Are we really just a fringe group within the Democratic Party ?

[kentuck]

The MSM has been referring to the protestors and Cindy Sheehan as a leftist fringe group. As proof, they point out that no big name Democrats have thought it worthy enough to visit the protestors, with the exception of Congresswoman Maxine Waters. Are we such a small group of Democrats that we hardly deserve mention?

Is it now part of a fringe group to believe in peace rather than war? Is it part of a fringe group to want the truth about why our troops are dying? Is it a fringe thing to demand the truth from our leaders? Is it a fringe thing to have the courage to speak out? I see our brothers and sisters as patriots. True patriots.

[shraby]

1. It's just a way to belittle the people who

are sick of the killing in Iraq and are speaking out.

[Fovea]

2. It means nothing

to be called fringe by the MSM.

What means something will occur in 06, when pro war candidates get the actual sentiment of Americans expressed at the polls.

Look at the polls about support for the Iraqi occupation, then ask why Newt Gingrich is peeing down his pants leg, and **'s poll numbers are only slightly higher than the BTK killer.

It don't mean nuthin, not a thang what the whores are mouthing, because they are mouthing Rove's jive, and soon Rove will be in jail.

[BattyDem]

3. 1600+ vigils last night

That's a pretty big fringe group!

[ultraist]

11. Over 100,000 people showed up at the vigils last night

So, you can imagine how many people actually support Cindy. Bush's approval ratings on Iraq, absolutely suck. We are not a fringe group.

[movonne]

4. We probably more aggressive part of the Dem party but not the

fringe... this is what they have to say because they do not want the rest of the country that is unhappy with this bush bunch to join in on the anti-war movement..

[bpilgrim]

5. we're a fringe FOCUS group

but remember when we were just the 10 percenters ;->


http://news.globalfreepress.com

we are the TIP of the ICE BERG, bet :hi:

peace

[Cleita]

6. Right now I am so fed up with the MSM, I have been trying

to figure out how to shut them down. First they are nothing but corporate BS machines. Boycotting them hasn't seemed to make much of a difference. I wish I had the money to hire some lawyers and PR people to dig up everything we could about these corporations and expose them for what I think they are. We need the proof though.

[jarab]

7. As Time recounted this week ...

A "fringe" (my word) group of about 25 outside the LBJ ranch in the sixties grew into a movement.
...O...

[LeftyDarthBrodie]

8. 61% of Americans now agree that invading Iraq was a mistake

I think those numbers are not out in force because most people are struggling day to day with this horrible economy that that is their number one concern. If more people knew someone who was in action in Iraq or who died there then maybe they would be willing to take time out of their day to become involved in ending this disaster.

Why a major Democratic Congressperson has not joined Cindy or been more vocal about the mess in Iraq is beyond me. Whoever does so first will gain the support of a majority of Americans. I'm sure every state is represented here on DU, why don't we all e-mail or call or visit or Representatives and Senators and find out why they are being silent?

[Carolab]

9. Look to the local press.

Our paper, the Minneapolis Star Tribune had a VERY good article with photos and said there were "thousands" protesting here and over 100,000 nationally. It was written by a SYNDICATED reporter, David Sarasohn, with Newhouse News Service.

The "MSM" is the corporately owned propaganda machine. Why bother to listen to them?

There are millions of us who DON'T.

"Fringe group"? They WISH.

[Telly Savalas]

10. Zoom out from the U.S. and see what the world thinks of Bush's war.

The only fringe are the few extremists in the U.S. who think it's a good idea.

[Lasher]

12. Bad Iraq News Worries Some in G.O.P. on '06

Republicans don't really believe the war in Iraq is opposed only by a leftist fringe group. Polls currently indicate a 38% approval rating of Bush's handling of Iraq.

***

WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 - A stream of bad news out of Iraq, echoed at home by polls that show growing impatience with the war and rising disapproval of President Bush's Iraq policies, is stirring political concern in Republican circles, party officials said Wednesday.

Some said that the perception that the war was faltering was providing a rallying point for dispirited Democrats and could pose problems for Republicans in the Congressional elections next year.

***

Here's a link to the rest of the story:

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/18/politics/18repubs.html?ex=1125028800&en=ce4bd56f0e03c92c&ei=5043&partner=EXCITE

[AuntieM1957]

13. Every active Democrat I know is farther left than the party

leadership.

Our county meetings with precinct chairs are so volatile.

It's like they want us to shut up and go along with their agenda.
The party chair has made it sound like his orders are top down (above him).

But that's so 20th century - not going to work anymore.

So, no, I don't think we're fringe.

I think the party leadership is out of step with it's faithful.

[enough]

16. Yes, and the explanation is MONEY.

Like you, every democrat I know is farther left than the party. The problem is with getting elected. In order to do that, you have to connect with big money, at least as long campaigns are run through paid-for advertising.

[AuntieM1957]

18. I agree that their goal is to collect the most $$$

but who among us hasn't heard the local party speech - they can't win without us.

spent days walking the blocks, manning the phones, attending the rallies.

will we be there next time?

[jsamuel]

14. No. For example, I am an Independent and I went to a vigil.

And I am sure there are many Republicans or Ex-Republicans that went as well.

[jayfish]

15. It Say More About The Cowards That We Have Running The Party...

then it ever could about what's going on in Crawford or here at DU. I say we throw our own bums out during the primaries.

Jay

[OnionPatch]

17. We aren't really the fringe

In fact, I think THEY are the fringe if you look at the fringe as a small part of the whole.

I know many, many Democrats of all ages and with many different backgrounds. Most of them don't post on DU or even attend any lefty protests, etc., but ALL of them hate this war in Iraq and supported Cindy. I don't personally know a single Dem of any age or stripe that agrees with this war.