Grayson on 2010: "You can NOT beat a Republican by being one"

[Joanne98]

First, OMG!

Kossacks Donated Over $6000 Yesterday to Alan Grayson through our Act Blue page!!!!

If you can, and want to pony up for Grayson (BIG D-FL08), do so Here

But the money quote is this one, after Laurence O'Donnell asked Grayson about 2010, and Grayson's answer was this.

You can not beat a Republican by being one. People deserve a choice, and they'd like a Congressman with guts.

~snip~

People love to see a fighter who fights for them.

~snip~

We ran on a campaign platform of change, that's what people expect from us, that's what we have to deliver.

What I LOVE about this quote is that it flies in the face if the Rahm strategy, which states that only Conservative candidates can win in reddish districts. I think that idea SUCKS> It undermines our ideas, and we as Democrats, progressive, liberal or moderates, would be better served by selling our ideas as BETTER than Conservative ideas, NOT as acceptable enough for Conservative ideas. The fallacy of the be more like Conservatives idea that Rahm sells and the Bush Blue Dog/ConservaDems enact bites us in the ass when we try to differentiate ourselves before the American voter. e need to be BETTER than Republicans, in our ideas, in our standards and in our candidates, not acceptable. Fer Chris Sakes! BACHMANN is acceptable to Conservatives! BUSH was acceptable!

I have read remarks in my diaries that say things like "Giving Glenn Beck attention is good for him" I call that calling him out for his bullshit.

I have read remarks along the lines of "We're lowering the level of discourse like this. We don't want to be like Republicans". To that I say, if we don't fight back, we don't win. You can't be nice to the guy who is calling you a nazi/fascist/socialist/Kenyan supporter.

The fact is this is politics, not softball. This is a full contact sport. To those people, or to those of like mind, I might suggest the notion that we will NOT get elected officials with more spine until more Democratic VOTERS get a little bolder, a little more aggressive, and a little more willing to Yell Louder. Not just Louder, but Smarter too.

Otherwise, we will play nice and lose to cheaters and liars. I REFUSE to LOSE, and I suggest to those who fell iffy about fighting that you should LEAD, FOLLOW or GET OUT OF THE WAY.

Cause if you can't take the heat you should get out of the kitchen.

The overwhelming majority of us, thankfully, DO want a fight, because we KNOW we can and will WIN. Our ideas are better, are motives are more benevolent, we want to make our nation and the world BETTER for everyone, not just more acceptable for Conservatives who are locked into 1930 or 1950 or 1980 or 1/19/09.

To put it a little shorter, Rahm's idea might win for now or in certain election cycles, but it SUCKS and so do his Blue Dogs lap dogs. Grayson's idea is better, be different, be a fighter, and people will love you for telling the truth.

continued>>>
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/10/10/791760/-Grayson-on-2010:-You-can-NOT-beat-a-Republican-by-being-one

Videos at link

[baldguy]

1. Harry Reid needs to learn this lesson. Hard.

[Demeter]

2. Wouldn't Hurt a Certain Peace Prize Winner, Either

[CrispyQ]

4. +1

Damn straight.

[digidigido]

3. Amen, and Harry Reid is a joke

[JaneQPublic]

5. He sounds like Howard Dean in the 2004 campaign...

...Grayson's message is very similar to Dean's talk of "Republican Light" Dems.

[bvar22]

6. "Centrism" SUCKS.

It is a political ideology unhindered by a foundation on principles.
It is successful ONLY at giving us politicians who STAND for NOTHING except the enrichment of themselves and high dollar campaign donors.

There was a time when "Rahm" was a dirty word at DU.
Now he has a fan club.



"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans. I want us to compete for that great mass of voters that want a party that will stand up for working Americans, family farmers, and people who haven't felt the benefits of the economic upturn."---Paul Wellstone

[OHdem10]

7. Thik about it--How many Centrist Democrats do not even put D or

Democrat near their name when running. In Indiana, the people
do not know if Bayh is a Republican or Democrat. In Southern States
as well. Now you understand the lack of spine, I hope.

[midnight]

8. LEAD, FOLLOW or GET OUT OF THE WAY. That should be our motto.

[Skittles]

9. Grayson is making me salivate

yes INDEED

[BobTheSubgenius]

10. How can you not love this guy?

I sent him an email and encouraged him in NO uncertain terms that what he's been doing is laudable and necessary......and to please keep doing it. His speeches change the dialogue, and considering what the dialogue normally is.....

[pangaia]

11. Run like a Democrat

I live in the NY-29th and last year Eric Massa beat a rich wacko repub in our REPUBLICAN district-- by being a REAL Democrat and telling it as he saw it. Massa used to be a repub but got so fed up he switched. He lost in 2006 by a hair and came right back swinging last year. He's ex-navy and knows how to fight.. THAT'S what we need..

[yellowcanine]

12. Harry Truman said, "If it's a choice between a genuine Republican, and a Republican in Democratic

clothing,the people will choose the genuine article, every time; that is, they will take a Republican before they will a phony Democrat, and I don't want any phony Democratic candidates in this campaign."

[katty]

13. thanks Alan! you are winning the LOGIC award

[JohnWxy]

14. recommended!