If you're a progressive in MA, go and vote for Martha Coakley

[Mass]

You may not like her. She may not have been your candidate during the election. It was not mine. But the implications in terms of politics of her loss will be more centrist wishy washy policies.

Digby says that a lot better than I can.

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/hitting-wall-by-digby-according-to.html

Obviously, the question is why and one assumes that the main reason is that unemployment is still very high and people are starting to get a bit panicked that it's not coming back right away. (I'm guessing that the spectacle of wealthy bankers complaining about people objecting to their ostentatious display of greed isn't making that any better.) So, where does that leave the Democrats and how can we predict they will respond?

I think a lot depends upon this election in Massachusetts, frankly. If Martha Coakley loses, it will be very bad for progressives. Worse than we can imagine. After the so-called lessons of Virginia and New Jersey, there will be no fighting back the perception that the party is in big trouble, regardless of whether it's true --- and it's hard to argue at that point that it isn't. Sadly, the lesson that will be taken from losing Ted Kennedy's seat to a right wing Republican is not that the Democrats have been too liberal, I guarantee it. What will follow will likely be a sharp turn to the right.
...
Seriously, if you live in Massachusetts, do get yourself out to vote for Martha Coakley and volunteer to help if you can. A loss will be so devastating that I'm afraid the Democrats will end up calling to invade Yemen and institute shoot to kill orders for illegal immigrants if they don't win this race. They will panic, bet on it.

[Forkboy]

1. K&R

[Craftsman]

2. The fact that Brown even has a chance in MA, is a bad sign.

[karynnj]

3. Good luck to all of you in Massachusetts

It will really hurt seeing a Republican sworn in as your junior Senator.

[levander]

4. Democrats will still have 59 seats in the Senate...

How bad can it be?

After the so-called lessons of Virginia and New Jersey, there will be no fighting back the perception that the party is in big trouble, regardless of whether it's true --- and it's hard to argue at that point that it isn't.

That's what you're worried about, perceptions? We've got 10 months in Washington to do something right before the 2010 elections even if she loses. That's the best way to control perceptions. Not just vote for a party that's stumbled off it's path for the last year.

[ProSense]

6. How twisted!

"...even if she loses. That's the best way to control perceptions. Not just vote for a party that's stumbled off it's path for the last year."

Yeah, tell those of us in NJ how we're better off with Corrupt Christie.

Sending a message to Democrats by allowing Republicans to win is stupid.

[Mass]

7. If you think that this would move us to the left, good luck. It will only give the Lincoln and

Nelson another reason to move to the right.

[Cha]

10. "How bad can it be"? What the fuck kinda of politcal board

do you think you're on? This, afaik, is still DEMOCRATICUNDERGROUND:think:

[necso]

5. "What will follow will likely be a sharp turn to the right."

I was also going to quote the previous sentence; but I think maybe I read what I thought it meant, not what it actually said.

(We don't see things as they are; we see things as we are.)

[Mass]

8. The previous sentence has a typo, I think.

[necso]

13. I think so too,

but after my initial "misread", I decided to play it safe.

[freddie mertz]

9. K & R. I moved out of the state too long ago.

I'd hate to see TK's seat go to some rotten Repuke.

[Cha]

11. I agree except for this part..

"Seriously, if you live in Massachusetts, do get yourself out to vote for Martha Coakley and volunteer to help if you can. A loss will be so devastating that I'm afraid the Democrats will end up calling to invade Yemen and institute shoot to kill orders for illegal immigrants if they don't win this race. They will panic, bet on it."

That's stupid..she's the one who's panicking.

Donate to Martha..:patriot::patriot:

http://www.marthacoakley.com/splash_111310

[Mass]

12. They would panic, that is for sure. She may be very hyperbolic, but it is clear

that a loss in MA next Tuesday would move Senate and House Democrats even more to the right, as if we needed that.

[Cha]

14. Whatever would happen..here's to Martha

Winning! :toast:

STAND WITH MARTHA~:patriot::patriot:

http://www.marthacoakley.com/splash_111310