Dems and the Fear of Losing

[Yavin4]

Our biggest problem is that we've become too afraid to lose elections. In a democracy, principled positions are often unpopular. Ending slavery was unpopular. Giving women the right to vote was unpopular. The Civil Rights movement was unpopular. Sometimes, standing on your principles will be unpopular with the masses. The question then becomes do we cave on our principles in order to avoid being unpopular?

I bring this up because that's what Zell Miller wants us to do. In Zell's world, Bush is popular, so we must be like Bush in oder to be popular as well. If we do give Bush everything, it MAY make us popular in the short term, but in the long term, we'll lose. Why? Because if you believe, like I do, that Bush's policies are deeply flawed, then when his policies fail, you won't be able to distinguish yourself from his failures.

The Republicans are indeed building strength in the South, but they're doing it by selling lies. I'd rather lose standing on principle than win by lying.

[illini]

1. Lack of Backbone is a problem for the "leadership" these days.

Daschle and the others (god love em) need to make a stand and stick by it. Pick an issue and wack the neo-cons silly with it. The next week do it again. Wilsongate is good example. I would be squeaking loudly every week if not daily. Diligence!!!!!!!!! I would just keep hammering.

[realFedUp]

2. nicely stated

I think the truth is slowly seeping into
people's brains also...it may
not be that hard to change their hearts
and minds.

[Democrats unite]

3. "I'd rather lose standing on principle than win by lying. "

Is probably the best statement I have seen on DU. I hope everyone here feels the same way.

I am a firm believer that a mans word is his bond.

on edit: spelling

[roughsatori]

13. "I am a firm believer that a mans word is his bond" I agree

If more of us (including our elected Representatives) kept our word we could transform the world.

People keeping their word is one of the most important traits for a person to have for me to remain their friend. It may even be impossible to be a true fried with a person who does not keep their word.

[Eloriel]

20. No, damn few DUers seem to feel that way

Yavin is 100% correct. Too many Dems are scared shitless of another Bush term. Hey, so am I, but I realize that "settling" and not insisting Dems stand up for us and for Demoratic principles, etc., etc., is exactly what got us to where we are today and I'm simply not going to take it any more.

FURTHER, the argument that's usually tossed around is that if I (or you, or anyone) don't vote ABB (Anybody But Bush), and Bush wins again, WE renegades will be responsible for the next Bush administration.

Horsefeathers. If any Dem wants my vote they're going to have to be worthy of my vote, and my vote don't come cheap. I've prostituted it too many times in the past and I'm done with that.

If Election 2000 taught me anything it was that every vote really does count AND that our votes are sacred. Our votes are a sacred trust with our government, our Constitution, our elected representatives. They don't seem to see it that way any more. Well, they're going to have to. Or die (politically speaking).

I'm done being pandered to and made to feel I should pretend I like it, let alone believe it. I'm tired of having my most basic hopes, expectations and dreams utterly betrayed (e.g., not standing up with the CBC, confirming Ashcroft, not bothering to show up for the anti-abortion bill vote, and most of all, the crowning glory among so many more betrayals, the Iraq War Vote).

You want my vote? No betrayals, and that's just for starters. I also expect to be fucking listened to when we call, fax, email, sign petitions and protest by the millions. And I want you to do what's right for the country instead of what's right for you -- that will less often mean your defeat than you wimps imagine.

Eloriel

[ulysses]

4. !

I'd rather lose standing on principle than win by lying.

What are you, some kind of Naderite?

;-)

[La_Serpiente]

6. I think he is willing to sacrifice some of the icing

but not the core Democratic party values.

[Democrats unite]

12. A man of principle...

What are you?

[ulysses]

14. just some liberal schmoe.

:shrug: How about you?

[Democrats unite]

17. As I have stated a man of principle

Are you saying it's ok for liberals to lie? Thats what it sounds like to me.

[ulysses]

18. LOL - no

I was being sarcastic. :) I've been accused my share of times here of being willing to "lose on principle".

[La_Serpiente]

5. I agree with that assessment

I think the only way we can win is if we stay true to our roots. I shudder at the notion that we have to change our fundemental core values to win.

And basically, that is what Washington has becomme. It has become a race for legislative triumphs instead of a place of reason and temperance.

I do not mind if we steer clear of some of the icing on our platform. However, I do mind when someone like Liberman criticize the people on the left for believing in what they feel. Liberals have historically been the foundation of the party.

David Brooks, as much as I despise his writing style, touched upon this a couple weeks ago. He said that most Democrats depend on polls for an election.

I say enough is enough. If America rejects our political orthodoxy, then that is a legitamate choice. I think America respects a candidate that has values, whether they be religious or political. I do not think America likes a candidate wrapped in a marketing campaign.

[lancdem]

8. The irony is

as we do increasingly poorly in the South, we're doing quite well in battleground states like PA, NJ, etc. Bush is not popular in those places.

[lancdem]

9. The irony is

as we do increasingly poorly in the South, we're doing quite well in battleground states like PA, NJ, etc. Bush is not popular in those places.

[blm]

7. Well...seems like people flock to liars as long as the rhetoric is hot.

And care little for those who with solid records of progressive Democratic values.

[metisnation]

10. spine?????

We wil win either in the polls or on the streets!

[roughsatori]

11. Very well stated. I think that ABB (anybody but Bush*) indicates

our current enervation. And when I read certain posters I imagine that if they were alive during slavery they would be writing: "Abolition is too unpopular right now, they will use it against us."


Of course, some of us would have been slaves being whipped and beaten while we waited for the appeasers to develop some spine.

[mmonk]

15. Zell is a disgrace

No way to even fathom in my wildest dreams or hallucinations could liking GW Bush ever show itself. Insane.

[Yavin4]

16. To Refine My Post

I believe that we're letting our "Fear of Losing" drive us instead of a strong foundation of Liberal principles, like a balanced budget, a strong social security program, national health insurance, free public education, greater respect around the world, a strong national defense built on cooperation with other nations, etc. That's what should be driving instead of being worried about losing support in the South.

[haymaker]

19. Right on!

And the DLC is chickenshit.