2010 situation grows more difficult for Democrats

[TomCADem]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON – An already difficult situation for Democrats in Congress is worsening as the 2010 political season opens.

To minimize expected losses in next fall's election, President Barack Obama's party is testing a line of attack that resurrects George W. Bush as a boogeyman and castigates Republicans as cozy with Wall Street.

Four House Democrats from swing districts have recently chosen not to seek re-election, bringing to 11 the number of retirements that could leave Democratic-held seats vulnerable to Republicans. More Democratic retirements are expected.

Over the holiday break, another Democrat, freshman Rep. Parker Griffith of Alabama, defected to the GOP. "I can no longer align myself with a party that continues to pursue legislation that is bad for our country, hurts our economy, and drives us further and further into debt," said Griffith, who voted against Democrats' three biggest initiatives in 2009: health care, financial regulation and reducing global warming.


Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_democrats2010

---

Cue the media spread right wing talking points about how the 2010 election victories is a mandate to bring back Republican policies on tax cuts, national security, bombing Iran, deregulation, and stopping the spread of gay marriage through federal legislation.

[tridim]

1. I don't give a crap what the media says..

The Repukes aren't going to win jack-squat in 2010. They have a 17% approval rating.

[asjr]

9. The media plays up stuff like Griffith. He

is a non-entity. He was a Republican at heart anyway and just wants to get his 15 mins. of fame. We are being warned by the media on a daily basis that "things are not looking good for Democrats in 2010." Well, things are not looking good for the media either. We have caught on to their game and they know it.

[PADemD]

36. The Republicans won our local county races in 2009

because only 10 per cent of Democrats showed up to vote.

[timeforpeace]

2. Seems lame, and implies there won't be anything positive to show the voters.

[izquierdista]

53. Well, at this rate.....

Can't dress the Repubs as in bed with Wall Street when the Dems are wearing a pink teddy and crotchless panties.

[Divine Discontent]

3. again, the only reason we lose anything in 2010 is because of the majority & WH doing the bidding

too often, of the corporations - that is the only way we lose.

[TomCADem]

7. The Irony Is That A 2010 Republican Victory Is A Mandate To Be More Corporate!

Because Republicans are not campaigning to increase regulation of corporations, but they are campaigning against big government! Thus, the mandate of the 2010 Republicans victories is to be even more pro-business. Climate change? The people have spoken, and have elected the party of climate change denial. Elections matter.

[Davis_X_Machina]

8. No it isn't. It's just heightening the contradictions...

...inherent in the present system, leading to an inevitable Kucinich presidency in 2016.

[CK_John]

10. How old would DK be in 2016?

[Divine Discontent]

46. I love Google!

[No Elephants]

55. Maybe you mean "Elections should matter."

[azmouse]

4. I don't think this country will be so quick to want to go back to Republican policies.

[IndianaGreen]

6. You are raising taxes on the middle class!

Expect to get a beating out of that!

[Joe Chi Minh]

18. What do you mean, '...go back'?

[Fire1]

5. These pricks were pseudo dems, anyway!! Good

riddance.

[grahamhgreen]

11. Thanks for putting our party in the crapper blue dogs.

[PSPS]

12. Democrats are despirited now

The mods will likely delete this because it doesn't praise Obama sufficiently, but the reason republicans will win isn't because people will switch their votes from D to R. It's because many of the D's won't bother to vote after being so disappointed by Obama's bait and switch.

[humbled_opinion]

13. Kick....

[pokercat999]

14. Bingo, this will be the first election I miss in many years.

I won't vote for the other corporate sponsored asswipe either, unless one of them can prove to me he is not a corporate shill, like 80% of dems, 99% of the rethugs and especially the prez..

[pscot]

22. I felt the same kind of outrage back in 1968

so I took a pass on that election. That worked out really well. Not. If you don't vote, you are giving your tacit consent to whatever follows.

[Iowa]

29. You were right in 1968, and you are wrong now.

Refusing to vote for one corporate whore is in no way a tacit approval for the election of a different corporate whore. That lie has been allowed to go unchallenged for far too long.

[No Elephants]

56. I don't know anyone else who believes that Democrats staying home in 1968 was a good thing. Please

see Reply #50.Voting for one corporate whore or another or staying home are not your only choices.

[Iowa]

64. Please read before posting...

"Please see Reply #50."

Please see Reply #27. Like I said in that post, I'll be much more selective about who I vote for in the future, and will lean toward voting third party unless the politician has a proven liberal track record.

That said, I'm not convinced that legitimizing the existing corrupted system by continuing to participate in it solves anything. The system has been completely co-opted by the corps/plutocracy and I'm afraid that it's just too far gone. The Democratic party extorts our votes by threatening us with the worse Republican party, while both parties march further and further to the right and serve the corps at our expense. There's no evidence that a boycott by legions of pissed-off voters would be any less effective than any other course. In the end it probably makes little difference what we do.

[Iowa]

28. +1

[quakerboy]

44. I might suggest you

show up, but make a point of voting for who you can believe in. whether that's a democrat or a third party. Staying home hurts corpoDems, but it does not help progressives.

[No Elephants]

57. Please see Reply # 50.

[emilyg]

15. Correct.

[FarLeftFist]

17. Dude, it's been a year....

Your willing to give up already? Wow. After the 8yrs of the Bush regime, I figured the mental anguish would and should push the Dems out the door on voting day. It's not a Presidential election so don't hold your reps responsible. If you don't vote you don't have the right to complain either. That's how I was brought up. Your handing over one of your freedoms, Bush's favorite type of person.

[Iowa]

27. I agree...

Obama conned the country and destroyed what small glimmer of hope remained. He turned what could have been another FDR generation into a generation of cynics. And he proved, once and for all, that we have two corporate parties. So fuck him and any Democratic politician who takes that war-mongering, torturer-protecting, corporate-whoring, liar's path. I'll be much more selective about who I vote for in the future, and will lean toward voting third party unless the politician has a proven liberal track record.

[liquid diamond]

47. Please. The mods allow plenty of Obama bashing threads here.

[No Elephants]

50. All Dems need to vote, even if they write in a candidate. Otherwise, the

media/pundits will find a way to spin low voter turnout as dissatisfaction with the left.

The first things we should do is badger the DNC to eliminate the undemocratic super delegates and to end its policy of supporting incumbents, no matter what. The second thing we should do is get involved with our state's democratic party so we have input early in the candidate choosing process. The things we should never do are stay home or vote Republican.

[FarLeftFist]

16. Fuck the media propaganda...

Anyone who isn't a certified lunatic should be voting Democrat in 2010. I'm sick of this country taking 1 step forward and 2 steps back. How soon people forget the last decade. The RW media better be fucking kidding if their going to try that approach. Were finally on an upward shift and were going to hand it over to the same fucks that got us into this mess, wake up America!!!

[Iowa]

30. Anyone who beleives that we are on anything resembling an "upward shift"...

...shouldn't be calling others a "certified lunatic".

[liberal N proud]

19. The sky is falling - Oh No - Democrats are gong to get clobbered

Keep repeating this meme and even the Democrats will not vote for Democrats. Why fight a losing battle, Right?

[keitai]

20. Republicans cozy with Wall Street?

And you are....?

[dflprincess]

32. Pot meet kettle

apparently they haven't figured out we're paying attention.

[pundaint]

49. I know you are but so are we nyah nyah

Good strategy DNC - Now test out "We kept us free from Single Payer" and "War is helping our economy"

[Grassy Knoll]

21. Pure propaganda...........

Rupert Murdoch is on the board @ AP , so a slanting they will go .

[BumRushDaShow]

23. This was one of the most spun pieces of crap "journalism"

that I have seen in awhile. The slant was so overt that you had to go through 3/4 of the drivel to finally discover this severely glossed-over gem "The GOP will be defending at least a dozen open seats because of retirements, with several lawmakers leaving the House to run for higher office". This basically negates the entire article that hypocritically points and laughs at the 11 retiring Democrats and pronounced that the sky has fallen despite the fact that there will be even MORE repukes - "at least a dozen (= 12+)" due to retire. The article also leaves out the fact that in the Senate, there are 6 repuke Senators retiring but only 2 Democrats retiring (both appointed but not running again), with 2 others appointed and intending to run in a special election.

Ironically, MSNBC ran this story on their website but didn't attribute it. :eyes:

[DarthDem]

24. LOL At This Ridiculous Propaganda Hitpiece (and the Reaction)

Guess the AP and Liz Sidoti didn't ring too many bells.

THIS IS A PROPAGANDA PIECE. Notice how there was no news in the "story?" Nothing that we didn't already know? And didya notice how no actual polling details were given? Notice how there were about two pieces of bad news for the Rethugs in there, fully minimized, and there were obvious counterarguments against almost every anti-Democratic point - - but none were offered? "Democrats crowed," and such language. Please.

Pure *hitpiece of 100% propaganda designed to spread a build a narrative that Democrats will lose tons of seats, in an attempt to become a self-fulfilling prophecy. It's the same thing that Spasmussen does with all of its polls.

I really wish DU would be more discerning.

[wordpix]

34. this hit piece also appeared in our regional CT paper known for backing repukes

that oughta tell DU something

[MannyGoldstein]

25. If You're Going To Piss Off Republicans Anyway, Might As Well Deliver The Real Goods

This rehash of Clinton's "triangulation uber alles" policy is a catastrophe for the country, and for the Party.

[mvd]

58. There's still time

While my grade for President Obama is now a "C" because of the war and lack of willingness to even stand up for the public option, my grade can easily go back closer to the "B+" it was before - if Obama commits to improving the health care bill, does more on civil liberties, and is serious about the 2011 deadline in Afghanistan.

[Doctor_J]

26. DINOs are in trouble. The real Dems are fine

[Iowa]

31. Correct. Unfortunately, most Dems are DINOs.

[wordpix]

33. writer has a crystal ball & knows what will happen in 2010? i want her investment strategy

and we can get rich together in 2010, since she can foretell the future :crazy:

[MadMaddie]

35. It is so interesting to see how many here get so dispirited by

things that don't go 100% their way. You read an article by AP and you get all sad and ready to submit to the Republican whores that have destroyed this country.

You threaten not to vote....well then you just capitulated to the right wing game of.....make the liberals cry, and make them give up, the Repug congress continues to fight any meaningful legislation and it just knocks your hope down another notch....

Someone puts an article out about Palin running next election and you cry and consider her the biggest threat to the Democratic party.

If you want to cower to your own fears then feel free to do so....pat yourself on the backs for playing into the Rovian world of fear and disembowlement of their opponants.

Just because the media (which we know does not report news)says it's so.....doesn't mean it's so.

There is nothing wrong with criticizing the President when he makes the wrong move but you scream the sky is falling when he takes a shit.

Face it whether you want to or not this President and (weak leadership in the House and Senate) have to attempt to UNDO 40 years of Repuglican rule that has destroyed the middle class.....why not push your state and local commmunities to fight to get manufacturing back into your towns and cities?

Why not push your towns, cities and states to get going on rebuilding the critical infrastructures, the electrical grid, bridges, roads and dams? Why not suggest to your state that they offer these jobs for a roof over a families head and food on the table?

By the way these so called Dems that are defecting were never Dems anyway....good riddance.

[JTFrog]

41. +1

:thumbsup:

[MadMaddie]

63. Thanks and Happy New Year!

:hi:

[CosmicSloth]

42. A bunch of whiners

+100

I don't usually post here, but have been following this site since 2004 and the re-selection of shrub. It is dis-heartening to hear those who are ready to give up so quickly because things haven't changed fast enough. 30+ years of Republican domination led to where we are now. The only chance IS the Democratic party, regardless of how right things have become. I would have loved to see Obama clean house and act like a "Republican" in ramming my (and your) ideas through, but this isn't a 30 minute TV show. It will take a LONG time to get things going, and the lack of patience in some of you is astonishing.

Those of you who are sitting out of the next election to prove some sort of childish point, are totally F----- in the head!! You are nothing more than little cry babies with no idea of the big picture.

Have you forgotten the first 8 years of this decade and how horrible life in the USA (and the world) was under the apex of Republican rule? Don't you realize that if the Dems lose control of congress we will return to complete Republican domination - only this time, the crazies will be there and they will have something to prove. You can kiss the Democratic party good bye. The Republicans will have total control and will never relinquish it.

The DEMs have a majority in congress now, but though it is nearly veto proof, it is incredibly fragile. Things take time to change, 30 years of Republican rule will not undo in 1 year. Hell it will probably take at least 8 years to erase the damage done since Reagan.

Grow up...if you feel that the Democrats have gone too corporate, primary their asses. This is how you strengthen and guide the party. But in the general election by all means vote and vote Democratic: don't sit out to make a foolish point.

[MadMaddie]

62. Thanks and Welcome my friend!

:hi:

[earcandle]

37. This is disgusting.

[still_one]

38. This is "breaking news"? This is bullshit. What will the MSM say when Democrats

maintain control of Congress in 2010?

[47of74]

39. When hell looks like this...

[Shipwack]

40. This ignores the same issue from the Republican side of the aisle...

The Republicans have several incumbents that aren't running either. I can't find the exact number, but I think it is at least 8, maybe more.

Plus, there is a trend for their very vocal wacko minority to push for "purity"... Unfortunately for them (but good for us)candidates that pass the "smell" test stink to moderate, and even Republican, voters.

2010 is going to a challenge for the Dems (as mid-term elections always are to the party in power), but it is not going to be a slam-dunk for the Republicans. 2010 will -not- be a replay of 1994 for this, and other reasons. US News has an interesting article about this:Why the 2010 Congressional Elections Won't Repeat 1994

[scentopine]

43. It only takes one charismatic republican who isn't brain dead

and all those new democrats that Obama is building his agenda around will leave him at the altar. This is Rahm's gamble. He is betting that republican cross over voters put Obama into office and they'll stick with him. As long as he doesn't piss off the right wing dems and republicans aka "centrists", he figures he is safe.

I don't believe it. War, torture, health care, wall street gifts, job loses, outsourcing, NAFTA, H1B and underfunded stimulus have struck a blow to grass roots support. Republicans can play the corporate game as well as Rahm can. They taught him everything he knows.

It would be interesting to watch if 95% of America's earnings and savings weren't eroding no matter who is in office while the other 5% are gaining exponentially. And interesting to watch if the slaughter wasn't continuing safely out of the view of most Americans.

Are there any democrats who are committed to reversing these policies?

[alarimer]

45. If they would act like Democrats instead of Republicans, they would not have this problem.

People want out of Iraq and Afghanistan, they want REAL health care reform but they aren't getting shit because Democrats continue to be in the pocket of corporations.

The hell with them. They dug their own grave.

[Tx4obama]

48. Teabaggers will split the GOP like in NY-13 & the DEMOCRATS will win BIG! n/t

[Ohiodemoc]

51. The article doesn't even cite polls

No polls to back up their argument. I believe Democrats will gain seats in 2010.

[sendero]

52. "Cozy with Wall Street".

.... that's going to be a tough sell, Summers and Geithner have their noses right up Wall Streets ass and everyone knows it.

[Tippy]

54. Here is a copy of an e-mail I set to the AP yesterday

"2010 situation grows more difficult for Democrats"

LIZ SIDOTI, AP National Political Writer Liz Sidoti, Ap National Political Writer –

Ms Sidoti wrote:

"But that was three years ago. Democrats have been in control since, and Bush is long gone. This is Obama's country now."

Ms Sidoti seems to have a problem with math....President Obama was elected in Nov.3,2009, todays date is Jan.2,2010, for a total of 426 days since his election, give or take. 426 days, does not three years make no matter how you count it, unless of course if she is using GW Bush's, fuzzy math....

I happen to live in Congressman Bart Gordon's Dist, and I am well acquainted with Congressman Tanner...Congressman Gordon won his last election with over 70% of the vote...I understand he got a better offer, and that is all I am saying on that issue.
*********************************************************

These so called writers write what sells and that is not necessarily the truth, she could have cut the article to......this

"But that was three years ago. Democrats have been in control since, and Bush is long gone. This is Obama's country now."

I knew the minute I read it it would be all over the net quickly and I was right...POLITICO is pushing it real hard...If it were up to me I would suggest we not post anything from th AP and Politico by doing so we are feeding the beast, JUST my two cents,,

[No Elephants]

59. AP has a Ron Fournier problem.

http://mediamatters.org/columns/200807220006

Nonetheless, Democrats get complacent (or discouraged) at their peril.

[ngant17]

60. Americans with limited attention spans have forgotten

the depths to which the nation sank under 8 years of Bush. We got 2 wars, idiotic statements from the White House, I'd rather forget most of it myself but under no circumstances would I ever want the Repugs back in power. They will turn progress back as they always have done. Whatever good will come out of health care reform, they will try to neutralize it as soon as they can control the legislature again.

[yurbud]

61. How could they say the GOP is too cozy with Wall St when Obama puts the crooks in his cabinet?

[mdmc]

65. America gets what America deserves

So, essentially, bring it on.