Interested in a Democratic Party forum?

[blondeatlast]

Skinner says the idea will be considered if there is enough interest.

I know I am--I proposed something similar in AtA, but I like Skinner's idea even better than mine:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=120&topic_id=27483

I'm not willing to give up on my party; I still think there's some fight in the burro yet.

How 'bout your fine selves?

[saracat]

1. Count me in BAL!

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

2. Even though I don't qualify for that forum, I think it's a great idea.

I know it's not a major news story just yet, but there appears to be more and more mention of DU in the MSM outlets. Partly because the MSM is coming to realize that there is a growing power in the internet which they cannot control. I have found DU to be an incredible resource for news and information and, although I am a moderate Republican, I do not find it a hostile environment.

I hope your forum finds enough interest. I believe that there is some great discussion here that would be valuable for the future Democratic leadership. Remember, the moderate Republicans are looking to the Democrats for hope.

:toast:

[mandyky]

4. Hey welcome to DU!!

I love moderate Republicans. Maybe we need a DU group for DU moderate
republicans... :)

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

9. I see more and more of us on DU everyday.

Thanks for the welcome too. I think that there may be a need in the future for a mod Repub group as more and more gravitate to this site. Since the radical right has made the message clear that they don't need the moderates, I want to see how well the Republicans can do in elections with ONLY the evangelical votes. And I want to do all I can to continue my work in PA getting moderate Republicans to vote for good Democratic candidates...especially for the Senate campaign of Santorum in 06.

[calimary]

32. Hey! Bless your heart. Clearly you actually do have one.

And good luck with any and all efforts to stomp santorum. I'll probably help when I find out who will be running against him. People like him make me glad I live in Barbara BoxerLand!

I hope you and your fellow moderates gain strength. Those nutcases in your party are giving you guys a VERY bad name. I just found out from the kid next door that her staunch Republican parents liked Howard Dean, and wanted to vote for him in the primary out here, but couldn't. And they weren't that impressed with bushie the first time he surfaced, either. I have a lot of faith in Republican moderates. Glad you're here.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

39. Thanks. Many of us weren't fooled by the compassionate conservative.

I knew what W stood for the first time around and supported Gore. I believe that, if it weren't for the 'terra terra terra, 911' mantra, Kerry would have won in a landslide. Unfortunately W&Co played to people's worst fears. I think the moral values stuff is overplayed in the MSM, at least in PA. The few moderate Republicans that I know who did vote W this time around cited terror and taxes as their rationale.

To distinguish myself from the nuts in my party, I now proudly call myself a RINO (socially liberal/fiscally responsible. I like Howard Dean too and hope that the DNC realizes he's an asset to your party. I don't know why he's tagged as 'far left', I've never seen that. Then again, the far-right has pushed us so hard, I've actually had conversations with moderate Republicans who say, "Even Ted Kennedy sounds reasonable to us now"...LOL. No offense meant there but for us to start looking to Ted Kennedy for leadership shows you how much the far-right has p*ssed us off.

[bvar22]

42. There are lots of moderate Republicans in the...

...Democratic Party!!!

John Kerry
Hillary Clinton
Joe Liberman
All the DLC

You are in good company!

[blondeatlast]

11. Actually, it'll be free to any DUer.

I suspect you will play much nicer in our sandbox than some of the other Lefties on the boards!

I'm far left, but I'm proudly Dem. I see both of our parties in a bit of a crisis right now, actually.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

16. As a moderate Republican I can "talk to" other moderates....

I can work more effectively in convincing moderate Republicans to vote for good Democrats if I am "one of them". Of course, I don't bother with the hateful zealot Republicans...they're the reason so many moderate (aka Rockefeller Republicans) are turning to the Democrats. We've never been interested in legislating sexual behavior as long as it involves consenting adults, but we are fiscally conservative which this current admin/Congress has turned into a bottomless financial disaster.

I think DU is one of the very best on the web for design and content. I give a lot of credit to the administrators and appreciate their work.

[Bouncy Ball]

29. The way you describe Rockefeller Republicans

(not interested in legislating sexual behavior but fiscally conservative/responsible) sounds like.....ME! How weird!

Oh and I've welcomed you to DU before, but I must say I appreciate you being here!

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

38. Thanks BB.

DU gives me hope for the future. Lots of intelligent, motivated and sane people here...a new force in politics.:toast:

[Name removed]

41. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[angel54321]

53. As one Mod to another.....

have your Mod Republicans come visit.There's a diverse group here. Some things, (as in most forums), they wont like what they see.....just skip like I do. I am a Moderate Democrat, Catholic with conservitive views. Call this forum the mutts of all internet forums! Great place to come to get good ideas started. I would love to hear from other moderate Republicans!! We all need to stick together this time around.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

58. Welcome to DU

You're right, we need to 'stick together'. :hi:

[Q]

56. "both of our parties in a bit of a crisis right now"

My question for you: do you understand that both parties are suffering a different crisis?

The crisis for the GOP is that their party has been taken over by a small group of wealthy and powerful Neocons and religious fundamentalists. In fact...they've not only taken over their party, but our country. They use iron fisted methods to keep their party members in line. Those who cross that line are character assassinated...their funding taken away and their careers are ended.

The crisis for the Dem party is much different. Although they too have been taken over by a small group of Neodems and Third Wayers (financed by large corporations)...their goal is to work WITH the other side to advance a similar agenda. This agenda is outside and alien to traditional Democratic principles and values.

This 'relationship' has allowed the Bush administration to have the votes and support they need from the Dem party to pass dangerous legislation and get away with some of the worst crimes ever committed by a US government.

It seems that both the Neocons and Neodems are counting on blind loyalty from both Republicans and Democrats who want to see their party win more than change for the better.

Please understand that many of the 'lefties' that you're scorning have voted Democratic all of their lives. In my case I've voted a straight Dem ticket for thirty years. We've seen our party deteriorating for many years now and have given them many chances to do the right thing. Loyalty must be a two way street. The final insult to our loyaly was the party's cooperation with the most corrupt government in our history.

You should ask yourself why so MANY otherwise loyal Democrats would be so pissed off at their party? Could it be that they don't want a party so closely associated with the criminals in the Bush White House? What would you have them do after at least four years of the party not listening to their base?

[DaedelusNemo]

26. We'd be bonkers to leave you out, you're a prime target /nt

[Kahuna]

3. Absolutely!!! Excellent idea!!!

Count me in!

[mandyky]

5. Should we post at the other thread if we're interested?

I think it is a great idea.

[blondeatlast]

7. Here; you won't be able to post in AtA.

If it looks promising, I'll direct Skinner to this one.

[mandyky]

10. LOL I found out the hard way!!

I tried to post to the other thread! **giggle**

[jswordy]

6. There ALREADY IS a Democratic Party forum...

...and it is right here...

http://www.democrats.org/blog/

...and it has been up since like a year before the election or so. Enjoy. You can get in some real good tussles over there. Many posters are DNC insiders or state and county officials in some way or another. Have at 'em.

[Kahuna]

15. Not on DU. That's what we're talking about.

:D

[DaedelusNemo]

28. What we need is multiple, distinct efforts at formulation

Ideally, there'd be sites all over coming up with platforms, peeking at each other, and arguing between themselves once they have enough stacked up to argue about. Seriously redevelop the democratic party from the ground up.

[DaveinMD]

8. count me in

[wyldwolf]

12. blondeatlast, I like your idea in theory

... from your other thread, you wrote: I think it's time we got some attention from the party.

Unfortunately, If we got THAT much attention, we'd get attention from others as well. And with the circular firing squad and internal squabbling that goes on on DU, I'm not sure the attention would be productive.

If some solid and enforce ground rules could be established and enforced, it might work.

We already have free-for-all discussions on the future of the party in every other forum. This forum would have to distinguish itself somehow. Would you say big "D" Democrats only, excluding democrats, greens, etc.? Is excluding others doable and is it even a good idea? Do we check registration cards at the door?

Disruptors within DU would be problem. How would you deal with the inevitable flame bait, "DNC sux" "FUCK the DLC" "Howard Dean sux ass" "Roemer is a Repuke" posts?

And if we are to have intelligent discourse on the party, I would also propose that the more outlandish accusations must be sourced somehow from a reputable source.

Just a few suggestions. But I'm sure you'll agree that the forum would have to distinguish itself somehow from all the others.

[ZombieNixon]

13. Count me in. n/t

[calimary]

33. To quote Shrek's friend, Donkey - ME! ME! Over HERE! ME!

It's a stellar idea. We're gaining clout, and numbers, and fame. Might as well start making use of 'em. And the more people know us or hear of us, the bigger the membership. I remember when it was 20-something thousand.

Let's flex our muscle, as long as we're building it. Muscles left unused are subject to atrophy.

I've been saying for some time that we have all the makings of a think-tank. We have the membership, the brain-power, the research power, the strategizing and activists' power, and a LOT more.

[welshTerrier2]

14. seems like this should be job #1 at DU !!

count me in ...

[Wonk]

17. Excuse me for stating the obvious, but aren't we already in it?

I mean, if that's not the point of the General Discussion: Politics forum here on Democratic Underground then what is?

[mcscajun]

19. Really...isn't this whole Place the Democratic Party forum?

Or did I miss something?

[The Gigmeister]

20. No.

It's clearly not. Just take a look at any Evan Byah or Joe Lieberman thread.

Moderates are not welcome by the whole.

[Zhade]

61. Yes - you missed the "About" section.

This website is NOT only for Democratic party members - even a moderator pointed that out within the past couple of weeks.

[Brundle_Fly]

18. IN 101%

[The Gigmeister]

21. I would LOVE IT!!

For the life of me, I can't figure out why "DemocraticUnderground" is not a "Democratic Party" forum. But regardless...I'll take anything I can get at this point. Anything to get me away from the Democratic Party hatred, but still keep me as informed as this place does!!

[bobbieinok]

22. I agree

[moggie12]

23. Yes, I am definitely interested in that. n/t

[OhioBlue]

24. I would like to see that forum started

I checked out the democrats.org blog, but it is DU is far Superior.

[Lefty48197]

25. Absolutely! We need a Republicans forum too. Maybe one for Congress too.

.

[DaedelusNemo]

27. Definitely and right away

We might do some thinking about what would be in the forum that wasn't duplicated elsewhere. Thinking about it, it seems like a Democratic party forum boils down to three things; arguing candidates, arguing policy, and arguing strategy (what'd i forget?). While it'd be nice just to be able to focus in on these things without all the.. you know... gossip, what i would really like is a hardcore platform development forum that featured a continually updated "platform as it stands". The posts could be proposed planks. What would really help out is if it were possible to have polls not just in the original post, but in succeeding posts, so that finetuning would be possible without a whole new thread. "Which of these approaches do you prefer" followed by "which of these formulations of that approach do you prefer" followed by votes on amendments, etc.

[flaminbats]

30. I have mixed feelings...

sure a forum on the next DNC chair or our party would be great, but don't we have too many forums already? How many threads can we possibly have on that topic?

My top two concerns on this...first such a new forum isn't restricted only to contributing members of DU. second that it is merged with another forum..like politics & issues or General Discussion: Politics.

[DaedelusNemo]

31. Can't do it in general politics

It just spins by too fast for much long-term, substantive discussion. Frankly, i don't think that there are too many forums if they're still going that fast. Perhaps there are other forums out there gathering dust. Then again, you have one for each state - fifty right there. What's wrong with another?

I do agree that it shouldn't be restricted, and not just because i don't have any money.

[flaminbats]

35. I'm also broke..

the more views we include in such a forum, more likely Democratic players may take notice. Perhaps this forum could be about the DNC's objectives over four-years .

[genius]

34. Define Democratic Party. I'm a Democrat but I'm very unhappy

with my party. Tomorrow I may wind up proud again.

[moggie12]

36. Yes! Yes! Yes!

I would very much like this, primarily so Democrats can work together to formulate policy/tactical suggestions to forward to the DNC, DLC and elected Democratic office-holders. People on this site have lots of opinions -- it would be great if we could work together and articulate our concerns/suggestions in an organized fashion. Democratic leadership groups and individual officeholders may listen if they get well-articulated letters from many people on the same subject.

Thanks!!

[TheDonkey]

37. It would need to be further defined

what does Democratic Party board mean? Something where we discuss Democratic Politics? or just the DNC and it's workings.
We have plenty of GD forums would adding another just add to confusion and waste.

[dpbrown]

40. There should be a place for DFA and PDA activists to organize

Along with the Democratic Progressive Caucuses that have sprung up in more than 35 states.

Democratic Party reform is a serious endeavor, and the people, like me, who take it seriously would benefit from having a forum in which to organize here at DU.

Dan Brown
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Dennis Kucinich Delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Boston

[bvar22]

43. I second that!

"There should be a place for DFA and PDA activists to organize"

http://www.pdamerica.org/

[Inland]

44. Don't you mean a party ways and means forum

to discuss organizations, leaders, platforms, etc? I was going to use the word party machinery, thought not, then thought again: yes, that's exactly what I mean. The organs of the party.

Not the same bloviating about issues in and of themselves.

[DaedelusNemo]

47. I think you're probably right

but since i don't know the terminology i referred to it as a platform forum.

[blondeatlast]

57. Exactly.

The Admins said they will seriously consider this if there is enough interest.

[Obviousman]

45. I'm in

[DaedelusNemo]

46. So how much support is enough support? (kick) /nt

[DaedelusNemo]

48. But we need to discuss more what exactly is it we want? /nt

[Zero Division]

49. If it focussed on the future of the party w/o the internecine battles

that would be excellent. A place to talk about the party without unproductive arguments over what faction should purge the other, etc.
We could talk about organizational strategies, financial strategies, what to do about local and state Democratic organizations, the party platform, etc.

[DaedelusNemo]

50. Maybe several forums?

One devoted to the candidates - that's where most of the internecine battles would go. One devoted to issues and policies, where i would hang out mostly, and one devoted to the strategies you spoke of.

I'm still a newbie here, but it seems almost impossible to actually get down to serious work when there are so many threads at once. Do you guys have substantive, productive discussions somewhere i haven't found yet, or is it always just yelling into the roar of the rapids?

[DaedelusNemo]

51. kick - to the top again for a fleeting instant /nt

[DaedelusNemo]

52. Somebody tell me to stop /nt

[bluedonkey]

54. What is this???

Divide and conquer???
How many times do you want to split this place up??There's not going to be anything left.How are we to fight the bad guys.
We need unity.Differences in opinions what makes this a great place!

[DaedelusNemo]

55. Why not just throw it all in one pot then?

The faster a forum goes, the more it tends to popping off instead of substantive discussion - threads fly by and they're gone. It's fun to pop off, there ought to be a place for it, but there also ought to be a place for the substantive and sustained discussion, too.

Look, there's already like a hundred forums. Why is one more the breaking point?

[Skinner]

59. I created this forum.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=296

[blondeatlast]

60. You are a god...

Almost!

:toast:

[DaedelusNemo]

62. Huzzah, huzzah, i will say nice things about this "Skinner" /nt