What's ruining the Democratic Party..

[Union Yes]

Senators who know they're elected for six years but feel like they're elected for life. With the voting record to match. They scrap any progressive ideology out of fear of their next election. They fear losing their corporate campaign donors more than they fear the wrath of progressive voters.

Fear of their next election sets the tone for the future direction of their votes. Fear of their next election makes them vote blue dog conservadem rather than vote for much needed reform and change.

It may be the prime reason why this so called health care "reform" has turned more blue dog and been watered down into a sell out to the insurance industry.

Democratic corporate puppets who fear change and fear losing that cushy high paid senate/cong job. Again, they feel like it's their job for life and don't want to lose that fat paycheck.

When fear is their guiding principle, they scrap their core Democratic principles of fighting for the little fella.

Examples of the COWARDICE.

Sens
Kent Conrad
The Nelson Twins.
Max Baucus.
Mary Landrieu

President Barack Obama has put his political ass on the line to fight for change and bring reform to our health care catastrophe.

Kent Conrad could only dream of having that kind of spine.

Has Kent Conrad ever put his political ass on the line to fight for the little fella?

FUCK NO!

Progressives, let's show conservapukeDems what they should really fear. Primary elections and the wrath of the left wing voter.

Peace.

[dmosh42]

1. They rely on the electorate staying "dumb". n/t

[Echo In Light]

20. Depoliticized, indoctrinated, disinformed, terrorized, and yes, "dumb"

No great hurdle there.

[Uben]

2. Hmm? Maybe you should stop and think......

....about the people these senators represent. Progressives are not a majority in their districts, so why would they vote that way if they wanted to get re-elected? They wouldn't. Just like every other senator, or politician for that matter, they are concerned primarily with their political life, or more likely, their political livelihood! They are not going to fear you if you are in another state because your vote has no bearing on the outcome of elections in their state. Your efforts would be better served if you aimed your disdain towards those who elected them, and try to change their minds, not the senators. Those senators do not care what you think. Either way, you will likely have little to no impact on their decision making.

Just a reality check.

[Union Yes]

3. I'm only a few clicks away from donating to their primary opponents.

The net has completely changed the dynamic of elections for federal office.

Blue dogs can ignore the net dynamic at their own career peril.

Sen Conrad can choose to ignore the wrath of the left when we're donating to his primary opponent. An unwise choice but he's free to do what he pleases.

Obama was elected in part because of net donations and organizing. It was a huge part of his election victory.

[Kaleva]

4. About twice as many moderates voted for Obama as did liberals

According to the CNN exit poll data. If McCain and Obama had split the moderate vote 50/50, we'd be talking about President McCain now.

I have yet to see any data supporting the notion that the majority of donations Obama got in the primaries and the general election came from liberals and/or liberal organizations.

[kctim]

6. "It was a huge part of his election victory"

So was getting the votes of all us moderate Democratics and the majority of the Independents.

[Captain Hilts]

10. Correct. nt

[Kokonoe]

5. Yes, the primaries are the place to put on the pressure

Its the blue dogs biggest fear. After all they could even be replaced by another blue dog, they know its in the corporate play book.
The mindless middle sheeple want reform, so blue dogs are not representing their districts. The lefty liberals own the majority on health care.

[The Gunslinger]

7. the lack of Democrats.

[MidwestRick]

8. I guess you didn't know

that there are conservative democrats in the country and left of center independants. Progressive candidates cannot (or at least historically) win in some of the more conservative areas. Keep pushing everyone who isn't a progressive out of the party, and the Democratic Party will lose power and any voice they have. Just look at the other side with the far right and the Republicans.

[Captain Hilts]

9. No. Most of that list never promised to be progressives. They represent more conservative states.

[kentuck]

12. A question?

If they are more conservative states, why do they not vote for the Republican?

[Captain Hilts]

13. Because the Rs often post bad, or batshit crazy candidates that your run of the mill

conservative wants NOTHING to do with.

Remember, David Duke lost a lot of elections. Most folks in his state wanted nothing to do with him.

In VA, for example, Chuck Robb ran against a moran Republican, Marshall Coleman. He replaced a complete moran of a Republican, Paul Tribble. And Robb went on to vote in favor of placing Clarence Thomas on the Supreme Court. And got re-elected for doing so.

In Virginia, there are two parties: conservatives, and conservatives in the sack with Pat Robertson. The exception is Bobby Scott and Jim Moran. Other than that, there are no progressives in VA. Jim Webb gets an asterix.

[kentuck]

14. And who was the Governor of LA at that time?

I don't recall that he was a batshit crazy conservative? Was it Edwards, the batshit crazy Democrat? I don't buy that argument.

[Captain Hilts]

15. Some states are more conservative than others. A Dem in VA would be an R in many states.

It's that simple.

Conservative Democrats usually represent more conservative states. The 'center' in VA is to the right of that in NY. Or VT. Or Maryland.

Dems in MD are more liberal than those in VA.
Dems in VT are more liberal than those in NH.

[cali]

11. My senior Senator is one of the most liberal/progressive in the Senate and has been for 35 years.

[kentuck]

16. What burns my ass about Conrad and the others...

is how they say they cannot vote for any Democratic bill that is not paid for? There must be accountability. Which is all fine and dandy but where were they when Bush and the Repubs were adding $5 trilion dollars to the debt. They were silent. But now that the Democrats are trying to fix those problems, they are vocal "fiscal conservatives".

[Kokonoe]

17. The 21% of republicans will always claim to be the majority

Its just inflating the crowd size.

[kentuck]

18. Also, many Democrats call themselves moderates because..

they are afraid of being called a liberal.

[kctim]

19. Very true

but the reason has less to do with fear and more with having a chance and winning. Progressives lose and moderates win, deal with it and work together or split and join the Libertarians on the sidelines.

[kentuck]

21. I cannot accept the premise...

that to win as a Democrat, they have to run as a Republican. In any state in this union.

[kctim]

22. You don't have to accept it

but you should at least try to understand that you're view on what makes one a Democrat is not shared by all Democrats.