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Thursday, August 18, 2005
Democrats: Time to Fight
Posted by Bob BrighamChris Bowers has a great map of the new SUSA 50 state numbers. Bowers seems to think it is time to fight:
There isn't a single corner of this nation where Democrats are not more in line with Independents than Republicans. That's a fact. That's fifty-state potential. That's a tidal wave.
But we can't win if we don't have a candidate on the ballot. The DC crowd needs to realize this year could be tidal, but only if Democrats are ready to fight with leadership. Sirota says:
Finally, one of the top 2008 Democratic presidential contenders has the guts to take a major stand on the Iraq War. According to the Associated Press, Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) is announcing his support for the United States to set a firm timetable for withdrawal of American troops from Iraq. Though that is a position that polls show a majority of Americans support, high profile Democrats have been unwilling to come out and make that stand. In fact, just a few weeks ago, the Democratic campaign committee in Washington is actually trying to pretend the Iraq War doesn't exist. [...]Democrats would be wise to follow Feingold's lead, instead of either parroting right-wing lies themselves like Sen. Evan Bayh (D), or cowering in a corner on Iraq because they believe any support for withdrawal will mean they will look weak on national security. That just isn't the case. Polls show Americans believe the Iraq War has made this country less safe. That means trying to end the war and get out of the situation as Feingold is calling for is a credible pro-national security position in the eyes of the public.
Big bold move by Feingold. Speaking of big bold moves, Moveon really stepped up last night.
On Wednesday, August 17, tens of thousands of supporters gathered at 1,625 vigils to acknowledge the sacrifices made by Cindy Sheehan, her son, Casey and the more than 1,800 brave American men and women who have given their lives in Iraq—and their moms and families.
I don't know what the DCCC was doing last night, but I was at my neighborhood's Moveon vigil. Some Democrats get it, not suprising where you find them. From Montana's Bozeman Daily Chronicle:
Dozens of people gathered in front of the Gallatin County Courthouse Wednesday to silently protest the war in Iraq during a candlelight vigil co-sponsored by the Gallatin County Democrats. [...]Local Democrats sponsored the vigil along with Moveon.org, a liberal organization that opposed Bush's re-election. But the party invited anyone to participate, regardless their political affiliation. [...]
The vigil was mostly a silent affair with protesters holding lighted candles during a moment of silence that stretched several minutes. The names of soldiers who died in Iraq were projected onto a white screen set up below the giant yellow ribbon that has become a permanent display at the courthouse.Tracy Velázquez, vice-chair of the Montana Democratic Party, provided protesters stickers with the names of fallen troops. When asked, she said she wasn't worried the vigil would be used by the party's opponents to portray it as against the soldiers.
Some Democrats aren't scared. Progress is coming from the ground up, people are tired of relying upon DC. Distributed models allow scale that is just beginning. The Gallatin Democrats' website is updated every morning. We need to fight, in every precinct in every district in every state. Tidal.
Posted at 11:40 AM in 2006 Elections, 2008 President - Democrats, Activism, Democrats, Montana | Technorati
Comments
I was at the Canton, Ohio vigil last night. The local paper quoted me and described me as a Democratic candidate.
No other candidate, nor any other person of importance from within the Democratic Party of Stark County showed up.
This (local) party needs a serious change and FAST.
Posted by: Jeff Seemann For Congress ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.swingstateproject.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at August 18, 2005 12:16 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment
Senator Feingold is showing real leadership in this area.
One initiative that I'd like to see in discussions between the influencial bloggers and the beltway crew is designing methods to spend smart money instead of just spending lots of money. A 50 state stragegy is a very expensive proposition that could easily suck up millions with little to show for it.
There is a tremendous amount of duplication of effort that could be streamlined. If we really want to do this we have to get serious about it.
Posted by: Ohio 2nd at August 18, 2005 01:19 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment
Since when is Feingold a top candidate for 2008? The first lady has become an institution in American Politics. No first lady? No chance, period.
Posted by: nickshepDEM at August 18, 2005 03:33 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment
A 50 state stragegy is a very expensive proposition that could easily suck up millions with little to show for it. There is a tremendous amount of duplication of effort that could be streamlined. If we really want to do this we have to get serious about it.
Yeah, Baby!! I agree! That's the reasoning behind the PAC I founded, GoodWorks-PAC.org.
And the PAC is in the news these days, BECAUSE... (wait for it) ... We've just announced a candidate in PA-19. YEAH!
I've got a diary entry on kos that tells the story of how our candidate, Joe Otterbein, is taking an approach that meets the needs you outlined, Ohio 2nd.
Posted by: Eric Loeb at August 19, 2005 02:32 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment
Since when is Feingold a top candidate for 2008? The first lady has become an institution in American Politics. No first lady? No chance, period.
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I guess you should tell the members of this e-group that: Feingold08
I personally agree that he's not the best guy to pursue in 2008, but I think they should rechannel their efforts into getting Feingold to take over as Senate Dem leader.
Posted by: progressivemuslimnj at August 20, 2005 05:14 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment