So, Senator Durbin, are you glad you apologized?

[PlanetBev]

Right now, Rove is screaming with laughter, refusing to apologize for his own egregious statements about Democrats and making fun of Durbin for prostrating himself and weeping before the Repiglicans.

This is why the Democratic leadership has to stop taking the bait from Rove. It just makes us look weak and frightened.

[DemNoir]

1. God grief!

Let it go! enough already!

[PlanetBev]

2. OK, then, guess your right

Let's just all roll over and go back to sleep.

[CatWoman]

4. actually, I agree with you, Bev

fuck those lowlifes.

they'd have to pry an apology from me from my dead, cold mouth.

[Al-CIAda]

3. Most seem to be incapable of 'getting' it. Damn, its time to fight. n/t

[Jade Fox]

5. It's interesting to note that Dean did not apologize....

and, although he was raked over the coals, the whole thing passed
quickly. He would not give in, so his detractors moved on.

Durbin, on the other hand, did just what they wanted him to do: give
credence to their criticisms. And it empowered them.

Democrats: don't apologize for criticizing Bushco again. Ever.

[Meeker Morgan]

9. It was Mayor Daley, not the 'pubs ...

... that got Durbin to apologize.

[Jade Fox]

10. Yes, but Durbin still empowered his Republican critics....

by doing so.

Lots of Democrats criticised Dean, but he did not cave.

[rpannier]

6. Thanks

Regardless of what someone else has posted about letting it go, your post hits the nail on the head as to why Democrats do so poorly. Part of the Republican mantra is "Do NOT ever look weak." Weakness is a sign of poor leadership.
Durbin's apology made him look very weak. The public (regardless of what polls will tell you) does not respect weak people. This is part of the reason why scrubbo says he can't think of any mistakes he's made. To us he looks arrogant. To the general public he looks focused and strong.
edited for spelling

[PlanetBev]

7. It's a good chance that the other Democrats pounced on Durbin

and that's why he caved. If you're own comrades can't protect, support and defend you, it's very difficult to stand up to these thugs. It also makes our side look like a bunch of cowards, whose main concern is running from a fight.

I like Dick Durbin. I'm sorry he was put through this.

[AUYellowDog]

8. Durbin had to apologize

Not because what he said was wrong, but because he's elected. Dean and Rove aren't. If he didn't, in his next election, the RNC would run that clip forever and at least now he can say that he apologized for it. Moderates and Repubs would never vote for him without an apology. The Democratic base alone isn't enough to get elected. He's a politician and that's what they have to do. I agree with his comments, but I understand as well why he had to apologize. That's why you only hear senators from very strong red states or very strong blue states throwing knives, and not from the states where their future isn't a sure thing.

Brandon

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

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