http://www.bayoubuzz.com/articles.aspx?aid=8587

This article sums up the political equations of the 2006 elections very well.





Yes, I am painting a hopeful picture for the Democrats but voicing my criticism of them also. To be clear, I think they will win but not because of anything they have done. They will win because the Republican party is in charge of Congress and the only other party capable of taking control is the Democratic Party. Its really sad when you win only because your opponent is more of a fuck-up than you are.

AFW,

Still and as of yet you seem to have failed to grasp the idea that there are many shades of Democrats.
On one end of the spectrum we have people such as Clinton and Leiberman. On the other we have Feingold and Conyers. To classify all Democrats as being of the same stripe is simply a huge, blind mistake. The Republicans on the other hand, have over the past few decades pushed out many or the left leaning Conservatives, and anyone that doesn't tote the party talking points, got the cold shoulder, to the point that the Republican party is much more a homogenized single shade of red.

Though I now have to admit, this isn't always the case. Last night I watched Moyers on America as they discussed Net Neutrality, and a Republican that is defending Net Neutrality refered to himself as "A PROGRESSIVE REPUBLICAN". I had for so long thought these two terms were so divergent that it was impossible to be both. I now know that's wrong, even though it is very rare.

The people in politics whom you like most are almost all members of the Democratic party. This does not mean that all Democrats are worthy of your support. However, if you are going to continue to consider yourself an educated and aware citizen, you really need to understand the Democratic Blue Rainbow, and stop being critical of all, because you don't agree with some.


BTW, you are never gonna get everything you want from anyone in any party. You will have to accept that sometimes even your fav politicians will vote in ways that simply leave you angry as all hell. Even Leiberman isn't all bad. He has quite often voted quite progressively. That real fact is forgotten and over shadowed by his absolute support of the President and his war policy.

In politics, few are either all good, or all bad.

Sky,

If I give the Republicans an "F" score, I would have to give the Democrats a "D-" or at best a "D" score. Understanding that you are a Democrat and a believer in the Democratic Party, I call it as I see it. The Democrats are going to win the House not because of anything they have done, but because America is sick and tired of the Republicans. You know this is true. And what have the Democrats offered, except criticsm of the Republcians. I still do not know what they stand for. If they have a message, which I am not sure they do, it is not getting out. Thats a fucking tragedy, Sky, and you seem not to recognize it even exists, of if you do recognize it, you make excuses for it to make it seem a logical strategy. Someone else described the Democrats in this way: "A more hapless group has never existed in history", and I completely agree with that characterization. I do not have high hopes for them whether they gain control or not. In any case, they are going to continue to be the sub-standard party they have been for the past 6 years.

I too, beleive the Democrats are relying too much on public dissatisfaction with the Republican party in the midterm elections. I don't beleive for a second, that American are going to flock to their voting precincts eager to throw out the Republicans. Many will, to be sure, and I am confident the Democrats will pick up some seats in congress, but winning the majority is not a forgone conclusion in the House and the Senate even less so.

The Democrats have a rare opportunity, the circumstances being what they are they could realistically take the whole Congress. I think that because America is uncertain as to what the Democratic plan for America is in the near term that they might vote Republican because at least they are a known commodity. Don't flame me for saying that, this is simply an analysis, not a desire or prediction.

Predicting an election outcome is just like gambeling you know? As I recall, most pundits predicted Kerry would win in 04 too. And from that experience, one would think the Democrats would have learned a lesson. Maybe they don't have a plan, I don't know? But not all Americans hold the same views as the folks on this board do. So, do you really want to rely on a poor Republican performance, anti war sentiment, and the Foley scandal to carry the Democrats? It's not enough, the America voting public are fickle.

And, with everything that is at stake, I would think the Democrats would be sending a hue and cry across the land. Not only that the Republicans blew it, but how they intend to fix it. Now, horror of horrors, as James Carville has warned, if the Democrats can't at least pick up the House in the midterms, they might as well just pack it in altogether. Now thats high stakes, and I'd just think the Democrats would be working harder and in a more constructive way to make sure it doesn't happen.

I 100% agree with this. Anyone with their eyes open can see its true. But let's go further and ask the question of why aren't the Democrats stepping up to the plate and saying where they stand on the issues that is significantly different than the Republicans? Two reasons I can think of:

1. Democrats really don't have a significantly different stand on the issues. They want what the Republicans say they want, but they just want to get there a different way.

or

2. Democrats consider it smarter to not say where they stand on the issues until after they get into power because saying where they stand before may jeapordize their chances of getting into power. They cowardly do not want to take the risk of being honest with America on their views. So they remain "silent", saying as little as they can about where they stand and letting the Republicans continue to crash and burn without giving their opponents new ammunition to use against them.

Either way, I cannot respect them, and I really do not want to hear excuses being made for their behavior, because there is no justification.

A couple of months ago, I argued with someone on another board that the Democrats were probably holding their cards close to the vest. But with the election just a couple weeks away now, if thats the case they better show pretty soon. It could still happen, one would hope. But it is looking less likely by the day.

Dont worry, the pendulum will eventurally swing back their way. Its just how they work it. Are the Democrats going to immidiately get out of Iraq once they take office? Stop the military industiral complex? Repeal the Federal reserve Act? Repeal the MCA? Reopen an investigation into 911?
I sure as hell hope so.

It will not change, CA. I strongly believe this is not by accident, but is a strategic political decision they have made among themselves about how to win in the 2006 elections. It is a big gamble. Moreover, even if they do win, how can you respect them for it?

I regret to say that you are 100% likely to be dissapointed.

I can't. And thats what puzzles me at how people who call themselves liberal or progressive can put blind support behind the Democrats, because ultimately, after the end of the honeymoon, your going to get the exact same kind of partisan bullshit policies that they are criticizing the Republicans of.

Anyone who thinks the Democrats, if they take the congress, will start to enact laws and policies that will benefit all Americans is a fool. They won't think of America first, they'll think of the Democratic Party first and they'll set about paying off their campaign donors, and the lobbys who put them in power with customized legislation benficial to them. Joe Sixpack will be far down on their list of priorities.

If the Democrats take the congress, we'll be here a year later with the same kinds of complaints we have now with the Repbulicans.

When think about righting the American ship, we are falling short of what should be our ultimate goal as American citizens IMO. The problems in government are not the exclusive pervue of the Republican Party or the Democratic, rather, in the process. Rather than harping about how corrupt Republicans and Democrats are we should be attempting to force the government to reform the election process. Take the money out of it! My goodness, how many great potential presidents are out there who will never get a shot because of the vast amount of money that is needed to run a campaign? The lobby culture must go away! Term limits should be enacted. The list goes on. But my point is that if we are only going to argue about Republican vs Democrat, we are really missing the point.

I believe the Democrats are playing the smart game.
Consider that when you play with shit, yer bound to get some on you! So, let the Repugnants self destruct, and sit back, and stay clean.

I would still caution you all you remember the nature of this beast. Many Democrats are fighting hard right now, and will emerge when the time is right. DO NOT be fooled by those beltway Democrats that manage so well to grab the headlines. Many many Democrats are in the trenches fighting hard, and to have some of you splash the crap on all of them becaus eof a few you personally do not like, is disgusting and a huge mistake.

C'mon, you talk about "the sheeple" as if that doesn't include yourself! As if somehow you have managed to raise yourself above the level of common or normal. I read how some of you continue to refer to all Democrats as not respectable based on the actions of a few, and I just gag.

I don't think you people know what you want, and I am certain what you want is incredibly unrealistic. Reaching high is admirable, but it's gotta be realistic. Reaching for the stars sounds nice, unless you don't even yet have a space ship, let alone the ability to jump any more than a few feet off the ground.

Yes, by default the Democrats are better than the Repugnants! Shit! The Libertarians are by default better than the Republicans! ANYBODY is by default better than the Republicans! I urge you to be smarter than that. I urge you to join your voice together and express real support for ALL THOSE DEMOCRATS WHO HAVE MANY TIMES EARNED OUR RESPECT, because when you refer to Democrats being only slightly better than the Repugs, that includes them! By all means, be specific. There are several Democrats I myself cannot stomach, but generally the Liberal Party isn't doing so terrible, given the circumstances. Arm chair quarter backing gives us all 20/20 eyesight. But, we can afford to be wrong too!



I dunno, I've been here more than a few times before and I wonder why I don't just give up.
I guess because it's that important. That after the Repugs get readjusted, SOMEONE has to fill in, and I sure do wish the party we are about to elect had your support.


You are never going to get everything you want. Nobody is! Because for you to get everything means someone gets nothing. Compromise and be realistic, and expect to be dissapointed.
This is American Politics, Not fucking Christmas!

Am I overly passionate about this? Yer damn right I am. There are just too many Democrats that do not deserve this shit, and who really need our complete support, especially right now in this our greatest turning point since wwII.

I know we're all frustrated and disgusted. I am right there with you. But I will not throw out the baby with the bath water, I will not cut off my leg in an attempt to save my foot! I may need it for my mouth.





By the way, I can respect them for it because they just did it, and it worked!
I can respect them because they are doing what needs to be done, in the best, most effective way possible.
Oh wah, they didn't win the way I thought they should! Would it be better if they lose to keep you happy?

Agreed. I have long been saying that "party politics" is an obsolete concept and we need to find a better system to replace this dinosaur we have now. In fact, I believe this system of "party" government we have now is responsible for many of the problems our country finds itself stuck in the middle of. We would be much better off without it.

We will see who is correct, Sky. It looks as if the Democrats are definately going to take the House (unless they somehow manage to blow even that), and that will mean we will have two years to see what they do with this opportunity. Fast forward to 2008. The Democrats have been in power for two years. What have they done (and not done) during that time? Will we progressives be able to say that we are happy about what Democrats have done during the past two years other than just oppose Bush? Of course we know they will oppose Bush, but beyond that, will we be happy? Or will we feel betrayed and dissilusioned? I don't know the answer to that, because I don't know who the Democratic Party is. They are a wildcard at a time when they should not be.

Come 2008, are you going to castrate the Democrats for what they have not done?
Or praise them for what they have done?
The same applies right now!


Pessimistic, or optomistic?



You feel betrayed because you want it all. So do I, but I realize that is just not gonna happen.
You need to be patient, persistant, and optomistic.
OK, so you didn't get 12 inches. Are you gonna reject the 3 inches that you did get because you didn't get even close to 12?

What I want is for the Democratic Party to be a progressive party; to stand for progressive ideas and to support progressive policies. We will all know soon enough if they are that party or not. Yes, I have a low opionion of them Sky, one that is well-deserved IMO. But I have not given up on them yet. The ball is in their court now to show progressives who they are. They have a clear choice ahead of them. They can continue to be the flaccid, hapless, politically-motivated party they have been for the past 5 years, or they can choose to courageously stand up for the values that the Democratic Party has been known for in the past, even if in doing so they take political risks. I'll watch. I'll see. I'll know. I don't have high hopes for them, but they can always surprise me.

And what if the Democratic party isn't left enough to be considered Progressive, but they are still liberal?
That's not good enough? Then what? Move to Australia? Or be one of the people that works to convince our Democrats to move further left? That being, a true political activist and not just an arm chair quarterback.