OK, DU...it's time to stop fighting with each other and figure out how to move forward!

[AndyA]

I'll start by saying I'm not happy with the Democrats or Obama. I think their performance the last 2-4 years has been marginal at best. Yes, they have accomplished some great things, but there are also many things they really should be ashamed of.

I acknowledge that the Republicons haven't been helpful in getting the country out of the mess they created. But I also understand that Democrats have wasted a lot of time trying to be bipartisan, which they should have figured out early on that the GOP wasn't going to help them. In fact, the GOP basically said so from the very beginning.

Reid has a stack of bills stalled in the Senate. And the mere threat of a filibuster from the right has been enough for Reid to cow down to them. That's shameful, and the American people deserve better than that.

But...

Irregardless of the Democrats' poor performance, it's a fact that if the Republicons take control of anything, they will begin to undo everything all of us have worked hard for to gain the last 4 years. We know Democrats feel dejected, despondent, and they aren't in the mood to vote.

So...

How do we get out the vote this year?

I guess Tim Kaine is still living? Honestly, you wouldn't hardly know it since you see so little of him. Should we assume he's working hard behind the scenes to get things done? At this point, I think he's as much of a negative as anything, he should have been out in front long ago working on the November elections.

Here's my suggestion to get out the vote this November:

I think President Obama, Vice President Biden, President Clinton, etc., all need to hit the campaign trail and stimulate some excitement. I know there isn't a lot to get excited about, and perhaps the message needs to be we didn't create this mess, and all the hard work everyone has done the last few years is going to be wasted if the Republicans take over control again. You must vote. You must get your family, friends, and neighbors who are Democrats to vote. If not, all your hard work will be gone.

I'm tired of being accused of things because I'm not on Obama's cheer leading squad. Yet, I don't hear anyone coming out with specific ideas on how to deal with those who are less than enthusiastic this time around. Many have good reason to not be excited, so how do we get that excitement back, and just as important, how do we send a message to the Democrats in Congress that we're tired of supporting them when they don't keep their promises, and when they don't stand up to the lies the Republicon Party tells.

We need more heroes like Alan Grayson, Anthony Weiner, Barbara Boxer, Al Franken, etc.

How do we make that happen, DU?

[zipplewrath]

1. Um, that's what the argument is about

To a great degree, that's what the arguments are about. We don't all come close to agreeing on what should be done, and have been done, to get people to vote democratic. And it has been an argument about how we "send a message".

[BeFree]

2. Easy for the republican'ts

As for me, I am not a member of an organized party, I am a Democrat.

Ain't that the truth? Practically ancient wisdom.

[AndyA]

3. OK...so what do we do to get past that?

Fighting amongst each other isn't going to do it.

How do we get the 75% of the people to vote who approve of the job Obama is doing, but don't plan on voting? (MSNBC just reported this!)

[elleng]

6. As the upcoming elections aren't 'national' in nature,

the 'all politics is local' meme has to prevail in our actions, so, we here should send $ to those we'd like to encourage, so they can make noise in their districts (for example, Justin Coussoule who is opposing boner in OH, and Jack Conway, opposing rand paul in KY), and if we reside in appropriate districts, join Dem groups there.

[zipplewrath]

11. I'm afraid you won't find concensus on that question

Which is why there is so much arguing going on.

Some will tell you that it is too late and that ship has sailed.

[elleng]

4. and thats the problem, Dems argue, rethugs produce.

HERDING CATS!

[uponit7771]

5. ...at some point we've got to admit we're not "fighting" with anyone from the left. Some of this shi

...seems orchestrated no doubt

[elleng]

7. Some is, certainly, but there seems to be a fair amount of sincere contrariness here at DU.

[Walk away]

8. I honestly don't know how we managed to pull off 2008.

As a life long Democrat it saddens me to say that we may not have another chance like this for decades. If you think these last two years have been a disappointment then what is coming should be a real eye opener. When the pukes take back this country with the help of their ignorant base and greedy independents, they won't give it up that easily again.

[kentuck]

9. When you send them back to their jobs...

they will believe that you support what they are doing.

[MineralMan]

10. And if you don't the Republicans will support what,

do you suppose? For pete's sake!