Jim Langevin a DINO, isn't he?

[Daylin Byak]

No seriously is he? I know he's pro-life and all but if he really that bad of a congressman? Just wondering cause today on DU's home page I saw a web ad for Langevin's Democratic opponent Jennifer Lawless saying he's the next Joe Lieberman. And after seeing this I knew he must not be as progressive as I think he is if he's not accepted on DU.

[chemp]

1. Langevin isn't the best.

Jack Reed is the only member of Congress from RI that I am proud to vote for every time. Kennedy is a smarmy little bastard, Chaffee votes his conscience most of the time until it really counts. Then it's Republican ALL the way.
Langevin is a strange bird. I went to school with him. He seemed to relish his new found fame after he was accidentally shot. (how very coulter of me). He also seems to vote his conscience, but allows religion take sway in many a decision.
He and I are on opposing sides when it comes to choice, the war, and a few other issues. And he also hasn't taken the time to even send a form letter in response to any of the missives I have sent his way. all the others have, including those from other states.

I have spoken many times with Professor Lawless, and I am concerned about her inexperience.

I am torn for the primary.
All I do know is Carl Sheeler over Sheldon Whitehouse!

[gaspee]

2. I'm happy to see

That someone is running against Langevin. Last election, I did not cast a vote in that race. I will not be voting for Langevin. I didn't even know Lawless was running against Langevin.

Since there is no viable (maybe not even one at all) republican, I feel I can withold a vote rather than cast my vote for him.

The only member of the RI delegation who is even slightly progressive is Jack Reed.

[Daylin Byak]

3. True about the delegation

Reed is a good Senator, I like Chafee cause he's a moderate pro-choice repuke but would get rid of him in a second if it means getting the dems back in power. Kennedy is a strange cause he can be progressive when he wants to but I have lost all respect for him cause he can't get his stuff together with his booze, hopefully him being in rehab helped him.

To be quite honest if I didn't read the web ad I just would of just figured that Langevin was an average progressive dem from Rhode Island that is sadly againist a woman's right to choose. And I was afraid to critize him at first about him on this board cause I was afraid you'll jump all over me about making fun of a man who is physically disabled, guess I was wrong.

langevinequalslieberman.com

[gaspee]

4. I like Chafee as well.

When he was mayor of Warwick, he was extremely approachable and he is a pretty honorable guy. He helped a good friend of mine who was a high school drop out with two kids get her GED and encouraged her to go to college. He is truly a good guy.

Unfortunately, with that R next to his name, I can't vote for him. I'm voting Sheeler in the primaries and whoever is the D nom in the general. I would vote for Chafee if the Senate weren't at stake. Chafee is further to the left than at least 5 dems.

And I am very far to the left myself, but I still find Chafee acceptable. Maybe that's why the right hates him so much.

It's pretty much a moot point however, since anyone in RI who calls themselves a progressive could not possibly vote for Chafee in this election.

[grizmaster]

8. Chafee lost the last of my support over Bolton

Chafee could have stopped the Crazy Von Mustache nomination at the committee level, but he chose to put on the bush kneepads instead. He did vote against it once it hit the floor, but to me that makes it even worse that he let it out of committee. If Bolton's not fit for the office you work against him, period.

[woldnewton]

5. Yes, and...

I might even be able to accept this in a state like Pennsylvania, where it's politically pragmatic in such a purple state. But a New England state like Rhode Island? It's simply inexcusable. If Lawless doesn't win the primary, I hope more progressive opponents continue to challenge him until he's either beaten or takes the hint and retires...

[Daylin Byak]

6. Trust me,

The only way Langevin will be gone from anytime soon unless he is defeated cause he isn't retireing anytime soon, cause if he did what would he do? politics is Jim's life and could be the only thing that going good for him cause when that bullet accidently hit him in the back 26 odd years ago his life unoffically ended. He can't live a regular life and will most have a hard time getting married due to his "stigma" even with eharmony on his side.

At the same time I dislike him cause of his beliefs but at the same time I feel really sorry for him cause of his current state.

[woldnewton]

11. Quite a shame...

but being a House member rather than a US Senate. At the time I wasn't happy about it, but now I'm so glad NARAL Pro Choice endorsed Chafee so darn early, basically tanking Langevin's bid for Chafee's seat. I'd honestly rather Chafee keep the seat than Langevin win it with the kind of voters that would support him, but hopefully a coalition of mainstream progressives and far right wingnuts will be able to beat Chafee w/the one two punch of a primary that's got the wingnuts buzzing (I have infiltrated an e-listserv comprised of those few wingnuts that RI's got and I've gone on the attack against Chafee there -- ehehehehehehehe }( ), as well as a well-funded general election challenge.

Meanwhile, w/Langevin staying in his House seat, we can launch three primary challenges against him in the six years he'd only be able to get one as a US Senator. After three primary challenges in a row, perhaps he'd be more open to the idea of retiring...

Sorry Daylin, I see what you're saying, but what you say about Langevin applies to a *lot* of career politicians -- eventually, even they wind up retiring eventually. Politics tends to be the 'life' of career politicians, usually... I will not give up hope just yet.

[bdamomma]

7. Langevin isn't the best representative to have in there

I sent Lawless a contribution. and just another question how's it looking for Carl Sheeler as far as poll ratings. Is Whitehouse going to get in?

[grizmaster]

9. Langevin sided with the Schiavo psychos

and never responded to my emails and letters on the subject. That was the last straw for me with him.

I love that Sheeler has made the impeachment of bush more of a national issue, but he seems a one trick pony to me. I'm going with Whitehouse. I think he's the strongest candidate against Chafee and he has enough political experience to hit the ground running when he wins.

[woldnewton]

10. Uh... it's not that he's a one trick pony (he's not)...

it's irrelevant what he does, because he will never win the Democratic primary.

However, he will help push some of these issues that are discarded as 'fringe' by the Bush-loving corporate media until they become part of the mainstream. Whitehouse, who will hopefully win RI's other US Senate seat that should also belong to the Dems, will one day be talking 'bout impeachment because of how people like Sheeler paved the way by taking on these hotbutton issues when it was too risky for an 'establishment' candidate to do so...

[grizmaster]

12. Agreed, Sheeler has shifted the debate

and added emphasis to many important issues. And I even sent him a contribution a few months ago.


The "one trick pony" comment was meant from the perspective of how the media has covered him.

Let's hope Whitehouse remembers that Sheeler's base will be his base once Chafee is bumped.

[woldnewton]

13. Um.. ROFL

The "one trick pony" comment was meant from the perspective of how the media has covered him.

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Thanks for doing the media a favor and repeating their spin... or perhaps the media has brainwashed you as well.

If DU 'progressives' fall for the spin and repeat the right wing talking points, it's no wonder why more corporate/conservative Democrats, independents, let alone Republicans.

Good job.

Great job...