We are on the cusp of a Democratic Revolution: A note to moderates

[joeprogressive]

The Lieberman defeat is the wake up call and the start of this revolution. Many things have transpired that got us here such as a complete failure by the current administration, disastrous congressional record by republicans, widespread corruption in the republican party and the list goes on.

History has demonstrated that change does not often occur through incremental steps but through giant leaps. We took a giant leap last night. How could the party that swept into power in '94 and gained control of all branches of government in 2000 fallen so fast? Simple, they are utterly inept and the American people are seeing them completely exposed for the first time.

Lamont led Lieberman among the more educated and well-off. That spells trouble for the republicans in the mid-terms. They have run out of ways to spin high gas prices, a failed foreign and domestic policy, and mass corruption. Progressives will not only take control of congress from Republicans in November but we will purge the Democratic party of moderates that have cozied up to Bush for the past 6 years.

The pundits have been talking about the need for moderates to bring the two parties together. That is not happening. We will move this country much farther to the left than it has been for a long time. People have always held these ideals but through deception, they did not vote their true beliefs. The majority of Americans are progressive. That means we are pro choice, anti-war, and pro equal rights for all. We respect science and religion but realize they are separate entities and there is no place for the latter in our public schools unless it is an elective course on world religions. We have long range views about problems that face our world and realize that environmental degradation and rising debt are the most serious threats to future generations. We believe that government does have a role in solving certain problems that people face.

Joe, you are finished in the Democratic party and your candidacy as an independent will forever be your albatross that will hang from you for eternity. Your decision is the ultimate act of betrayal. Hillary, you will never be president of this country. You have hedged your bets so many times, you are left with nothing of value. A progressive will rise up in '08 and solidify this revolution.

Americans are good people at the core and those that have supported republicans in the past are tired of looking in the mirror and feeling guilty about enabling this failed experiment. We welcome you to our revolution with open arms.

[LincolnMcGrath]

1. I think we may be on the verge of re-defining the center/left.

Even I am guilty of referring to some of these folks as centrists. They are not. The slightly left inclined centrist won yesterday in Ct.

[merh]

2. The pendulum does continue to swing

maybe slowly, ever so slowly, but it still swings.

[MrModerate]

3. Lieberman didn't lose because he was a moderate . . .

but because he was a quisling. And dead wrong on a significant number of serious issues. And because he supported a type of phony bipartisanship that turned him into a tool of Karl Rove. And because he's an irritating prig.

Moderation is not the issue. Incompetence, fanaticism, and hypocrisy are the issues that will swat the 'Licans in November. Other moderate Dems are not suffering Joe's fate (Casey in PA, currently wiping the floor with Santorum, is way to the right of, f'rintance, me -- but still supported strongly by Dem leadership and rank and file).

I don't know that we'll see big steps this November. I don't know that Dems will retake the house OR the senate. I do know that 'Licans have been assimilated by inept, greedy, out-of-touch warmongers and knaves, and they'll pay a price.

How high? I dunno. Do you?

[joeprogressive]

7. There are two types of moderates

Those that are centrists because they have analyzed the issues and realized that many of their views fall somewhere in the middle. Then there are the appeaser moderates who make decisions they think are popular and will get them elected. Hillary and Joe fall into the latter category. I have more respect for a centrist republican than a waffling moderate democrat because the republican is at least voting on his beliefs whether I agree with them or not. I also have a tremendous amount of respect for centrist moderates in the Democratic party such as Murtha who stands behind his convictions.

[Stargazer99]

4. I hope to hell you are right

We on the bottom of the pie have suffered and will suffer yet from the decisions of this administation. I for one am getting real resentful of the well to do passing off their responsibility to the shoulders that are beaten down. The rich and well placed do not send their sons/daughters to the front line slaughter of Iraq. On top of that they want "tax relief"..notice they don't want relief of the incomes/wealth they possess...and sure don't want to share it with those who are paying more taxes along with losing their children, husbands and fathers to this "freedom on the march" that even the Iraqi wish we'd get the hell out.

[oasis]

5. "Giant leap?"Joe took a leap backward. America remains in the middle.(n/t)

[Doctor_J]

6. You want to warn moderates?!

Purge the rove enablers? Yes. Purge moderates (Bayh, Warner, Landreiu,...)? FUCK no.

[joeprogressive]

8. Read it more closely

I said moderates that cozied up to Bush, ie Lieberman.

[cascadiance]

10. Purge the moderates? No! Purge the corporatists? YESSSS!!!

And many of the so-called "moderates" are corporates in "moderate" clothing! Those are the ones that we're going to get rid of. Maybe not in earnest in 2006, since the priority is getting rid of Republicans first. But those that aren't answerable to the people, whether they be liberal or moderates, will either need to change their constituency (no longer work for lobbying interests), or get voted out later.

[stray cat]

9. I support populist moderates who stand up for working americans

and are not Bush enablers. I also believe states have a right to pick their own representatives and a moderate in one state would be considered a radical conservative or liberal in other states.

[joeprogressive]

11. I completely agree

Chet edwards is a good example of a moderate that would be considered a liberal by Texas standards. He has had to make some decisions to survive in that state and is a much better alternative to the radical right Wohlgemuth.

[cascadiance]

12. A good example is Paul Hackett

He might have a lot more moderate views than me in many areas as a liberal, but I respect that he's there to represent PEOPLE, and not corporations! That's the kind of moderate I want in our party!

[LeFleur1]

13. Moderates

Even if the Democratic Party moves far to the left of Bush it will still be in the middle.
I scream this at the TV every time one of those bobbleheads begins spewing how electing Ned Lamont means that the Democratic Party is swinging way left.
No, it isn't. It's swinging into the area of good government. And it's about damn time.

Painting the election of Lamont as the outcome of support by far left bloggers is just ridiculous. It wasn't only the bloggers that were behind Lamont. Ordinary Democrats stood up. Ned Lamont was elected because Lieberman was not doing his job. Lieberman voted with Democrats 90% of the time? The ten percent of the time that he didn't was extremely important. He voted wrong.

Since when is an incumbant assured of his seat in government, anyway?

[joeprogressive]

14. That is want the media wants you to believe

If people go down the list of issues, they realize how much more progressive thus liberal they really are. People like Lamont, Warner, Clark et al. are much more liberal than they are given credit for.

[tulip]

18. Thank you!

I'm a populist Dem according to all my online tests and I appreciate your kind words. ;)

[joeprogressive]

20. Every self proclaimed Republican I have given the political compass

test to ended up near the center. People usually fall farther left than they would have rated themselves. That is why I believe what we are seeing is a true progressive liberal shift, not a shift to the center.

[bvar22]

26. A "Pro Working Class" Democrat....

..can win in ANY state.

[angus]

15. hypocrites

I'm amazed at how the media thugs like Fox news are saying that the party is now in the hands of the extreme lefts and that we aren't viable. I think they should look in their neo-con mirror and see that they've sold out to a theocracy--THEY are the extremists.

[joeprogressive]

16. exactly, that's what I've been trying to say.

Today's progressive liberals are mainstream, many just don't know it yet.

[paulk]

17. before you start beating your chest about revolutions

it's wise to remember that CT is a blue state.

[joeprogressive]

19. Noted, but they also threw a three time incumbent out on his duff.

That is a huge statement. The war has pushed people over the edge. It will be THE defining issue.

[paulk]

27. the real election is in November

it is a huge statement, yes... but, this thing isn't over.

And 52-48 is way too close for me to feel comfortable - or to make any predictions about the impact of this race nationally.

[Generator]

21. Republican by proxy syndrome

I wish some of the moderates could simply say,I'm not anti-war but I'm definitely against THIS war. It's bad for America. It's based on lies. It has no purpose. (If it had the purpose to remove Saddam-which some liberals even thought was a good thing-it no longer is because Saddam was caught years ago and we are still there) Then they wouldn't have to worry about being labeled anti-war which to some means that they would never fight to defend America. It's also what some on the left mean. It's never been what I mean when I say I'm anti-war. I'm pro-America. Being in Iraq has nothing to do with American's interests. If they dare say that-dare to say the truth about WHO it benefits-that would probably not only be a huge start but a miracle.

Also there is NOTHING moderate about this president's policies. Nothing. He is extreme. Extreme tax cuts, extreme anti-environmental, extreme-pro hate (trying to change the constitution to outlaw gay marriage)those are not moderate values. It's a ruse. Those are extreme values. There is also no room for compromise with a president that wants to trash our civil liberties. I don't believe in the moderate Dem that supports these policies. What they are to me-what Lieberman has PROVED himself to be by choosing to run as an independent is selfish politican first, no loyalty to being a Democratic AT ALL, and ultimately nothing but Republican by proxy. Pathetic.

[blm]

22. The MODERATE beat the centrist yesterday. Stop and use your cooler

heads to analyze the facts before spreading assumptions that are inaccurate.

I say that as a pinko lefty who still values the presence of moderates but is not too keen on the centrists or center right.

[Symphony of Freedom]

23. Yep...

Now just don't let the gays, the atheists, and the feminists ruin it for you...Remain the same as the Republicans and victory is yours.

[skeeters2525]

24. Throw Out All Democrats

We proved we can do one thing. Beat a Democrat.

What a great day.

But there are still more Democrats out there.

Let's not rest until we have a 100 to 0 Republican advantage in the Senate.

Hey Boner. You will need moderates to take back the House.

Hey to spoil your circle jerk.

[joeprogressive]

25. I never said throw out the moderates. I said throw out the ones that are

in bed w/ Bush. That is what we did yesterday and we should continue to do so with more liberal candidates replacing moderates in the next few election cycles. I am so sick and tired of people running away from Liberal. I am a f****** liberal and proud of it and it is about time we asserted our domain.

[lvx35]

28. "We will move this country much farther to the left..."

that's exactly the right idea at the right time. The republicans have used up a great deal of their ammo screaming and name calling at snivelling centrists who don't really oppose them. Its time to hit very hard from the far left, because these guys have no idea at this point what real political opposition is, and it has made them somewhat weak.