HERE'S WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY...

[Jeffersons Ghost]

According to the vast majority of national media, the Democratic Party has some glaring problems: Perhaps it is time to review those hideously divisive issues in the order they appeared in the news.

First -- after a Republican president, House and Senate brought us to this brink of disaster -- I heard and read; "Democrats have no solution or platform." Howard Dean, was already screaming a concise platform from the roof-tops of America but still media reported the party lacked solutions. I guess we need a stronger more vocal leader, instead of Dr. Shrinking Violet. He's low key to the point of invisibility now, according to news, but media painted him with a different brush in years past. Age must have taken a toll.

Next, Coulter-Beast claims "DEMOCRATS" are "PARADING" 9/11 widows out as if it is a conspiracy. Not one interviewer bothered to ask, "which Democrats are forcing these widows to "parade?" I never paraded anyone out in lock-step: Did you put those "rich bitches who are enjoying their husbands deaths" on parade? If you "paraded" them please stop this exercise in tastelessness.

Finally Democrats have a persistent problem of not appearing unified and without a hint of sarcasm, I totally agree with that criticism. I will add that EVERY REPUBLICAN in the House and Senate totally agreed with the PRESIDENT on every issue. They all voted the same and are completely responsible for everything going on at the gas pumps today. Republicans agreed to disagree on border security -- forever -- it appears. They are in full agreement on exporting our jobs. Republicans also agree on running up a record-breaking $9 TRILLION national debt, while giving the ultra-rich countless tax breaks but let's get back to these glaring problems within the Democrat Party.

We don't agree with each other! Horrible isn't it? Perhaps when the needs of a Wisconsin voter are identical with the needs of a Hawaiian voter, these Democrat fools will start marching in lock-step like Nazis. Perhaps these dumb Democrats will go ahead and accept bribes and agree with everything cooperate America demands -- but until then -- maybe we'll be proud that our leaders agreed to nothing these Republican goose-steppers approved in recent years. Perhaps Democratic differences are our true strength.

[still_one]

1. we are going to win at least one house in 2006

but it will NOT be because of anything the democrats have done

[Skelington]

2. I agree with you there,

There is a very fine line betwee Democrats and Republicans these days.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

3. hi still_one... are you in media? How are things going over at FOX?

I submit that you have no idea what "Democrats (spelled with a capital letter) have done." Tell me the platform according to Howard Dean, Nancy Pelosi and other leaders. Tell me the names of Democrats activly trying to end the horrors in Iraq. Can you quickly answer those questions?

[still_one]

5. LOL

The problem isn't with Howard Dean or Nancy Pelosi, the problem is with those in the party that undercut their efforts

They should be airing their differences behind closed doors, but no, Joe Biden has to fix his hair and appear on the Sunday talk shows telling us why Howard Dean isn't correct. Murtha, Kerry or others come out why Iraq is a mistake, and other Democrats come out and countradict them

I submit to you that the Democrats can't even get together on IRAQ, and that IS THE PROBLEM

Have a nice day

[Jeffersons Ghost]

8. and showing your true colors, you answered none of my questions...

Republicans sure agree on Iraq, which is why troops serve THREE TOURS OF DUTY and return to begin their heroes life of homelessness. Have a nice day!

[still_one]

10. Jeffersons Ghost, I don't have to account to you

I know which Democrats speak out against Iraq, and which ones say stay the course

I also know that we had better win at least one house in November or the country is screwed

Still hope you have a good day

[Jeffersons Ghost]

11. Republicans don't have to account to ANYONE either...

If media continues it's campaign, Democrats will win nothing! In media, Republicans, like you, answer to NO ONE. They just give out talking points on TV and interviewers agree with them without question.

[still_one]

17. You seem to be under the impression I am defending republicans?

and yes I agree with you the MEDIA IN THIS COUNTRY IS AGAINST US!!!

All I am saying is it would be nice if the party could convey a united front

We are really on the same side

I also believe we will win one of the houses. As far as I am concern nothing matters right now except winning 2006

[Jeffersons Ghost]

19. While I now believe you to be a democrat, still_one, we can't even agree..

on a message board at DU, because that's how real people with real opinions are. If we were both bribed and blackmailed extensively, we could easily agree on any topic.

If the lesser TV demon-whore is against us, the true Satan of corporate oppression is also against Democrats and will convince most people to accept the "truths" you now offer. Look at how insanely insignificant the talking points you present truly are in context: The real issue is that we won't be able to drive to work or heat our homes after November. ANYTHING is better than that!

[still_one]

20. we are not party leaders, we are just two people representing

ourseleves having a dialouge. The party leaders have to be much more aware of the fact that anything they say will be used against them by the MSM

we are still going to win at least one house in Congress. People do realize that their standard of living has gone down significantly. They realize that a woman's right to choose is in danger, global warming is a reality, we are losing jobs, over 40 million people do not have health insurance, and everything that this administration has touched has turned to disaster. The media can distort whatever they want, people realize the reality because it is starting to affect them

[Jeffersons Ghost]

21. we better ALL work real hard to win that legislative body because...

if a national race even APPEARS close, we'll get Diebolded until we can't walk straight.

[Mike Nelson]

4. The Democrats need to tell the truth about George W. Bush

They don't have to pretend to have a magic solution... just call him a criminal and dictator. Tell the people who really is threatening their freedom. Tell people what FOX News is AND BOYCOTT THE STATION.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

6. did you see the interview where Dr Dean called Wolf a liar?...

did you hear what he said about the Republicans? I see my early critics failed to respond to my query. Let me now deal with a glaring difference between the parties for Skelington:

Skelington, Big Business Corporate America, Republicans and major media all seem to consistently agree on almost everything but Democrats regularly disagree with these powerful adversaries. If the party is so bad why isn't it working harder to bring about the two-class system of a "New World Order?"

[Mike Nelson]

12. Wolf Blitzer? No, BUT...

I did see Hacket and Murtha have some accurate observations about Bush. We need more name calling, especially TRUE stuff like CHICKEN HAWK BUSH and BUSH THE S.O.B. More name calling!

[Jeffersons Ghost]

15. he said they were all too dumb and inexperienced to fix Iraq...

and pointed out that they all dodged the draft... I wish I'd seen the interview you mentioned, mike. It sounds like one that would "make my day!" Did a fool once say, "bring it on?" I hope as elections draw nearer we continue to "bring it on."

[Jeffersons Ghost]

HERE'S THE BLITZER DEAN INTERVIEW IN IT'S ENTIRITY...

CNN Situation Room: Wolf Blitzer interviews Dr. Howard Dean

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

And joining us now, the former governor of Vermont, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Howard Dean. Governor Dean, thanks very much for joining us.

HOWARD DEAN, DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN: Thanks for having me on, Wolf.

BLITZER: Where do you stand when it comes to a withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq? How quickly would you like to see them out? And be specific.

DEAN: I think the Democrats have been pretty clear about what they want. They want a transition, and now there's going to be a vote on asking the president for a timetable. We need to be out of Iraq. We know we can't leave immediately, but we need to be out, and we need to hear from the president something other than, "I started this, but we're going to leave this to the next president."

BLITZER: Do you think they should be out by the end of the year, like Congressman John Murtha, Senator Kerry, Senator Feingold? They say get them all out by the end of this year.

DEAN: Well, I haven't heard anybody say that, Wolf. What I have heard is that people want a plan to transition out of Iraq. And what's going to be voted on tomorrow in the Senate is a plan to re- deploy some of the troops in Iraq, some to Afghanistan, others to the region, bring some of the National Guard home, keep some in Iraq in order to train folks. But I haven't heard anybody say they want everybody out by the end of the year.

BLITZER: Well, Congressman Murtha has been pretty specific, Senator Kerry, they say that that should be the target, by the end of the year, to get them out. Re-deploy them. Those are the words -- that's the phrase that Congressman Murtha uses.

DEAN: What I have heard from these folks -- and I haven't heard it described the way you just described it -- what I've heard is that they want the National Guard and Reserve to be home, some 20,000 troops to be moved to other countries in the surrounding region so they can come back into Iraq as needed, and then leaving a force that's much smaller in Iraq training the police.

Look, the bottom line here is not the specifics of our plan. The bottom line is the president doesn't have a plan and the Democrats believe that we should be heading in another direction, which is what the American people believe.

BLITZER: Here's what Karl Rove said last week in Manchester, New Hampshire. He said, "Like too many Democrats, it strikes me they are ready to give the green light to go to war. But when it gets tough, they fall back on that old party's platform of cutting and running. They may be with you for the first few bullets, but they won't be there for the last tough battles." Karl Rove in New Hampshire last week.

DEAN: I thought Jack Murtha, who's a 37-year-old decorated Marine, had the best retort. Karl Rove is sitting in his air conditioned office and he's never served. George Bush has never served abroad. Dick Cheney's never served abroad. Don Rumsfeld's never served abroad.

Republicans are great at sending other peoples' kids to war, but not so good at following up. You know, it's not good enough to just be tough. You've got to be tough and smart. Here we are; North Korea is in the process of firing a missile, a test missile. George Bush has been in office for 5 1/2 years, has done nothing about that.

We've got 200,000 brave troops pinned down in Iraq. You can't trust the president to defend America, not because they don't want to defend America, because they're not smart enough to defend America.

BLITZER: But they point out that things appear to be moving in the right direction in Iraq right now. In fact, earlier today, the Vice President Dick Cheney had this exchange with a reporter at the National Press Club. Listen to this.

QUESTION: About a year ago, you said that the insurgency in Iraq was in its final throes. Do you still believe this?

DICK CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I do.

BLITZER: He then went on to say that last year, the tide began to turn against the insurgents. And now, the U.S. is winning, and it's just a matter of getting the job done.

DEAN: First of all, Vice President Cheney has no credibility in this matter. Second of all, we have two of our brave soldiers that have been kidnapped by the insurgents, who are still in captivity right now.

You know, we have been hearing a lot of this stuff, from this administration. I thought John Kerry had it right when he made a speech on the Senate floor, saying, we stayed in Vietnam a long time because politicians couldn't figure out what to do. And that cost us thousands of American troops.

We don't need to do that again. We know these guys got us in under false pretenses. The truth is, Saddam Hussein had nothing to do with 9/11.

And the irony of this is, one of the things that Jack Murtha has proposed is to put 20,000 additional troops into Afghanistan, where they are needed, because Afghanistan is now going south on us. Now, that's a war we believe we should have been in.

The fact of the matter is that you can't trust the Republicans to defend the country, again, not because they don't want to, but they are not smart enough to listen to the military and listen to people who have served, like Jack Murtha.

BLITZER: Frank Rich, the columnist for "The New York Times," a strong critic of the Bush administration, wrote a very stinging column yesterday in "The New York Times," in which he was very critical of the Democrats, because he fears that they are once again being outmaneuvered politically by Republicans, as they were, he says, on the eve of the 2004 elections.

And then he goes on to say this: "Those who are most enraged about the administration's reckless misadventure -- misadventures are incredulous that it repeatedly gets away with the same stunts. But, as long as the Democrats keep repeating their own mistakes, they will lose to the party whose mistakes are, if nothing else, packaged as one heck of a show. It's better to have the courage of bad convictions than no courage or convictions at all."

Did you read that Frank Rich column yesterday?

DEAN: I don't read columnists. They are willing to offer an agenda and also sit in air-conditioned offices.

The fact of the matter is that we are pushing a plan to get out of Iraq. The president has no plan. He says he's going to leave that to the next president. The president can't balance the budget. We will. The president has cost millions of Americans their health care. We are going to move towards a health care system that works for everybody.

The president has sent millions of jobs to other countries. We are going to create a new energy independence industry, and do more than talk about it. The Democrats are on the move with a positive agenda. And I think we are going to win.

BLITZER: How worried are that Karl Rove, now that he won't be indicted, charged with any crimes in connection with the leaking of the name of Scooter Libby -- Scooter -- excuse me, the leaking of the name of Valerie Plame -- only Scooter Libby, the president's former chief of staff, has been indicted in connection with that -- how worried are you that Karl Rove will now be able to focus all of his attention on getting Republicans elected in November?

DEAN: Look, the president, like Karl Rove keeps repeating the same old tired stuff: Democrats are weak. Democrats are disorganized. Sometimes, he gets columnists to believe it.

The truth is, the Democrats are coming together. It has taken some time. We have been in the wilderness for more than 12 years in the Congress. But we are coming together with a plan to make sure that this becomes a transition in Iraq.

We now have a debate about a plan, which three-quarters of the Democrats signed onto, about a timetable for transitioning out of Iraq, making us stronger, not weaker, as this president has done. That's a pretty good plan in Iraq.

I think we have a plan for health care. We have a plan to fix the broken prescription drug program that the president crammed down our throats. We have a plan to balance the budget. Republicans haven't balanced the budget for 40 years in this country. Democrats can.

If you want more of the same, vote for Karl Rove's party. If you want real change, support the Democrats.

BLITZER: The -- some of your strategy, as the chairman of the Democratic Party, is under criticism from some Democrats, for example, the effort to reach out to all 50 states.

Rahm Emanuel, Democratic congressman from Illinois, was quoted in "The New Yorker" magazine May 29 as saying, "If you think that Mississippi and Ohio are the same thing, you're an idiot."

Those were strong words, because he doesn't feel, necessarily, you should be reaching out to all of the states. You should be focusing in where you have the best chances.

DEAN: We need to be everywhere.

That was one of the mistakes this party has been making for a long time. We just picked up four or defended four seats where? in the Mississippi House legislature. We have picked up mayorships in Alabama and in Oklahoma, in Alaska, in Utah.

We need -- this party needs to rebuild. We are not going to do it by playing in 20 states.

The only other thing I would say is, look, we can have our disagreements. I think those disagreements ought to be behind closed doors, and stay there. This is a party that needs to be pulled together. We have got less than five months before the election. We need to be on the same team in order to win.

BLITZER: We looked at some fund-raising at the DNC vs. the RNC, in terms -- and we will put some numbers up on the screen -- 80 -- almost $80 million, the Democratic National Committee raised, compared to $151 million that the Republicans raised during a similar period, cash on hand, $9.5 million, DNC; $44 million, RNC, during this period.

(guess where the Republicans got all their donations. Do you want to help? https://www.democrats.org/page/contribute?source=NETA45... )

What's the problem?

DEAN: There is no problem. We are doing great.

We are far better off than we were this time four years ago. Right now, we are on par to out-raise and so far have out-raised 2004, which was a presidential year. Now, the last two quarters are going to take off in a presidential year and they won't now.

We have been making investments all along in strengthening this party everywhere. We have made the decision to be involved in 40 House races, 10 senatorial races, governor's races, state legislative races. We are going to be in seven new states. We have got a lot of responsibility. We started investing very, very early. That's why our balance sheet doesn't look as good as the Republicans' did.

But the only way they are going to beat us is if we beat ourselves and we are not going to do that. We are aggressive. We are going to tough. And we are going to be, in terms of defense, tough, just as tough as the Republicans, but we are going to be much smarter than the Republicans, in terms of protecting our troops with adequate armor and equipment.

You won't see Democrats simply doing photo-ops in Baghdad. You will see us really supporting our troops and our veterans when they come home.

BLITZER: Governor Dean, thanks very much for joining us.

DEAN: Hey, thanks, Wolf.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[omega minimo]

7. The only problem of most who oppose Rethugs is

They're afraid to call "BULLSHIT"!

[Jeffersons Ghost]

9. Howard Dean calls it "who-ey" it sounded better on TV...

He's only been on TV a couple of times and very few other Dems ever get to call it ANYTHING in public.

[welshTerrier2]

13. media bad doesn't mean Dem message good

the OP does an excellent job highlighting the persistent bullshit in the MSM ... they lie; they distort; they twist; they propagandize; they sensationalize ... it's all crap ...

but to conclude that just because the media are total garbage does not mean that all is well with the Democratic Party ... in fact, i still believe the party is in huge trouble ...

it's such a total mess it's hard to know where to begin ...

is it OK that we have a diversity of opinion in the party and we don't demand rigid adherence to the "party line"? sure ... if it's true ...

but when i look at the Democrats in the Senate, i see not even one who represents the millions of Democrats who want out of Iraq now ... we get these moronic arguments between the pathetic Kerry-Feingold crowd versus the Reid-Reed crowd ... no thanks ... not much "diversity" there ...

Democrats will NOT do well in November without a much stronger anti-bush position on Iraq ... the party's tap dancing has painted us as directionless and weak ... Americans are looking for leadership that eminates from our deeply held beliefs ... on Iraq, they see nothing but "politicking" in the worst sense of the word ... the only good news here is they see the republicans doing exactly the same thing ... the result, the country suffers and the damned occupation goes unchallenged ...

and if Democrats have real answers to real domestic problems, not just pretty words and fancy slogans, I sure can't tell you what they are ... do we continue to support globalization and the WTO and NAFTA and CAFTA ... or is this another one of those "diversity" things we're supposed to feel good about? the bottom line: the American people have absolutely no idea how electing Democrats would create more jobs or protect their jobs ... some may feel comfortable blaming the press for this or blaming republican spin or whatever ... it doesn't change the facts ...

Democrats do a great job talking about Clinton leaving a budget surplus and bush running the country into the ground ... but, beyond rolling back bush's insane tax cuts, do Democrats have a tangible plan to balance the budget? do the American people know what it is? do you know what it is? we're spending $250 million a day in Iraq ... and Democrats keep voting for more money ... the military budget is greater than the military budgets of every other country in the entire world COMBINED!! when is enough security way too much??? have Democrats called for substantial cuts in the military budget??? or is someone here going to call a real plan to balance the budget "lefty extremism" and say that we "can't appear to be wimpy"?? our defense budget is making us weaker; not stronger ... i hear nothing from the Democratic Party about this ... do you???

and what about the obvious corporate infestation of our government ... will Democrats be honest with the American people and tell them that most if not all of our foreign policy is for the sole benefit of generating corporate profits?? they did a decent job talking about the corporate giveaway on the Medicare bill but the message doesn't come across as a consistent theme from the party ...

so, yes, the media are garbage and they are certainly not "liberal" ... that's total nonsense ... and yes, having some diversity of opinion within the party can generate a healthy discourse and allow for creative ideas to be heard ...

but we have real problems that are NOT being addressed and it's going to cost us in a big way ... with the mess the country is in, Democrats should have a total lock on both the House and the Senate ... we sure as hell have no locks on anything ... maybe we'll win a few seats back or maybe even win back the House ... don't count on it ... the slim leads Democrats have in the polls can disappear very quickly once the campaigns get rolling ... we should have been able to "nationalize" this election with a strong central message - we've totally failed to do that ...

now, even with a very unpopular jackass in the WH, massive deficits, and never-ending war, an economy "on the brink", and a sense that the US is in massive, long-term decline, the party's lack of a strong central message will leave each of our candidates on their own to slug it out locally ...

this is just no way to run an airline ...

[Jeffersons Ghost]

18. all excellent well put points, welshTerrier2

I believe that there is at least one DC Democrat answering each of those points but those answers never gain public attention and it isn't only FOX that hides our winners that really care about America. Watch C-Span when congress is in session and you'll hear what these leaders have to say. I've never heard the news, including CNN, repeat ANYTHING a fine Hawaiian leader says on C-Span.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

34. One answering each point isn't enough

The Democrats need to get together, take an honest look at the problems average Americans are facing (not what the Beltway Boys tell them), and come up with a brief, concise, easily-understood set of approaches to all these problems that no one is dealing with in a satisfactory manner: job loss, deteriorating infrastructure, lack of affordable housing, lack of affordable health care, no strides made in weaning us away from an oil-based economy, all the astronomical sums of money being wasted in Iraq, you name it.

If the Republicanites insist on talking about wedge issues, don't fall for it. Keep hammering at them.
"Why do you care what people do in bed? We care about whether they have a way to earn a living wage during the day."
"We're going to keep gun laws right where they are now and talk about the things that really keep us safe: affordable health care, safe roads and bridges, job training and mentoring programs to keep youth from drfiting into crime."
"We care about what happens to people AFTER they're born. The Republicans love fetuses, but they don't care if already born children get enough to eat."

[Jeffersons Ghost]

43. DO YOU MEAN LIKE THIS LYDIA??? THIS COVERS SOME POINTS YOU MENTION...

HOWARD DEAN SAYS,
"I can tell you what our agenda is for the '06 elections, according to Senator Reid, Leader Pelosi, myself and others. One, we want honesty and openness back in government again. Two, we want a strong national defense, first of all, based on telling the truth to our citizens and our soldiers before we send troops abroad to defend America. Three, we want American jobs that will stay in America using energy independence as a new industry to create millions of construction and manufacturing jobs. Four, we want a health-care system that works for everybody, just like 36 other countries have in the world. And, five, we want a strong public education system so we can have optimism and opportunity back in America. I think that's a pretty good agenda, and I think it's one that can win it for us in '06."

[Lydia Leftcoast]

44. Too vague, and too full of conventional wisdom

How about this:

1. We will push through real campaign finance reform so that members of Congress are no longer bought and paid for by corporations and special interest groups.

2. We went into Iraq on the basis of lies, the Iraqi people don't want us there, and the invasion and occupation are costing us millions of dollars per hour. That's right, per hour. We need to get out of there and use the money for needs at home. Specifically, we will put the troops to work on the still-unfinished job of cleaning up after Hurricane Katrina.

3. We will put more Americans back to work at living-wage jobs building and repairing our nation's infrastructure and preparing for the inevitable day when we can no longer rely on oil. And we need to reward cmopanies that keep jobs in America and penalize profitable companies that send jobs overseas just so their executives can get bigger bonuses.

4. We will work towards a single-payer health care system so that you never have to fight with an insurance company again. You will no longer have to postpone preventive care just because you can't pay for a doctor's appointment.

5. We will work towards providing every child in America with an education up to international standards, not on the basis of standardized tests but by making sure that they the opportunity to try out every field of study and become the kind of well-informed citizen that every democracy needs.

6. We will reform the tax structure so that middle America pays less and the fat cats pay their fair share. Why should your hard-earned wages and salaries be taxed at a higher rate than the income of someone who just collects dividends? And we'll make sure that your tax money benefits YOU in the form of safer, more attractive communities and better education and health care.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

45. I disagree. I find the DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM according to Dr Dean...

concise and all it lacks from my perspective is specifics on IRAQ. The Kerry/ Feingold plan fills in that gap and should be refered to directly. It is a good plan and it pissed me off, when other Dems failed to support it.

If you read back to a previous post of mine on this OP, you will find the COMPLETE interview that Dr. Dean recently gave Blitzer. Please read it before replying to this post.

Kerry offered a ten point plan as a platform but it, like yours, was too long to ever be effective in modern politics.

All that said, I DO like what you wrote here:

6. We will reform the tax structure so that middle America pays less and the fat cats pay their fair share. Why should your hard-earned wages and salaries be taxed at a higher rate than the income of someone who just collects dividends? And we'll make sure that your tax money benefits YOU in the form of safer, more attractive communities and better education and health care.

Someone (Dean?) should address this unfair tax issue repeatedly.

[sendero]

23. Man....

... you hit every note. Everyone who skipped over this long post, back up and read it!

[sandnsea]

27. American Dream Survey

I got this in my email from a marketing group press release. The reason I'm posting it is because the people on this board have a tendency to think everybody thinks just like they do. They see a poll here or there, or more often a commentary about a poll that has been sadly misconstrued, and conclude everybody thinks like they do. While people may identify some of the same problems, they DO NOT seek far left solutions. And even if one wants to say this poll is slanted, (I've really got no clue), there are STILL many people in this country who think like those in this poll. It is simply wrong to say that the Democratic Party is in disarray because they don't do exactly what YOU want them to do.


"A word of warning: The following has nothing to do with online media, marketing or advertising. But it may well be more important than online media, marketing and advertising. Here it is:

A majority of Americans say they're not living the American Dream, according to a new survey conducted by Dr. Douglas E. Schoen for the Aspen Institute's annual Ideas Festival. Now is that any real surprise to anyone? Of course it all depends on one's definition or concept of the so-called "American Dream," doesn't it? Overall, Americans work more hours and take fewer vacations than people in other parts of the world. An astounding number of Americans have no health insurance.

Among the survey's findings:

While 81 percent of survey respondents agree that America is the land of opportunity, the idea isn't something that is being realized, it is more of an abstract concept.

Seventy-five percent say the American Dream is somewhat broken, with just 1 in 4 saying it is "alive and well" today.

Just 49 percent of respondents agree that if you work hard and play by the rules, you can lead a solid middle-class life, while 51 percent of Americans disagree with that statement.

Seventy-seven percent of those polled agree that America's political system has failed to provide answers at a time when Americans are increasingly alarmed about how technology is reshaping their lives.

Seventy-two percent agree that today the world has changed, but our political parties have not.
Schoen, a Democratic party strategist, says: "The rising costs of healthcare, the unaffordability of a college education and the need to self-finance your retirement leaves most Americans today caught in an affordability crisis."

Schoen's survey finds that after six years of Republican rule in both the White House and Congress, there is no desire to move the country to the left--or the right. Seventy-four percent say that government should pursue policies that grow the economy, compared with just 26 percent who say that government should pursue policies that redistribute wealth from the richest to the middle class and poorest.

Sixty-three percent of the respondents believe government has a constructive role to play in supporting institutions like the church, marriage, and family.

Ninety-five percent agree with the statement: "Our country is strongest when it is united and together and therefore we need to find common solutions to our problems that both Democrats and Republicans agree with."

[welshTerrier2]

29. my response is mostly questions for you

first, did I say the party is in disarray because "they don't do exactly what YOU want them to do."

after rereading my post, it seems the overriding point is that the American people don't see the party taking clear positions ... what does that have to do with MY preferences? your statement "It is simply wrong to say that the Democratic Party is in disarray because they don't do exactly what YOU want them to do." seems unresponsive to my post ...

secondly, you talked about FAR LEFT (you used nice big capital letters) positions ... did i say the party should take FAR LEFT positions?

and thirdly, and i don't know whether you were referring to me or just generalizing, you said "the people on this board have a tendency to think everybody thinks just like they do."

the reality is i far too often find myself in a distinct minority even on DU ... skeptical? go read this thread: http://journals.democraticunderground.com/welshTerrier2/61

you may not see a party in disarray; i do ... as i said above, i have no problem with the idea of a "big tent" ... i think it's healthy to have some diversity of views ... what's not healthy, however, and i think the polls reflect this, is to be seen as a party without deep convictions ... you might want to call that a media contrivance (and the MSM push this point of view) but i speak to many Democrats and other progressives who hold the same views ...

how many, even on DU, can clearly articulate how the Democratic Party proposes to address the problems of globalization? most? a few? how many can really articulate, beyond the much publicized debate on bush's bogus tax cuts, how the Democratic Party plans to address the staggering national debt? most? a few? that's the point ... it's true the MSM does a crappy job explaining Democratic positions ... and yes, there's plenty of right-wing bias to be found in the media ... the bottom line is that our best case so far is that we're not republicans who have screwed everything up ... that's the good news ... the bad news is that our national agenda is NOT clear to the American people and i believe we're going to pay a high price if the situation remains as it is now ...

[sandnsea]

35. Iraq & trade

Iraq. You think that just because some on the far left say that Americans want out of Iraq now, that that's the gospel truth. It's just not. People's views on Iraq are far more complex than that and muddle somewhere around preferring to leave a stable country than just pulling out immediately. YOU, and some who have distorted various polls, have concluded Democrats should have an anti-Bush, anti-war platform and you can't see the totality of the polls - the most recent Gallup says only 31% of Americans want an immediate withdrawal strategy. Even if that's the majority of Democrats, it's still not enough to win an election. So when you say the party hasn't presented a coherent strategy on Iraq, it's because they haven't presented the anti-Bush strategy YOU want. Even Lieberman said he supported a withdrawal strategy in the debate last night, which shocked me because I didn't think he supported that at all. The message gets muddled as much by those on the FAR LEFT as the Democrats like Biden who don't know how to cross that withdrawal strategy - because really, no Democrat supports immediate and full withdrawal if Iraq really blows up as we leave.

The same goes for trade. Anybody who doesn't support pulling out of the WTO, despite what the rest of the country wants, has either no trade policy or a confusing trade policy or a corporate whore trade policy. Improving labor and environmental protections will go a long way to equalizing trade. And frankly, we really don't want to be sewing clothes in this country when we can be working in labs and advancing the techonologies of the future. Yes it takes a lot more emphasis on education than what we've got now, but it's not Democrats who keep screwing that up. But if the proposal isn't free education for life, the FAR LEFT pisses all over it and says it's just more corporate whoring. Factor in that poll that I posted, where less than 30% of Americans said redistributing wealth to the poor was the way to deal with economic problems in the US. Mind you, I know that's a bunch of brainwashing too, but we still have to deal with the people we have, not the people we want. So is a Democrat who considers those views really muddled, or just muddled because they are't saying what YOU want them to say?

So yes, when some say the Democratic Party is in disarray, I see people who have a tendency to think everybody thinks just like they do and anything else is *insert stereotype*. And, in fairness, the DLCers do it too but there aren't really that many of them on DU.

[welshTerrier2]

37. i do not see where you're getting this stuff from

you stated: "You think that just because some on the "far left" say that Americans want out of Iraq now, that that's the gospel truth."

the last poll i saw said that 29% of Americans favor IMMEDIATE WITHDRAWAL ... i would guess the percentage is higher than that among Democrats ... maybe someone has seen a poll of just Democrats on the issue ...

why is it necessary to toss around accusatory labels like "far left"? wouldn't you consider that the same kind of "*insert stereotype* you are criticizing? i see no justification for labeling as far left a call to do a better job defining our message and our vision to the American people ... i think the party is doing a horrible job; does that make the point of view, whether you agree with it or not, "far left"???

you seem to be suggesting that I think everyone thinks as I do ... let me assure you that is NOT the case ... i didn't say it and i don't think it either ...

and btw, and you're free to have any opinion of him you like, the comments about the Democrats needing to arrive at an anti-war position on Iraq in 2008 came from RFK Jr.'s interview on last night's Charlie Rose ... maybe he's the "far left" too; i think he's right ... his perspective was that Iowa caucus attendees are far more liberal than the rest of the country and they will give a huge boost to an anti-war candidate ... his statement was that a candidate who is not anti-war will not be able to emerge successfully from Iowa ... it doesn't make him right; it doesn't make him far left either ...

you also seem to be saying that it's far left to call for an end to the WTO or globalization or whatever and that i think everyone thinks like i do on the issue ... again, i have no idea how you're drawing that conclusion from what i wrote ...

what i said, and what i'm saying, has NOTHING to do with the party adopting my preferred policy on trade ... the focus of my first post in this sub-thread was that Americans are going to look for real answers on creating jobs and on protecting their jobs ... the point i raised is that i don't believe the Democrats have communicated a clear vision of how they might achieve that objective ... i made no statement saying the party had to choose my view on the issue ...

the bottom line to all this is that i am concerned that the party is NOT getting its message to the American people ... there are lots of reasons for this ... some include a totally useless MSM ... but i believe some of it is that the party's message is vague ... we're doing fairly well right now because bush and the neo-cons have made such an incredible mess of everything ... still, absent an informed public and clear policies on issues THEY care about, we will not do as well as we should ... you want to beat up on the far left and you think everything is fine with the party's message, fine ... i deeply hope you're right; i'm deeply concerned you're not ...

[sandnsea]

38. Sticking to Iraq

You insist on an anti-war, withdraw now, platform for Democrats when only 30% of Americans support that. You rant and rant and call Democrats all sorts of names because they won't support a platform that your own numbers say a majority of Americans don't want. I'm sorry, I don't get it.

And yes, RFK Jr is about as far left as you can go without being an out and out socialist. Much further left than either his father or JFK.

It isn't an attack, it's a thunk on the head reality check. I don't understand why people can't hold their own political beliefs, but understand that when they're in the minority, their views just aren't going to carry the day. The best you can do is respect where other people are at politically and talk to people in a language they understand - and grab on to the most far left platform that the majority will support. I really don't get why that is so difficult to grasp.

[welshTerrier2]

39. i see where you're coming from ...

let me see if i understand this ...

i'll quote you: "You rant and rant and call Democrats all sorts of names because they won't support a platform that your own numbers say a majority of Americans don't want."

now when the man you support, Senator Kerry, called for immediate withdrawal from Iraq under certain conditions, EVEN THOUGH A MAJORITY OF AMERICANS DIDN'T WANT THAT POSITION, that was OK with you?????

or did you disagree with him because that's "not what a majority of Americans want"?????

is Kerry "far left" because he called for that position?????

[sandnsea]

40. Kerry is definitely moving left

and it actually makes me nervous as far as any chance for him to be elected in 2008.

But, as YOUR caveat says, his withdrawal plan includes CERTAIN CONDITIONS, conditions which you have criticized on several occasions. So it really doesn't meet the requirements of the 30% out now people anyway, it's just the closest thing they've got.

He doesn't support immediate withdrawal, consequences be damned, unless the Iraq government is thoroughly impotent. The deadline is so that this thing doesn't just linger on, from promise to promise, the way it has for the last 3 years. He still supports withdrawal as a means to diffuse the anti-Americanism, it's a strategy to bring peace to Iraq, not leave it in the lurch.

I can support anybody whose basic plan is withdrawing troops and getting them off the front lines. It's a step in the right direction as opposed to permanent occupation. The focus should have been on military drawdown for at least the last 2 years and it makes me angry that *some group of people* have been so busy muddling the very different Democratic and Republican ideologies that we've lost lives that could have been saved if people knew they had a real choice on this war in 2004.

[welshTerrier2]

41. "conditions which you have criticized on several occasions"

when Kerry included the possibility of "immediate withdrawal" in the plan he announced last April (not his latest plan), he said that the US should withdraw immediately if the Iraqis did not form an "effective unity government" ...

i did not criticize this condition ... in fact, i gave my strong support to Kerry's April plan ...

to say that i criticized his "condition" is not correct ...

i do not support the Kerry-Feingold amendment ... is it better than the nonsense Reid was peddling? of course it was ... but it's a terrible idea ... we should not give bush another day let alone another year to continue this imperialistic insanity ... yes, that's just my opinion and yes, others are of course free to disagree ...

my view of any plan that keeps us in Iraq is that they are implicitly trusting bush to use the time to achieve something positive ... my view is that his objective is to keep the situation unstable to justify continued troop presence ... could i be wrong? of course i could be wrong ... but that's the way i see it ... Democrats should not have trusted bush with the IWR and they should not be trusting him now ...

[sandnsea]

42. That's your opinion

To which you are entitled. But like I said in my first post. “people on this board have a tendency to think everybody thinks just like they do.”

You said “Democrats will NOT do well in November without a much stronger anti-bush position on Iraq ... the party's tap dancing has painted us as directionless and weak ... Americans are looking for leadership that eminates from our deeply held beliefs ... on Iraq, they see nothing but "politicking" in the worst sense of the word..”

Now you admit your opinion on Iraq is just that, an opinion, and could very well be wrong. Only 30% agree with your immediate exit strategy opinion.

And like I also originally said “It is simply wrong to say that the Democratic Party is in disarray because they don't do exactly what YOU want them to do.”

I don't see why you can't advocate your view, but also admit that the majority of Democrats have a much better strategy for Iraq than Bush - that includes diffusing the anti-Americanism by drawing troops off the front lines, renewed emphasis on regional diplomacy and Iraqi-led reconstruction, swearing off the permanent bases, and bringing our troops home as quickly as possible. You don't have to distort the basic Democratic Party plan in order to state that you are still opposed to this illegal occupation altogether. The point is to end the war, as quickly as possible, no matter how it's done.

[johncoby2]

14. please shut up and go block walking or something.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

16. oh I apologize, I didn't mean to upset you with obvious truth, john coby

Is that John Coby the second?

[Jeffersons Ghost]

22. IN SUMMATION...

Just as rank-and-file leftists cannot agree on REAL problems, Democrat leaders have REAL opinions and fail to agree on important issues. When we, at DU, can ALL agree on important matters that are destroying a country we love, then perhaps our leaders will also agree. Until then, let's just be thankful that they, like us, INDEED differ from lock-stepping Republicans.

Let's also realize if media is against them, they are doing something right because most of us realize that modern media is nothing but a trained lap-dog for the aristocracy these days.

Most of all, let's realize that in EVERY weakness there is strength. Imagine a half-starved lion walking along the veldt. The lion, is big and aggressive. There is no big game but below his feet thousands of tiny rodents hide their promise of a reasonable meal. The lion's size and strength has become a weakness in that analogy.

A small spotted cat, has a strength to capitalize on this small game and grows fat. That fat spotted cat is indeed strong, until it meets the half starved lion.

As Aesop should have said, if he didn't, "EVERY STRENGTH HIDES A WEAKNESS, JUST AS EVERY WEAKNESS MASKS A STRENGTH." Remember this brief analogy, as we attempt to win hearts and minds for the November elections. When you feel weak in a discussion, change your perspective and enjoy a strength that you missed before but most certainly deserve.

And by the way, whether we are lions or African Servals, cat's are difficult to heard and never march very well.

[Greyhound]

24. HERE'S WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY...

Democrats. Our Schizophrenic party personality disorder. We hate that shrub* is destroying our liberty by shredding the parts of The Constitution that he doesn't simply ignore, yet significant numbers of our own have no problem denying others choice on "their" issues (i.e. increased police powers, smoking, firearms, drugs, etc.). We must reign in the corporations-run-wild, but The Party has lent its full support to every single pro-corporate, anti-worker proposal that has come along in the last 40 years (remember who cast the deciding vote in favor of NAFTA, or who brought us the H-1b/L-1 visa programs? Not to mention bankruptcy reform, welfare reform, telecommunications act, etc., etc.). Health-care for all, except when it will diminish corporate profits. Who controlled The House and/or The Senate when raygun dismantled all of the safe-guards put in place to protect The Citizens from big business/ruling families?

I, and millions of other citizens, are still waiting for some coherent plan or proposal of just how we will implement the platform, but I guess that's not really important, as long as they get elected.

It is time to realize that simply not being re:puke: is not enough. We are in a crisis that really is unprecedented in our nations history, and it is time to stop the bullshit games and make a stand.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

25. maybe not Aesop but DARWIN sure teaches that Diversity offers strength...

Each of us has a DIFFERENT gift... are we using our gifts to build or destroy? I still kind of like the wise Aesop moral: IN UNITY THERE IS STRENGTH.

Maybe we can replace science classes with philosophy teachings in lower school after November. YIKES! I just realized Plato, Aristotle, Porphyry AND Aesop weren't Christians! Maybe writings by St. Augustine, which are put forth in philosophical terms, will be okay if his African ancestry can be played down a bit more. 1984 is behind us now folks and November is VERY close.

GET YOUR ASSES BUSY, THIS SHIT SPOOKS THE HELL OUT OF ME!

[Greyhound]

26. Cognitive dissonance is not diversity, it is just crazy.

Either you favor liberty of you do not, period.

[omega minimo]

28. This would make an excellent OP

:thumbsup: :patriot:

"We are in a crisis that really is unprecedented in our nations history, and it is time to stop the bullshit games and make a stand."

It is time for honest talk about what our common ground is and "make a stand" on it.

[Greyhound]

46. Thank you. From your keyboard to the GD:Politics forum.

See you there. :hi: :patriot:

[omega minimo]

50. doubleplusgood

:toast:

[Lydia Leftcoast]

47. Diversity vs. Capitulation

Diversity is one thing. Signing on to every ill-conceived corporate scheme for impoverishing the American worker is NOT "diversity." It's selling out one's constituency.

[robertt]

30. Abortion -- That's the Issue

The Democrats have failed to properly address abortion, such as by throwing it back onto the Supreme Court--and, that's the single most significant issue of yesterday or today. Gas prices can rise to $10 a gallon and the Republican will still win if a better marketing strategy on abortion is not developed. That's what's wrong with the Democratic Party. It has to aggressively defeat this issue in a manner respectful of choice, and which makes nobody feel like "baby killers." Avoidance has not and will not work.

Robert Eggleton
"Rarity from the Hollow"

[McCamy Taylor]

31. We do not own our own TV network. That is our only problem.

[MasonJar]

32. We do not own the Voting Machines...that is our biggest problem,

but maybe Robert Kennedy will take care of that for us. I tell you what is right about the Democrats. Dems have a brain and a heart. They have great ideas which are never published, but that may change. I am not sure that Bush and the Pugs did the right thing when they sent the wolves out after the NYT. I saw Keller on Charlie Rose a couple of nights ago and he was not a happy lapdog. The Times has a lot to make up for and they'd do well to get started. Bush is a has been.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

33. that little spat His Royal Chimpness had with the NYT was a ruse..

Times/Warner is the corporate machines strongest arm.

[Doctor_J]

36. 1. No media access

2. No media access
3. No media access

[Lydia Leftcoast]

48. We don't use the media access we DO have

1. When asked to go on talk shows, the party should send its feistiest representatives, not the Liebermans and Bidens. Any Democrat who says "I support the president" in public gets his DNC contributions docked.

2. Every Congresscritter and Senator has nearly automatic access to the local news media (newspapers, radio, and local TV news) in his/her district. They need to use it. Every time there's a nasty Republican bill going through Congress, they need to get on their local media and explain why they're voting against it and what they would do instead.

3. They also need more face time with their ordinary constituents, the ones who can't afford to attend a $1000 a plate dinner. If they become known as real human beings to the voters, they may not need to hold as many $1000 a plate dinners.

[Greyhound]

49. Beautiful, I love it.

The Re:puke:s don't seem to have any problem keeping their minions on task, WTF is wrong with the Dems? Or, could it be that the "leadership" doesn't really want their members stirring up the sheeple and bringing uncomfortable issues and practical solutions up?

[AtomicKitten]

51. I prefer to think about what's right with the Democratic Party.

It makes it easier to get up in the morning and face the daunting task at hand.

But that's me. :)