Why I think Democrats are going to lose in 06'

[inthebrain]

I can't begin to express my dissapointment in Democrats backing down from "impeachment" and using "investigations" instead. There are many ways where this wishy washy backing down as cost this party in the past.

1) Kerry as the anti war candidate- The base was pretty solidifyed in wanting an end to the Iraq war. What did the GOP do? They took film clips and distorted Kerry's position on the subject. They took a harball clip where Kerry was supposed to procalim himself the antiwar candidate.

That created one hell of conundrum where the base wanted out of Iraq andKerry wanted to fight a "smarter war". It created confusion and sets the candidate back to where they are muddled to explain their position.

2)The impeachment vs investigations- The Gop will play the same exact game with this again. Whether this party really wants to impeach this guy is up in the air. I don't see where they need any further evidence!!!!

But this will be played against the base and used to distort the candidates position. Much the same way they went after Kerry.



Look, I know many Democrats are easily spooked by Karl Rove. They here rumors of this email/talking points memo sent about impeachment and think it's time to re adjust. The strategy of re adjusting rather than giving a message that mirrors the base is a killer. These guys have a ball when they see this party back down like this.

That's exactly what they are trying to do.

What the base, that really thinks they can persuade this party, should be doing is going after any Dem candidate willing to back off promises of impeachment. As far as I see, the Dems have already set the GOP up to frame the debate on this issue. Talking of "investigations" rather then "impeachment", when all evidence is out in the open, is putting this party back on the defensive.

The startegy works every time for the GOP. Democrats need to just play their game and followe along with the base. They've caved on too much over the last 2 years and can't afford to back down off of this either.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. STOP, STOP, FOR THE LOVE OF FUCKING GOD STOP!!!

Yeah, we need your negativity right now. That's really going to help us win. :eyes:

[MADem]

2. Yep, I agree with your cogent assessment!!!!!

We will win, so long as we aren't dragged down by naysayers.

[niceypoo]

60. "Naysayer" or pointing out facts?

Ignoring facts about what the democratic leadership has become doesn't make them go away.

[onenote]

62. "opinion" more than "facts"

[MADem]

64. Yep, and we know what opinions are like!!!

:evilgrin:

[niceypoo]

67. YOU CUSSED!!!

I'm tellin'

[Atman]

3. I agree that we don't need the negativity. But...

I do see the democrats taking their strategy advice from the repubican talking heads and pundits, and it is very disconcerting. Tim Russert and Bill Schneider say "If the democrats talk about impeachment, it could backfire on them!" and the democrats go running scared. Last night I finally saw the Nancy Pelosi bit with Russert. I was expecting some sort of Russert smack-down on Nancy. Instead, I saw the supposed "leader" of democrats stumbling and stammering and not just standing up to Russert and telling him to STFU, because only 31% agree with the republicans right now, and they aren't going to go grabbing on to the GOP apron strings if the democrats finally get tough. Those same polls are DEMANDING the democrats get tough. Why the hell are we STILL afraid to stand up to the last crummy-ass loser BACKWASH of the GOP Bush supporters? There has never, EVER been a better time for us to assert our strengths and tell the GOP, "You had your chance, and THE PEOPLE have spoken loudly. They want you GONE." Instead, we send Nancy "The Donkey Whimperer" Pelosi to go out and get smacked down by a back-pocket GOP shill like Russert. It was very sad.

WE NEED TO KICK ASS, not be taking marching orders from the very same republicans who've sent their party's polling number's into the toilet.

[Accountability_NOW]

47. With Diebold and Iran on the horizon...

we cannot afford to wait until November!

[politicasista]

4. Thanks for playing into their hands

We don't need it right now.

[inthebrain]

6. How am I playing into their hands?

I don't see how talking about Impeaching rather than investigating is "playing into their hands".

The goal is to get them to defend THIER record. Investigating subjects that are clearly out in the open is wishy washy and weak!!!! It stinks of uncertainty and the GOP for as long as I've been alive has had a feild day feasting on that!!!

By backing down off of impeachment and claiming that are going to "investigate" is playing into the hands of Rove, Bush and the GOP.

They've been doing this for the past two years especially. The Alito confirmation was done in the name of "American want congress to go back to the business of taking care of America." THis from the same group of people that passed "The Bankruptsy Bill", "CAFTA", Refused to do anything about the disenfrachisement in FL in 200 and approved the flawed vote from ohio in 04!!!!!!!

They've "played into the hands of the GOP" everytime. There was a longer debate over the 1964 civil rights act then there were over any of the issues I mentioned above!!!!!

[politicasista]

15. They want you to think that Dems don't have it together or have a plan

Plus it seems all you are doing is bashing Democrats.

[ChrisdemW]

35. Dems need it more together though

I keep saying, we've got to execute way better than we are. More teamwork on the community level.

[niceypoo]

68. I will believe they have it together when I see it

All I see right now is a Hillary-GOP love fest

[SeaBob]

26. playing into their hands

Its called a self fulfilling prophecy

[snowbear]

40. If I could tell "IntheBrain" what I think about his pathetic thread...

.. I would get banned.

So. I'll just say, hey, IntheBrain

[driver8]

42. I'm with you on this one.

How about some positive thinking regarding elections? The OP has us defeated already...no wonder the Dems haven't won anything in awhile.

[niceypoo]

61. The present course the Dems have been on for five years.....

......plays into the GOP's hands. Wake the fuck up!

[IronLionZion]

66. Have you noticed the Republicans talk about impeachment

you can't mention 2006 in front of a Republican or he'll bring up impeachment. The GOP's theme for this election is impeachment. "get thee to the polls or those america-haters will impeach your president".

The average joe doesn't give a shit about that. he wants healthcare and job security. The average Repub voter doesn't feel too strongly about voting this election....but Democrats do!

[radio4progressives]

12. actually, your thinking is playing into their hands.

and that is the problem.

instead of dismissing this perception as invalid, take as face value that this is an accurate PERCEPTION by rank & file DP voters.

and then ACT ON IT.

If someone called you at work and said they were concerned that your house is on fire but they're not quite positive of it - do you simply dismiss it out of hand or do you take the information and act on it to make sure it isn't the case?

[politicasista]

17. I refused to fall for the "Democrats have NO plan line"

or that Democrats don't have it together spin. We have to get an investigation going. The Repukes control the agenda, they control Congress, the Courts, and the media.

I really want them to impeach Bush just as much as many here do. He should have been impeached four if not six years ago. Besides impeachment, there are OTHER serious issues that brings voters to the polls. Iraq, high gasoline prices, health care, jobs, economy and so on. Those are issues that matter to Americans also, do they not?

[radio4progressives]

55. Except for the high Gas prices everything else is as much of an issue

now as it was in 2004, even if it is worse.

additionally there is the still existent burden of a formidable elections fraud machine that has yet to be acknowledged much less dismantled.

In order for the Dems to win, they would have to go balls out - and fight on principle with complete abandon - and that includes acknowledging that restoring our Constitution has the highest priority. They're not even mentioning the fact that we no longer have rights in this country.

so long as the status quo kind of thinking you are promoting is considered the "democratic strategy" we will are only assured of losing, again.

please have a read of this excellent Crises Papers posted here on DU.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=103&topic_id=209190&mesg_id=209190

[thereismore]

5. Hey, if you feel like this maybe you need a shrink. The meds work. nt

[Bake]

7. Why show your hand before all the cards are dealt?

I like Howard Dean's response: "We have no plans for impeachment" (and the big-tacit-evil-grin word: YET).

If I've got a couple of aces, I'm waiting for the rest of the cards before I tip my hand.

Bake

[Stinky The Clown]

13. THAT was the perfect message

Howie said it this past Sunday. Pelosi said essentially the same thing this past Sunday. Howie did it better, to be sure, but both were on the same page. Could that have been ::::gasp:::: party discipline?

I think it is exactly the right message. Sufficiently ambiguous that the spion machine gets no stupid soundbites. Sufficiently snarky/pointed that our side (damn well should) gets the point.

[TreasonousBastard]

8. This has nothing to do with Rove, or...

Kerry's campaign.

Try, just try, to win a Congressional seat campaigning on impeaching a President. Even one most people don't like very much.

You run a campaign on issues your voters give a shit about and how you can do the job better.

Then, if you win, you can impeach if you want to.

And, you always, always, avoid self-fulfilling prophecies of doom.

[blm]

9. First off, there is no impeachment WITHOUT first having investigations.

Investigations LEAD to impeachment. Or should, if Dems have subpoena powers.

[5X]

10. This admin needs every threat possible thrown at them,

They have stolen elections, started illegal, immoral wars,
ignored and bypassed laws and the constitiution.

Caving in to rove's talking points isn't going to cut it.

[radio4progressives]

11. Frustration is legitimate, and it is Deja Vu (Kerry's 2004 campaign)

what is going on right now mirrors Kerry's 2004 campaign to a T. I know that technically speaking Kerry actually won the 2004 election, (and lost by fraud and conspiracy) but even with the numbers that are able to be accounted for, it was still too slim even as a victory and it didn't have to be that way.

this is a recipe for a repeat of the 2004 results.

two years after 2004 the case have been over and over and over again, that is the view of Kerry running a dismal campaign is widely shared, even if loyalists here do not want to accept that fact.

the very same thing is repeating itself now.

Dems on this board had better wake up to this fact, get their heads out of the sand before it is too late - and figure out a way to communicate to the Washington beltway, that they are blowing it, AGAIN.

Do it now.

We couldn't afford to have Kerry blow it in 2004 - the situation is even more desperate now. It would do Dems good to quit chalking this up as simply as more "negative whining" or "naysaying" and just this once, take the advice and ACT ON IT NOW.

[sendero]

14. I've been thinking about this a lot.

... and I now believe talking about impeachment is counter-productive.

The base doesn't need to hear it to get out the vote. It will definitely fire up the Rep base if we trumpet it.

What should we do? Just as Dr. Dean says. Impeachment is not our goal. We have bigger fish to fry. When and if we get the power to do something, well then we might decide it is important.

[lastknowngood]

16. If the Dem's wont fight this gang of murders and con men why

should I vote for them or fight for them or send them money. If there not willing to fight just go home.

[jillan]

18. I totally get what they are doing.

The rw spin is going to be, and has already started, that if Dems
win in November, all it will be is one hearing after another.

Sometimes it's better to make them wonder.

[inthebrain]

32. Just like Kerry laying low

While the Swift Boat Punks beat him to death was a "smart strategy".

Look, this like parents who fool themselves playing Santa Clause with their thirteen year old son. There's no mystique to it and voters aren't going to buy it. Dems have a long history of bungeling things because they think they have a smart strategy.

There come a point when you over think things and you just make things worse. This has Dems looking like a bunch of fakes and will easily be exploited by Rove and company. Everytime this party playes poker face the GOP goes a long way too call their bluff.

Wasn't it Dean who said that Dems need to learn how to "speak plainly".

All in all, as a close observer of this party, I don;t know what to make of it. For the last two years I've seen them consistently betray the base. From those that voted for the bankruptsy bill (Thanks you isiot Dems from New Orleans. God luck explaining that one), the Alito confirmation and the CAFTA vote.

I've also been around long enough to see them hold a senate majority and confirm Alito and witness Dukakis strolling around in a tank. Then there was also the Kerry duck hunt/ wind surfing episodes.

I've also seen them turtle whenever the Republicans scream Race Card and Class Warfare.

I've seen enough of this shit to know that this time won't be any different.

[rucky]

19. CBS: Bush 31%, Congress, 23%

e
o
m

[Auntie Bush]

20. Don't worry...the investigations will surely lead to impeachment.

Rove is already trying to get the Fundies out to vote because those nasty mean old Dems will impeach their precious little asshole/bush*.

[ChrisdemW]

36. Every time grass roots sits around talking about impeachment

we lose more shoe leather in the field. And dialling fingers. And strategy. Talking doesn't win this game, doing is what wins!

[driver8]

44. That will be a glorious day to watch that criminal resign in disgrace.

I hope there are more of them than just shrub.

[MrBenchley]

21. Yeah, but I just consider the source (snicker)

[iconoclastNYC]

45. Oh the snickering DLC sycophant pops up!

How I've missed you.

[cassiepriam]

22. I agree with what you said! Time for Dems to kick butt!

Stop being defensive in reaction to Rove's talking points.

No guts no glory!

[TayTay]

23. I don't think that's a good strategy.

It sounds to much like the Democrats are out for revenge. It reeks of 'verdict first, trial later.' The Democrats should be emphasizing what they would do should they gain power. The overt appeal for a pre-judged impeachment doesn't offer anything to the voters but the promise of more divided government. There is no forward movement on issues that mean something to the average voter.

The election is about the people of this country and their future. The Democrats should be out there talking about how their policies can advance that future. That's what the voters care about. The voters don't really care about the process stuff like impeachment when it comes time to vote. Elections are about 'We the People,' not a possible court proceeding that is, ultimately, about failure. The Dems are better off trying to show how they can govern and contrast that with events like the handling of Katrina which show how the Rethugs cannot govern.

[inthebrain]

28. Strategy

This is the problem.

There is no need to get this "heady" over the issue.

It's not like "in depth" investigations are needed. THESE PRICKS DID ALL OF THEIR SCHEMEING RIGHT OUT IN THE OPEN!!!!!! They planned the Iraq war long before Bush got into power and took ads out in the paper detailing it!!!!!

You have three guys that blew the whistle on this chump in Oneill, Clarke and Joe Wilson!!!!

Why dance around it? The base wants impeachment and so does 70 percent of America. Everyone is sick and tired of this crap. The only thing keeping Democrats out of office is their innability to get out of their own way. There is no doubt left in this issue.

These guys are like murders who were caught in broad daylight!!! We all know who did it, why they did it, how they did it and where they did it. Every single American at the point is an eye witness to the scene of the crime.

There is no need to get heady over a strategy on this. This whole dirty war was planned in the open.

[TayTay]

63. I would not vote for someone who only had impeachment

as a reason to vote for them.

It's not enough. It's not nearly enough. I want to know what I am voting for, as well as what I am voting against.

That's not heady, it's common sense.

[BigYawn]

24. The REAL reason democrats could lose in 2006....

Just go read the latest issue of Newsweek dated May 15, 2006.
It explains why democtrats are unlikely to takeover house or senate.

Basically the article details the escalating cost of mounting a
challenge to incumbents, gerrymandering of districts so they are
harder to crack one way or the other.

Here are some stats:

Year 1982 1990 1992 2000 2004
Cometitive 79 64 58 53 38
Races

Cost of
house race $150k $250k $400k $675k $1500k

[AtomicKitten]

25. No offense, but shut up. I just can't listen to this stuff.

We HAVE to win. Period. The planet depends on it.

[DinahMoeHum]

27. Amen, sister! The worst thing anyone can do now is sit and stay home

For crying out loud, inthebrain, please take your thumb out of your mouth and get involved in taking our nation back in one way or another:

Check out the Democratic National Committee, headed by Howard Dean, who is busy implementing the
"50-State Strategy" (be competitive in every state, every district, every race)
www.democrats.org
No, he's not involved with the DSCC, DCCC, or DLC, and I recommend NOT giving your $$$ to those 3 organizations. Better to give at the following sites, or their links to individual campaigns:

Progressive Democrats of America:
www.pdamerica.org

Democracy For America:
www.democracyforamerica.com

Band of Brothers (and Sisters) Military veterans running as Democrats for public office:
www.bandofbrothers2006.org

21st Century Democrats:
www.21stcenturydems.org

I would also recommend the following readings. They'll pump you up for action and make you want to volunteer for a campaign:

Foxes in the Henhouse - Steve Jarding/Dave "Mudcat" Saunders
www.foxesinthehenhouse.com

Crashing The Gate - Markos Moulitsas-Zuniga/Jerome Armstrong
www.crashingthegate.com

If we're going to go down, at least go down swinging and spitting.
Let's bust our asses on getting the Democrats elected to the House, Senate, and governorships. THEN, we can talk about investigation and impeachment.

:kick::kick::kick:

[ChrisdemW]

37. Thank you. All talk no action

I hope for better around here. I didn't come for gripe sessions, I came to get ideas so I can take action and win.

[AtomicKitten]

50. Dude, if you need a shove in the right direction,

I refer you to the fabulous action-oriented post just above yours, here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2614633#2615141

It's from a sister in arms. I merely expressed a sentiment, she went to the hard work of giving you directions because she is a righteous woman of action. (Me too, I was just too lazy to write it down.)

[FrenchieCat]

29. Why don't you give US your scenario in how Dems impeach......

Like, yesterday?

Please give us the steps that you would like to see made to get this done.

Right now, Democrats can't hold hearings (remember when Conyers tried and ended up in a basement?), can't subpoena any documents........, in other words....they can't do JackShit, except for scream real loud (like that's gonna do anything).

I mean, we are in such deep powerless doo-doo, we have to have a comedian go in to dog out Bush....and it's considered a real stupendous Feat!

So how should they do it? Please tell us. Cause if you've got a plan, at least let us hear it. I'm all ears!

PS. In your scenario, makes sure to simulate how the media reacts and what they do.....cause, they are, after all, the mouthpiece who interprets everything to just about everybody THAT VOTES.

[LittleClarkie]

30. The power of positive thinking

Think ants.

And rubber tree plants.

Ooops....

[Rainscents]

31. Only way GOP is going to stay in congress... DIEBOLD!!!

BTW: Gore won and so did KERRY! GOP stoled the elections!!! they start this with, 2000, 2002, 2004 and will try do it again in 2006 and 2008 and so on and so! Unless, we the people take it street and stop this shit and it has to be done soon!

[JCMach1]

56. I am very negative because of this and ongoing GOP Gerrymandering

Since we have computers, perhaps there should be a national law drawing districts along party registration for individual states and give priority to contiguousness...

[Tony_Illinois]

33. You're Not Helping or Hurting Anything . . .

The Democratic base is NOT going to be turned off by discussion of real, honest investigations of the policies of the last 5 years. Truly, investigation should precede any talk of impeachment--which is also not going to turn off the core supporters of the party.

The problem, now, as in 2000 and 04, as I see it, is simply that the people who ought to be supporting the Dems just do not vote. I really believe that the GO-PEE has become masterful at doing what it takes to get those extra voters juiced up at election time and that has paid big dividends. We can scoff and ridicule that "Turd Blossom" Rove and the rest, but they concoct this gay marriage garbage, get those initiatives on those state ballots, and the right-wingers and the evangelicals and all the rest get out to vote to save their "way of life". So ridiculous and laughable to you and me, BUT IT WORKS.

These lemmings are missing Hee-Haw and bible class to get out and vote, baby.

[ChrisdemW]

34. You want me to give you a clipboard to go register people?

Do some fucking thing other than analyze, please.

[Name removed]

38. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Clarkie1]

39. You are wrong. n/t

[snowbear]

41. The Freepers voted this PATHETIC thread up

[inthebrain]

43. Why would a Freeper vote this thread up?

Is this the common response given to those who offer up viable crisism to what this party is doing?

Freepers right now are laughing at this shift. It's all the ammo they need to call this party a groups of wishy washy wimps.

Bush is like the guy driving around with a body in his drunk. Except the the drunk is open and the saran wrapped leg is floppin around in the breeze.

This talk of "oh, well we're not really sure. We're going to investigate that." sounds absolutely ridiculous. I've followed these punks in this administration long enough to know this Iraq war was going to happen. They planned it all in plain sight!!!!!!

What am I missing here?

At this point an investigation is just a formality. Just run on the impeachment issue and be done with it already. Yet, in typical democrat fashion, their dilly dallying of the issue is going to cost them.................AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You already have a conservative coming out and claiming this adminstartion is worse than Grant's!!!!!!!! They made a move to impeach him!!!

Why dilly dally around it when it's already a drop in the bucket.

Unless you don't to give voters an opportunity to hold you to something.

[snowbear]

51. Why do Freepers vote threads with titles like this one up?

Oh Gee..... let me think.

Maybe because all it does is Bitch, Bitch, Bitch about Democrats. That's why I have to limit the amount of time I come on here anymore.

So FEW positive posts, and continual RANTS about Democrats. It's just insane. You can be in a great mood and upbeat about what could be a real possibility in November, and you log on here to read NEGATIVE crap like this.

You say Democrats will not win in 2006, and I say BULLSHIT!

Democrats have been bending over backwards trying to get their message out and the media ignores them. The last thing we need to do is also turn what should be a support system like this forum into a constant negative rant.

It's threads like yours that seriously make visiting here depressing.

Support your party and you'll get that Impeachment wish. Bitch and moan about Democrats 5 months before the election, and we'll get no where fast.

[inthebrain]

52. You just read the thread title?

How about pointing out where you think I'm wrong?

What you are doing is called complaining, bitching and whining.
THAT IS COUNTERPRODUCTIVE.

I'm sorry that you don't come here anymore because the negativity bothers you. If you can't differentiate between negativity and constructive critisism I don't know what else to say.

I have a voice that means a lot to me. I like to use it. Especially when I see the 06 campaing off to a collision course.

I would expect the same out of you as well.

[Canuckistanian]

48. Who gives a flying f***?

We know the Democratic party 1000% better than they do. We know the true issues.

All they know is what the "new media (Rush, Sean, etc.)" tells them.

[Canuckistanian]

46. I had some misgivings on Dean's statements

Like it or not, impeachment is popular and doable. It certainly was doable for Clinton at 65% plus positive approval rating. But not popular.

This time, it matters.

There has been a real, tangible damage done to the country. But, for some reason, it's become taboo to even talk about it. Something about dry powder, if I recall.

But if you're not willing to use that powder now, then it may be too late.

Midterm elections are GREAT barometers. Let the people know that the status quo is not acceptable.

And they'll respond.

Just my 2¢.

[Martin Eden]

49. the TRUTH shall set us free

Here's the difference between calling for an investigation versus calling for impeachment:
The former can be perceived as an attempt to expose the truth, whereas the latter will be characterized as partisan politics.

Don't get me wrong. I have no doubt this president and his veep should be impeached (and impaled, for that matter). But the subject of this thread is the 2006 midterm elections. You talk about the Democratic base, but we need more than that to take back congress and our country. Let me ask you something:

Is the truth on our side?

If so, that should be our theme where holding this administration accountable is concerned. Demand the truth. Campaign on it. Explain why it is so important, and how we will honestly pursue it. If the truth is exposed, this president WILL be impeached.

The American people -- even many who can't consciously admit it to themselves -- know deep down the deceit and disaster associated with this president and his party. But that doesn't mean they trust the Democrats. We have to be the party of truth, and the party with a plan. It's a matter of trust. We have to earn it. We don't have to compromise our base. We can broaden it, and inspire those who have despaired by being forthright and forceful with our ideas and our adherence to the truth and to the rule of law.

We should not campaign on impeachment, but we should insist on the truth in all things and let the chips fall where they may.

[FrenchieCat]

53. Like Wes Clark said so well on Maher last Friday......

"Give the American people some F-A-C-T-S, and they will decide.

That's our job, to get the truth out there......Impeachment will come based on the truth, and the constitution....

[wizdum]

54. My toaster could beat a republican's ass during the midterms...

...that is how pathetic their poll numbers are lately, and they are just getting worse each week. The repubs will only be able to hold onto their diehard supporters and everyone else will defect. And it will be difficult for diebold to cheat so flagrantly if the groundswell is that strong. Diebold will be exposed soon. They are already under investigation for shady business practices, and that investigation could easily be expanded if the results of the midterms are fishy.

[Minnesota Libra]

57. I think you need to find a hobby. nt

[skipos]

58. We did really well in 05 (VA, NJ, CA) and we can do well in 06. nt

[bdamomma]

59. Stop being so cynical and get out there and vote in Nov.

and stop thinking about what the repigs strategy will be, let's think about 2006 first.

[newspeak]

65. the Democratic party needs a sounding board

Remember the bogus hearings for Clinton and that stained blue dress. We got coverage by the media 24/7. People, it is the MEDIA that is initiating the talking points and swaying the public. How many times do you get to hear the Black Caucus, Kucinich, Boxer or any other progressive Dem. on msm? Spin, propaganda and repetition of bogus talking points are the order of the day. We need a network that is not pushing a corporate agenda to benefit themselves!!!! If the media would spend as much time on this administration's corruption as they spent on Clinton's indescretion, the majority of the citizens of this country would be truly outraged. The MSM are the ones spinning the Democrats have no platform, no ideas--just like it was the media who spun the artificial outrage about Wellstone's funeral and Dean screaming. They spin and the majority of Americans eat it up. We need Ted Turner's CNN, not Faux want-a-be CNN. The outrage Americans are feeling now, is because of what little information coming out of the MSM is outrageous--imagine if at least one network actually held the administration accountable for all of the corruption that is really going on with actually showing what's really going on in Iraq--I bet there would be even more outrage by the public. Like I said, we need a sounding board that reaches every TV viewers home. It doesn't have to be partisan, just healthy debate between Neo-cons and real progressive Dems.