Are the Dems Growing Spines?

[Stinky The Clown]

It seems there have been more and more pointed and remarkably hard hitting comments from the Dems. Harry Reid, just as one example, has had some good things to say of late.

And then there's the remarkably consistent message they've been putting out, most famously of late with respect to the withdrawal of Miers' nomination.

What are your thoughts?

edit to clarify title

[cynatnite]

1. There is a few who do, but not enough, IMO n/t

[mikehiggins]

2. Absolutely not

What consistant message are they putting out regarding the War? The rape of New Orleans? The Plame game?

Some people talk and the VAST majority cower in the corner waiting to see which way the political winds blow before taking anything even close to resembling a principled stand on anything.

This is a one party government.

[Jai4WKC08]

22. Pelosi is working on it

She and the other House Dems are trying to put together some sort of "platform" on the war and a number of other issues for House incumbents and challengers to run on. Sort of a Democratic version of the 1994 Contract with America. But from what I've heard, she wants to time it to best advantage. Not sure when that will be.

[rockymountaindem]

3. I think so.

Reid strikes me as the kind of person who is more about backroom deals than grandiose statements. That's how things get done. Witness the Harriet Miers debacle.

Kennedy, Kerry and Feingold have also taken leading roles lately, along with the usual suspects of the CBC, Conyers, and McKinney. While things might not be as good as we'd like, I think the Democrats are starting to take their role as an opposition party more seriously.

[BillZBubb]

4. Not really.

They are starting to take shots at Bush but only marginally. And that comes only after Bush has shot himself in the foot a couple of times.

No profiles in courage in the Democratic leadership. This is the most incompetent, radical, and criminal administration in modern history and the best we get out of the Dem leaders are a few shots here and there--it's sniping not a siege.

[peacetalksforall]

5. Pedal to the metal comes with Syria. There is no spine if Clinton,

Shirmer, Kerry, the Nelsons, Landrieau, and all the others support taking Syria and/or Iran in our classic imperialistic style.

[Mass]

8. Kerry is not doing what you say

He is advocating diplomacy for this not to happen (cant say for the rest of them).

[WA98296]

6. A few, but far too few, saying too little, with no media coverage

[Jai4WKC08]

23. Media coverage is what's lacking

Isn't it always?

There are Democrats speaking out. Clark has been all over, but is any of it ever aired? Dean too, and the only thing that makes the news is when he says something the Repubs think they can twist to make sound radical or ridiculous. I suspect there may be others speaking out, but if you don't happen follow the individuals, you just don't hear about it. Pelosi and Reid are working more behind the scenes, but if we had a working, fair media, what they're doing would be more evident as well.

[jwirr]

7. I voted yes but I am old enough to realize that one

unpopular statement at the wrong time can decide the outcome of an election. If we want to be in charge in 2006-2008 we need to realize that Dems in conservative states need to remain quiet. One example would be the last election when south dakota turned repug when we forced a dem. out. I am sorry I know he was not doing a good job as a a leader but he was voting the right way on issues. I would rather have him in congress than any repug whoever few realized that that was the issue. Either him or a repug. If that continues to happen in the next election we can probably concede before the election begins.

[Mass]

9. Most of the things that have been seen recently as dems growing a spine

have been said several months ago by other democrats.

The only thing is that this time, Reid and other moderate democrats seem (Rockefeller, Clinton, ...) to be on board, which is a good thing.

[blm]

15. Agree. Corporate media doesn't report on Dems' toughest attacks on BushInc

And they haven't for 4 years. Not unless the attack can be spun into making the Dem sound like he's nuts - Then they distort the hell out of it to wring some sympathy for Bush out of it.

[Totally Committed]

10. At some point all their corporate donors will rein them in again,

and we'll be up shit's creek without a Party once more. Time to get all corporate $$$ and interests out of our candidate's fund-raising, or there will never be a sustained period of courage in our Party again!

[Mass]

13. That would be a great idea. Time for a clean election Bill.

[rockymountaindem]

16. To that end, how much have you donated to the DNC or candidates?

n/t

[Donna Zen]

18. Me and TC

TC will have to tell you her own story, but I do know that she maxed out.

As for myself, I took a second job and gave all of the money to the Dems in the last cycle.

Is that enough?

Of course, my contributions can't compare to Citibank, so my voice will not be heard.

[rockymountaindem]

20. That's great!

The only reason I ask is to combat the hypocracy of people saying they won't donate to Democrats and then wonder why our party has to accept corporate money.

I think your voice will be heard. If we all contribute together as the grassroots, that's how we get our issues attention with the party leaders. If we all chip in a little bit, we can make as big or a bigger impact than corporations.

[mucifer]

11. unless you watch cspan all day how would you know?

the press doesn't do a good job of covering it and the dems aren't in power so we won't see results.

[hatrack]

12. Notochords, perhaps

Early times, however.

[Ksec]

14. Reid showed courage

The rest of them are a bunch af ball kissin' milquetoasts as far as Im concerned.

[Karmadillo]

17. "When the sands are all dry, he is gay as a lark,

And will talk in contemptuous tones of the Shark:
But, when the tide rises and sharks are around,
His voice has a timid and tremulous sound."

[leanin_green]

19. Well, sorta. Because it's safer politically to do so now.

What with * suffering all the negativity now, it's a lot safer for some Dems to venture forth as IF they have a backbone.

[Ladyhawk]

21. Exactly. That's why I'm not terribly impressed with Kerry's sudden

realization that the war was started on false pretenses. He should have had it figured out a long time ago. He's sticking his finger in the wind to see which way the wind is blowing so he can add his own hot air.

Sorry. I haven't trusted Kerry since the "election." :shrug:

[karynnj]

25. Sudden?, Kerry was the first to demand the Senate Intelligence

Committee complete the WMD part 2 study - and he referenced the DSM in the letter - only 10 Senators signed it. (Basically the ones you would expect: Kennedy, Levin, Harkin, Corzine, Lautenberg, Boxer(?)) Kerry was one of the first to yell when Bush invaded, calling for regime change in this country. Well before Reid or any of the others coming out now did.

What part of misled us into war is not clear. Kerry said this many times every day.

Whether you like Kerry or not, you should have some respect for the truth. There is a public record of what Kerry said - it is actually pretty clear - He felt Saddam was dangerous and we needed inspectors back in - once this was working - and it was - Bush deviated from the IWR.

Notice, he is the first person with a detailed exit plan. Clearly he is part of the group looking to get the soldiers out. This is where he's been going since he got back from Iraq in late August.

[Deja Q]

24. Well, righty now it's merely bone spurs. It's a wait'n'see game...

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

26. They're "speaking out" (sort of) because the people demand it.

Politicians follow the lead of the people. The people have grown disgustd with what this regime does and stands for. I'm, perhaps, going too far.

The people have grown tired of seeing their kids coming home maimed or in boxes from Iraq. They are really PO'd at high gas prices. They have been confronted by the stark sight of poverty and racism in the "richest country in the world" as exhibited in NO. They are disgusted with politicians who play politics with people's lives and welfare.

The Democrats haven't grown spine, they are feebly responding to the mood of the country by playing "gotcha" against the republicans instead of offering a vision of what America should do.

So far, all they are offering is to throw spitballs at the political equivalent of Al Capone and promise to be "not as bad".