Laurence O'Donnell on Olbermann....I liked what he said about Dem plans.

[madfloridian]

I think if our Democratic leaders could talk to us openly, without the media misinterpreting whatever they said....that it would sound a lot like what O'Donnell said tonight about plans.

I will watch for the transcript or else tape the 2nd showing. But here is sort of what he had to say.

There likely won't be any specific plans from the Democrats by November, as much as the media would like for there to be. He said they really don't need to run an anti-Bush campaign in a major way, that all they need to do is convince a few previous Bush supporters to turn to them. He is right.

People got lied to by this president. They are hurting and angry. We can prove what Bush is doing is wrong, we can point it out. But we are on shaky ground with people whose eyes are just opening up about things.

It is happening in my family, they are starting to come around. But it is shaky. I must not even act vindictive or they turn right back again. It is something they need time to absorb without vengeance and hatred being directed their way or toward the president who let them down. I want so badly to say "I told you so" to a few uncles and aunts. But the fact they are trying is something for them. We are about the only Democrats in our family, and I having to see where they are coming from on this.

He said that no Iraq plan would be forthcoming in any specifics from the Democrats because they are out of power. A plan would mean little. I think their presenting a sort of plan right now is about as good as it will get. He said no one knows what to do there, and I fear he is right. We and the Middle East will be damned if we do get out, and we will be even more damned if we don't.

The GOP and the media are waiting with bated breath for a Democratic plan on everything so they can rip it to shreds. O'Donnell grinned sort of when he said that there would be no plan, no matter how badly the media wanted it.

[kentuck]

1. It's true....no-one likes to be told they were wrong....

and they will fight to the end rather than admit it. Sometimes it might be better to let them come to the conclusion on their own?

[faithnotgreed]

3. absolutely true - unfortunately but yes it is very true

i respect those who "allow" this growth from people they know and who previously supported bush
considering the lack of fair media coverage combined with groupthink, bullying, ignorance, etc i just appreciate anyone who is willing to see and admit reality

it should be on their own terms
otherwise they will usually refuse to see it at all no matter how obvious it is

[LittleClarkie]

2. I wish Dems could have public debates on the tv

with various members of the GOP.

During the 2004 campaign that was just about the first time people got an unfilter taste of what Kerry was like, without the media bias in the way.

It would be nice if we could get coverage like that somehow.

[0007]

4. In a way its kind of like junior being quiet about his platform before

he was nominated to run in 2000. He drove his base crazy along with the media.

[AX10]

5. Democrats know that they cannot release their platform this early.

It will give das GOP time to attack it.

[Samantha]

6. It's a classic inside the Beltway political posture

"Never let them know what you are thinking." I started a thread on this subject some time ago to try to explain how and in what way political posturing in the Nation's capital differs from that throughout the Country. It's a unique place for a number of reasons, so sometimes there are unique political plays in motion the rest of the Country cannot comprehend.

But the long and short of what O'Donnell said is that it's impossible to alienate voters if you don't state a position on an important issue which causes that voter to turn away from you. And that's why the Democrats don't need a plan because they don't need criticism and they don't need to alienate voters. Bush* is doing a great job at that, alienating voters, so the Democrats just need to present an acceptable alternative to those disenchanted. Never Let Them Know What You Are Thinking is a safe strategy to play at this critical juncture.

Then after we win back the House, we'll let the cabal know Exactly What We Are Thinking!

Thank you for starting this thread. I saw the O'Donnell interview and thought he was right on the money, as usual.

[madfloridian]

7. Good for Randi. She just said to start calling on the Republicans..

to stand up and hold their own party responsible and leave the Democrats alone. They are out of power and have little they can do.

She said she was not going to do that anymore.