BEWARE: Bush is courting 'Moderate' Democratic Senators...

[indianablue]

This is a from today's edition of USA Today.

Democrats want 'deeds, not words'


• In Nebraska, Bush and Rove invited Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson to ride in the presidential limousine from an Omaha rally to the airport. During the short trip, Nelson says, Bush used "persuasion" to try to win him over. He says he's still waiting for more details but is inclined to help if possible. "The president said he wants to work with Democrats, and I and many others are ready to get to work on this," Nelson says.


• The president offered Sen. Kent Conrad, the top Democrat on the Senate Budget Committee, a ride home on Air Force One to North Dakota. The two talked about Social Security and related issues for most of the flight. After they landed in Fargo, Conrad still insisted that any fix not add to the deficit or cut benefits. Still, Rove praised him on a local conservative radio talk show.


• As the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Max Baucus of Montana was pivotal in shaping the Medicare overhaul last year. He also voted for Bush's tax cuts. Despite a phone call from Bush and a visit to Great Falls this month, he remains opposed to private accounts. Still, he says, he's open to compromise if Bush is. "Let's see deeds, not words," he says.


•A former Delaware governor, Sen. Tom Carper joined Republicans this month to pass a bill that would limit class-action lawsuits. He also voted for the Medicare drug bill. As for Social Security, "I don't believe we as Democrats should have a knee-jerk opposition to private accounts," Carper says. But he prefers that they be offered only on top of traditional benefits.


Sen. Graham says he is encouraged by the exchanges. "We're not going to solve this problem if we break into red- and blue-state camps."

Whole Text:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-02-23-ss-dems_x.htm

This is for GOP Light Dems who make deals with Bush. Inc. (Same Article)

But some moderates who have voted at times with the president, such as Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, may be wary of crossing party lines again. Landrieu was one of nine Senate Democrats to vote for Bush's 10-year, $1.35 trillion tax cut in 2001. The next year, Republicans spent millions — unsuccessfully — to oust her.


If they get to these five they have enough!

Please people in these states need to tell these Senators how they really feel!

[Warpy]

1. you mean he's courting right wing DLC congressmen

There's nothing particularly moderate about any of them.

[indianablue]

3. I put 'Moderate' in quote I agree with you.

[applegrove]

2. Step into a limousine with Bush and Rove? my ass!! n/t

[Teaser]

4. Most of these are pretty good responses.

Especially Carper's. If he's insisting on an "add-on" benefit, than he might be safe for our side.

Turn those guns on Lieberman and Nelson.

[indianablue]

5. Carper said he PREFERS they be separate not a strong answer in my OP. NT

[BlueManDude]

6. The Democratic Party is hopeless

it's becoming clearer and clearer - and no I'm not a Green and I despise Nader. These guys are gonna roll over on us.

[indianablue]

8. I agree totally..

All they need is five e to roll over which I think they will get at all costs.

Then they will run someone against them when then come up for reelection labeling them a Liberal and should be thrown out of office.


I was having false hope the Dem's would stick together on this issue but it appears they will roll over and destroy what is left of the Democratic Party.

It is going to be a very sad day when Bush. Inc destroys what is left of the New Deal and the Dem's will help.

Good bye Democratic Party. You Destoyed Yourself!

[BlueManDude]

12. The fact that guys like Nelson are even talking to Bush

is so infuriating. Nelson's one of these guys that prides himself on being "fiscally resposible" yet he voted for defecit creating tax cust and now he wants to go "solve" a SS problem that doesn't even exist. We'll be Mexico in 20 years.

[woodsprite]

7. I wrote Carper a letter

about supporting Durbin regarding a Gannon/Guckert inquiry and signing onto the letter. I told him we can't have "play nice", middle-of-the-road, weak democratics as representatives any longer. I also told him that if he decides to side with this administration on so much and not stand with his Democrat colleagues, than maybe he should switch parties.

I don't know who's running against him, but I'd vote for a 3rd party before I voted for him again if he doesn't get his act together. I WON'T vote Repub because I wouldn't want to give them another seat in the senate.

[indianablue]

9. Great ! Glad you wrote..sadly these guys don't listen usually. NT

Any so called Democrat who sides with Bush on this should be removed from the party immediately This is ground zero they can disagree on other issues but this is the core of the Democratic Party you can not say you a Democrat and support the destruction of Social Security.

[woodleydem]

10. Nelson looks like the only one who will defect

Baucus and Conrad have held town hall meetings in their respective states about how they will absolutely NOT support any benefits cuts whatsoever. Carper is a defection possibility, but Delaware is a pretty blue state--he will think twice. Bush has got to first worry about getting his own caucus on his side. There are at least five Republican senators that have come out publicly against private accounts--Collins, Snowe, Chafee, Voinavich, and Specter. Furthermore, Lindsay Graham has been going on and on about not adding to the deficit, so its unlikely he will support privatization if it involves borrowing the needed $2 trillion.

[indianablue]

11. This issue of course is the litmus test of litmus tests.

I can forgive elected Democrat son some issues but this is not one of them there is no middle ground there is no compromise. If any Democrat votes foe privatization of any form should be thrown out on his or her ass.

[BlueManDude]

14. The GOPers will all be on board - take it to the bank

they'll get thrown some kind of a bone - probably some accounting trick that will be a fig leaf for "protecting" SS. Frauds like Snowe and Collins will be on board with whatever Kool-Aid Bush is serving.

[newyawker99]

18. Hi woodleydem!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[EVDebs]

13. In order to have ANY legacy at all, Bush must now kiss up to a few

Dems willing to sell out on Social Security privatization (Kill Social Security) and later on Medicare...

Sen Reid needs to start taking names along with Rep Pelosi.

No deals on SS or Medicare !

[indianablue]

15. I agree :)

God these fence sitters make me sick!

[sendero]

16. Folks in these senator's states..

... need to contact them now. Tell them the whole party will rise up to oust them in 06 if they compromise in any way with ** on this issue.

The only thing these fucks care about is their little fiefdoms. I'd rather see the seat go to a Rep than let these traitors keep it, if they aren't with the people on this one, they aren't Dems anyway.

[snippy]

17. It is understandable if these Senators are willing to reach an agreement

with Bush because they believe it is the right thing to do. But if they are considering making a political deal with Bush relating to their re-election, they should not have any doubt whatsoever that he will stab them in the back the first chance he gets.