Focusing on 2006

[politicasista]

I know someone started a GD thread saying that we all should stop worring about potential 2008 candidates and focus on 2006. Yet people are starting the same old threads about "we need ______ to win in 2008."

That's all good and everything, but I have posted the same thing, yet only a few listen. It's nice to think about 2008, but shouldn't we focus on 2006? Are we going to take back Congress and the MSM, have paper ballot voting? We don't know what the political environment is going to be like in the next three years.

I will continue to say that at the rate Bush, the war, and the country are going, whoever wins the nomination (and hopefully the presidency) is going to have a huge, massive, I mean MASSIVE mess to clean up once Bush is out of office. Has anyone stopped and thought about that?

Just my two cents. :hi:

[Island Blue]

1. I have thought about this a lot.

It is going to be a very difficult job for anyone (Democrat, Republican or Independent) who inherits the Presidency in '09. I think most Americans have absolutely no idea just how big of a mess Shrub & Co. are making. Most people just aren't really paying attention - they are only focused on Michael Jackson, or the Runaway Bride, or sharks, or whatever the Distraction Du Jour is. Maybe things will improve in three years (I doubt it, but I sincerely hope they do). If not, the full stench from this rotten mess will probably hit America in the face some time early in the next President's first term, and that person will get the blame for everything and a lot of people will believe it. (We Americans are blessed with tiny, tiny, short memories after all.)

I guess what we can hope for is that between now and then, as much truth as possible will be revealed about the mess that Shrub has gotten us in, so the next President will not have take the heat for something not of his/her creation. That is why I am so happy when I see Kerry or any other Democrat speak out forcefully and plainly on the damage being caused now by this current administration.

[TayTay]

2. I think the people do know what's up.

I believe in the common wisdom of the people. That's way I'm a Democrat. I think the average Joe or Jane in this country knows that their job situation is shaky at best, that the health care situation in this country is in crisis and that the national government is ignoring these and other issues. I think that a lot of working people in America are worried sick about what's happening to this country and are looking for leadership, responsibility and accountability in government.

The diversions work because they take the mind away from the troubles for a little while. But the average American knows what's up and that things are not going well right now in America. This is reflected in the polls that say that * is not paying attention to what the people want. He was given a gift last year when the people voted for him, despite their misgivings over his domestic policies. They voted to give him a chance to clean up his mess in Iraq. He has, arrogantly, thrown the chance away. The people know this. Look at the polls. As Senator Kerry has said, repeatedly, since January, these 'felt needs' of the American people are not going away. They are, if anything, getting more and more pronounced. While the Congress dithers about Terry Schiavo and Judicial Filibusters, more and more people are losing their health care, losing their jobs and losing their hold on the American Dream. These are not things that you can fool around with forever and get away with. Because the American People are not really distracted. Trust me, they know the score. The day of reckoning is coming, it is inevitable.

[Island Blue]

3. I hope you're right

Sometimes I honestly don't realize (or forget) what it's like in other parts of the country or even other parts of my state. I live in a unique place that has unique problems, but I don't seem to come in contact with a lot of people worried about the growing crisis in the country. (Not that we don't worry about things, like for example, how many jobs can I realistically hold down so I can afford to live here.) I suppose that means I should get out more, or read more or, (a novel idea) shut up if I don't know what I'm talking about! :blush: I apologize for my ignorance. I'm here to learn.

[TayTay]

4. You are not ignorant or dumb or any other bad thing

We all come here to learn and challenge each other. (And who died and made me Gawd anyway. I need to learn and need to be challenged as much as anyone else. Maybe more so because I could be 'set in my ways' and need to learn a new way of seeing things. I will rely on you and the others in this group to assist in that. LOL!)

Asking questions and putting out concerns is a wonderful thing. It shows that you have a working mind and a questing intellect. Be proud of that. I am very proud of the people in this group. We like each other and aren't afraid to 'dish' a little. We can do this because there is a basic level of trust that we won't whomp each other over differences of opinion but will hash them out with respect.

Another thing I love about this group is that fact that we are geographically diverse. I come from a comfortable middle-class background in Massachusetts. I have, except for two years in college, lived here all my life. Well, from time to time, I need a strict reminder that the whole of the USA is not Massachusetts and people think differently in other parts of the country. It does me a world of good to find this out. (Broadens the mind and the sense of perspective.)

So, in sum, have at us dearie. Ask anything you want. No one thinks the lesser of you for a question at all. And there is every possibility that you are asking a good pondering question that will benefit others, as you have here.

[JohnKleeb]

5. Hell in my state, we're focusing on this year

Governor's election.

[TayTay]

6. So, as it stands right now

who has a shot at taking Warner's spot?

[JohnKleeb]

7. Well its a three way race

between Lt Governor Kaine, AG Kilgore, and State Senator Potts, Potts is a republican but a pro choice and favors some tax increases, hes running as an inpedent. Kaine isnt pro choice but he is unlike Warner more strongly pro gun control and actually opposes the death penalty.

[politicasista]

8. Can't wait to hear Kweisi Mfume's plattform

as well as Harold Ford Jr's too.

[JohnKleeb]

9. Oh yeah for sure

You think Ford can win Frist's seat. We got a gay marriage ballot intiative that will sadly pass in favor of banning gay marriage.