Dem leadership MIA??

[Nightwing]

I'm a lifelong staunch Democrat that is really feeling let down by our supposed Dem leadership. With *'s poll numbers at an all time low not to mention the nations dramatic change of perception regarding the Iraq quagmire, why is someone like Chuck Hagel the only voice being raised?

Where the hell is John Kerry, Ted Kennedy, Hillary Clinton et al?? And please don't tell me Joe Biden is taking the fight to *. The way I've seen Biden is as a * enabler moreso than offering solid opposition to this administration.

I get plenty of calls and letter everyday from the above mentioned Dems for monetary support and so far have only donated to "Friends of Hillary" but with the caveat that as long as she stands up to this corrupt administration she can count on my complete support. So far, I havent seen it and am quite dismayed at the direction our party is headed.

As I see it we're failing badly at framing the arguement that the Democratic party is the answer to solve this nations ills. No one is offering solutions, ideas, taking a stand and sticking with it. Too many of our leaders are allowing private citizens such as Cindy Sheehan to do the dirty work in bringing down this administration. Why didn't even ONE of them get to Camp Casey and stand by this grieving mother to stand with her in calling * out?

This democrat is tired of words and rhetoric and wants to see action by someone, anyone that is bold enough to take a stand on any single issue. In order to win in the 2006 midterms, we cannot rely solely on voters being tired of the republican party. We need leaders that are unafraid to take the fight to this administration. We need leaders that are willing to offer solutions and ideas of how they intend to change key issues plaguing this nation. And sadly at this point, I just don't see any one doing so.

[Deja Q]

1. What else is new?

My boyfriend is a disenfranchised republican. I am a disenfranchised democrat. And it's amazing on how much we agree on once we got to actually talk with each other.

It seems the both of us are far more in tune with the issues of the working man than those we elect, thinking they are in tune with us. (once again, what else is new? Politics is a sham.)

[Wetzelbill]

5. common sense populism is a great strategy to take

for a candidate. Most people aren't ideologues, they just want somebody to work and fight for them. Politian is a dirty word, but Man(or woman) Of the People, has a nice ring to it.

[Al-CIAda]

19. I agree, we need populist leaders to step up. nt

[tucoramirez2005]

2. No, they're fighting

The Howard Dean types (We need to get the people with Confederate flags on their pickups to vote for us) are fighting the more extreme elements (We'd rather be right than elected) for control of the party (and its messages).

[Nightwing]

4. Dean isnt offering solutions

Yes it's nice that he's bold and brash, but name one issue on which he has proposed a solution. Sadly, I no of none.

Please dont get me wrong; I will ALWAYS support and vote Democrat. But is it wrong to demand more bang for my hard earned bucks?

[tucoramirez2005]

7. He's offering an explanation

that many don't want to hear:

As long as extremists control our message, we will always be out of power. Unless a majority of voters feels some reason to vote for us, we may as well pack it in.

[EST]

8. Have you listened to or read Dean?

The notion that he has proposed no solutions is preposterous! See earlier post.

[Nightwing]

10. Of course I listen and read Dean

But when he had the opportunity this past weekend on the Sunday circuit, he shyed away from offering solutions and ideas as to how to correct this nations ills. We dont need explanations, we need solutions and real leadership at every opportunity.

[EST]

16. He sez--

Run for office- everything from dog catcher to governor. There are, literally, thousands of jobs, paying anything from zero to very handsome wages, available in thousands upon thousands of local areas across the country. We can't lock up or kill all the criminals hiding in plain sight in public office across the country. We have to try to see that every job across this land has someone of unimpeachable character and human compassion occupying it, no matter what label they put on themselves.
There is no way a simple change of president or a senator or two is going to make any difference. It isn't going to come from the top - it just isn't-period.

This country has had over two hundred years of crooked elections and only recently has it become of such incredible proportions and so patently obvious that it has attracted enough attention, on a national scale, that even the most thick-headed are asking questions and making noises. There is no quick fix. It is going to take more than one generation.

The second part of phase one is that this can't happen in just a few states; it must be in all fifty, plus DC and territories. The collusion of big business and crime syndicate can only be smashed by an all out attack, never, ever relenting or letting go. The days of going to work, maintaining a household, in-laws on the weekends, fat, dumb and happy, let someone else do it, are gone forever. I know this is hard for many to accept, and for some (not thee and me, of course) the job just looks too big. We pretend there is no plan because it is easier to avoid acknowledging it.

This, paraphrased, of course, is Howard Dean's plan and I have heard him repeat it (or read it it letters he's sent out) at least a half dozen times.
That's why I'm astounded every time I hear someone saying he has put forward no plan. Forgive me, if you will, for my reaction.

The current crop of big time criminals tends to identify themselves as rape-publican thugs, but there are many masquerading as people of vision, compassion, ethics and passion: ie-democrats. They all have to be removed and put into something where their tarents won't get people killed.
Pardon my lapses of typing agility, please; there are good reasons.

[globalvillage]

3. CNN (HN) is actually covering Kerry's Seattle speech today.

Shocked the hell out of me. See kg's post on yesterday's speech.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2020661&mesg_id=2020661

[EST]

6. There are battles raging,

most of which you and I are not privy to. The way we can best be effective is to call, write, contribute, vote, run for office, hold vigils, refuse to be conscripted (for any RNC criminal enterprise,) quit goddamn shopping at walmart. volunteer--IOW exactly what the right honorable Howard Dean has requested. Hold the culture of corruption accountable.

[Nightwing]

9. Who is at the forefront of these battles??

Why are they standing in the shadows rather than the light? I want to see who is leading the charge so that I can get behind them and work my ass of to get them elected in '08.

[EST]

14. Conyers & Co.

I am told, over and over, that Kerry and cohorts are supporting the fraud investigations in Ohio and elsewhere. The story goes that, since, on paper, Kerry did not, as Gore did in 2000, win the popular vote, he has no "standing" to openly challenge and demand a manual recount. Of course, the really major battles are being joined by citizens' groups all across the country (witness the many posts on DU.) These fights, such as the one in the mayoral race in California, are doing the really hard, boring and thankless work of publicizing the discrepancies in local, easily controlled elections.
What I also keep hearing is that, in the culture af corruption, there is simply no way that we public simpletons can be recruited and enrolled in these larger fights on the principle that revealing the various game plans to too many people gives the crooks too much opportunity for making preventive countermoves. Of course this could, just as easily be a cover to allow the fraud to go on. (shakes head, sadly)

The daily accumulation of rapub crooks, big and little, who are being indicted and convicted is positively astounding but, not having any handle on whether this represents business as usual or a new world, I have no way of accounting.
Does this "outing" of multiple crooked 'kill a diaper head for Christ' organized thugs really represent a watershed?

[Catchawave]

21. Oh, I agree !

Not many DUers realize we are in 2008 pre-Presidential primary season. Most Dem Prez-wannabes have already organized their PAC's, not only for raising money for the 2006 races, but 2008 feel-good "water testing".

Dems:

http://www.gwu.edu/%7Eaction/2008/dems08.html

Pugs:

http://www.gwu.edu/%7Eaction/2008/reps08.html

[Q]

11. The 'New' Democrats now control 'our' party...

...and their advice is to be nice to Bush and never, ever point out that he's a criminal.

Politicians like Kerry and Hillary (both DLCers) don't want to talk about election fraud or Bush LYING this nation into war. In other words...they don't want to TELL THE TRUTH. They would rather pretend that Bush is simply a 'bad', incompetent president that needs to be replaced with one of them.

They KNOW that Bush & Gang have committed crimes and worked outside of the Constitution...but won't say anything about it for fear of exposing their own participation in the scam on the American people.

They're playing it SAFE so they won't become a target of the RWing Smear Machine and the Corporations that sponsor them.

Democrats that DO speak out are marginalized and demonized by the 'new' Leadership of the party.

The Republican party was usurped by the Neocons. The Democratic party was taken over by the 'Neodems'. Now both parties work for the 'military-industrial complex' instead of the people. What further proof do we need beyond the last four years of Bush breaking the law and the New Democratic Leadership allowing him to get away with it and actually working WITH HIM?

[EST]

17. You've caught on to the secret-

Now, what'cha gonna do about it?

[Booster]

22. Along those lines, could someone explain to me why both

Rep & Dems in Wash who have seen ALL of the torture pictures, etc., have not said a word about them? Will they be shot at dawn if they even hint what they saw? Their silence on this subject is deafening, and they offer no help in getting these pictures to the public. WTF is that all about? In my mind, this is aiding and abetting a criminal or in this case criminals.

[Justice]

12. DEMS are saying it - Media not covering it!!!!

Please - Dems are out there saying it all the time. The media gives Hagel big press b/c he is a republican.

[Dr Fate]

24. Which television news shows are they saying all these things on?

Press releases, websites and blogs is not what I'm talking about- CSPAN either.

I disagree- we rarely see with media access talking about things that the base talks about- like the DSM, for instance.

[European Socialist]

25. saying it to C-Span.

Big name Dems can't get covered by M$M? How about a couple dozen asking for a Chimp-Cheney resignation at a press conference.

[Toots]

13. Hillary is on a jaunt with three Republican Senators to Alaska and Canada

to examine the effects of Global Warming. All four senators have made statements that it is obvious that Global warming is real and much of the cause is man made. Three Republicans have made that statement along with Hillary. They have reached a Unanimous decision that legislation needs to be enacted sooner rather than later. Major News that has not been aired at all. But I do believe Michael Jackson is back on page one.

[Catchawave]

15. The RW shills are controlling the media now

screaming "anti-american" at anyone who dares speak against our War President. They are still in control with Rovian "fear, hate and loathing".

Maybe it's up to "we, the people" to file conflict of interest civil suits against the MSM for defamation of character. Allowing the likes of Horowitz, Limbaugh, Liddy and Hannity, ad nauseaum, spew hate speak on a daily basis. IMHO, I think they're "shouting fire in a crowded theater".

[EST]

18. Yep - they should all be in prison.

Who will bell the cat?

[Catchawave]

20. Bell the cat....I love it !

I think we can do better by writing, phoning and emailing the programs who support these goons. At the very least, they can tell the public what corporations' lobbyists support these shills.

In the meantime, here's some background on the right wing conspiracy, who confuses patriotism with their corporate sponsors!

http://www.campusprogress.org/tools/111/know-your-right-wing-speakers?type=printer

[EST]

23. Thanks for the link.

Most of the history I'm familiar with, except for the last one. I would like to find out just how and who does the ratings for these cheesy bastards.
I must admit, as a previously addicted talk radio audience of one (KMOX St Louis) I was devastated when my most important station put that bee-brained, racist hatred spreading loser on, along with many other major changes. I am indebted to Rush, however, because he forced me to notice what a criminal hate-mongering bunch the right wing had become, ten years ago.

I think the various radio monopolies are beginning to notice the lack of listeners these ethically challenged creeps have earned, rather than listeners who stay tuned and get angry. A million emails a day for about a month to them and their advertisers, explaining that we will not be listening and will make a concerted effort to discourage as many as possible from buying the products-and then follow through-might just get some attention.
Let 'em know what a liberal media would really look like. (Sigh. So much work to do, so little time.)