If you think the dems have a realistic chance of retaking the House and retaining the Senate, think

[cali]

again.

Why?

New Voter I.D. laws in several states.

Redistricting that benefits repubs.

The ever present possibility of Repub shenanigans.

The antics of the MSM.

I think that about covers it.

[still_one]

1. I would never underestimate the stupidity of the American people, and their ability to vote against

their own interests

[cali]

2. that too.

[Shagbark Hickory]

3. Way to think positive.

But probably true.

[cali]

4. just the facts, Ma'am.

And those facts lead me to believe that taking back the House and retaining the Senate are unlikely propositions.

[Shagbark Hickory]

7. Whether they do or dont, does it really make any difference?

Th elected officials are bought and paid for by corps.

[cali]

8. not all of them. and yes, it makes a difference.

Not a single one of my reps or state legislators are bought and paid for.

[Shagbark Hickory]

14. The top contributors for your legislators according to open secrets seems to be trade unions

which is odd considering there isn't a whole lot of manufacturing going in your state.
UAW for instance. What cars or car related parts are made in VT?

So it would appear as though they are bought and paid for, they're just bought and paid for by the right special interests for you/our causes. Lucky you.

[cali]

19. no, they're not bought and paid for. it costs very little to run for the legislature

here, so our guys don't have to chase big bucks.

[Casandia]

5. It's not the man who votes that counts, but...

the man who counts the votes..

[leveymg]

6. That doesn't cover it: the party insiders demobilized the progressive base and labor - you won't

again see thousands of volunteers knocking doors in your county in '12 for Obama and the rest of the Democratic ticket. So, there's a big spend on technology and media going on, along with a lot of hiring of campaign specialists to support that. May work for some Dems, and Obama looks more likely to get reelected than he did a few months ago.

But, it will be a very different kind of campaign - more astroturf and a lot less grass roots. I still think it's the trays of lasagna baked by union wives carried into crowded campaign headquarters to feed the hungry troops that wins elections. Robocalls are no substitute for human effort by mobs of people committed to a cause, and money can't buy that.

[mod mom]

13. Agreed. We saw it in Ohio in both '04 (thanks to a STRONG anti-bu$h

sentiment) and again in '08 inspired by Obama and the hope for change. It wasn't just Union folks but a strong band of progressives that worked to GOTV. The way progressives have been hammered by this administration and unions have not gotten the full support they deserve, I totally agree with you. It was this enthusiastic legwork that won elections. People HATE robocalls and they appreciate someone taking the time to come to their door with enthusiastic support & knowledgeable on the issues.

[vi5]

9. You forgot the biggest obstacle...

The utter failure on the part of anyone in any position of power within the democratic party to fight back or push strongly rather than simply sitting back, taking cover and waiting for Republicans to implode or to do themselves in.

[bananas]

10. Harvey Wasserman thinks Obama won't be re-elected

Ohio is rigged and he lost the activists.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=385&topic_id=582560&mesg_id=582786

[jp11]

11. I'm hopeful, for some gains in the House and keeping the Senate,

I'd like to have Democrats win the House but I don't have too much hope for that with the way the party 'fights back'.

[w8liftinglady]

12. We are very avidly getting out the bilingual vote in Texas. Si,Se Puede!

49% of the population in my area. It is critical to 2012 that we get as many people as possible out to vote. It can be done.

[zbdent]

15. "The antics of the MSM" ... remember, the MSM is the one(s) that had all the allegations

of extra-marital shenanigans of Ahnold, and turned away (but investigated Edwards ...)

[socialist_n_TN]

16. I think that this scenario is a VERY good possibility

I don't have a lot of trust in electoral politics anyway, at least on the national level. So I think we see a situation that stays about the same as we have now. Which means we have another 2 to 4 year stretch where the MAJORITY views of the masses are NOT reflected in policies enacted.

This will NOT hold over the long run folks. A lack of representation of majority viewpoint is ALWAYS a dangerous situation.

[OnyxCollie]

17. You forgot to add

that the Obama administration has not enforced its order for ES&S to diversify.

Why do you think the Obama administration has failed to force breakup of a monopoly on an inherently governmental action like vote-counting, a monopoly held by a private, highly partisan corporation using secret, proprietary software (that always errs on the side of Republicans) that does not allow for accountability?

[Bucky]

18. Mainstream media will start STRONGLY pushing that "Americans like divided gov't" BS

Despite the fact that divided government created the mess we're in, the talking heads will push that meme.