The Massachussetts election should be a wakeup call to Progressive Democrats

[cap]

to get off their tails! How many people here have donated to Coakley or made phone calls on her behalf.

She may have made mistakes but we have to protect ourselves from the consequences of losing that 60th vote in the Senate.

[still_one]

1. It should be, and it most likely will be for most, however, there is a group think among some of the

"naderite" like, who believe if they cannot have things exactly their way, they will take their toys home, even if it means people will be hurt more because of their actions

If they cannot see the difference between the Democrats and the repugs, then they are primarily self-destructive individuals

[depakid]

4. The self destructive folks are the "leaders" in the party who think they can backslap their base

- constituency after constituency in a rather public manner and still expect people to get out and work for- and vote for their party's candidates.

Unfortunately- there's a group of people who- no matter how many times this happens never seems to learn -but unstead, scold the very progressive groups they repeatedly sell down the river- never taking responsibility for their own corrupt and "centrist" behavior, corporate alliances and crap policies.

What it boils down to is arrogance and a pathological inability to grasp basic human nature. If your party is perceived as unwilling or incapable of standing up and fighting for its constituencies- then people in those constituencies aren't going to get fired up to go work for and GOTV for them.

Pretty simple stuff, really.

[closeupready]

28. Yes, but as I say downthread, it's possible a loss of this seat is what some Democrats want

because it makes it easier for them to gut liberal legislation for the benefit of their moneyed puppetmasters.

[LooseWilly]

70. Couldn't agree more depakid.

Thanks for saving me the trouble of composing something. (The question is... will the centrists take this as a wake up call?...)

:toast:

[bread_and_roses]

5. Oh what a crock

That "60th vote" is getting us soooooo far forward, huh?

"if they cannot have things exactly their way, they will take their toys home" - I am so sick of this idiot charge. Like most progressives I've blistered my feet and inflamed my ear walking and talking for Ds I knew full well were only marginally better than their R opponents. I have turned out voters in poor neighborhoods at 8:45 PM on election night to win a squeaker by a few votes - and then seen that D winner never, not once, go and talk to those poor neighborhoods or respond to their concerns for their entire term. I have done this for years and years. And I am done with it. They can win or lose without my help, since it makes absolutely no difference in the big picture of our onward march to third-world Oligarchy. If Coakley loses the fault will lay squarly on the Dem Party for playing nice with the Banksters and Insurance Vampires. NOT with progressives who've been begging them to act for the people.

"even if it means people will be hurt more because of their actions" - well guess what? People will still be hurting under this abomination of a health care Bill. And I for one assign no more or less importance to the lives of those who will still be bankrupt, still afraid to go to the Dr cause they can't afford it, still even die than to those who will get some marginal help. And guess what? That help is going to come from the taxpayers pockets and will be taken out of our hides somewhere else - in other services, education funding, infrastructure spending that is desperately needed. And people will die and be crushed by those cuts too. It's all a hat trick - "look over here!"

Well, I, for one, am done with it. I find myself totally unable to care one whit if Coakley loses.

It should be a wake-up call for the Dems indeed. However, their history is that they will take exactly the wrong lesson from it.

Ordinary people out here on the street are in a rage at what's going on. The Ds are going to reap that whirlwind, and have no one but themselves to blame.

[Le Taz Hot]

10. +1

:applause:

[flyarm]

18. +1

[TorchTheWitch]

58. Bravo!

I'm done voting for anyone that does not represent the people. DONE. Had I and others like me done that ages ago we wouldn't be in the mess we are now.

[CakeGrrl]

61. Bottom line: the "Ds" of whom you speak are well-employed with Healthcare

and if you think the Rs who are waiting to capitalize on this Progressive anger and "punish by no vote" action aren't going to do any worse than those Dems to those of us who are not members or employees of the Legislative and Executive branches of the US government, think again.

The only people who are going to feel the sting of "punishment" are the voters. Congressional Dems who may not have a majority in the House or Senate still have a JOB.

[LooseWilly]

72. The Congressional Dems who lose their seats because of Progressive Apathy WON'T still have JOBS.

They can join the rest of us paying for MANDATED health insurance whether we have jobs or not.

It'll be fun.

:+

Not that the Dems would ever pass anything that isn't approved by Lieberman anyway... and he's so Republican Lite that it really doesn't matter... it just doesn't matter.

[Leopolds Ghost]

86. Like the "voter ID" some talked about, they wont care because they already have it/can afford it

So it doesn't apply to them.

A Mandate by definition only applies to people not "fortunate enough" to already possess something.

It's a regressive enforcement mechanism. It relies on the apathy of the fortunate, who say, "we're
not forcing you to do anything you shouldn't already be doing, like me." An authoritarian desire to
make the poor conform to standards the rich are already comfortable living by, and thus invisible.

(Interesting fact: Picture ID is required to enter all gov't buildings in DC except the courts.
You can go to trial without a drivers license, but you can't speak at a public hearing without one.)

[WillyT]

79. +100

:yourock:

:kick:

[Leopolds Ghost]

85. +1

[SammyWinstonJack]

96. !!!

:applause:

[roguevalley]

69. I am a flaming radical liberal and I vote. don't blame me if this election

goes to hell. kick people in the teeth and expect them to do what you want because 'they don't have any other choice' doesn't deserve the loyalty and tenacity of the left. fuck rahm and his ilk. they don't deserve us. they should be on their knees in gratitude that we love our country and do our duty more than we hate their miserable guts.

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Davis_X_Machina]

3. DU comes through! ...

...with the reason for real progressives to vote for Brown.

So, to recap....

No Coakley, no cloture.
No cloture, no HCR.
No HCR, no GOP blowout in the House in 2010, or Dem loss of the Senate, or loss of the WH in 2012.

So, the only way to save the party is to vote against it. In the most liberal state in the Union.

QED.

And it would be much easier to get real HCR through the Senate with a reduced majority. 59 > 60.

We went through the looking glass so long ago, you can't even see it in the rear-view mirror any more.

[Betty Karlson]

14. Actually, a Paleologos poll

says that 17 % of de Democrats are enclined to support Brown... That's a lot.

[dionysus]

38. that's because bitterness makes people advocate stupid things...

[LooseWilly]

73. The exact same thought crossed my mind, if it's any consolation.

I'm sure we'll both be dismissed as delusional by all who think that passing a shitty bill is better than killing it... and it would be ironic if losing Teddy Kennedy's seat to a Republican was the way forward... but... gotta save the Democratic Leadership from themselves.... abso-fucking-lutely mind boggling...

:+

[KharmaTrain]

6. Yep...We'll Show Us...

I suspect those who feel that the "Democrats have sold us out" will be the first to bitch when nothing gets done for the next two years and "how we blew the opportunities". Hindsight is always 20/20.

[DisgustedInMN]

9. I don't know..

... how to break this to you gently...

...but...

Nothing of any REAL consequence is "getting done" now.

The corporate DLC was warned by US. They chose to ignore US.

FUCK 'EM.

WE did our part, THEY failed US. (or succeeded to kiss corporate ass, depending on your perspective.)

THEY deserted US. PERIOD.

[JVS]

15. The DLC will be pleased with an MA loss because it will decrease the expectations of actually....

doing stuff.

[KharmaTrain]

16. So I'm Gonna Take My Ball And Go Home...

and so be it. It's your right and one commonly shared around here. But it's also all perception. Sorry, I don't see DLC under every bed in some massive conspiracy but a national party that has many different interest groups and people who represent those interests. In 2006 and 2008 the goal was to get rushpublicans out...especially in red and purple areas. To win these elections and start moving away from the right wing domiation...move the political pendulum back toward the center. Sorry, the '08 election wasn't a mandate on Liberals and Progressives as much as it was a total repudiation of the GOOP...Democrats won despite, not because of Progressive or Liberal ideals (and those change depending on who you talk to)...that job is still ahead, but looks like instead of engaging, some prefer to cast blame and hope all goes to hell...then play "I told ya so".

"We" obviously haven't done our part if you believe the Democratic party and/or government has "failed". This should be a call to push for "better" Democrats...to work towards organizing, funding and then electing more "non-DLC" candidates. It's to continue to move forward and build a larger Progressive caucus in the House and Senate. It's forcing change within the party leadership from within...rather than detaching and having even less say.

If you look at the House, there has been many worthwhile programs and bills passed. They're the ones who stood firm on public option and whose bill, many will agree, and the better of the two bills, but, as has been the case for the past 3 years, it dies in the Senate or is drastically watered down. The problem is a dysfunctional Senate led by poor leadership. Reid's attempts to cajole and appease has made it all but impossible to pass any Progressive legislation. By walking away and letting both Progressives and Liberals lose seats is exactly what the DLC and the rushpublicans would love to see.

[DisgustedInMN]

17. What a ...

...pile of rubbish and poor excuses for sell outs.

I've had my fill of browbeating from pretenders.

Let me know when the "Democrats" have started governing like Democrats and than come callin'. Till then, save it for someone WAY more naive than me.

[KharmaTrain]

19. So Your Suggestions Are???

It's easy to cast blame...so what solutions do you offer? I'm curious...what would you change and how? How would you pass legislation or would you prefer to rule by fiat?

And then I'd enjoy seeing your definition of what ruling as a "Democrat" is. Methinks this shows whose naive here.

Also...how does one tell a "pretender" from the real deal? Specifics would be appreciated...

[DisgustedInMN]

20. Double posted (deleted)

[DisgustedInMN]

22. My suggestions?

Do what we elected them to do. Real Health Care Reform. End the endless wars. Prosecute the war criminals. Put forward a REAL Federal Jobs Program.

QUIT KISSING NEOCON ASS.

That enough for you?

[KharmaTrain]

23. Nope...

That's words...noble ones, but ones that don't reflect the beltway world that has and will continue to rule this country.

So who leads? Who cracks the whip to? And how do you propose to get all this legislation enacted...especially through the Senate? I'd love to see all of what you suggest, now how about a plan of action...which candidates are the "real" Democrats? And how do you get them elected?

I'm honestly looking for creative, positive ideas...we get plenty of rhetoric.

Cheers...

[DisgustedInMN]

24. If you need to ask who...

.. you are beyond my power to educate.

Have a nice day, I'm not interested in excuse for failure anymore.

[Mari333]

97. amen

[flyarm]

21. wait a minute here..It was Rahm that told Liberals to kiss his ass..

it was Rahm that slammed the base..so now many in the base don't want to support this bullshit and you say .."So I'm Gonna Take My Ball And Go Home..."


nooooooo dear it doesn't work that way..to tell us to kiss his ass and we get blamed for any of this?

The DLC and Rahm and Obama don't even let Liberals or progressives come to the table..but they ass kiss the Insurance Corps and big Pharma..they not only get invited to the table..they get tongue kissed over and over again..

but we ..we who have donated $$$, time, footwork..Phone time..can't even come to the table once..and yet the big boys get an open door to the White House..and french kisses..

and you have the nerve to say ...."So I'm Gonna Take My Ball And Go Home..."

well let me repeat the Top dog of the DLC again for you..

Rahm Emanuel Tells Liberals To Kiss His Arse

can you tell me where "DEMOCRATIC" VALUES AND PRINCIPLES ARE IN THAT STATEMENT???????????

I have spent my entire adult lifetime working with and for and even elected as a Democrat..39 years worth..and I can tell you ..I can't find anything democratic in Rahm's slam of me or my fellow liberals..or in Obama's and the Dems in Washington going along with FISA wiretapping me, and Obama's DOJ sending in spies on peace groups, this give away to Big Pharma and the Insurance boys..the disallowing of reimportation of Medical prescripts..continuing two bogus wars..and taking billions and billions of tax payer money to bail out wall street and the banks while they make record profits when Democrats can't even get a frwaking job..and nothing has been done for the creation of jobs..and don't dare say the stimulus bill ..because not a dime of that money has been used yet for job creation!

Soooo who took their ball and went home again???????..who left the democrats and liberals and progressives ??

You want me to go and vote for someone or a party that says we are un-needed,our opinions are un-wanted..or treats us with utter distain and profanity????

And you want to blame us???????

get real!

[KharmaTrain]

31. Whose Blaming Who???

I always enjoy when the term "the base" is bantered here...as if its assumed that there's such a standard definition. The Democratic party represents many interests and regions...thus the term "the base" seems to change depending on whose perspective.

My bets are if you took a poll of Democrats or just plain voters many wouldn't have a clue who Emmanuel is or that he has any affect on their vote. Or the DLC for that matter. It's simple to broadbrush, but our policial system is a bit more complex than that...and a lesson that needs to be learned and mastered if Progressives and Liberals are ever going to have a stronger position in winning elections and getting legislation passed. This should be the focus.

I'm not blaming anyone...just discussing and trying to get some productive and creative ideas in how to get more Progressives and Liberals elected...to beat the system, not throw stones at it. I saw this scenario 40 years ago and see where it led?

Want your opinons heard? Then fight for it...organize and fund candidates who will replace those who look to the corporates before their constituents...or fear what the right wing has to say than those on the left. I'm seeing more blame than solutions...many who are frustrated and ready to walk away, stay at home and disengage...in short, aiding those who you are cursing.

Yes, let's get real...real solutions, not rhetoric and name calling...discussions and not flaming. Seems to be an impossible ideal on DU these days.

[flyarm]

34. wow..is all i can say..you really think Americans are stupid! and that surprises me.. not! eom

[DisgustedInMN]

35. Yes indeed.

Not only do they think we are too stupid to know better, they also think that playing FUCKED UP games with semantics is a substitute for having ethics.

The responsibility for loss of Ted Kennedy's seat, if it happens, falls squarely at the feet of the "Third Way, New, Democrats" for FAILING to be REAL Democrats. No amount of spin washes that stain away.

[LooseWilly]

75. Who's blaming who? -You are joining Rahm and the "common wisdom" in blaming "liberals".

And... the poster you were responding to did not bring up the term "the base"... you did. The poster spoke of progressives being ignored by the Democratic Party Leadership... and returning the favor.

"The Democratic party represents many interests and regions...thus the term "the base" seems to change depending on whose perspective." ... actually "the base" doesn't change... the base is ALL of the "many interests and regions" represented by the party. When the party decides to leave the LGBT community "swinging in the breeze" (DADT, DOMA... what's that?)- then they are metaphorically pissing on the shoe of a segment of the base. The Emmanuel-ites would like to parse this as follows 'segment of the base' != 'the base'... and thusly dismiss the concerns of pissing off the LGBT community as not being an issue of 'the base'.

That is parsing bullshit. Also known as "spin". It may be convenient and easy for the "new centrists" who've joined the party to believe... because they're used to not thinking of the LGBT community as being relevant... but that doesn't make it true in Democratic politics.

The "liberals" who wanted meaningful health care reform... the "peaceniks" who wanted the wars ended, the teachers who aren't fond of not having a say in the wholesale massacre (metaphor with traces of hyperbole) of the public education system and its replacement with charter school systems (which tend to use non-unionized teachers), the unions who opposed the 'cadillac health care' tax (to whom Pelosi managed to "throw a bone", as one is supposed to do for one's "base"), the "accountability freaks" who feel like passing on investigating abuses of power by the previous administration amount to a tacit encouragement to future administrations to likewise abuse their power... the list goes on.

They're all the "base" of the Democratic party. And every time that the "Leadership" of the party disappoints some portion or other of the "base", they lose support. Some disappointments hurt more than others. Some are more unforgivable than others. The precise calculations are essentially a form of "fuzzy math" more complex by leaps and bounds than mere multi-variable calculus. One hint though... telling the majority of the base to suck it up (again with the metaphors), and following that up with a lecture about "the lesser of two evils", and hoping that enough of the "base" will still be so traumatized by Bush that they'll vote Democratic even when the Democrats are continuing 9 out of 10 policies (like so many dentists recommending Dentyne^tm)... just isn't gonna make it.

The fear is past. It's not working for Republicans on terror issues. It's not working for Democrats on corporate waffling issues.

Democrats want to hold onto power? Throw more bones to the base. The base is more fractious than that of the Republicans... which means there are more bones to be thrown. Pissing on shoes is not going to work as a substitute though.

You may try to interpret this post as "aiding those you are cursing". As a progressive though, given the realities of the funding machines of the "Coke/Pepsi" political system in this country, I am choosing to vote only for progressive candidates. If centrists refuse to "play ball"... so be it. We can win together, or we can lose separately. The responsibility is equally borne by all though... not solely on the shoulders of the progressives.

(And the notion that the progressives are demanding "purity" is absurd. The "public option" was a compromise. When the compromise gets re-defined as a "purism", and the "purism" of single payer gets re-defined as "loony left crazy talk"... then it is not an honest discussion that is being had... and accusations of "purity" demands are merely the disingenuous byproducts of an artificially and dishonestly constructed substitute for a conversation. Accepting that re-definition of the discussion is the purchase of a lie.)

[KharmaTrain]

78. Simple Math...

First of all, you know nothing about me or to presume what I support or not. My posts here are observations...years of reporting and watching the political system. Not ideology but reality.

Bottom line question is are there 51 or 60 liberal or progressive Democrats or of any persuasion in the Senate? 219 in the House? Nope. Bernie Sanders admitted that a single payer may have had 20 or so votes in the Senate, Public Option may have had 51, but it sure didn't have the 60. This is where the game is played. It's getting a coalition that gets things done...coalitions with the other party (if they cooperate) but more specifically a coalition with your own party.

Unless you're favoring a unitary executive like we had during the booosh years where the power of the legislative was all but neutralized, no President or his advisors can ram through legislation. Those who believed that the 2008 election was some kind of "liberal an progressive" landslide, have gotten a rude awakening...it wasn't. The work is just beginning...it's recruiting, promoting, supporting and getting votes for more and more progressives and liberals to increase their numbesr in the legislature and giving them more power in the process.

You're assuming what I believe...put that's a typical game around these places. Sorry, not playing. As I've said before, those who are upset have two options. Work to get more progressives and liberals elected or walk away and curse the darkness. That choice is yours.

[LooseWilly]

83. I made no assumptions as to what you believe... but thanks for making that assumption.

I made some guesses as to what you might believe based upon what you said. Seeing as how this is a message board, the sole contents of which (and existence of which, if you wanna get metaphysical) consists of words... I feel free to interpret, based upon the words that you use, what you believe.

One caveat: "you", as I use it on a message board, consists solely of the personae which is reflected by... you guessed it... the words that you post. To try to then make assertions about "You're assuming what I believe...but that's a typical game around these places." and then judge the accuracy as if I am making judgements of the corporeal entity that is typing the words that I am reading is a disingenuous tack to take... akin to the old dodge of suddenly inserting a new clue in the last chapter of a murder mystery to account for the solving of said mystery. You are trying to assert the validity of information that is not in evidence as being relevant to the notion of "what I believe", apparently in order to undermine a strawman assertion that I never made (I really couldn't give a shit what you believe... I am reacting to what you have said.) in order to try to then impeach the veracity and thereby the validity of my entire opinion.

You can play or not play with yourself, that game, as you like. I'm not concerned.

As for your judgements of the numbers... the question I pose is this: if the moderates have to work to get the support of the progressives... wouldn't that change the dynamic as it exists now? That was the essence of how the Progressive Caucus got the Public Option included in the House bill (it sure as shit wasn't because of any pressure or effort from the White House). That was also, apparently, how Pelosi got some considerations for the unions re-inserted (so far) into the reconciliation bill (again, despite the efforts of the White House). So... that being the case... as far as national politics goes... progressives standing up and even being willing to walk away... seems to be the only approach to empowerment.

And as for your silly taunt about working to get more progressives and liberals elected... since I can't vote in other districts... please desist with the platitudes. Some of us have already handled that... representatives in the progressive caucus... senators ultra progressive, and semi-progressive. Get your own house in order before you deign to lecture with such a tone.

Of course... that is a handy distraction to toss, like a burning bag of dogshit, to keep attention off the impact of the decisions being made by the National Party Leadership... which are making things exceptionally tough on any progressives that might be in the wings thinking about running... but you know that, don't you... after all those many decades of watching... and judging... and sharing your knowledge in such a beneficently self-righteous manner... A saint in a self-righteous waistcoat...

[KharmaTrain]

89. Hope You Feel Better Now...

Wiping away a lot more assumptions...and getting to the question you ask...

I put up numbers that Bernie Sanders cited on Rachel Maddow. If we only had the House, we'd have a bill with the minimum of a Public Option and no mandates. In essence Pelosi has led a fairly progressive House...passing out what I think we can both agree is the best bill out there as well as Cap and Trade, expansion of S-CHIP...far from perfect, but the Progressives do have a seat at the table. The problem is in the Senate...a body that has become more partisan and dysfunctional. There's a backlog of bills passed out of the House that sit in the Senate. I blame Harry Reid for poor leadership, but he has to herd some quirky cats.

The electing of three more Progressive Senators...and supporting those up for re-election would do a lot to break the gridlock. This isn't platitudes, it's reality. No, you can't vote, but there are other ways to help...from phone banking and emailing to sending a couple of bucks (if you can afford it).

Now keep brooding...let's see how constructive that is. By all means, "punish" Democrats by staying home or voting third party. Seems you know the all answers...good luck.

[PFunk]

7. Maybe a loss in MA will force the dems to act like dems, really listen to their base.

And finally put an end to this bipartisanship BS.

But I'm not holding my breath on it.

[closeupready]

26. They may even want to lose the seat - they can play from both sides of the deck

Vote for liberal issues knowing that Republicans will filibuster in favor of moneyed interests (who are the people and industries that have bought our Congress).

[NJmaverick]

43. If the GOP wins, then the Dems will not be able to act

[still_one]

54. You would think that would be obvious /nt

[dgibby]

8. When is Obama scheduled to go up there to campaign for her?

Oh, that's right, according to Gibbs, he's not. Seems to me if her election is that important to the party, the Admin. would be in a full court press right now.

As for me, what little bit of money I have is going to Haiti, and I applaud Obama for his support and rapid action of that devastated country. He's really impressive when it comes to foreign policy.

[flyarm]

25. they asked him not to! seems he will make it alot worse for her! seems they need to send the BIG DOG

into Mass..not Obama!

Anyone see the irony here???????

[DFW]

11. The way many of these posts read, if Coakley wins, it'll be a real letdown

She may not have run a brilliant campaign, but neither did Al Franken. Even so, Al Franken has turned out to
be a shining light for us in the Senate. Would you rather have had Norm Coleman back?

Proud two-time donater to Coakley here, and for one, would be very chagrined to see Brown replace Ted Kennedy
in the U.S. Senate.

Brown would not be a wake-up call. He would be a six year long ear infection.

[flyarm]

27. no dear..this was the let down..

Rahm Emanuel Tells Liberals To Kiss His Arse

[Laelth]

36. Allow me to add ...

... Repeatedly!

:dem:

-Laelth

[flyarm]

39. yes indeed..and to think I used to be proud to be a liberal..in the old DEMOCRATIC PARTY..

now i am told to stfu and am told to kiss the ass of a NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY?

NOOOOO... I don't think I will.

[DFW]

53. I don't see what Rahm Emanuel has to do with the Senate Election in MA

But the man who handed Rahm his ass on a stick in the 2006 shouting match over the 50 state strategy
happens to be a friend of mine, so nothing Rahm has to say is of particular interest to me unless it's
to figure out what should NOT be done.

[Larkspur]

12. No, it's a wakeup call to the Corporcrat Dems

If Brown wins than it shows that the Obama-Emmanual strategy of pissing on the Dem base to suck $$$ from corporate tits is poison to Dem candidates.

If Obama is such the inspiring leader his zealots say he is, than why is Brown winning in one of the most liberal states on defeating the Senate HCR bill that Obama approves? My friends in Mass don't like Romney-care, which is what the Senate HCR bill closely resembles, so why would you expect them to show up at the polls to vote for a Democrat, who is going to sell them into corporate serfdom?

[Faryn Balyncd]

29. + + + + + + + + + + +

[flyarm]

30. +10,000!!!

"so why would you expect them to show up at the polls to vote for a Democrat, who is going to sell them into corporate serfdom?"

exactly!!!!!!!!!!!

[leftstreet]

56. ++1

:thumbsup:

[Kat45]

80. If it weren't for what you call "Romney-care," I would have no health insurance.

I would be fucked! My job was eliminated over a year ago and there's squat out there for jobs. I finally got a PT shit job that I hate. When I had no job, I got a decent enough insurance plan, fully subsidized by the state. Now that I'm working part time, I pay $77 a month. Not ideal, but doable. So far, I've been able to get all the health care I've needed. I don't know what I'd do if we didn't have this MA health insurance thing. I'd probably be trying to talk a friend into marrying me on paper so I could share his health insurance--a doubtful proposition.

[Juche]

87. It should be. But it won't

They will somehow take the exact wrong message from this and say they need to move further to the right.

We fought for the dems in 2006 and 2008. We gave Obama a mandate and we gave the dems 15 net seats in the senate and about 60 net seats in the house. The best they can give us is corporate crap (their bills are not much better than what the GOP in new england would propose), and the reason is that the most conservative 1-5 democrats get to write the legislation for all intents and purposes. Having 50 progressive democrats means nothing if you also have 10 conservative democrats blocking everything.

I donated to Coakley because she seems fairly liberal as an individual. But until we fix how the senate operates, it will not matter. The dems have no party discipline and the most conservative 15% of democrats get to run the party.

The darkly ironic part of this whole thing is Kennedy wanted health care the most. And the loss of his seat may block a health care bill.

[dbt]

13. I seem to recall Progressives getting off their tails in

hordes all through 2008 to put Mr. Obama in the White House. It ain't the Progressives who need the wakeup call.

BTW, how's that 60th vote working so far?

[closeupready]

32. Yes it is that 60th vote they want to distance themselves from. A more evenly divided Senate

makes it easier to scam constituents about the dynamics behind why they can't get progressive legislation passed (the real story is that these sellouts don't WANT to pass progressive legislation, but it's hard to argue that they CAN'T when they have a filibuster-proof majority).

[mdmc]

33. meh

If we can't win in MA, then we deserve to lose.

[bvar22]

37. Wake up call for PROGRESSIVES??!!!..LOL

It SHOULD be a Wake Up Call for a Democratic Party that seems determined to prove Harry Truman is STILL right:

"When voters are given a choice between voting for a Republican or a Democrat who acts like a Republican, they'll vote for the Republican every time."---Truman

How have The Democrats acted like Republicans?
Let me count the ways:

*WARS fully funded and EXPANDING. Bill sent to our children…...Mission Accomplished !

*Trillion Dollars given to friends and campaign contributors on Wall Street. No Strings Attached...Mission Accomplished!

*Military Spending INCREASED and put on the credit card while Americans are dying from lack of Health Care....Mission Accomplished!

*Trillion+ Dollars given to the Health Insurance Industry. Easily Avoidable, symbolic only strings attached....Mission almost Accomplished!

*Force all Americans to buy invisible products from For Profit Corporations who manufacture NOTHING and create NO wealth (value added).....Mission almost Accomplished!

*Kill the possibility for a REAL "Public Option" or REAL Universal Health Care for at least another generation, and begin the “Entitlement Reform” defunding of Medicare (-$500 Billion)....Mission almost Accomplished!

*Block ANY REAL re-regulation of BIG BANKS and Credit Cards....Mission Accomplished!

*Protect the Bush War Criminals and Torturers from JUSTICE....Mission Accomplished.

*Throw the GBLTs under the bus and expand "faith based" initiatives....Mission Accomplished!

*Reinforce the worst Police State provisions of the Patriot Act....Mission Accomplished!

*Protect the very richest. Tell the Working Class that they CAN WILL compete with 3rd World Slave Labor for their jobs.....Mission Accomplished!

*EFCA (Employee Free Choice Act) killed in the crib....Mission Accomplished!

*More Anti-LABOR "Free Trade"....Mission almost Accomplished!

*Jobless Recovery....Mission Accomplished

*The Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party SHUT OUT of the Obama Administration…...Mission Accomplished!

*Accelerate the destruction of Public Education...Mission Accomplished!

*Bury next generation under such a debt burden that they will never be able to afford any social or economic programs that will benefit their Working Class....Mission Accomplished.


Oh YES!!!!!
I just can't WAIT to vote for MORE of THIS!!!!


Less than 35% of ALL Americans support Mandates w/o a Public Option.
The Democrats will NEVER be able to SELL this to America.
but YOU are going to try and BLAME "Progressives"?
LOL

No Sale.
YOU support this NIGHTMARE.
YOU reap the whirlwind!


"When voters are given a choice between voting for a Republican or a Democrat who acts like a Republican, they'll vote for the Republican every time."---Truman

[GreenPartyVoter]

45. Hear, hear!

[Laelth]

47. +1 for the TRUTH. n/t

:dem:

-Laelth

[scarletwoman]

49. You speak for me! [phone]!

So perfectly said, I can't really think of anything to add -- other than: :yourock:

[LooseWilly]

76. Your cogency I fail to match. Bravo sir. Double plus agreement.

[Raine]

84. EXACTLY! nt

[WT Fuheck]

40. why should progressives care about a 60th vote that will help pursue

a right-of-center agenda?

[SargeUNN]

41. Progressive want to progress and work for it. If not they aren't

Progressives. We fought to stop the Bush Admin and the Republican congress because we hated what they were doing to our country, and we saw what they did in the Katrina area, we saw how they have taken our schools down, taken our jobs away, made us like a 3rd world country in many ways. No our Democrats aren't perfect and we have many who have got to go, but we must NOT jump ship and let these none progressives take over. You can change something by working inside it, seldom does working outside of it, or just getting mad and not working for change in the party works. It is the ones that never quit never says I can't, like Ted Kennedy, like Alan Grayson, Dennis K. has done this for so long. Remember change only begins with you.

[NJmaverick]

44. Yes, you are correct

[Laelth]

48. The non-progressives have already taken over the Party.

The only question is whether progressives can ever get it back. That seems unlikely during this Administration.

I voted for FDR and got Clinton. I am not a happy camper.

:dem:

-Laelth

[flyarm]

50. is this the kind of change you suggest we should embrace? Is this progress?

Rahm Emanuel Tells Liberals To Kiss His Arse

and let me add ..

-more FISA wiretapping of innocent Americans and Data collecting on Americans by our government

- acceleration of war and more and more of our money going down a rabbit hole

-giving our tax dollars to Wall street and crooked banks..while they take record bonus's

-a stimulus bill that has seen not one dollar as yet to help americans find work or promote jobs

-and now the total fucking of Americans on health care reform

you mean that kind of progress??????

well let me tell those at the top of the dem party..do your fucking job..or ..you can reverse Rahm's rant on us Lifelong 39 yr democrats..

Rahm Emanuel Tells Liberals To Kiss His Arse

Rahm and dems at the top that depend on my vote ..kiss my ass!

[fascisthunter]

42. um... no... it's a wake up to moderates who discourage voters

with their bullshit politics.

[EmeraldCityGrl]

46. I'm not sure I would vote for her either

because of reasons like this...


Coakley in trouble? Pharma and HMO lobbyists to the rescue
By: Timothy P. Carney
Examiner Columnist
01/09/10 1:55 PM EST

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley speaks during a news conference at her campaign headquarters in Charlestown, Mass. Monday, Jan. 11, 2010. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
With Democrat Martha Coakley in trouble in the Massachusetts special election to fill Ted Kennedy's seat, Democrats could lose vote No. 60 for President Obama's health-care bill. In response, an army of lobbyists for drug companies, health insurance companies, and hospitals has teamed up to throw a high-dollar Capitol Hill fundraiser for Coakley next Tuesday night. The invitation is here.
Of the 22 names on the host committee--meaning they raised $10,000 or more for Coakley--17 are federally registered lobbyists, 15 of whom have health-care clients. Of the other five hosts, one is married to a lobbyist, one was a lobbyist in Pennsylvania, another is a lawyer at a lobbying firm, and another is a corporate CEO. Oh, and of course, there's also the political action commitee for Boston Scientific Corporation.
All the leading drug companies have lobbyists on Coakley's host committee: Pfizer, Merck, Amgen, Sanofi-Aventis, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Astra-Zeneca, and more. On the insurance side of things, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, HealthSouth, and United Health all are represented on the host committee.

She's bought and paid for by the healthcare industry and Big Pharma. People are sick and tired of this shit.

Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/Coakley-in-trouble-Pharma-and-HMO-lobbyists-to-the-rescue-81067542.html#ixzz0chndtGiJ

[LooseWilly]

77. I suspect this says more about the HCR bill than anything else...

It will be interesting to watch, actually... if she loses... to see which Republican will flip to provide the 60th vote that the healthcare industry is counting on...

[Leopolds Ghost]

88. Exactly... I bet any Republican will flip to guarantee its passage just like they did with FISA.

Remember Telecom Act and FISA mandating that all prosecution of Telecoms for spying on their customer's phone and e-mails at the behest of the Administration end? It was a done deal before it began. Anyone believe the current Admin isn't using the same system that we accused Bush of?

[Matariki]

51. What, that polls and elections still can be rigged?

[invictus]

52. Is Coakley a progressive?

[invictus]

68. * crickets chirping * I didn't think so.

[cap]

55. if we wait for the Corporate Dems, we will go nowhere

we will have a real good excuse to wring our hands and do nothing.


So, all I can see from people is that we should sit this one out because things aren't happening. Let's punish the corporate Democrats. We could go back to a Congress that looked like it did in 2000 which was a much tighter race between R's and D's. Lieberman could be the head of his own little causus of "centrists" instead of being an army of one. And stay in a status quo. After all, it's not our fault. We thought we voted for people who would bring forth CHANGE and we got a few bones tossed to us... Lilly Ledbetter, etc.

So we should just sit home. Let's let the Corporate Democrats be voted out and let's have Republicans in their place instead. Remember the Republicans are purging their party so anyone with an R. We just proved it to ourselves... a corporate D is no better than an R. Let's have 4 more years of not much happening except here on an Internet forum... and dream about what could have been and post about what a big disappointment Obama has been.


How about this for an alternative: we get Massachussetts sorted out and we mobilize en masse for Prorgressive Legislation. We keep our 60 votes and go with what we got until November. Press for changes while we can: For example, We work with MoveOn and Code Pink to end all these damn wars now. Yes, this means picketing Democratic leaders. Then come November, we start pruning the growth. We grew quantity first, and then we grow quality. (Maybe it would have been better to do it right from the start. But we are where we are). Right now, is a very good time to start rallying behind our candidates for the primary season which is soon upon us. Why don't we tee up electable candidates that will bring a progressive message to new territory? Like say, in Pennsylvania, going all out for Sestak instead of Specter? And working with Sestak to get a winning message out so he can beat the Republican candidate, Toomey.

[Nikki Stone1]

57. Progressive democrats don't want this giveaway to health insurance companies passed

Maybe that has something to do with this election. If the bill had actually done something FOR the people, other than take 15-20% of their income and siphon it into the greedy health insurance industry, maybe Coakley would be doing better. Good lord, she's running against a naked guy with no brain in his head. How hard can it be? National politics are the only thing that really explain what is happening in MA.

[AuntPatsy]

60. Progressive democrats should be more fearful of having a republican

in any power....if the last eight years is not proof positive how liberal activism was not only completely ignored by the media and for the most part many of those activists landed behind bars or no where near to being heard than how in the world do they believe allowing the republicans to once again begin it's reign of terror in power plays to be something that can help them? Answer, it won't...they may not be getting all they want now but have no doubt at least they have a foot in the door, let that door slam and you can be sure it won't open again until such time as a dem is once again in power..

We cannot afford this foot in the door being pulled away...we just cannot afford it...


My mother once held my hands to a fire when I was five for stealing some candy at the local corner store.. when I got a little older, I did it again, I am ashamed to admit it but I was still youthful and everyone was doing it, well the girls i was with..makeup, costume jewelry, little things but thankfully I never got caught...my point..holding my hands to the fire and allowing me to feel that pain, a true story by the way, did not stop me from doing it again when I thought I could get away with it...

Thankfully as an adult I would never think about doing something like that but some, no many, never grow out of such behavior, that you can count on be it from a store or within the business world where you scratch my back I will scratch yours on the favorite merry go round of job perks so many desire...

[Nikki Stone1]

62. Why? Because the Democrats have been so good to people?

Aunt Patsy, you're going to have to do better than the old scare tactics. All that has happened is that Obama and the Democrats have made it clear that our money is not ours, it belongs to Wall Street, whether through "bailouts" (used for bonuses, not consumer lending) or a new "infrastructure" that will siphon 15-20% of our already shrinking income to the insurance industry. At this point, unless the Republicans just open up the coffers to Wall Street and yell "Come and get it" they can't do any worse.

[RBInMaine]

64. piss and moan piss and moan....

[Nikki Stone1]

66. Remain blind and watch your money be taken

You deserve it. :D

[RBInMaine]

98. Then stop pissing and moaning go do something about it. Bitching solves nada.

[AuntPatsy]

65. Honestly Nikki, I am not trying to scare anyone, I am stating facts and you very well know it when

you get off the we and them bs....I am not your enemy nor are most if not the majority of Dur's and though many differ to the degree of politics I honestly believe that what is going on and that your a part of is beyond pathetic and so childish it makes my head hurt....

I have respect for you unlike some of those that chose like you did, you know why? Because at least your honest as to where you stand, I can respect that but what I cannot respect is people attempting to play nice when they have no desire to in reality.

I like you am horrified as to what is apparently happening inside the highest reaches of our government ruling body but unlike some, not very surprised, I would have been more surprised if it was easy getting everything the majority of citizens desire in this country, I am horrified that the criminals are so cemented and in control even if hidden that I worry about the future of our country for my children and my grandchildren as well as for you and yours and everyone's...

I was told long ago by an uncle that wheeling and dealing and mind games that left some injured in ways that only could be had by unfair and illegal means inside the NJ dem party was rampant, My uncle was a life long dem turned rush bot almost it seemed over night, the reason why, though he could not grasp it was that he fell victim to attacks when he failed to play the game the way some wanted it played...he failed to realize though until too late that the re-pugs were no better and in fact worst than their counter parts and partners in crime..


Many go into this profession, politics with good will and unrealistic dreams, it is those, like my uncle that become lost in their own misery and betrayal that they take it personal and begin very destructive behaviors....

All I know is what I know,yes, the republicans can and would do worse, and you know why? Because they can, because they have won time and time again and retained power in intervals simply by utilizing the highest degree of scare tactics, be they threats or false rumors or intended set ups, with themselves in power, they have time and time again ensured the justice system worked in their advantage, in doing so, they to this day remain free of having to face the piper so to speak for their many many crimes against the citizens of this country as well as citizens of other countries..

Do I believe the Dem's to be better? Yes, absolutely, as a whole yes, but as in all groups they have their moles, their spies, their traitors and we are ripe with them, because of age old fear of the unknown and having some simply not strong enough to fight that fear, we are also ripe with representatives that have become victims of push coming to shove and allowed fear to overplay their good sense because of such tactics, the media helps, they know it, in some ways they are seriously alone....and then we have the ones still fighting, those ones, un-fearful, perhaps because unless something is cooked up have nothing to fear, have remained as clean as humanely possible to avoid the use of blackmail and threats that could threaten their desire for real change and honestly perhaps have more courage to stand up to those that use such tactics uncaring and unmindful of any threats and or bribery...



Bottom line is, if the republicans regain power you can forget even the inch we gained, you can forget ever seeing an open door even if slightly ajar that cares what you or I have to say and or desire...I believe that with every inch of my being...


I do not believe that our current leader is not being held to some attempt at blackmail and or threats, perhaps he felt he could deal with it, I am sure he must have known what he was facing or perhaps he was led to believe he would have more power and say so than he actually does...who knows what was said and done behind closed doors, and more likely is the fact we will never know but I do believe that our president believed at one time, the fact that he has faltered in that belief worries me more than you know...



will we ever be able to have a president that would be free to actually do the job he was elected to do? Unlike some, I see rahm as his watch dog, not his right hand man, here is a man who cared deeply for the people of this country, I honestly believe that from earlier viewings and listening to things he spoke of, here is a man who adores his family and cares deeply for his friends...here is a man who seemingly has become someone else..ask yourself


what happened to change him?

Unlike some, the answer they give, politics does not fly with me, he is not a stupid man, he knew the game of politics, I think what he didn't know, was that some he believed a friend turned into something entirely different and I believe when he was faced with that truth, he was left with little choice, I think if it were about him, only himself, he would fight both tooth and nail, I believe that...but he is not alone, it is just not about him...


I tend to ramble..I know..

Perhaps you can comprehend what I am attempting to say and perhaps you lost interest a hundred words ago, no matter, I had to say it..whatever it was that I just said..


I would like to add one more thing though..unlike some, I don't make it a sport looking at other sites, I find the nonsense rather idiotic, but every-time it seems that a site with a link is thrown on du I bite to see what it is for a moment..curiosty is not always mans best friend..

No excuse if you ask me, the pettiness, the childish name calling, the hate, because why else would some write what they write, has to be from hate...and to be honest, I am so past bs like that and am a bit surprised but not shocked that you found yourself a part of that..its okay, at least on here you don't pretend to be something your not unlike others which is why you still have my respect for your beliefs and your passion for those beliefs..


In the end, there is them, and there is us.... and anyone on this board or those other ones are no where near being one of them, I just wish everyone would realize that like it or not, like each other or not, respect each other or not, we are in this together, it is us verses them, and I know its a bit inane and this point and old but "United we Stand, divided we fall"


Thats it.

[Nikki Stone1]

67. Aunt Pasty, you well know that corporate servitude is NOT a Democratic value...at least

until now.

You're twisting yourself into a pretzel to support the abuse of the poor, working and middle classes in this country.

[Leopolds Ghost]

90. It doesn't matter, because Dems are on track to lose several more seats in Nov.

Funny enough, all the endangered Dems are the neoliberal/neocon Dems, like Reid. So that 60 vote foot in the door will be gone anyway.

Wil 60 votes repeal FISA immunity for telecoms? Or a million other issues? Reality is, the Dems know the Millenials now becoming voters are a conservative generation, more conservative (and less libertarian-leaning) than Gen-X, so they are positioning themselves to be the majority party of a conservative, "Silent Generation" like in the 50s. For a party ID shift, not a generational ideological shift. The generational ideological shift is still rightwards, we're still in the bottom nadir of an ideological conservative period. When will the US come out the other side?

[David Zephyr]

59. The wake up call is not to the progressive base, but to the corporate puppetmasters.

If we lose this election, it will be becaues Democrats will be sitting on their hands, sitting it out because they don't like what they see.

It will be because of a low voter turn out.

Big money can buy television ads and printed mailings, but it is always activists who turn out the vote and pump up their friends and the public.

Activists don't have a lot to cheer about these days.

If the voter turn out is low, it won't be because we didn't have the money, it will be because the activist base is tuning out.

[cap]

63. I am saying that we need to clean up after people in our own party

even though WE arent at fault, we can't afford to sit on the side lines. Scare tactics? So...without 60 votes how is stuff supposed to get done? Does anyone have a plan for the Progressives to take complete control of the Senate and get 60 Progressive votes? --crickets

I don't hear anything.

So if we dont have 60 votes... we gotta compromise... we give over hear so we get over there.

I say keep the Democrats at a 60 vote margin and then start to prune away the deadwood in the primary. As the Blue Dogs are pruned, we will get our progressive majority...

But it takes holding the line with what we got and then pressing on.

[Sebastian Doyle]

74. Fuck the 60 vote myth.

The DLC used that as an excuse not to do anything for years, because they didn't think we would ever actually GET 60 votes in the Senate.

Then when we did, it was like an Al Qaeda sleeper cell was activated, and one by one the DLC senators opposed anything remotely progressive, the worst example being this steaming pile of shit jokingly called a "health care reform bill".

But 60 votes doesn't appear anywhere in the constitution. 51 votes to pass a bill. 67 to override a Presidential veto. There's no fucking 60. If Repukes want to filibuster, let the cowards filibuster. Or better yet, show a spine and tell them to sit down and shut the fuck up. Enough of this goddamn cowardice.

[Juche]

91. Many changed their minds on EFCA when they got 60 votes

Back when EFCA was put up for cloture in 2007 all the democrats and Specter voted for it.

Now that the dems actually have 60 votes several of those same democratic senators say they will not vote for cloture. So they supported the bill, until they had the power to pass it. Now they don't want to.

[cap]

95. We need to get behind EFCA

absolutely. We need to ask people why they aren't going for EFCA and imagine that they are in the Democratic party.

[bvar22]

102. Obama and "the Centrists"...

...shitcanned EFCA as soon as they stepped into their new offices.

After all, Obama never really campaigned on EFCA, just gave LABOR some lip service.

"I never campaigned on a Public Option"

[DisgustedInMN]

92. I'm with you, brother.

These bastards can take that "we gotta have 60 votes" meme and stuff it. It's nothing but a crappy excuse to hide the fact that they are DINOs. If the pinheads threaten to "filibuster," these spineless pretenders fold. You're absolutely correct, there is no filibuster in the Constitution, it's an artificial construct of the old boys network and is KILLING this Nation. Besides, there hasn't been a real filibuster in many years. It's a dodge to do nothing or FORCE shit legislation down our throats and escape taking responsibility for doing it.

[LooseWilly]

81. Are you proposing solely the primary as means of "cleaning up after people in our own party"?

So you're suggesting that the progressives & activists should continue to work their (our?) asses off to elect centrist democrats that we'll then have to "clean up after"?... only to have them piss on all our policy preferences, tell us that we're the ones who are irrelevant... and that we should continue to do so until we manage to drive some of of them out through primary challenges of incumbents?

Wow... you're a strategic genius you are...

I have an alternate plan. When the Democratic Leadership goes on a Centrism Binge... and alienates the progressive wings of the "base"... then the wings walk... and the Democrats lose. The Centrist Democratic Party Leadership certainly can't be accused of perceptiveness as far as the left goes... but sooner or later they will realize that the left is actually a significant portion of the base... and a majority of the activists that the party needs to get out the vote.

To quote Roberto Benigni's character from "Down By Law": "You trowa de ball against me... I trowa de ball against you."

[cap]

94. sitting on our tail buys us nothing

We didn't engage during the Bush administration and we got nothing. We blocked some bad stuff from happening but got nothing positive done. We can't just block and tackle. We need to move the ball forward.

So what's your plan for getting the votes? Keep waiting for 50 Progressives? How do you handle swing districts where there isn't enough support to elect a Progressive. Hand it over to the Republicans and say well, we can't elect a Progressive? Or do we get them used to the idea that the Democratic Party is a real option.

I live in a swing district and on certain subjects, I know my Representative can only go so far. He's working on abolishing DADT and he can do it because he is ex-military... but he has to watch his p's and q's on fiscal conservatism. We just got a Democrat in after decades of being solid Republican. But we aren't locked in. On our off-term local elections, the Republican party won hands down across the board. We got a strong Progressive community with a lot of Quakers, artists, college kids, gays and the Catholic left but we don't have enough to win elections. So what's your plan for my district? Do nothing until the next election? So we wait for the next election. Then the problem is how are you going to convince people outside the echo chamber? Right now, at least, the Teabaggers have a plan that they are actively working towards.

The only people who can save us is us. The campaign was absolutely correct: We are the change we can believe in. Unfortunately, we can't completely believe in the folks we elected.

My idea for my district is we get a real two party option going... which historically is a very new idea. We have been Republican for decades. We take we can and we work constantly on educating the population. The voters we are trying to persuade aren't going to just wake up and decide they are Progressives. The Teabaggers are making inroads (and we are a highly educated population! Go figure!). It takes working on educating the population and trying to hold our current representation's feet to the fire. We absolutely need to work on meaningful reform for health care. What progress we make on this can be pointed out in future elections. Doing nothing does not enhance our credibility with the people we are trying to persuade. Ditto for getting the economy working. Right now, our problem is that we look all we do is talk... we elected a brilliant orator. But that won't solve people's problems and folks are in a no-spin zone. You can't spin away people's physical pain from a lack of health insurance and you can't spin away no money in a wallet.

If all it took was 50 votes, we'd be there by now.

I say elect what we can and then horse-trade like mad...

Where we need to bring pressure, let's demonstrate in front of their office. If we have to protest our own representative at times, so be it. Just remind them that the primaries aren't secure. Groom our candidates and find a message that will bring in people from outside the Progressive tent.

If you have any suggestions... do the vote counting and show me which districts can be swung in 2010 to a Progressive line.

As for me, I will duke it out all down the line... Just call me the Happy Warrior!

[RBInMaine]

100. Good, BUT, some districts will never, ever, ever vote for "progressives" and this is what "progres-

sives" are unwilling to understand. "Progressive" politics is NOT that of the NATIONAL majority.

[smalll]

71. This is not the problem of the progressives, or the conservadems, or Obama, or the DNC, or us --

this is a problem of a specific candidate: a tone-deaf, charisma-free Lady MacBeth whose prosecutorial career is littered with innocents who were railroaded for the sake of media attention.

Google up "Coakley" with Souza, Woodward, Amirault and Winfield -- and "garden clubs." This woman has issues.

[GreenTea]

82. Every Dem in Mass. should get out and vote and make sure all their fanily and freinds do as well.

[B Calm]

93. The democrats don't want the 60th vote. They need an excuse for being

cowards. . .

[RBInMaine]

99. Your're nutty as a fruitcake. When was the last time you ran for office? Or are you too "cowardly"?

[B Calm]

101. Wow. . . feel better?