Rift widening between Dem leaders and base on Iraq

[BurtWorm]

As noted by maxspeak.org:

http://maxspeak.org/mt/archives/001544.html

GETTING PRIORITIES STRAIGHT
The Washington Post and Philadelphia Inquirer both ran articles yesterday on the growing political split between the Democratic base, which is overwhelmingly opposed to the war in Iraq and wants the U.S. to get out, and the leaders of the party (e.g. Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, Nancy Pelosi), who are worried that an anti-war stance may jeopardize their political prospects.

I hope that these anti-war types will stop letting their concerns over death and destruction interfere with the political ambitions of our leaders.

[jsamuel]

1. so true, it's sad

"I hope that these anti-war types will stop letting their concerns over death and destruction interfere with the political ambitions of our leaders."

Our leaders have to realize that they have to fight for what we believe in, not just for what they think will get them votes. If you fight for what you believe in, the votes will follow.

[mattclearing]

15. Exactly.

This is why the Republicans win. Because they genuinely believe in greed and corporate takeover of the world, and people respect them for it.

[Cha]

20. I don't know if they're "respected"

for it. They LIE, Cheat, and Smear AND Steal votes is how they get elected(?).

[mattclearing]

24. Respected by the media and the voters.

And by me.

I respect the Republicans' ability to win despite a complete lack of principles or interest in the well-being of their constituents.

Anyone that doesn't likely has no idea why Democrats keep losing or what to do about it.

[Jacobin]

2. We warned them before the IWR vote. They didn't listen

They 'zig' when they should have 'zagged' and in the evolution of political leaders, they will be spit out and replaced with people who will listen to who hires them.

Couldn't happen soon enough.

[Cha]

22. I can't believe anyone

would say what I read in your sig line..no wonder scalia should be deemed "clinically insane".

And you're absolutely right about the zigging and the zagging.

[charlie]

26. He later gave a speech

that sorta clarified his "reasoning" for that attitude. Since most Americans are believers, the death penalty ain't no thang. So a few innocents are prematurely shunted into heaven, big deal. That's our quintessential "strict constructionalist" for you...

[charlie]

3. Not just the base

It's almost comical watching top tier Democrats like Biden trying to protect their "hawk cred" on Iraq while the whole country is shifting in the other direction. So sad.

[mmonk]

4. Yep

Another third party candidate and thus, dem loss could spoil the leadership's flawed plan.

[seabeyond]

5. if kerry is counting on this board to support him exposing his ass

i would say, .....sucker kerry. i mean, he puts it out, and then attack like no tomorrow from exactly the people he is counting on for support to put his ass on the line

see why it doesnt work

but then i am sure, all the tough guys will say doesnt fuckin matter, my behavoir doesnt matter,......it is the wusses fault.

as a fellow poster says...
whatevah

[elehhhhna]

Uh, 'scuse me, but WHO works for whom here?

Who's paying the bills?

WE ARE.

Dear Dem "Leaders": Step up or step off.

[T Wolf]

6. The "leaders" of our party

are in more danger of losing the support of "the base" than they have been in a long time.

Fool me once... Fool me twice... Fool me again and again and I just might sit home next time. I seriously cannot see that much disadvantage in letting the rethugs continue to totally fuck things up. And I cannot see that much difference between what would happen if the Bushistas stay in power and the Gop-liters in the Democratic party win a couple of more elections. And the party will certainly get no support ($ or effort) from many until they show they know how to fight.

I really think it will take a very thorough purging from power of anyone who supports the actions taken in the last five years to get us to the position of MAYBE being able to turn things around.

[elehhhhna]

7. well said!

[jsamuel]

8. sit home? HELL NO, just vote for who you believe in

not voting is equal to saying you have no power and submitting to the side of hopelessness

Instead, vote, even if it is "wasted" on a candidate that others "will not vote for"

[European Socialist]

16. I feel like the GOP is hitting me with a metal post and the dems are....

hitting me with a big stick-not to happy with either.

[Hubert Flottz]

9. They remember their old friend what's his name...

Tom Dasshole

EDIT: I get tired of the idea that Pucker Power is the way to fight the neocons!

[jsamuel]

11. EXACTLY, he tried to "bridge the gap" by disregarding his base

sure there was some election issues, but he lost because he would rather have been seen as a Bush hand shaker than a Bush handcuffer.

[democrank]

10. I don`t know about the rest of you, but

I`ve cast my very last vote for ANY Democrat "leader" who cares more about his/her tv image than basic Democratic principles.

[mmonk]

14. I join you in that

My vote is no longer to be taken for granted. It is to be taken on principle and right or wrong, not political staging.

[Lorien]

30. I'm with you

completely, totally, throughly FED UP with DLC styled "democrats".

[catmandu57]

12. the antiwar movement is going to be a powerful

force in 06, ignore us at your own peril.

[Beelzebud]

18. Not anti-war. PRO-PEACE.

[Bob3]

13. I suggest that the base is ahead of the leaders

And this is not the first time. It's sad but true - the most that anybody inside the beltway wants to say is something mushy about it's a shame things are going so badly in Iraq when it's plain to see the thing's an endless rathole that will we continue to pour blood and treasure into with no result until our Representatives in Washington are willing to risk their phony baloney jobs, corporate contributions, nice lunches at the good restaurants, and the anger of insane people with blood on their hands and put a stop to it. But this will not happen for a while - people being people. I don't know how many more crosses they will have to put up at camp casey before it changes but I fear there will be a lot more of them before we admit the mistake and get the hell out of there.

[RSchewe]

17. The rift is also caused in part by the policy decisions of the DLC

I know a lot of people here in DU like the DLC but I would have to respectfully oppose their stances especially on the military. It is a fake attempt to look tough while compromising fundamental principles of the Democratic party. The DLC is simply Republican-lite. No thanks.

Anyway, I think the rift in the party is a good thing. For far too many years the DLC has dictated the policies of the party and look where it has gotten it in the past 6 years.

So, a nice healthy struggle over the future direction of the party between the Progressive grassroots working class and the Monacle wearing corporate funded Republican-lite faction is necessary.

Ask the DLC on where they stand on election reform or campaign finance reform.

All they do is go on cable talking heads shows and bash non-DLC Democrats.

[Cha]

19. Why aren't these so

called "leaders" calling for Dems to enlist then? They're calling for more troops on the ground in Iraq, no? Who is going to fill those positions..are they coming out of thin air?

The Iraqi Lies are the defining issue and has been since bush started crowing LIES about it.

[Hubert Flottz]

21. The top dems who are whining the loudest about staying in Iraq

are all on the take from the big defense contractors, or the defense contractors play a big role in their state's income IMHO. The lobbyists still rule both parties! The dumbocrats that suck up to Bushco, might all suffer the same fate as rose garden democrat TOM DASCHLE.

I won't vote for anyone who I can't distinguish from a Republican again if I have to stay home on election day! Fuck It...I've Had It! And NO........I ain't sorry either!

[Cha]

25. I think it was

God, I can't remember his name..that senator from Missouri who ran for pres..dick gephardt who was in the rose garden with bush and the big smiley signing session..to make sure all these Soldiers and Iraqis would die.

[Hubert Flottz]

27. Dick Gephardt and Tom Daschle both were ass kissers and

Daschle even hugged around on Bush like John McCain! I'm sorry gang, but I think they both got EXACTLY what they had coming and I'll bet you in 06, there will be more Bush enablers in the unemployment line. Hey it just isn't DU that votes, it's everyone in the party and these ass kissers in the "I Got Mine Club" had better wise up! Of course considering that, the DLC dems won't do a damned thing about the crooked voting machines, I believe they are all in on that deal with the GOP too!

[Cha]

28. Oh yeah, daschle was definetly

sycophanting with the worst of them..and they're both gone now.

[Lorien]

34. Aye, there's the rub

it wouldn't matter if 90% of America were against the war, they would still support it. It's not about the will of the voters-why should it be? They have Diebold; as long as they are obedient to their corporate masters their jobs are secure.

[Burried News]

23. The rift is widening between Dem Opportunists and the base.

[unhappycamper]

29. This pro-peace type sez

Bring them home now or get the fuck out of DC!

[GreenPartyVoter]

31. Only on Iraq?

[Larkspur]

32. Wonder where Paul Hackett will tell the Dem Leaders on the Hill

where to stick their pro-war support? Hackett just recently on Hardball called for bringing the troops home.

Hackett is suppose to go to Washington to confer with Dem leaders in prep for his run for senate against Dewine.

[MadHound]

33. Time to re-frame this wording

These people aren't "Democratic leaders". They are our represenatives, and their job is to give voice in Washington to our issues, thoughts and demands. If they aren't going to do this most basic of job duties, then it is time to kick them to the curb and find new ones. If the Democratic party isn't going to help us out, then it is time to throw the party on the dust bin of history and find another party that will help us and give voice to our concerns.

[Beam Me Up]

35. I will NOT SUPPORT any candidate who is not openly opposed to the War.

Now if enough Democrats SAY THAT, what does THAT SAY about their "political viability"?

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

36. hopefully it willl derail hillary's coronation as the nominee by the dlc

and we can get someone good like feingold or dean (who, incidentally, has proven right on just about everything he was blasted for during the campaign)