Reply #63: Did We Really Elect These People??

[KharmaTrain]

I live in a purple district and did a lot of canvassing in the '06 elections...and while Iraq did make a big difference in many votes, it wasn't the only thing that elected Democrats or, inversely didn't re-elect Repugnicans. Many of the elderly voters I met were more concerned with Social Security and Prescription Drug Reform, others were concerned with the crumbling economy and the overt corruption and arrogance of the Repugnicans. It was as much, if not more, a vote against Repugnicans than it was FOR Democrats. Sadly, many here felt the '06 elections was a mandate to swing from one political extreme to the other...it wasn't. It was a first step, not an end result. It got the Democrats back into the game from near political oblivion.

In some races, Progressives and netroots did make a difference, and our voice is louder now than it was in the past, but it's just one of many.

Another thing to keep in mind. First is we really don't have a majority in the Senate. The 50 plus one Democrats in the Senate control the agenda, but not the votes. This slim majority is fighting an organized filibuster by the Repugnican leadership that is intended to both stonewall votes (and not just the war) from going forward and frustrating and dividing Democrats. We also face an out of control Executive that went 6 years with unchecked power and accountability. This regime has used all means to dominate the corporate media and divide Democrats and Repugnicans alike to suit its agenda and purposes. Teddy Roosevelt called this using the "bully pulpit" and this regime has mastered it to beyond an artform. Anyone expecting Democrats to change the political culture overnight deserve to feel disappointed.

That said, the '06 elections are history, the '08 ones are starting to kick in. This is a crucial time for many candidates as they look at the primaries and their chances next year. The sticky wicket many face is how to oppose this illegal invasion without looking like they're "dissing" the troops. There's still a major disconnect by many that defunding this invasion somehow is a slap at the troops...this meme needs to be countered and changed.

It also means showing strength in numbers. Inside the beltway, politicians are bombarded with "Conventional Wisdom"...I think its time they saw 500,000 or 1,000,000 REAL voters outside their windows...ya don't think that would send a message?