From Atrios: "Print it and Post it on the Fridge"

[Galley_Queen]

"Ready, aim. . . .

The Democratic Party's circular firing squad has assembled. Everybody's angry with everybody else. Joe Lieberman is trying to extricate the knife that, in his view, Al Gore deposited in his back. Al Sharpton is accusing Mr. Gore of engaging in the kind of "bossism" that belongs "in the other party."

The Gore and Clinton families are morphing into the Hatfields and the McCoys. And the runaway Dean machine, which has shown an impressive ability to amass campaign cash and early primary support, is now generating prodigious amounts of fear and loathing as well.

Those cackles of glee you hear in the background are coming from the White House."

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/12/opinion/12HERB.html

As seen on Atrios http://www.atrios.blogspot.com/

I couldn't agree more with this article or Atrios' comment of posting this, sending it to every Dem you know.

Frankly, as a relative newbie on DU, I am highly disappointed in some of the arguments going on about the candidates. It just seems so inane.

[eileen_d]

1. It's the primaries.

Sorry, but I'm tired of all of these calls for unity. The more I hear from them, the less they make sense. The more we fight, the tougher we'll be when the nomination is settled (by the voters, of course) and we all unite against Bush.

[Galley_Queen]

2. Explain, please?

"These are not the droids you are looking for. Move along."

What does that mean?

I hope you're right. I really do.

[eileen_d]

3. It's a dumb Star Wars quote.

I'm sorry. I'll take it out.

[Galley_Queen]

6. Circular Logic

No problem - I remember that line now!

I think my problem with all of this is that it reminds me too much of the 2000 election. If we bash our own party, don't you think it will be used against us? Again and again and again?

That whole debate just really pissed me off. Stupid phucking candidates should have said: HEY TED! We all think a fucking rock could beat Bush!!

And Lieberman and his crying towel.

It's just pathetic. And I don't like seeing that kind of attitude here.

[eileen_d]

7. I understand where you're coming from

I wish the candidates could have shown unity too, but I also think the whole question was a setup to make everyone that looked bad. Unfortunately it may have worked in the short run, but in the long run I think Bush will still look worse.

[tom_paine]

12. Star Wars quotes are VERY appropriate lately

We once lived in a venerable Old Republic.

Now under the bootheel of an Emperor not elected, but who connived his way into office.

He is now dismantling the Old Republic from within, squandering it's military and solifying Imperial might.

It's not that Lucas was a prophet, but that he was just retelling a very old story that has been and will probably continue to rerun throughout human history.

[Patriot_Spear]

4. I can't help but agree...

I may support Dean, but there is something to admire in all our candidates. However it seems I've spent most of my time of DU lately defending my choice of candidate from a legion of mindless attacks and hyperbole.

I agree with Eileen that this is the primaries, but clearly Democrats and the timidity of our 'leaders' our own worst enemy.

[PretzelWarrior]

5. what a stupid commentary. this guy and big media=easy story

they are stuck on cult of personality and politics of personal feelings, etc. They treat American people like we're too dumb to talk about REAL ISSUES.

I'm SO F*CKING tired of the old saw that "Dems are in a state of disorder and chaos". Oh yeah. That's why they are working so hard to block bad judicial nominations, and are capturing news attention on a daily basis now even though the primaries haven't started.

Sharpton should pack it in and support someone he believes can champion the interests of his followers. The media cover him because he's the Charles Barkley of politics. His quote about "bossism belongs in other party" is laughable considering notable Dems who were terrific party bosses such as Richard Daly Sr. of Chicago and other city politicians.

THis kind of reading is getting really stupid. Thanks for nothing Bob Herbert. Must need to play golf today so you reworked and regurgitated the conventional wisdom p.o.s. for us.

[Galley_Queen]

8. There's A Lot of Truth

in this article. I'm FUCKING tired of the Dems in congress rolling over and peeing on themselves and each other.

Like someone on C-Span the other day said, "Don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining."

Whoever the candidate is most definitely needs to STAND UP and be counted.

[PretzelWarrior]

9. think about it. Mecidare screwjob would still be killed if

not for some arcane parliamentary maneuvers and brute force vote getting by Repukes. It is tough to realize you have to stare in the face of evil when you do political business with the opposition every day. It's taking time for them to come around to the idea that the GOP is worse than Saddam as far as being a danger to them and the American people.

They will get it and loser traitors like Zell Miller can go to hell. The DEMOCRATIC PARTY is THE PARTY of AMERICA!

[redqueen]

10. Bob Herbert is at the very least a part time whore

He denegrates Democrats so often I'm not sure he isn't on the RNC payroll.

He has some good stuff, but isn't that the best way to package a lie? Cozied down within some easy to recognize truths?

Don't be fooled, he IS NOT firmly on our side.

In other words - you're right. He's clearly whoring in this example and you've done a great job showing how.

Thanks again, Herbert, for painting Democrats as useless idiots! *one-finger salute*

[Galley_Queen]

11. Is It His Fault?

By our own candidates taking nasty potshots at each other, they create the very atmosphere in which stories like these THRIVE.

That's the point! Don't give the bastards ammunition! It's just not necessary.

[jmaier]

13. Hey,

Some primary opponents are always taking nasty potshots at each other. Every election, every time. When we win, when we lose. It's not a 'circular firing squad' unless 1) it doesn't stop when we have a nominee or 2) sore losers (candidates & supporters) take their marbles and go home.

The hype on this here in DU and within the media is frankly odd.