Am I the only one feeling both very happy AND frustrated as hell?

[geekgrrl]

Why is there no unified democrat response to all that Bush's admin is screwing up? This is such an opportunity to come down really hard on the GOP- with some unified soundbites and language. The dems need to be doing some of the soundbite/argument work like the kind of stuff the GOP is so good at. Remember after every debate with Kerry, no matter how much Bush SUCKED the repugs would come back with a solid, supportive response? That is the kind of unification of message I am talking about.

I guess I am mostly talking about senators here. I called Feingold (my senator) 3 times about this already- right after Katrina, again about Roberts and then again yesterday about coming down hard on Bush's admin. I'll keep calling him. I voted for him and he has to answer to his constituents.

I was talking with another liberal friend about this yesterday and they kept making excuses for the senate democrats saying "well, they are the minority- what can they really do if they take a unified stand?" Jeez- at least make a statement- even if they can't win a vote, discussion is so important. And then the other excuse "well the key dems are thinking of 2008..." Okay- but that still just seems like an excuse. I don't want to make excuses for them- I want to have them sieze this opportunity, send each other some emails, and coordinate some kind of great response so that we hear it on every freakin' news show and read about it in the papers. Like I said- the kind of support the GOP gave Bush during the election.

While Bush seems to be going down in so many ways (Delay's indictment made me smile all day yesterday and those falling poll numbers are just beautiful), I am discouraged by the impending swearing in of Roberts (my feminist, pro-choice heart is just breaking) and I am also growing discouraged that all of a sudden there is SO MUCH dirt on Bush- so much to hit him with that is right out there in the open, but the dems don't seem to be doing anything with it at all.

Am I the only one with this mixture of happiness and frustration?

Would all of us calling our dem senators even do any good?

[DoYouEverWonder]

1. I think they're doing the duck and cover

and they're hoping none of the spagetti sticks on them when the pot blows.

[Doctor_J]

2. If we were as unified as THEY always are

we could take back the house next year. But we're not, so we won't.

[electropop]

3. "Culture of Corruption"

Pelosi and Dean have been using that phrase the last day or so, and we can help promote it here. It's a small wobbly start, but let's help spread the word and nurture the idea. Likewise, watch for their next phrase. Eventually they might understand the need to formalize the machinery by sending out a talking points memo to the foot soldiers and to the bloggers and forums.

[karynnj]

4. Some are speaking out - My NJ Senators are

In addition:
Kerry spoke at 5 rallies for Corzine (who's running for Governor) in addition to strongly endorsing Corzine, he spoke very strongly against what Bush has done domesticly and in foreign policy. Kerry also gave 2 very hard hitting speeches at Brown Universty and in Boston in the last 2 weeks. The Brown speech combined critisicm on the Katrina response with a call for activism for social justice. the Boston speech dealt with US competiveness (explaining how this is connected to education and healthcare).

Edwards as broadened his comments on poverty and what we have to do to deal with the peoople who have nothing.

Clark has spoken out on many issues - often on Fox. We hate Fox, but it is their listeners we need to reach. We already have most of the readers of the Nation.

Bill Clinton has criticized Bush's destruction of FEMA as a proffessionly run organization.

Other than Clinton, none of these people have gotten much mainstream attention. Given how little attention the others got, there may be many Democrats speaking out who we don't even hear.

[Steely_Dan]

5. Why Rock the Boat...

I look at it this way....

The Republicans are self-destructing. They are imploding without any assistance from the Democrats.

The media is exposing most of what the public needs to know. The Dems are standing back and watching them eat their own and not risking looking like opportunists.

Just my take...

-Paige

[Jim__]

6. Do the dems have the media access?

All the talking heads on corporate media seem to be repeating the RW talking points. And corporate media are making out like bandits under the repubs.

But I agree. The dems need to be shouting out a repeated message. Simple, clear and concise. Culture of corruption is a good sound bite.