Matsui: Dems better off not criticizing each other so much

[GBD4]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/politics/wire/sns-ap-democrats-identity-crisis,0,4978697.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

The end of the article:

<<Rep. Robert Matsui, D-Calif., head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and a backer of Gephardt's candidacy, said the GOP has as much diversity in its ranks. The difference, he said, is Republicans have discipline, and "they don't go around criticizing their own."

"The DLC and even Lieberman would probably be best off by running their own positive campaigns rather than whining about other candidates or whining about unions or whatever," he said. "People in our party who critique us probably do more damage to us than the Republicans do.">>

The article takes a look at Lieberman and his move farther to the right as he tries to establish himself as his idea of the "ideal" type of Democrat--a right-wing type of Democrat. If eight Dems are on one side of the spectrum and one lingers on the opposite side of the spectrum, who is probably correct? The mass or the loner?

[Cha]

1. Oh yeah! We're so damn perfect. Especially the dinos.

And the way they haven't gone after bush for 3 years. Perfect.

[jiacinto]

2. What I think

Thou shlat not speak ill publically of another Democrat (except for Zell Miller).

[GBD4]

3. Hmm

While I am angered by Zell's voting record in the Senate, what was he like as GA governor? I mean I do know he poured a lot of money into education. So is the Senator Zell way more conservative than the Governor Zell? I have a feeling he was "much more of a Dem" as Governor, but then again that is pure speculation.

[DemBones DemBones]

10. I don't know if anyone here in Georgia thought Zell Miller would be

such a conservative senator. I know he's surprised me.

[TheDonkey]

4. God Bless him!!! I love that man!

Exactly, it's good to see some Dems of higher rank speaking out against the DLC trashing it's own party.

Liberman I think is practically trying to have himself shunned from the party, and good for him.

[searchingforlight]

5. Our rhetoric may be alienating some voters from

considering other candidates. I have noticed that some postings express very defensive postures about other candidates and I think that can't be good for any of us.

I have to say that except for one candidate, I like our field so far and though I have a problem with a pro war issue, I am not making that the only issue in my final choice.

[red_house]

6. There's a difference.....

...between fighting now and fighting later.

It's inevitable that our candidates will have to butt heads the closer we get toward election time...This isn't something to DREAD....This is POLITICS, folks.

People bring up Reagan's 11th Commandment: "Thou shall not speak ill of your fellow Republican"....The part that's left out is:"...but WIN FIRST."....This party had better grow a pair, and QUICK.

I agree with the statement that the GOP does apply a discipline among their ranks and that's not a bad thing....Cohesion is incredibly important, not only because it solidifies the message, but also because it leaves little doubt where you're headed....A party that's all over the map is scrutinized much more harshly by the public and deservedly so...."Consistency" and the ability to stick to it are essential to WINNING.

Let the candidates go at it and let's see who's left standing when the dust settles. He'll be a better candidate for the effort and the party will will finally begin to take on a more recognizable shape to voters in 04.

[opihimoimoi]

7. Sounds good to me

its the message, not the messenger

[TreasonousBastard]

8. Yadda, yadda, yadda

Look at history for a minute. Democrats have always been fighting each other in the ranks. Maybe that's not the best way, but Democratic diversity is way beyond anything the Republicans have, and there will always be more factions.

Every year someone wails about Democratic catfights, but we still end up with some damn good people running for office, and some of them even win.

Do we really want to become Republicans?

[DemBones DemBones]

12. Question: Have the stakes ever been this big before? Not in my

lifetime, and I remember as far back as Eisenhower defeatingTruman. Intra-party squabbling is a luxury we can't afford this year.

Unless we'll be satisfied if "some of them (Dems) even win."

My opinion is that we need MOST of the Dems to win in 2004 or we're screwed.

Besides, you're a Treasonous Bastard! :7 (Great name!)

[SharonAnn]

9. Well, D'uh!

and also better off not praising Bush in any way. Never use his name or title in any positive statement.

For example, don't say "We stand should-to-shourlder with President Bush on the War against Terror". Say instead "We stand solidly with the Amnerican people in the War against Terror".

Never, never, never give the GOP any ammunition or any relief.

NEVER!

[DemBones DemBones]

11. I agree that Democrats need to unite and focus. I don't think it's

a problem for Democrats to be united and focused behind different candidates now IF we remember that we are in the same party. Some people are over-zealous in their support of a candidate, treating other Dems as the enemy. The GOP is the enemy, guys, and we must remember that.

We all think that the candidate we are supporting is the best candidate -- nothing wrong with that. Nothing wrong with pointing out why we like our candidate, or saying you prefer one candidate's position over another's. That's political discussion.

Playing ouija board and saying "My candidate is the only one who can win" or "Your candidate is unelectable" is counter-productive and pisses people off.

REMEMBER: THE GOP IS THE ENEMY.