Why Dean and Franken are so hot right now

[Q]

Why Dean and Franken are so hot right now
After years of being kicked in the teeth by GOP bullies, Democrats have finally found two brawlers who know how to give it back.

- - - - - - - - - - - -
By David Talbot

Sept. 3, 2003  |  Nothing is so gratifying to a movie audience as the moment when a sorely abused hero (man, woman or animal) finally feels his strength and gives his tormentors what they richly deserve. From "High Noon" to "Rocky" to "Seabiscuit," America loves to see a comeback, a righting of wrongs, a bully brought to his knees. Which is why, I think, Al Franken and Howard Dean are the men of the hour. For years, we have suffered while right-wing bullies hijacked American politics and media -- persecuting a president for a consensual sex act; stealing the 2000 election; trashing the country's economy, environment and constitutional safeguards; handing the government over to the highest corporate bidders; deceiving the public into a bloody quagmire; and then brazenly smearing anyone who dared to criticize this orgy of dreadful leadership as un-American.

After Clinton left office, and in particular after 9/11, Democrats seemed to lose the will or skill -- or both -- to fight back. The opposition party was a sad palooka slumped to the canvas, cowering in anticipation of the next blow. Think Tom Daschle, the party's "kick-me" standard bearer, being gleefully libeled as a Saddam-hugging traitor by GOP carpetbaggers in his own state while his brave colleagues ran for cover. This wasn't the give and take of a robust democracy, it was a blood bath.

But month after month, the resentment grew -- you could see it and feel it on Web sites that the corporate media dismissed as fringe. And then finally, it came pouring out, in a wave of money and volunteer energy for the Dean campaign. And it's still cascading, turning a candidate once scoffed at by the punditocracy into the Democratic front-runner -- and forcing his rivals to amp up their Bush-bashing rhetoric to match the party faithful's passionate mood. - http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2003/09/03/franken_dean/index_np.html

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I still haven't decided how I'll vote in 2004. But one thing is for sure: After Iran/Contra, Clinton's impeachment, Gore character assassination, election fraud, 9-11 and the most corrupt American government in history...I'm ready for a politician that tells the truth and kicks neocon ass.

[Stephanie]

1. You left out the best part

On Monday, the New York Times' Adam Nagourney reported that the White House and the Democratic Party have both concluded that because of the increasingly polarized and evenly divided political landscape, the 2004 race will focus mainly on turning out the parties' core voters, rather than appealing to swing voters and independents. This means a campaign unlike 2000, with its muted, centrist tones, but one that delivers red meat to the parties' respective bases. And what is the temper of the Democratic Party base? They loathe Bush and everything he stands for -- he's become a lightning rod for dark and febrile passions in the same way Bill Clinton was (and is) for the GOP core. It's not just his harebrained ideological nostrums for how to reorder America and the world. They hate him and it's personal. They hate his frat-boy smirk, his phony fly-boy act, his cringe-inducing mangling of the language, his born-again sanctimony, even his Texas twang and his godforsaken, tumbleweed ranch where only someone as fence-post-dumb as W. would hole up in August. They hate him like their lives depended on it, lives that will certainly be unbearable if this bumbling extremist is reelected (or elected) in 2004.

[ComerPerro]

2. You know,

We have been labled by right-wing radio as the party of "Bush-haters".

And that is fine by me.
I have a feeling there are a ton of people who hate that man with a burning passion.

I also think we are going to see a huge Dem/Green/liberal turnout, all voting Dem, all uniting against Bush.

I don't care if the candidate is Dean, Kucinich, Kerry, whoever.

Anyone But Bush is a great campaign slogan.

[Q]

6. Anyone but Bush* is nothing but hiding in the shadows...

...hoping for the best but expecting the worst.

- The Democratic party must actively oppose the Bush* government and their policies...not just run a candidate against him in what many believe will be another rigged election in 2004.

- Bush* isn't just a political opponent...he's a criminal and imposter running this country...and the world...into the ground.

- Appeasing or enabling this administration in ANY way should disqualify any candidate for high office.

[scottxyz]

8. Europe hates Bush

The whole world hates Bush. There's no shame in being a Bush-hater.

[Q]

3. "They loathe Bush and everything he stands for..."

- What's not to loath?

- The whole world knows the truth about the corrupt Bush* government. They're waiting and hoping for strong leadership in the form of a DEMOCRAT more concerned about the people than his political career or corporate sponsors.

[FubarFly]

9. You're right, that is the best part....

On Monday, the New York Times' Adam Nagourney reported that the White House and the Democratic Party have both concluded that because of the increasingly polarized and evenly divided political landscape, the 2004 race will focus mainly on turning out the parties' core voters, rather than appealing to swing voters and independents. This means a campaign unlike 2000, with its muted, centrist tones, but one that delivers red meat to the parties' respective bases.





Mmmm...red meat. *Drool* *Slobber*

They hate him and it's personal. They hate his frat-boy smirk, his phony fly-boy act, his cringe-inducing mangling of the language, his born-again sanctimony, even his Texas twang and his godforsaken, tumbleweed ranch where only someone as fence-post-dumb as W. would hole up in August. They hate him like their lives depended on it, lives that will certainly be unbearable if this bumbling extremist is reelected (or elected) in 2004.

LOL!

[calimary]

17. I realized today that words like "loathe" and "hate" don't even begin

to describe how I feel about bush. "Hate" is too mild a word. Hell is too nice a place for him, especially since all his little friends and family will be there to keep him company.

[devinsgram]

24. I can still remember that November

night. I cried all night long. I never had so much hate for one man in my whole life. It's good to know I'm not alone.

[Cha]

4. I know! That's why so many were just itching for a Dean!

I loved that picture!

[Terwilliger]

5. hot right now?

you haven't always thought that Al Franken was the dreamiest?!?! :shrug:

Ohhhhhh....HOT! Oh, ok. :hi:

[Q]

7. It's Talbot's title...not mine...

...I just thought it was an interesting article...in that alludes to how the 'grass roots' of the party are PISSED that Bush* seems to have little opposition to his insane policies.

- They want something done about the blatant Bush* WH corruption.

[Terwilliger]

10. I'd like something done about the corruption

all the corruption

[Old and In the Way]

12. Well, we could vote for Ralph Nader in 2004

or some other candidate that is not Democrat or Republican.

I think that's a viable solution.....

[Forkboy]

13. Good idea....thanks!!

[Terwilliger]

14. And Old_And_In_The_Way finally comes along!

Now I've been happy lately, thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be, something good has begun

Oh I've been smiling lately, dreaming about the world as one
And I believe it could be, some day it's going to come

Cause out on the edge of darkness, there rides a peace train
Oh peace train take this country, come take me home again

Now I've been smiling lately, thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be, something good has begun

Oh peace train sounding louder
Glide on the peace train
Come on now peace train
Yes, peace train holy roller

Everyone jump upon the peace train
Come on now peace train

Get your bags together, go bring your good friends too
Cause it's getting nearer, it soon will be with you

Now come and join the living, it's not so far from you
And it's getting nearer, soon it will all be true

Now I've been crying lately, thinking about the world as it is
Why must we go on hating, why can't we live in bliss

Cause out on the edge of darkness, there rides a peace train
Oh peace train take this country, come take me home again

[Old and In the Way]

21. Well, you do have great taste in music Terwilliger!

Cat Stevens...from way back....then he found Mohammed and sorta dropped out of sight.

Just kidding about the Nader comment.

[shamgar]

16. Are you nuts

It's because of fucking egotistical self righteous bastard that we're saddled with that asshole in the White House now.:mad:

[Q]

19. Thanks for the info...

...it's good to know that it had nothing to do with election fraud or the illegal 'one time only' SC decision.

[Old and In the Way]

22. You are new here, aren't you?

lol....let's just say- "Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me."

[maggrwaggr]

11. what's pathetic is that we had to wait so long for someone

to stand up to the chump and say what needed to be said.

what a bunch of spineless, cowardly PUSSIES the Democrats in our government are!!!

I fucking HATE all of them and they can all go burn in hell forever. They let us down, they let the country down, and they are derelict!

This includes Kerry, Hillary, Gore, all the fucking pussies who kept their mouths shut can go to HELL

[Old and In the Way]

15. Yes, it's the Democrats fault that the Republicans are killing

this country.

The Democratic leadership elected Republicans to the majority, while the majority of apathetic non-voters-after many years of rigorously studying the issues on Fox News and NFL/Sunday-came to the conclusion that there was no difference between the parties.

Yes, it was the Democrats who we should blame for our current state of affairs.

[Q]

20. Of course it's the RWingers fault...

...but something has to be said (finally) about the inaction of the majority of Dems while Bush* plays the role of dictator/king.

- It should be obvious by now that the RWingers plan on not only destroying the government...but the Democratic party as well.

[Old and In the Way]

23. Well Q, the way, I look at it is...you have 3 groups you need to convince

(1) People that Vote for Republicans.
(2) People who don't vote.
(3) People who vote for anyone who's not a Democrat or a Republican.

The only group you really don't have to convince are those that voted Democrat!

[stickdog]

18. He's smart enough and he's funny enough ...

and gosh darn it people hate Bush!