Activists on the Left Applying Pressure to Democratic Leaders

[cal04]

Liberals Seek Bolder Approach to War, Spying
Democratic leaders set to take control of Congress tomorrow are facing mounting pressure from liberal activists to chart a more confrontational course on Iraq and the issues of human rights and civil liberties, with some even calling for the impeachment of President Bush.

The carefully calibrated legislative blitz that Democrats have devised for the first 100 hours of power has left some activists worried the passion that swept the party to power in November is already dissipating. A cluster of protesters will greet the new congressional leaders at the Capitol tomorrow. They will not be disgruntled conservatives wary of Democratic control, but liberals demanding a ban on torture, an end to warrantless domestic spying and a restoration of curbed civil liberties.

The protest will be followed by an evening forum calling for the president's impeachment, led by the Center for Constitutional Rights, antiwar activist Cindy Sheehan and a pro-impeachment group called World Can't Wait.

Those priorities will not be in evidence inside the Capitol, where the newly sworn-in Democratic Congress will immediately begin work on new ethics rules, the reinstitution of federal deficit controls and new policies designed to increase civility in House proceedings. In the coming weeks, Democrats plan to pass bills designed to raise the minimum wage, lower prescription drug costs for Medicare recipients and interest rates for student borrowers, bolster homeland security and boost alternative energy research.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/02/AR2007010201003.html

[mike_c]

1. damned right-- STOP THE WAR, first and foremost....

There is NO other issue more pressing RIGHT NOW.

[Vincardog]

15. Wrong the issue more pressing RIGHT NOW is paper ballots and random audits.

until and unless we fix the BBV fiasco all is lost.

WE also need to adamantly oppose the fiasco in Iraq but the first priority is to
end the fraud that has given us the current mis-administration.

[dave420]

17. And it WILL stop...

... we just have absolutely no say in it. No-one does. Invading was a one-way street - we fucked the country sideways, and if we left, we'd be condemning the country to hell. If we stay, things might get even worse. This isn't a problem that can be fixed. Not everything can be corrected, as we're seeing now.

[saracat]

2. And these pressures could cost us 08! I say let the new Congress do its job before you

pressure them into doing what you think is best! Give them a chance. The war is an important issue but it is not the ONLY issue.This country has many things that need to be fixed and I applaud the new agenda.I only hope they can accomplish it! I will be praying for them.

[hughee99]

5. Cost us in '08?

If you can't protest in now because it might hurt us in '08, then I can't imagine that any other time is a good time to protest either. If Pelosi or Reid went to these groups and said "Here's the legislation were going to put forward in the next couple of weeks", then that probably would have prevented the protests. Maybe I'm mistaken, but IMHO, if these groups felt like these issues were going to be addressed in the near future, they probably wouldn't be out there.

[saracat]

11. I do not support the war and think we should bring the troops home but

I think we have other issues as well and those issues have to be addressed as well. Some think the war is the only issue.

[hughee99]

16. Although I agree on this in general...

I think that the war was a major theme in this election, and for the Democratic leadership to not address this issue with some legislation, whether it's actually proposed in the first 100 hours, or at least made available for the public to review, gives many some reason to believe that this this is not going to be handled right away. Democrats talked a lot about *'s failures during the election and this motivated many people to work for and vote for Dems. Now it's time for the Dems to lay out their plan for what they're going to do about it, and I don't necessarily see a problem with it if people hold their feet to the fire on this. All politicians make campaign promises, in the long term, it's better for our party if our elected officials keep their promises. If it takes a some pressure to do so, I'm okay with that (actually, I'm a little pissed that it's necessary to do so, but I've made peace with that). Keeping promises will only help us in '08.

[EFerrari]

7. Well, they will need prayers because the Democratic wing of

the Democratic party is waking up like a lion.

[TechBear_Seattle]

19. So when the bloody hell CAN we protest?

According to "moderate" Democrats (30 years ago, they would have been classed as hard right wing), we should never, EVER speak out because we will "cost the party the next election." We are not allowed to take action at the primaries because we will "force the party to accept an unelectable candidate." We are not allowed to speak out before the general election because we should have taken action at the primary. Now you say we should shut up and remain silent after the general election because we will cause the Democrats to lose in 2008?

When, pray tell, can we expect your permission to try and pull the party back to its alleged liberal roots? When will it not cost the party the next election? Speak, O Wise One! :puke:

[enough already]

22. Right. If a couple thousand more soldiers have to die to "win" '08, so be it

When I see "moderates" running the show, I wonder just what the fuck we "won".

[Old and In the Way]

3. They'll be plenty of time after those 1st 100 hours to investigate

the crimes of this administration. Give the American people some immediate relief and hope for a change of course. Use that momentum to get constructive legislation passed for the bottom 90% that need it...then we can start looking into the crimes that have been committed by this administration..

[saracat]

12. Amen.

[babylonsister]

4. STOP THE WAR! Take a stand, Dems, and you will be embraced for

doing so. I DARE anyone to say differently. America spoke on November 7th, and it's only gotten worse.

[bdamomma]

26. We have to take a stand now, we have to.

[EFerrari]

6. Those crazy liberals against torture, spying on Americans and

for civil liberties. :crazy:

[LuckyX]

8. Very serious crimes have been

committed by this administration, and if impeachment is not on the table there will be hell to pay! Enough of this shit!

[EFerrari]

9. Welcome to DU, LuckyX

:)

[IndianaGreen]

10. 3,003 GIs are dead today because Gephardt and Daschle ignored the Left in 2002

and went along with Bush on the Iraq War Resolution.

The Left was right about Iraq in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and is right in 2007 in demanding that the Democrats restore Constitutional rule, and bring the troops home ASAP.

Democrats MUST oppose Bush's "surge and accelerate."

[enough already]

23. So you aren't willing to wait until 2008 or 2009 while the "moderates" diddle?

You're _so_ intolerant. </sarcasm>

[Voltaire99]

13. After the election is a bit late for "pressure"--LOL!

Heh. This is what you get when you vote for corporate centrist putzes. No impeachment. No end of war. And a helluva lot less of the "passion" whipped up for the election.

[LeahMira]

21. You make a point...

... but the corporate centrist putzes are looking to 2008.

[FrenchieCat]

14. I believe that there will be hearings on Bush's new plan to

STAY THE COURSE SO MORE, once it is announced.

It has been said that there would be, and so there shall. Dems are planning on calling in those army generals who are saying that a "surge" is not the way to go.

I believe it will be interesting. Let's give them 5 minutes to prepare, shall we? After 6 years, it's gonna take at least that long.

[Lasher]

18. Savoring the moment

Activists on the left applying pressure. At long last we have a voice again.

[pberq]

20. Yes!

Why shouldn't the illegal war in Iraq be front and center? Along with the other crimes of the Bush admin.

[bluehighways911]

24. Everyone Should

Democrats do want to hear from you. Calling, emailing, letters, visits, they all work. We convinced, Barak Obama on two major issues. Don't know if we actually changed his mind, but let's say, he listened.

Heard Bernie Sanders on Ed Schultz say the same thing.

So I hope all get involved. And don't sit here all day and whine, why aren't the Dems listening. They are. Are you speaking loud enough.

As for impeachment. Good luck, but can you say, snowballs chance in hell. Or these days, in Illinois.

[bdamomma]

25. Is anyone here considering going to DC January 27th?

Just asking.