Why don't the dems stand up and demand Bush accountability?

[debbierlus]

I just don't understand it.

1. Bush has an approval rating in the low thirties. How can they possibly worry that holding Bush accountable will 'energize' the Republican base? Why don't they worry about energizing THEIR base? A base they repeatedly ignore. Why are they more concerned about appeasing the far right wing wackos then representing the majority?
2. Where is their personal integrity? Why don't they do the right thing for the sake of doing the right thing??? No political calculations, only moving forward, if doing the the right thing will work out for them. Why don't they just DO IT?

What is honestly going on here? Are the dems as a party truly Republican lite; playing a good cop to the the Republican's bad cop and all being paid from the same til in the end?

Or, are they just complacent and weak?

(I am talking about the party as a whole and the actions set forth as their agenda). I realize that there are some amazing dems. And, I am thinking that perhaps these amazing dems might want to form a third party that truly will represent the people.

[JeffR]

1. I think the real fear is not about energizing the Rep base

The fear is offending some mythical "middle ground", a concept that has gotten the party precisely nowhere in recent election cycles.

As I've said many times, the party needs to be rebuilt, not abandoned. The only third party I want to see is the one on the fringe right.

[AndyA]

2. I've been wondering the same thing!

What do the Dems have to lose?

My only conclusion is the Repugs have dirt on the Dems, and are threatening to use it against them.

I'm really beginning we need a clean sweep. Everybody has to go, and all new people must be brought in. The culture of corruption that the Repugs started has spread to the Dems like a disease.

The Constitution defines this country, and protects its citizens. I think it's shameful that it's being abused.

[Beelzebud]

3. Because we don't have an opposition party. We have 1 party.

The Corporate Party.

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

6. Thruth~Plainly Spoken~Rarely Recognized

[C_U_L8R]

4. they REALLY don't want to go left of center

'cause the repukes will declare open season on 'em
and will bury them in slime (as if they haven't already)

Schumer says WE need to "TURN OUT". Well that just says to me
that the Dems in Congress are not confident that we have their backs
if they stick their necks out. They're partly right... and we may not get
anywhere until half the country shows up at the Capital steps.

But damn.... I wish the Dems would stop being so.. WISHY WASHY.

[Marr]

5. Because they think Bush is so bad, they don't have to do anything.

To hold onto their posts, I mean. Why make populist promises or rock the boat when you can just be the lesser of two evils? So much easier.

They're also intensely stupid, since they're only letting the Republicans define the discussion and outflank them. You just watch- they'll let the Republicans turn the 2006 elections into nothing but immigration, and they'll lose.