Pelosi Says Hold Your Fire

[OzarkDem]

According to The Hill newsletter, Pelosi wants to give Bush all the free air time he wants to sell his SS reform plan without rebuttal from Dems. Then Nancy proposes a "barrage" from Dems over President's Day weekend, when no one will be watching television.

A college freshman could come up with a better media strategy than this one. Its not like there aren't resources available where our Dem leaders can learn better media strategies. They're just to lazy to bother.

Hold your fire
“Don’t shoot until you see the whites of their eyes.” That was House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) advice to her colleagues at a closed-door breakfast on Thursday. Democrats have been relatively subdued in their criticism of the president’s plan to offer personal accounts for Social Security, allowing the White House to get out in front of the issue, before the real barrage begins. Look for Democrats to talk solely about Social Security over the president’s day recess in two weeks.

[Technowitch]

1. Foolish approach, IMHO

Sounds disturbingly similar to the Kerry campaign's 'strategy' regarding the Swift Boat Liars.

That let them be taken seriously.

Or to put it differently, this is just like letting the enemy pick the battleground and position themselves first and most advantageously.

[Eloriel]

45. Took the thoughts right outta my head

If ridiculous comments and statements and facts and figures aren't shot down IMMEDIATELY, they tend to live on.

[bleever]

51. I'm with you. Whoever's talking is getting heard, and dominating

the conversation.

It doesn't matter if what you're saying is idiocy. Fox News and the * administration are the living proof.

[calimary]

67. Oh. My. God. So we wait until the body's cold before we start CPR?

CRIMINY!!!!!!!!

I hope you guys plan to STORM the phone lines of your reps - AND Pelosi's, FIRST THING MONDAY MORNING!!!

Dear GOD make her shut up and go to her room!

YOU DO NOT - repeat - NOT wait around with these people. You have to strike while the iron's hot. Otherwise, while we're waiting for the best moment and "biding our time," THEY'RE out there closing the deal with the public, and the decision will be made before our guys even get started.

[Vincardog]

2. What kind of leadership is that? The same strategy used by JK

after the SlowBargeLiars Smear. Ignore the lies and let them get well set into the common knowledge. BAD BAD BAD PLAN

[FreedomAngel82]

28. Speaking of JK and the SBV's

I read how he really wanted to go after them sometime after the election but the DLC wouldn't let him. Just like they didn't let there be any Bush bashing at the DNC. I don't think it's a wise idea.

[Vincardog]

38. FK the DLC We do not need to be lead by Republican Light

[BanzaiBonnie]

3. Sounds like the same sort of advice

someone gave Kerry about the SBV. It's NOT a good idea.

[slor]

4. "Hold your fire"...

wait until they have infiltrated our defences and the bayonets have pierced your abdomen, then we will let them have it! Yeah...good advice.

[Guaranteed]

12. LOL nt

[HootieMcBoob]

5. Will these people ever learn? n/t

[Sub Atomic]

6. Piss off, Nancy.

If that's the leadership you intend to bring to the House, then we'll even more fucked in four years.

Either grow a set (figuratively) or sit down and shut the fuck up.

[Cha]

7. That's not the only foolishness I've

heard from Nancy, lately. She wanted roemer for DNC Chair, too.

Get a grip, Nancy..we need fighting Dems, not rollovers..it's too important!

[FreedomAngel82]

29. Does anybody have an Email address?

Maybe we can all drop her a line and let her know we don't like her plan and offer our own.

[DainBramaged]

8. She can 'hold this'

[w13rd0]

9. link please...

...link

[bunkerbuster1]

30. heh. I thought you were asking for a link

to the "hold this" post.

[liveoaktx]

10. She's really a dumbass, isn't she? Think if the Repubs had

done this with the Swift Boat stuff.

[Guaranteed]

11. I like my strategy better.

"Shoot them first."

[snippy]

13. This is weak and it isn't even a strategy.

The democrats already should have developed a strategy that includes a brief list of talking points for every democratic politician and pundit and a requirement that every democratic member of Congress give regular and frequent interviews to local media in their home state and district. In every one of those interviews democrats need to repeat the talking points.

The talking points need to include the fact that Bush is lying when he says Social Security will be bankrupt and that he is misleading people when he says they can leave their private account to their family members. The talking points should include suggestions of a democratic alternative to Bush's plan and should avoid going into too many details about Bush's plan. They should be short and memorable and repeated over and over and over again.

[CWebster]

14. Sort of like Kerry waiting for the right moment to hit the swiftboaters

The moment if NOW! Every passing moment is a moment lost. What are you waiting for? Who are you working for?

[politicasista]

19. You just love to bash Kerry don't you?

:mad:

[CWebster]

23. You just love to lose, don't you?

I posted before I read the rest of the thread, but I suggest you check upthread and see that my conclusion was not an isolated one.

Get real! I am so sick of the Democrats sitting on their hands while the Country spirals down. What the hell are they waiting for? Where the hell are our front lines? I have been wondering why there has been so few voices challenging Bush, and folks speculate it is the corporate media that promotes this bias, ONLY to find out the Democratic leadership is hoding their fire?

[John_H]

43. It wasn't kerry. it was the fucking loser media strategists that are still

in charge of the dem communications operation. If you recall,jerry had to ORDER his press team to respond to the sbl's.

[zann725]

64. Speaking of Kerry, where has HE been in opposing SS privatization?

He talked "a good talk" about it during the campaign, but has been essentially silent about it lately.

I am NOT bashing him, simply observing that where is he? Taking care of "children first?" ...while the elderly and disabled move their cardboard box homes to the street?! Time is of the essence here. And I agree both JK, and Pelosi need to realize that.

[politicasista]

69. The children are our future. He DOES care about SS.

He knows alot more then we do.

[MichiganVote]

15. Pelosi is a joke

[Obviousman]

16. Oh fuck, we've seen this one before

This will not end well...

[EFerrari]

17. Ignore her. Keep the pressure on your reps. They in turn will

pressure her.

We don't take orders from the Minority Leader. We give them.

[Obviousman]

18. Here's her email address

I suggest that we CIVILY remind her that this was how Kerry played out his campaign, and how Republicans will own the framing of the debate. Remember, don't be afraid to be frank, but be civil
[e-mail]
http://www.house.gov/pelosi/contact/contact.html

[coffeenap]

20. done

[EST]

21. Here is the letter (email) I sent to Congresswoman Pelosi-

Dear Rep. Pelosi,
For years I have made it clear that if I were on my death bed and had only one wish to be granted, it would be to meet you in person and tell you of my respect admiration, and affection for you. It pains and embarrasses me to even presume to give you advice on how to run a war, but I must.

Either there is way too much about parliamentary procedure I don't know, or this strategy of "hold your fire" is simply wrong.
This is the strategy that lost the presidential race for Kerry. No longer are we the go along to get along, subservient democrats.
We are the fighting wedge, the boiled-down, toughened up troops with long memories. This fight is the opening battle to throw out the harbingers of fascism who have seized power right here, destroying our noble experiment.

I, for one, and virtually everyone I talk to are sick and tired of half hearted measures, and from now on we are going for the throat.

Please lead us in this fight, because, leader or no, we are going to fight, fight hard, and either win or be road kill.
No compromise, no hold your fire. Hit them high, hit them low, but HIT THEM NOW!

Respectfully and angrily yours,

[Obviousman]

44. very nice

[moggie12]

47. Great letter!!! -- you inspired me -- I'm going to send one, too n/t

[EST]

56. Great-post it, will you?

n/t

[CWebster]

25. Done and I restrained myself as you suggested-

though she doesn't deserve it.

[FreedomAngel82]

32. Thanks for her contact info

I sent her a letter just telling her I don't like the new idea and to keep up the fighting and how they've been doing so well lately so why stop now?

[moggie12]

50. Done - although my e-mail was more hysterical than civil

"I read your remarks about "holding our fire" on Bush SS plan until President's Day weekend and am very upset.

By then, it will be too late -- FOX has a non-stop propaganda war going on right now. PLEASE, WE MUST HAVE DEMS ON TV NOW PROVIDING SNAPPY ONE-LINE COMEBACKS. You saw what happened with the Swift Boat story -- you can't give these guys an inch!!! Lack of response/fight will be taken as capitulation by the public -- if they don't hear you fighting back against every false claim and Bush sound-bite, they will believe what Bush guys are saying.

Please, please reconsider...........

Thank you for listening!"

[ulysses]

22. "don't shoot until they've overrun you."

:eyes:

[Dinger]

24. No Fucking Way Nancy

forget it. They have enough of an advantage already. Why give them more?

[Orsino]

26. First prove that you have something to fire, Pelosi.

Oppose the machine, and never stop.

[Jack Rabbit]

27. Ready . . .

. . . aim . . .



Photo from http://www.regia.org/SaxonArchery.htm

[gulfcoastliberal]

31. They don't have a clue, do they?

They just don't seem to understand that the best way to deal with this is take it head-on from the very beginning. The repugs will never stop harping about what they want. Crawling behind a rock and hiding is no way to fight.

We are like, totally doomed.

[librechik]

33. garbage

when do they figure out we need a counter message 24/7 or we LOSE!!!!

[98geoduck]

34. She then told her constituents "Pull my finger" and they all laughed ...

about how great it is, not to be poor these days.

She is disgusting.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

35. Wonder what Boxer would say?

Don't fire unless you intend to hit four of them at a time...and then reload and hit 'em again!

[EVDebs]

36. Strategy should be to tell it like it is, Prez's plan is a CARVE-OUT

of current Social Security insurance program designed as a trojan horse in order to KILL Social Security as we know it !

[Walt Starr]

37. WHAT A FUCKING TOTALLY IDIOTIC STRATEGY

In Chess, the "Pelosi Gambit" would look like this:

Sacrifice every piece you have save one pawn, then make a run at the opponents king row to get a queen.

[Avalux]

39. I think Nancy's botox injections have affected her reasoning -

this is NOT a good strategy. And what's with announcing her strategy to the world, anyway???

[KoKo]

40. OKAY NANCY.....but, why should I believe you? What if I trust you ONE

MORE TIME...and you guys CAVE? Where's my INSURANCE POLICY?

I do agree that Repugs seem to be pushing us to push "OUR" DEAL first...and in "card games like poker" that's a big mistake.....so I hear here. I just don't like or trust her. I want "insurance" we won't be left "out of the game," holding the bag. :shrug:

[babylonsister]

41. I'm in agreement; don't trust Pelosi, but

have heard the Dems should hold off and let the blivet come up with a viable plan first so he can again be knocked off his perch. I don't agree they should show their cards when no one is looking. I'm tempted to add, so will, Get some Brains! If our mantra is, more or less, if it ain't broke... I think that's the way to go. There are too many unbelieveably serious issues that take precedence at the moment.

[John_H]

42. LOL! classic pelosi/pelosi communications kidz!!!!!

Why we lose all wrapped up in a nice little package, folks.

[knight_of_the_star]

46. Right idea, BAD timing

We need to open up ASAP with a preliminary barrage to set the tone of the debate, then we have to hold off briefly, lull the enemy into a flase sense of security, then drop our heaviest bombs, but we can't simply let them advance unopposed.

[hector459]

48. The strategy should be to appear BEFORE and AFTER Bush

in every state and place he visits.

[ClarkUSA]

49. Pelosi needs to hear from us.

So does every single Democrat in Congress.

[cestpaspossible]

52. What is your source for this information?

[leesa]

53. Oh shut up you worthless twit!

[LeftCoast]

54. Why are you all so ready to believe an unsubstantiated rumor?

Step away from the KoolAid and nobody gets hurt.

[hatrack]

55. Nancy, Bunker Hill was fought in 1775, and Israel Putnam is dead

So is the Marquess of Queensbury. Yet apparently you believe their rules still apply.

Get a FUCKING GRIP, Nancy!!!!!!!!!!!! :mad:

[sendero]

57. When I hear crap like this...

... it leaves me in a quandary. What is her motivation for even suggesting such a lame ass course of action? Is there some underlying analysis, or is she talking out of her ass?

Frankly - sometime I wonder who's side some of these folks are on. Ms. Pelosi, what the hell are you thinking? Or are you?

[DiscoStew]

58. don't believe everything you read.... n/t

[googly]

59. "Can't we all just get along?" ---Rodney King

NOT!

[Andromeda]

60. No, no, no!

Hit 'em while the iron is hot. Hope the Dems don't listen to her.

[TankLV]

61. About as effective as Kerry's "response" to the Swift Boat Liars.

I expect the same results.

God this woman is awful.

Put Boxer in charge!

[WLKjr]

62. Nancy, SIT DOWN, SHUT UP, AND ENJOY THE RIDE

The Dr. is in the house now. So shut up and quit saying stupid things like "hold your fire", that is a st00pid idea, escpecially waiting till Prez weekend and then opening your mouth. Do it all week long before and after and during the weekend.

[Gyre]

63. If you people think the dems are strong enough to take them head on

then you haven't been keeping score of the dems lack of effectiveness over the last 4 years. Letting the pubes self-destruct is the only path we've got right now. We've got shit. And the media pays less attention to us than they ever have because they know we've got no juice.

Try letting them fuck things up on their own w/o comment for awhile may allow some anti-bush momentum to grow (cause they're inherently arrogant and won't realize the tide shifts against them unless they here some resistance on the talkshow circuit.) Some nameless dem yapping away about how unfair it all is might cause the re-polarizing of the waffling bush base by just opening his or her mouth. For what? Nothing a dem says or does is going to cause a tidal shift at this point. Only the repubes make the news anymore.

It's a theory, nothing more, and almost all the people here are political backseat drivers w/o a particularly strong resume. So I really doubt that any vehimence here one way or the other is well-spent ATP. Let Pelosi have her head. She's got the credentials to allow some trust from us doesn't she? She can't do any worse than our party's been doing for a long time now.

Gyre

[autorank]

65. I agree. Presidents Day is a time of speeches, gatherings, etc.

That's what she's getting at. Anyway, there are tons of people out there doing their own 'fight back' routine. Pelosi is just part of the process.

Dean, Reid, and Pelosi can work well together. Now the DNC has a revitalized organization which will do some extremely effective fund raising and the DFA folks for energy and innovation.

About as good as it could be at this point.

It's all about the pictures

[calimary]

66. Oh yeah, let's take the "swift boat swifties response" advice again.

Is she pulling a Mary Beth Cahill here?

Is she OUT OF HER MIND?

So we wait and let the bushies carry on WITHOUT CHALLENGE OR QUESTION until THEIR message is the one that sinks in and takes hold - and by the time Pelosi gets around to launching a counter-attack, the game's over.

GOOD GOD, GET HER OUTTA HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[loudsue]

68. Is her argument that there are only so many words allowed one person

in one lifetime, and she's saving hers & the Dems? Like rationing water, or something?

I say Dems should jump out in front of this issue, and let people know that social security, job security, and the country's security is the security of ALL Americans!

To save social security, ALL we need to do is lift the ceiling on wages available for FICA withholding so that some of the wealthier Americans pay the same percentage as the rest of us! Then, set a reasonable payout sliding scale so that NOBODY in America has to go hungry in their old age.

And it WON'T COST ANY TWO TRILLION DOLLARS TO IMPLEMENT!! And, furthermore, the REPUBLICANS KNOW IT!! They're just trying to make more money for their stock market buddies....again, tying republicans to special interests and foolish, irresponsible proposals.

:kick::kick::kick:

[CWebster]

70. Yesterday on C-span I watched some House Dems

really corner treasurer, John Snow. The Pugs were just reinforcing propaganda, where the Dems were ripping him apart--notably Stephanie Tubbs-Jones. I caught Charlie Rangel say, more than once, that it was Bush who requested the Dems "hold their fire" until he introduced his plan. Rangel pointed out he hadn't done that. Instead Bush has taken the opportunity to spread disinformation and fear without challenge. The Dems should know better than to expect Bush to be anything other than a swindler.

[flounderinginflorida]

71. Poor Nancy

Alas, poor Nancy has been brainwashed as have so many other
republican-lite democrats by all the RW rhetoric. We need to stick together, stay the course, blast the media. HACK THE PLANET!