Divided Democrats Aren't Capitalizing on Republican Scandals

[Judi Lynn]

Divided Democrats Aren't Capitalizing on Republican Scandals
Jan. 19 (Bloomberg)
-- Congressional Democrats, divided over changes to lobbying and ethics rules, have been slow to take advantage of the corruption scandals that have engulfed Republicans.

Representative David Obey, a Wisconsin Democrat, said many members of his party oppose tightening lobbying rules at a time when Democrats have a chance to regain a majority in Congress in the November elections.

``I've had a number of people who said, `Geez, you really want to do this, after the way Republicans have treated us?''' Obey said. ``Why would we guarantee them this stuff if we take control?''

Democrats risk squandering an opportunity to use the ethics issue for political advantage, said Marshall Wittmann, who heads the Democratic Leadership Council, a party organization, and who previously advised Republicans. ``The leadership needs to get in and rattle some members and say, unless we take the initiative with bold and far-reaching proposals, the Republicans will steal this issue from us,'' he said.
(snip/...)

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=a17MaARgwOPQ&refer=top_world_news

[still_one]

1. not a surprise, they have missed many opportunities since 2000

but the worse thing is it only requires them to do the right thing

[acmavm]

2. They've gotten used to doing nothing. And I'm thinking that the like

it that way.

[KittyWampus]

7. The 'Not Suprising Thing' Is DU'ers Taking Mediawhore Bait Once Again

the FACT is the Democrats are as unified as they've ever been... and the only reason they MIGHT not be getting better traction is the Mediawhores putting crap like this Bloomberg article out.

I am SURE the Rovian talking point now, as Democrats are united is, "Democrats are NOT united".

Further, I think this bullshit article means Democrats are HAVING AN EFFECT that scares the shit out of the GOP and their corporate masters.

Why do you fall for it? Don't you read through the "News" with an pund of salt? Don't you use your inherent capacity for discrimination?

The article title is totally misleading.

[rocktivity]

11. DING DING DING! Cryingshame, you're our grand prize winner!

Mediawhore bait once again...(T)he Rovian talking point now...as Democrats are united is, "Democrats are NOT united"...This...article means Democrats are HAVING AN EFFECT that scares the shit out of the GOP...

Have you noticed that they've started making noises about Hillary '08 again? And right on the heels of a new tape of Osama. When the Repubs make these kinds of complaints, it's because they're not winning.

By the way, Bloomberg, why have you and the MSM failed to "capitalize" on all the REPUBLICIAN scandals?

:boring:
rocknation

[PassingFair]

14. The "not surprise thing" is WHO'S SPEWING IT!

I'm TOTALLY surprised the DLC would be saying that we are divided.
:sarcasm:

[InsultComicDog]

18. Correct

:kick:

Eyes on the prize

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

19. "the Democrats are as unified as they've ever been"

Please. :eyes:

[TankLV]

15. God forbid that they should ever piss off the repukes!

Still need to woo me, wimps.

So far, that vacation is looking better and better, rather than stay home and vote thru bad colds and almost crawling to the polls like I've done in the past.

Give me a reason to vote FOR you all - so far it's not working for me.

[rodeodance]

3. Obey (Dem) is right.

....Representative David Obey, a Wisconsin Democrat, said many members of his party oppose tightening lobbying rules at a time when Democrats have a chance to regain a majority in Congress in the November elections.

[rodeodance]

4. The headline says it all.

[KittyWampus]

8. The Headline is misleading. But thanks for falling for Mediawhore spin

yet again.

[OneBlueSky]

5. what we need are some strong leaders in Congress . . .

people like Sam Rayburn and LBJ . . . though considerably more progressive than those two were . . .

[badgervan]

6. Sleazy $

Glad to see Barack Obama put in charge of looking into this sleazy crap. I believe that he, along with a few other dems like Russ Feingold, Edwards, Warner, Hackett ( if he wins in Ohio ), are our future. The old guard is proving next to useless, and we need some honest, passionate new blood. Any thoughts on Obama being delegated by Reid to lead the charge on corruption for dems?

[MrPrax]

9. Why bother...

All that will happen if Democrats bring it up, is that McCain and his reforms will be dusted off as 'point man', he will schedule bi-partisan meetings with Congress, have 'productive' talks with the White House, produce a fine looking document and the status quo will be saved for BOTH parties.

[toopers]

10. Unfortunately, money corrupts both sides of the aisle.

Until we get the money out of politics, we will never have an honest politician -- certainly not one that truly represents the people!

[anotherdrew]

12. this is a fucking joke - we need to clean house and take this party over

for too long this party has been a shamvling zombi, democracy in america is effectivly over

[pinerow]

13. The DLC has no legitimacy in my view...

nt

[jsamuel]

16. stupid reasoning: "If we do nothing, people will want to vote for us"

same reasoning, over and over and over and over

and they always lose that way too...

[leesa]

17. Thank the DLC...they are working as hard as they can for the GOP.

[gunsaximbo]

20. i'm shocked!

[Kablooie]

21. We are all merrily strolling down the road to Hitlerville,

and no one does anything about it except complain.

The new american century is almost truly here. I hope we all enjoy it.

[fishwax]

22. whenever the DLC isn't happy with the strategy, we're "divided"

which makes you wonder what, exactly, might be the divisive influence :shrug: