Here we go. The battle begins.

[madfloridian]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/04/AR2006030400998.html

"Senate Minority Leader Harry M. Reid (Nev.) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) challenged the former Vermont governor during a session in Pelosi's office, according to Democratic sources. The leaders complained about Dean's priorities -- funding organizers for state parties in strongly Republican states such as Mississippi -- rather than targeting states with crucial races this fall.

Neither side was willing to give ground, according to several accounts of the meeting. Dean argued that his strategy is designed to rebuild the party across the country, and that he had pledged to do so when he ran for party chairman. Reid and Pelosi countered that if Democrats squander their opportunities this year, longer-term organizing efforts will not matter much."

[acmavm]

1. Screw Reid and Pelosi. Dean is the most popular dem in America. With

the common people (who really ARE the democratic party) that is.

[SquireJons]

5. Well meaning, but we've got to get this one right

I kind of see both sides in the dispute. Living in Virginia, I am always disappointed that the dems don't put up much of a fight in my state, and I thought that Va was ripe to go for Kerry in 2004. So I would like to see more of an effort in all states, not just Ohio, Florida and Colorado. On the other hand, maximum effort does need to be put in for those key swing states. I sure hope the wining balance prevails.

[madfloridian]

13. VA got over 5 million for the November 05 elections.

No one else is getting near that. McAuliffe promised it, Dean followed through. But he is getting the political directors in now.

[SquireJons]

46. Very glad to hear about this.

I think Virginia can be a blue state, if the Dems try hard enough. But only if they back a middle of the road approach.

[FreedomAngel82]

24. Correction

He's ONE of the most popular. There are several popular democrats out there. Kerry has been supporting all tons of democratic canidates this year whether they're vets or not. From what I've heard/read of Dean's strategy I do like his way better though.

[Jawja]

44. I like

John Edwards, too. :loveya:

[FloridaPat]

2. The Democrats without Dean had 25 years to get their act together.

I haven't seen any indication the last 5 years they are there yet. Dean is. What is wrong with these people? Where is the "opposition" in "opposition party"?

[caledesi]

4. Ain't that the truth! nt

[shanti]

36. kinda makes you wonder, doesn't it?

:eyes:

[mandyky]

3. Well, if they push him out,

he can run for President in 08! ;)

Dean is trying to rebuild the Democratic (wing of the Democratic) party, not the GOP lite wing.

Dean is right, we have to build and maintain state parties, not breeze in and out every 2 or 4 years.

[madfloridian]

7. Yep, push him out, go ahead.

:hi:

[FreedomAngel82]

25. They can't push him out though can they?

The DNC voted for him to be the chairman so aren't they the only one's who could do anything? :shrug:

[mandyky]

42. They can make life miserable for him

I'm not sure how many in Congress would gopushing Dean out, I believe Dean got voted in by 700 or more people to be DNC chair, and there are only about 220 Dem members of Congress.

[Warpy]

6. Good, let them scream

Their way has cost us all 3 branches of government. Their way has disconnected the party from its traditional working class base. Their way has muddled the message so that people are able to say there's little difference between the parties and not look like dolts. Their way has put anti choice candidates into races in the name of "pragmatism," thus ensuring women have no one to vote for.

The list goes on and on, and it's a nauseating one.

Harry, Nancy, you've had your days in the sun. It's high time you wake up, smell the coffee, answer the clue phone, get out of the way. Your way simply DOES NOT WORK! Those "moderate" pubbies are not going to vote for you no matter how you try to make our party look like theirs.

Give 'em hell, Doctor Dean!

[FreedomAngel82]

26. They should try it out though to see if it even works

Nobody knows if it'll work though either way so you should at least try it and see. The plan that has been going on now hasn't been working out much so far.

[wisteria]

8. Somewhere, there is a middle ground. 2006 in extremely important

but so is setting up the grassroots effort in all 50 states. This will benefit us eventually. Can't some of Dean's efforts be put on hold until after the mid-term elections, concentrating now on placing the money in just crucial areas? I would think that after we do well in the mid-term elections we will be able to raise even more money for Dean's efforts.

That said, I am really beginning to resent Reid and Pelosi. They have no vision and try to win by playing by the same old rules.

[madfloridian]

12. Here's the thing.

The figures show he outraised the DSCC and DCCC in January of this year. That was a surprise to them. HOWEVER, they have huge amounts in the bank.

Dean is putting the money that comes in back out into the states, just like he said he would do.

The DCCC and DSCC have enough to handle it. They are targeting races anyway, like IL and FL...so they can use their money as they want.

If people would donate more there would be more. I hope he sticks to his guns.

[against all enemies]

9. Reid and Pelosi - You're doing a great job. Doing NOTHING!!

Two tits on a bull. The worse President and congress ever and they can't find a chink in the armor? Can some one, anyone , please call these Republicans out. Even Oprah called out that author, calling him a fraud, and everyone loved it. It's time to call Bush out as a fraud. Who will do it - Reid? no, Pelosi? no, Dean, you bet you're ass he will. But we might offend some one, and some one won't like us. Screw it, get some balls or just quit.

[MercutioATC]

10. Reid..Isn't that the same Reid that pushed Hackett out of the Senate race?

Fuck Reid. Fuck Schumer. Fuck Pelosi.

They've had their chance to sell the Democratic party to the masses. They failed.

Maybe it's time for some new blood with a different approach. If we let people like Dean and Lamont and Hackett represent the "new" Democratic Party, would that be so bad? Reid and Pelosi and Schumer are holding us back. We need a change.

Dean's got fundaising creds and the proven ability to draw new voters. Reid and Pelosi should shut the fuck up and let Dean save their asses.

[FreedomAngel82]

27. Correction

Hackett was the only one who forced himself out.

[MercutioATC]

39. Well, that's one opinion.

Mine differs.

[Erika]

11. Pelosi/Reid/Dean in disagreement - We don't walk lockstep

We need to get to work now to contact them about how we believe and to what we're willing to contribute.

I thought the Dems agreeing to give W authority to go into Iraq was an insane waste of life and $.

Why would have anyone trusted the likes of this misadministration to go to war? I was and am bitterly disappointed with the Dems who voted for it.

I will not vote for a republican lite nor will I contribute to them. I have returned over a dozen surveys from the party stating that.

[The Magistrate]

14. Gov. Dean Is Doing The Right Thing Here, Ma'am

Even if our resources are limited, it is important to contest the enemy on the widest possible field. Concentration of force on a chosen point or points is not so simple a business as it appears. To first glance, it seems obvious that it is simply a business of putting the bulk of one's own forces in the chosen area, but this ignores the enemy's capabilities of deployment, and the enemy will be able as that point is known to mass its available forces in the same area, so that no advantage is gained by the concentration of one's own. It is, in fact, always necessary to secure the dispersal of the enemy's forces, and the tying down of some of them in areas far from the chosen field, to gain a superiority of force by concentration there. This can, in turn, only be achieved by some dispersal of one's own forces. Thus, any successful concentration of force is achievable only by a prior dispersal of one's own, forcing a similar response by the enemy. Gov. Dean seems to be laying just this sort of groundwork, and is operating to a correct and advanced strategic vison..

[madfloridian]

43. We agree on that.

:hi:

[ClassWarrior]

15. Think maybe this is kabuki theater?

That they're getting some headlines appearing (financially ) weak and in disarray - in a strategic ploy worthy of Sun Tsu? Lowering expectations?

Hmmmmmm... There's always hope...

16+5+2006

NGU.

[Catrina]

21. I'd like to think that, but I doubt it. I think it's about keeping their

friends in the club ~ if Dean is successful, a lot of the DINOS could be removed and replaced with real Democrats.

All I know is, Democrats are out of power ~ in all three branches of the government. To play by the same old rules, means more of the same.

Let's try it Dean's way, we have NOTHING to lose, thanks to doing it their way ~

I'm so tired of watching Democrats not taking a stand, and then rationalizing why they handed Bush another victory.

I have a really hard time converting Republican friends and family when they can point to Democrats' votes and say 'Well, if the war was wrong, why did so many Democrats vote for it' or 'if the Patriot Act is so unnecessary, why did so many Democrats vote for it?'

Bush is in a corner now, yet Democrats (all but three of them) handed him another much needed victory this week.

I like Dean's strategy ~ it will help new candidates with money and with support. If I see, eg, Joe Biden one more time on TV yelling about this administration and how bad they are, then turning around and voting for Bush's agenda, I think I'll scream.

It's time for a political 'revolution'. The proof is in the pudding, Dems have been out of power for over a decade now ~ and if we don't do something different it will remain that way. Sometimes I think they want it to ~

[ClassWarrior]

37. Of course. We are trying it Dean's way, and it's working...

I doubt Reid and Pelosi are that clueless as to not realize that. Thus my speculation.

16+5=2006

NGU.

[Eric J in MN]

16. Trying an approach different than the

..approach which has failed since 1994 is to "squander their opportunities."

Let's just keep doing the same thing over-and-over like we would wihout Howard Dean as chairman.

[napi21]

17. I suggest we send emails to Nancy, Harry and Howard!

I personally think Dean is right on this one, and that's what I intend to tell all of them! It's the damn leaders in Washington who've let the Dem Party fall apart in the states, and without that state help, the Dems have failed at the national leval too!

You are free to tell them how YOU feel, but I think we, as Democrats MUST tell them we see what's going on, and here's what WE WANT!!!!

[Erika]

18. This country is screaming for a change

We don't want unjustified war. We want health care for all and living wages. We want tax dollars spent here. We want outsourcing stopped.

In short, we want democrats with vision. We need to give the voters a true choice.

Reid and Pelosi need to wake up or get out.

[PVK]

19. What they all should be targeting is the election machines!

The situation is dire unless the Democratic party stops Diebold electronic tabulation.

[Rainscents]

20. Screw you both Reid and Pelosi!

Dean is doing the right thing and he is sticking to his plan!

[Warren DeMontague]

22. Um, I'll stick with Dean, TYVM. nt

[calmblueocean]

23. If they push Dean out, would he go Green?

If the Democrats don't want him, maybe he could help build a third party to replace them.

[upi402]

28. Dem startegy lost to *BUSH*!!!! -why change anything?

It has worked sofa king wonderfully!

It's way past time for a change. Time to get back to our roots. Get true believers in the running. Run the vetting processs, but let them challenge for a nomination.

[napi21]

29. PLEASE send an email to all 3 of them and tell them what you think!!!!!

Contact Howard Dean
http://www.democrats.org/page/s/contact

Contact Nancy Pelosi (I know there's another email for her as House leader but I can't find it.)
[e-mail]

Email Harry Reid
http://reid.senate.gov/email_form.cfm

That's the only way we're going to get anything to change in DC. Let them know what WE want, and that we're tired of the same old, same old, that HASN'T WORKED!!!!!

[w8liftinglady]

41. Oops-I reposted this...but a great idea,and I did it,too.

[Oilwellian]

30. So in essence what Harry & Nancy are trying to do...

is say, look over here, if we fail it's all Dean's fault. Sorry Harry & Nancy, you both suck and if you don't grow a backbone and fight the fascist takeover of this country, then we'll be pointing the finger at both of YOU. And, you will not see a DIME of my money...I'll give individually to Democrats who are willing to fight for OUR rights and principles.

[napi21]

31. I just sent emails to all 3 of them. 1st telling Dean we're behind HIM!

And to the other two, I told them that the Dems out here who vote don't like what they've been doing...on not doing...in DC, and they should get busy being the LEaders they claim to be! The Pubs have litterally handed you the 06 election. If you screw it up, it's YOUR fault!

[Clarkie1]

32. Dean is correct.

In order to win overwhelmingly we MUST reach out beyond our "safety-zone."

[Cleita]

33. Kick

:kick:

[madfloridian]

34. Dean talked about this on CNN with Blitzer this week.

Here is the part of the transcript.

"BLITZER: We're out of time, but a couple little political questions while I have you. Cash on hand for the Democratic Party as of January 1st, 2006: $5.5 million for the DNC; $34 million for the RNC. What happened to all that Democratic money?

DEAN: We're rebuilding the party. We've raised 20 percent more than we ever have before in an off year. We've got 200 operatives right now in every state in the country. And we've won four special elections in a row in Mississippi, seven out of eight in New Hampshire. First African-American mayor in Mobile, Alabama. We now have the mayorship in the largest county -- a million people -- in Utah. We're starting to win in states that used to be core Republican states.

If you want to build this party, you've got to invest the money to do it, and that's what I'm doing."

He said it firmly, and I thought something was up. He had a rather stubborn tone, I thought.

And here is the link to the video.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x576836#577000

[JackDragna]

35. Although I approve of Dean's more in-your-face style.

..than Reid's or Pelosi's anyday, I do have to concur with the latter two people about states like Mississippi. Until we establish a national, populist rhetoric about why Republicans are bad for America, we're wasting our time with any state south of Ohio and east of Texas.

[tkmorris]

38. I disagree

There are four US Representatives in the House from Mississippi for example. Two of those are Dems. Dems hold a great number of seats in the State House as well. Dems hold positions like mayors, school board officials, and so on. We can win seats in ANY state, across the land.

It is ignoring those seats and allowing the better funded Repubs to walk unopposed into them that has caused us to lose the majorties we once held. We can pick up seats in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and I personally will guarantee pickups in Texas. If we just CHALLENGE them, we will win in all of these places. The problem has been that we just GIVE them 150 Representatives and around 30 Senators without even a challenge, thus meaning we have to win virtually all of the "targetted" races to gain the majority. I say this is just bad logic, and recent history bears evidence that I am right.

Dean's strategy is just right, and about time too.

[madfloridian]

45. His first visit to MS drew so many they had to order pizza.

It was a dinner, and they expected about 500. Over a thousand showed, so they ordered pizza for them. You can not just skip states anymore.

[w8liftinglady]

40. Pelosi and reid's Congressional emails,if you feel the need.

http://www3.capwiz.com/c-span/mail/?id=447&type=CO&state=CA
pelosi
http://reid.senate.gov/email_form.cfm
reid

[PVK]

47. I love Dean and understand what he's doing BUT...

a 50-state strategy to rebuild the party is a long-term solution. Right now, the "patient" is on life support and needs emergency care.

Pelosi and Reid be damned.

The REAL problem here is the damn "voting machines" and until/unless the DNC addresses this mess I am NOT going to give the DNC one more dime or any other branch of the Democratic party.