not going to take it anymore!

[ChairmanAgnostic]

33. You go, girl. The dems in DC suck.

They have had so many opportunities to shove back against the most illegal, most secretive and most autocratic admin in our history, and they do what? Cave and cave again.

She is right on point with every issue.

[Why Syzygy]

77. She isn't just angry

as many of us are, and she points out. She also has a point on getting FOCUSED. Go for the big stuff first and right now. Start it. She is telling them to FOCUS and get us the hell out of the hell we are in.

[ixion]

35. you go Molly!

:wow: she really knocked this one out of the ballpark.

:applause: :woohoo: :applause:

[yurbud]

42. MORE of column: 3 issues to run on and DC fears

As usual, the Democrats have forty good issues on their side and want to run on thirty-nine of them. Here are three they should stick to:

1) Iraq is making terrorism worse; it’s a breeding ground. We need to extricate ourselves as soon as possible. We are not helping the Iraqis by staying.

2) Full public financing of campaigns so as to drive the moneylenders from the halls of Washington.

3) Single-payer health insurance.

Every Democrat I talk to is appalled at the sheer gutlessness and spinelessness of the Democratic performance. The party is still cringing at the thought of being called, ooh-ooh, “unpatriotic” by a bunch of rightwingers.

Take “unpatriotic” and shove it. How dare they do this to our country? “Unpatriotic”? These people have ruined the American military! Not to mention the economy, the middle class, and our reputation in the world. Everything they touch turns to dirt, including Medicare prescription drugs and hurricane relief.

[LWolf]

83. These 3 issues are in my top group.

I'd like to see them at the top of the priority list now.

[yurbud]

46. Can I vote for this one twice?

[yurbud]

48. What is DLC position on public financing of elections?

or the other issues Molly raised?

[Catchawave]

50. Molly speaks for me :)

:patriot:

[Cults4Bush]

51. From the looks of this poll she's speaking for a lot of us!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2500602

[Hell Hath No Fury]

84. Likewise, Molly speaks for me!

:hi:

[mzmolly]

53. She's right. People are LIVID and Dems are trying "not to offend?"

"This is not a time for a candidate who will offend no one; it is time for a candidate who takes clear stands and kicks ass."

...

"I am tired of having the party nomination decided before the first primary vote is cast, tired of having the party beholden to the same old Establishment money."<[/i>

Oddly enough Carville and Begala pissed on Dean's campaign because he was uhm "loose lipped." They also elevated Kerry as THE best candidate and later wrote a book about the fact that Kerry lost because he was "wishy washy." They further claim that people didn't know where Kerry stood on the issues. Funny that - b/c people knew exactly where Howard Dean stood.

Nothing against JK, I just find the above ironic.

[PassingFair]

76. I'm hearing this at LOCAL democratic clubs!

Are you listening, National Party?

I am particularly outraged by the Wapo article today regarding the data mining brouhaha dusting up between the Clinton's DLC and the DNC.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/07/AR2006030701860_pf.html

I hope Howard takes no prisoners.

OR WALKS AWAY! So we can get on with fixing our broken country and foreign policy.

[autorank]

79. You go Molly. This is so well said. Where's the "value added"?

We are the party. We've got interesting people running for Congress, on their own, and we will see some strong statements about how totally unacceptable and corrupt the Bush administraiton is.

Why don't we hear DC Democrats just screaming about the need to vacate the WH?

It's without explanatoin. Time to rebuild the engine.