The Democrats Are Headed For Extinction

[Yavin4]

The Democratic party, as we know it, is headed full steam ahead towards extinction. We have allowed the Republicans to bully us at every turn From impeachment in 1998, to Florida in 2000, to re-districting in Texas, to recall now, time and time again, we've let open attacks happen on Clinton, Gore, and now Davis, and instead of rallying against these attacks, we've let the targets twist slowly in the wind. Only Clinton's pure political genius saved him. Any other Dem would have had to resign, and don't kid yourself, even if Clinton turned down Monica, the Republicans were going to find something else to impeach Clinton over.

Meanwhile, the Republicans have never been more united. Bush has been one of THE worst presidents in recent history, but not one, not one Republican will challenge him for the nomination. Everything they're criticizing Davis for, job loss, deficits, poor services has also happened on a much larger scale under Bush. When it come to CA's deficits, it's horrible. Bush's deficits? They don't matter. CA's job losses? Davis is at fault. Bush's job losses? A President can't control the economy. Clinton's lies about an affair? Ground for impeachment. Bush's lies about Iraqi WMD which has put us into a war and a subsequent quagmire? Bush is a strong leader.

While the Republicans lie, cheat and steal for Bush, the Democrats attack each other every day. We still haven't resolved the Greens/Dems split from 2000. Lieberman and other Dems are attacking Dean more than they're attacking Bush. Face it, the Democratic party is dying a fast death, and don't blame the media. The media didn't prevent the Democrats from attacking Clinton during impeachment. The media didn't prevent Democratic senators from signing the Black Caucus's petition to challenge the electors in 2000. The media isn't constantly harping about Davis. It's other Democrats.

Am I asking that all Democrats have blind loyalty? No, but I am asking Democrats to support other Democrats when they fall under attacks by Republicans. Clinton, Gore, and Davis all won elections fair and square. Like them or hate them, they won their respective elections, and yet that doesn't stop Republicans from removing them from office. What's worse is that we pile on with the Republicans.

Being a part of a political party sometimes means that you have to live with less than stellar leaders. If your litmus test is that every candidate has to be the next JFK, then you're going to be bitterly disappointed again and again. Sometimes it means that you have to get behind someone and shut your mouth about them. My fear is that we cannot be disciplined enough to do this.

The Republicans are a well-organized, discplined political force, and a disciplined force will defeat an undisciplined one time and time again.

[On the Road]

1. Isn't There a Long Tradition That Whenever the Democratic Party

looks like it's about to die, it rallies and comes back with a vengance?

I couldn't agree less with the idea that the party's headed to extinction. The long effects of losing southern whites has taken almost 40 years, but the effect is declining. The current accomodating bipartisanship has gone too far and new leaders will emerge who do things differently.

It doesn't necessarily mean playing dirty tricks and being attack dogs. There are other ways to do it. The new leaders will be ones who figure it out. Personally, I think that's why people are flocking to Dean.

[Ksec]

2. I agree and the reason why is

because we dont stick together. I frequent a mb and its a 50 50 split. The right wingers always stick up for their side. The left rarely does.

[DODI]

3. Anyone remember the telethon

I think it was 1972. I was 8. The Dems had no money so they had a telethon. I don't remember specifics, I just have a warm memory of it. They didn't die then, they won't die now. I think the Dems are getting organized now. Congress is home this month, let them hear from you. Call, write, visit, bring them cookies! Gore's speech yesterday gave me a lot of hope. We need to keep him out there to get and keep discussions going. I don't think we are headed for extinction.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

6. The Dems Were In Infinitely Better Shape In 72

Even though Nixon handed us our asses the Dems still controlled the House, the Senate, and the state legislatures by large margins.

We don't control Jack now.

[MODemocrat]

4. The republicans have to be united in their criminality

otherwise, most of them would be in prison, and rightfully so.

[Starpass]

5. Okay--let's all of us here get together and agree on just one candidate

see what I mean??? ...and it really doesn't have anything to do with disorganization, it has to do with currently being out of power. If Al were in the big white house right now, do you think there would be such bickering?? Not any more than some of the shots that repukes have made in the last few weeks at their beloved Bush for lying about Iraq nukes, etc. It's a "who's in power" thing. However, that said, there were some things that Dems didn't have to be so damn stupid about. Tell me, couldn't any one of you predicted what was going to happen in CA a long time ago?? They sat with their fingers up their butt while the signatures went ahead, etc. and then in the end were left "shocked" that Arnold appeared. Intelligent political thinking would have gone for "save CA" first and they would have had a strong candidate announce way before Arnold. They have done some stupid stuff and Terry and the DNC need to get some "thinkers" on board...........what the hell do they have---the people who flunked out of political science classes???????

[ex_jew]

7. If George Bush is the BEST candidate Republicans can find,

I don't like THEIR chances very well. Two unfinished wars, $500 billion deficit, 2 million jobs lost. If that's their record, I wouldn't want to be in charge of selling it to Americans.

You give up too easily !

[w4rma]

8. It only appears that way because the Republican Party runs the media

Big buisness runs the media, actually. But, the Republican Party has always been the political party for robber barons.

[quinnox]

9. I don't think so

The Dems have been in tight situations before, it will come back stronger than ever. I do agree with your call for better unity within the party, however. The Repubs have the big advantage currently, but they will lose it before too long, count on it.

[Yavin4]

10. Speaking of Gore

I believe the real reason why he decided not to run again is because there are too many back stabbing Democrats in his party. Why else would a man that won the popular vote decide against a second run?

The Democratic party cannot attract quality candidates because too often another Democrat likes to run on Chris Matthews' show or Bill O'Reilly's show and bad mouth other Dems.

I'm not asking for blind loyalty, just some loyalty.