The toughest, most outspoken Democrats are also the oldest

[brentspeak]

John Conyers - Born 1929. Has been reelected every single time since 1965. He is easily the most outspoken Democrat in the House.

Robert Byrd - Born 1917. Has been a member of Congress since 1953; never defeated in a reelection. Despite a foolish time in his youth when he embraced racism, managed to make a complete turn-around, and has earned the respect of both black and white constituents. Never afraid to speak his mind.

Ted Kennedy - Born 1932. Has managed to overcome countless personal tragedies, controversies (usually caused by himself), and never-ending smears and ridicule (launched against him for decades by multitudes of conservative think tanks and media members) to be reelected time-and-again as Mass. senator since 1964. Probably the most eloquent speaker the Democrats have. Perhaps the heart-and-soul of the party.

And my personal favorite:

Frank Lautenberg: Born 1924. Has run for the U.S. Senate four times, and has never to be defeated. By far the toughest campaigner the Democrats have had in the past two decades. Every ounce of dirt slung in his face by the Republicans he has returned two-fold. Never afraid to stick to his liberal principles.

I regret that so many of the younger Democrats lack the political toughness of these distinguished gentlemen. We need more of our people to emulate these older guys, or it will not bode well for the future of the Democratic Party.

[KingFlorez]

1. We do need tougher people

The younger Democrats are afraid of saying important things. The more the Repukes hate you, the better you're doing you're job as an elected official.

[BrklynLiberal]

2. Barbara Boxer? Shelia Jackson Lee? Stephanie Tubbs Jones?

Maxine Waters? Charles Rangel? Cynthia McKinney?

[brentspeak]

3. Well, she's outspoken, I agree

And sort-of tough, too.

But she's younger than my examples; if I include her in the list, my thesis is weakened
;-)

[BrklynLiberal]

4. It is the seniors, the women and the minorities...

;-)

[brentspeak]

6. The seniors, yes

but not necessarily the women (ex. Feinstein, Landrieu) nor the minorities (Harold Ford, Jr., Barak Obama - though jury still out on him)

I forget to include with my original list: Charlie Rangel

[Historic NY]

5. They are the kind of Democrats I grew up with........

give no quarter. We have some others but sometimes they go mute on us.

[whalerider55]

7. sigh...

where have you gone, Claude Pepper?

whalerider