This is amazing to me. First, Matt points out the implications of this..
But there's a HUGE amount on the table, in terms of money and energy from us that's going to people who vote against our values. We ought to think through the massive betrayal that we're experiencing, not as a loss, but as an opportunity to learn how to deal with leverage. After all, in 2009, a whole lot of Americans are probably going to wake up to a new female leader, and they are going to believe that everything is fresh and new, that the bad people are finally gone and good governance and a real America can finally return even as the new administration is packed with status quo Democrats.
Fortunately, those of us on the blogs and not in thrall to the Presidential race will have practice at dealing with precisely this situation.
The amounts now given to Freshmen Democrats from MoveOn who voted against MoveOn:
1. Chris Murphy (D-CT) - $502,997.60
2. Jason Altmire (D-PA) - $447, 939.94
3. Joe Donnelly (D-IN) - $378,950.54
4. Michael Arcuri (D-NY) - $183,495.05
5. Zack Space (D-OH) - $170,158.40
6. Nick Lampson (D-TX) - $168,200.01
7. Chris Carney (D-PA) - $168,107.14
8. Ciro Rodriguez (D-TX) - $163,643.00
9. Tim Mahoney (D-FL) - $159,580.97
10. Paul Hodes (D-NH) - $150,017.00
11. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) - $148,812.62
12. Harry Mitchell (D-AZ) - $146,645.72
13. Joe Courtney (D-CT) - $113,157.99
14. Tim Walz (D-MN) - $103,438.05
15. Patrick Murphy (D-PA) - $91,284.24
16. Bruce Braley (D-IA) - $87,004.67
17. Jerry McNerney (D-CA) - $53,043.62
18. Steve Kagen (D-WI) - $11,846.04
19. Baron Hill (D-IN) - $11,711.72
20. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN) - $10,823.76
Lots to think about in the future. I started today when I got an email requesting I donate to a local candidate. I asked their views on the MoveOn Censure and on Florida's propaganda campaign against the DNC. They will get back to me.
There will be conditions on donations. If these freshmen choose the cooperate road for convenience....then it is our country they are selling out. Not MoveOn.
And they have always assumed our votes would be there. They have played the what will happen to our country if you don't vote for us...and now look what is happening. They are voting to most likely give Bush the power to attack Iran, they will most likely not vote to leave Iraq. They censured the activists.
Oops forgot links:
How did our freshsmen do todayCongressional Dems Probably Don't Think They Need the Netroots Anymore