Rep. Grayson: "I don't owe anything to anyone here. .... to lobbyists.....to leadership

[sabrina 1]

Rep. Grayson is one of the most targeted Democrats in the 2010 election, according to political observers. Republicans are searching for a challenger to take him on and remove him from Congress. So far, no well-known Republican has taken up the challenge, but there is no doubt Republicans will do whatever it takes to get rid of him as his unwillingness to back down to their normally effective bullying, is a real threat to them.

In the following article, he explains why he is willing to say what others only think about saying:

'Die quickly' just a sample of Alan Grayson's sound bite attack



http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/national/die-quickly-just-a-sample-of-alan-graysons-sound-bite-attack/1041022

"I don't need the job for income or satisfaction," said Grayson, sitting on a bench outside the House chamber in between votes. "The truth is, it's really a hardship. I took an enormous pay cut to take the job. Every week, I leave five young children and my wife to come up here.

"I don't owe anything to anyone here. I don't owe anything to lobbyists. I don't owe anything to leadership. The only thing I owe to anybody is the well-being of 800,000 people who depend on me."

So he unabashedly pursues money for his district, which stretches from Marion to Orange counties, bragging that he has increased "earmarks" by 500 percent in the past year. He brushes off heat he took for attempting to get $350,000 for a housing counseling service in Orlando run by a man with a dubious background. He scoffs at his ties to the controversial community organizing group ACORN.

I think that is the key to building a Congress that represents the people. He is one of only a few that I know of, who looks at his job the way all members of Congress ought to do.

He has also said that he is not going to let winning the next election affect how he does his job now so threatening to remove him if he continues to tell the truth, will not work either.

And he doesn't hesitate to let the powerful know when he catches them trying to excuse their abominable behavior. He is not fooled by their excuses and doesn't hide his disdain:

In a memorable exchange, Grayson laughs at Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke as he tries to explain why the government would loan $500 billion to foreign banks.

The performances have made Grayson an Internet sensation, a champion for a public buried under credit card debt and foreclosures. "Alan Grayson. Wow," wrote a commenter on a YouTube video of him questioning Bernanke. "The only thing that would make this video better is if Grayson body-slammed Bernanke through a hardwood table."

I first noticed him when he challenged the bill Congress passed to defund ACORN. He spent his time as a lawyer going after corrupt government contractors before running for Congress, so he was in a position to know just how much corruption there is in that field.

He pointed out that the government cannot single out one corporation for punishment based on allegations of corruption as they did with ACORN. He claimed that doing so when they continue to fund other organizations that have actually been found guilty of corruption, is 'Unconstitutional and should be viewed as a 'Bill of Attainder'.

http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/radio/2009/09/23/grayson/

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.) -- my guest on Salon Radio today -- yesterday pointed out that the bill passed by both the Senate and House to de-fund ACORN is written so broadly that it literally compels the de-funding not only of that group, but also the de-funding of, and denial of all government contracts to, any corporation that "has filed a fraudulent form with any Federal or State regulatory agency." By definition, that includes virtually every large defense contractor, which -- unlike ACORN -- has actually been found guilty of fraud. As The Huffington Post's Ryan Grim put it: "the bill could plausibly defund the entire military-industrial complex.

Calling out corruption and lies seems to come from Rep. Grayson's deep sense of justice. He's not someone who doesn't think about those who work to provide us with all the things that make our lives better. From the first link:

Routine questions elicit deeply philosophical responses. Asked where he got his political leanings, Grayson's answer ran eight minutes.

"There are now over 6 billion of us," he said. "When I buy something, I'm buying the fruits of someone else's labor. When I watch TV, I'm seeing things that other people have created. We are all highly specialized and highly independent, and the only way to make everyone better off is if everyone is better off. My political philosophy is to see that that happens."

He's not above using theatrics to get people's attention. For example, according to the article, he wore pink boots and multi-colored shirts and ties, to get the attention of jurors.

Barney Frank had this to say about Grayson's fashion choices:

"I thought at first he was trying out for a road company of Guys and Dolls," said Rep. Barney Frank, the Massachusetts Democrat who chairs the Financial Services Committee.

But Barney Frank also says that Grayson is responsible for pushing issues forward that otherwise might be ignored. And he doesn't hold back when asked for his opinion of certain, prominent Republicans:

During an August fundraiser he said that former Vice President Dick Cheney liked to "shoot old men in the face." At a blogger convention that same month he said Keller's campaign staff "spent all their time flying paper clips at each other and watching porn on their computers." Rush Limbaugh? "A has-been hypocrite loser."

Short and to the point on Limbaugh! :rofl:

He doesn't give them importance and pulls no punches when asked for his opinion of them. He is a breath of fresh air in that regard.

And so, the Republicans ARE out to get him. I'm sure they'll dig up something sooner or later and give it their usual spin. The question is, will Democrats run for cover when it happens once again, or will they stand by this Congressman who has done more to put Republicans in their place, than anyone else I can think of?

They have trackers who follow him around, trying to get him to say something 'outrageous' which they can use to make him look bad. But, as the article says:

But arguably, the trackers are wasting their energy. Grayson does not need provocation to say exactly what he thinks. And, in effect, he tracks himself. Shortly after his CNN appearance, Grayson posted the clip on his YouTube page.

The clip they thought he might be embarrassed by as they tried to reign him in.

He's one of the best things to happen to the Democratic Party. And he deserves applause for the stand he has taken and for inspiring other Democrats to do the same ~

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

for a Democratic Congressman with guts!


Edited to remind everyone of Rep. Grayson's Nov. 2nd money bomb. If I lived in his district I would volunteer to work for him, but I don't. So, this is the best I can do from halfway across the country.

http://salsa.mydccc.org/o/30019/t/6/content.jsp?content_KEY=1&tag=du&tag=blogads1

[ddeclue]

1. Excellent and accurate. There are only two GOP candidates who could beat Alan in 2010:

one is the current Governor (Charlie Crist) who is running for U.S. Senate.

the other is John Ellis "Jeb" Bush who is the former governor.

and even these two aren't absolutely guaranteed to win inside of the 8th District.

Neither will stoop to running for Congress.

All the GOP front runners have already bowed out - they don't want to take on Alan or his $31 million dollars or his army of supporters or his "A Team" political cadre of Central Florida Democrats who helped get him elected.

The GOP will be content to wait Alan out until the 2011 redistricting process and will then re-district Alan out of his district so that he can't win in 2012 by moving his district so that his house is the eastern most point in the district.

The only ways to stop this from happening:

1) Win back 19 State House Seats.
2) Win back 7 State Senate Seats.
3) Win back the governor's mansion.
4) Pass Fair Districts amendment (not as effective as the other three).

If Alan gets redistricted badly he will either have to move and run for a different seat or jump to the Senate or run for Governor or something.

Doug D.
Grayson Volunteer,
Orlando, FL

[sabrina 1]

3. Thanks for that information. I am not familiar with Florida's

politics, other than what is nationally known. But it goes without saying that Republicans will be after his seat.

Good news about Crist btw, and I think you're absolutely right, he won't stoop to running for Congress.

I believe that it is vitally important that Rep. Grayson wins the next election, not just because he is such a good Rep. for the people who elected him. But because if he were to lose, the Democrats would blame it on his out-spokeness and it would give them an excuse not to ever again tell the truth so plainly.

It would also show Republicans that there are some Democrats, and hopefully there will be more, that you just can't bully anymore.

[Vickers]

35. "Democrats would blame it on his out-spokeness and it would give them an excuse..."

"...not to ever again tell the truth so plainly"

+ 1,000,000

[Sebass1271]

70. he is not only good for the ppl that elected him. He is good

for the entire country!!. and i am not even in his district. We need more like him.

[Sebass1271]

66. wow! Great information here. The only problem is that

winning 19 state house seats will be a little stiff. With all the repubes we have in the state and the majority minority (cubans) who can help us overcome a republican majority are also republicans that seems like an impossible dream. Of course, is worth fighting for, but stiff to climb.

I am from west palm beach and will be supporting Grayson financially if i have to although he is not my district.

[Sebass1271]

67. Wow, thanks for that information. 19

house seats to beat seems a little stiff considering we do live in a repub state. The only ones that can help us overcome such majority of republicans are the majority-minority (cubans) and they are rethugs too.

I am from west palm beach and will help grayson maintain his seat financially although he is not in my district. I feel that is the only way i can help him from my county and city.

[existentialist]

73. I'm not from Florida, but offhand

I'd say the jump to the Senate option sounds pretty good.

[sabrina 1]

76. Would love to see him in the Senate n/t

[CreekDog]

2. Not only do I agree with this guy, I like his spirit

These congresspeople hold onto their jobs like they were the greatest thing in the world --but are the jobs that hot if you have to make a thousand compromises of principle to hold one?

[sabrina 1]

6. Imo, no, I agree with you no job is worth

compromising principles for. And wasn't it George Washington who said that people should go to DC to serve their country for a few years, and then they should go back home. But now, they are bought before they even get there. Not all of them, but way too many.

[DeSwiss]

4. K&R!!!!

[sabrina 1]

11. Lol, I love that comic.

I bet he'd get a kick out of it also. He's not only a great politician but he seems to be lots of fun with a great sense of humor!

[DeSwiss]

13. I really like the guy because.....

...he's the first politician in a long, long time that I've actually WANTED to listen to and hear what he has to say.

- We need more just like him and to turn-out ALL the rest.....

[sabrina 1]

15. I know what you mean. Most of the time I cringe when

a Democrat is on TV as I know they will not say what is needed to be said no matter what the issue. Evenm when they do, it's so wimpy and they always seem to want to apologize or explain themselves afterwards.

But Grayson says what I have wished and wished they all would say. I was so afraid he would apologize, as we are so used to them doing that. Remember Durbin? He finally spoke out about the torture chambers and we all were thrilled, then came the demands for an apology. I remember writing and begging him not to do it. But he did. So disappointing.

[goclark]

24. Yea !

He gets ***** stars!

[Rabrrrrrr]

5. His is the attitude that We, The People mandated with a significant majority last November.

Too bad he and Franken and a few others are the only ones who seem to understand that.

[sabrina 1]

7. I think if he is successful

iow, if his support keeps growing, it will give other Democrats some spine too.

But if you read that article, you can see that even those who mean well, are worried about the 'way he is behaving'. They are advising him to 'tone it down' eg, because he could easily 'marginalize' himself.

That won't happen if they back him up. And if he does win the next election, his style of politics, already loved by the people, might just become the new politics at least for Democrats. But for now, you can see, they are expecting him to burn out. And we the people must not let that happen.

[snagglepuss]

79. +1

[FiveGoodMen]

8. Alan is the man!

[sabrina 1]

9. Love your avatar

Wellstone was another great man and a sad loss that could never be replaced ~

[FiveGoodMen]

12. Wellstone was pretty great

He did vote for that stupid DOMA which is unforgivable, but otherwise he generally backed the right things.

And he always seemed intent on doing his job rather than playing politics.

[Inspired]

10. He's a breath of fresh air.

[Vidar]

14. K&R

[Overseas]

16. K&R! Go Grayson Go !! //nt

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

17. Note to self - send Grayson campaign a check on Nov. 2nd

And it will be one written with GREAT pleasure.

[sabrina 1]

18. Me too, I can't think of anyone I'd rather support.

No more donations to those who do not work for us. People like Grayson, Kucinich, Marcy Kaptur, and a few others have supported us and deserve our support in return.

And the ACLU who were working hard over the past eight trying to reign in the criminals in the Bush administration, without much help from Congress.

[Norrin Radd]

29. Agree with all that you wrote.

[Canuckistanian]

19. Just like the Rude Pundit says

He will fuck your shit up.

[sabrina 1]

20. Lol, he will and that's why we love him.

But someone here doesn't like him, or maybe it's me! Unrec'ing Grayson without saying why. That's one thing you could not say about Grayson, if he was going to unrec anyone, he would definitely tell them why. Another reason why he's so popular.

[Canuckistanian]

23. "Unrecers" are everywhere

They even unrec cute kitty pics. There's no logic whatsoever. They're the same people who kick puppies.

If you catch them, beat the shit out of them.

If you can't, just shake your head in disbelief.

[sabrina 1]

25. Who would unrec a cute kitty?

I guess they're just meanies ~ lol!

Btw, I love your cute puppy, speaking of cute things ~ my puppy just turned one year old last week.

[saracat]

27. Because he makes others "look bad" in comparison.

nd he isn't trying to be "bipartisan".

[spanone]

21. grayson may just be that strange bird....an honest politician

i'm sure the pukes are going thru his past with a fine toothed comb

[sabrina 1]

22. They are. But the funny thing is

their noise machine seems to be going fairly easy on him. I think he's scared them to death because they know if they start on him, he'll go after them. They had to withdraw their silly motion demanding an apology from him because he made it clear he wouldn't be apologizing.

Not to mention the hypocrisy of a Republican whining over Grayson's statement, when they've been saying worse about any Democratic Bill for the past several months.

He has shut them up temporarily as they haven't been trained to deal with a Dem who isn't interested in their fake outrages and treats them like children for their trouble.

[JustAnotherGen]

32. Bang on!

I 'read in between the lines' of his response to the Reps on that 'apologize' stupidity. He said words but I heard: "Folks. I wouldn't apologize to you and play nicey nice if you were Growing Out of MY ASS!" :rofl:

[saracat]

26. Grayson for Prez!

[diane in sf]

28. thank you--great thread! should be we're all "INTERdependent" Mr. Grayson is a treasure.

[malaise]

30. Must read article

Bravo Alan!! :yourock:

[JustAnotherGen]

31. I'm sorry

I just love the guy! :rofl:

If you define yourself as a liberal or a progressive or some combination of the two?

That's your guy! You know why? He says ALL the things we are thinking. And he's 1000000% unapologetic about it! :pals:

[safeinOhio]

33. Where did the money go?

He has a couple of the most right wing Reps in the house join him in his fight against Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke and the Fed. Ron Paul and Jim Jordan have signed on to open the books at the Fed so we can find out where the money went. There is no limit to his depth.

[sabrina 1]

46. I knew about Ron Paul, but great if he's getting

other Repubs on board also. Maybe even Repubs can learn what a real Representative of the PEOPLE looks like!

[Fumesucker]

34. K&R

[mucifer]

36. Being VERY wealthy helps. He doesn't have to deal with the temptations others do.

The high paying think tank or corporate jobs congresspeople are promised when they "retire".

[Sebass1271]

71. It is great to see wealthy ppl go into public service just

because they want to help the people. If you do the right things and actually do what ppl elected you to do, it is a noble job and a rewarding job i guess. But we are so accustomed that the reps we've had till today are scumbags hungry money machines.

I love Grayson just for that. He didn't' need to run for congress. He didn't' the money. He did it because HE GOT SICK OF IT!.

Itsn't ' Rockefeller too a very wealthy man?

[sabrina 1]

75. Yes, he said that while he was

going after Defense Contractors on behalf of whistle-blowers he became virulently anti-the-Iraq war after seeing the corruption, the way Contractors like KB&R and Halliburton mistreated the troops:

“I saw the worst side of the war,” Grayson said. “I saw contractors cheating the troops, literally killing the troops, feeding them poisoned water, electrocuting them. I saw contractors cheating the taxpayers and undermining the mission. I felt that as much good as I was trying to do—and succeeding in doing—I could do more in Congress.”

And to show how the rightwing smear machine can distort what people say, when Grayson said that being in Congress was more of a sacrifice than anything else, they accused him of saying he'd rather be on vacation than in Congress.

[Jester Messiah]

37. Heroic. [nt]

[Flying Dream Blues]

38. Kicked and pledged a little bit...nt

[The Backlash Cometh]

39. Crotty was smart not to run against him.

But Grayson should be careful, because the kind of people and programs that Crotty's wife interacts with, creates the very kind of injustices that Grayson is fighting against. That can only mean trouble for Grayson if he walks too close to their garden of good and evil.

[sabrina 1]

40. I agree that he needs to be careful.

I'm sure there are whole teams of people working hard to dig up some kind of dirt on him. But I'm not familiar with Crotty. Is he a Republican?

[The Backlash Cometh]

45. I already got my butt handed to me for bringing it up.

Crotty is a Republican, but his wife delves in projects which attracts both parties. In these organizations, you won't be able to tell the difference between Dems and Republicans. She is part of an incubator organization which is really just a fancy name for "passing-on-guv-mint-money-to-my-real-estate-cronies." Because the program is attached to UCF it has a cleansing effect in the minds of the public. But I'm sure that if someone were to look closely, you'll find an organization that attracts people who are all about "what's in it for me?" Those kind of people are not opposed to cutting a few corners to help make projects happen, knowing that somewhere down the road they'll be rewarded for the risks they took.

I say, that any Dem who is involved with real estate projects in Central Florida, in any capacity, has a responsibility to see that due process is not being undermined in order to make the project look like it's going smoothly. And that's the problem. Too many people are willing to bend the rules to get entrance into this elite group. The more secrets they have to keep, the tighter the network.

It's bound to create a situation that will be up Alan Grayson's alley, and will put him in direct confrontation with the real estate blue dogs of Central Florida. Now that he has prominence in the community, it's just a matter of time.

[sabrina 1]

50. Thanks for the explanation. I have never heard of them or the

organization. Has Grayson been involved with them yet, or are you just worried that he might be enticed to get involved? I definitely agree he should be very careful about being involved with any project that involves Republicans. I've yet to see one do something just because it's the right thing to do. Not ordinary Repubs, but the political kind.

Btw, why would anyone be angry at you for bringing this up? Seems to me it's good to be informed.

[The Backlash Cometh]

63. I'm sure Grayson is aware of the potential for abuse.

And I'm also sure he's aware of the powerful lobbying force that the real estate industry has in Florida.

And, as to your other question:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6808872

[sabrina 1]

80. Thanks for the information ~

Regarding Democrats he has attacked, good question. He has certainly criticized Obama's war policies.

http://www.vanityfair.com/online/politics/2009/05/an-interview-with-antiwar-freshman-democratic-congressman-alan-grayson.html

Freshman Democrat Alan Grayson Attacks Obama's War Policy

This is something that Democrats said when they were in the opposition repeatedly, and that truth hasn’t changed at all just because we elected a president. You can always find some kind of excuse to do what you want to do anyway, but I have to wonder why a new Democratic president wants to do something like this. This is a president who has recognized the immorality of torture, and I’m waiting for him to recognize the immorality of war and foreign occupation.

He talks about other Democrats who are not willing to go against the President on the war because he's a Dem. and they 'want to give him time'. He calls it hypocrisy.

So, imo, I think he won't hesitate to call out Dems as well as Republicans. Doesn't seem like the type to care about those letters after their names to me.

[The Backlash Cometh]

81. Thank you for providing, the most reasonable and informative response

I have received, since I asked the question.

[sabrina 1]

82. You're welcome ~

I don't know how that will affect the way Democrats deal with him, though. They never have liked those who stir the pot. Kucinich eg, or anyone who has gone against the status quo. Which is why we need more Graysons, and fewer Blue Dogs ~

[The Backlash Cometh]

83. Well, if his goal is to expose the down-side of blue dogs,

we may be able to help each other out.

On the upside, there will be more than a few Republicans who will go down with them.

[sabrina 1]

84. Well, I think his goal is to get things done for the American people

If you read what he learned about the corruption in Iraq as an attorney representing whistle-blowers, you can tell it had a profound effect on him. But as a lawyer he could only do so much, like sue Custer/Battles civilly eg, which did nothing to stop them from going back to Iraq after their one-year suspension. They should have been in jail, along with thousands of others.

He believes the troops and the American people were lied to, robbed and never got much justice. He wants healthcare for all, an end to both wars. All things the Blue Dogs and Republicans are against. So, yes I think he will expose them, as a matter of course. Because he's not shy about shining a light on those who are against what he considers to be justice for the American people.

[valerief]

41. Grayson is a great voice for the American people. nt

[AzDar]

42. Hey... anyone know where I can get a Grayson for my state?

:toast:

[CrispyQ]

74. I want one too!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Turborama]

43. K&R! Thank-you Sabrina for a good reminder of why we should be extremely proud of him

BTW have you heard http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=385&topic_id=376918&mesg_id=376918">Glenn Greenwald's interview with him yet?

I first saw him towards the end of last year on the documentary about the missing $billions in Iraq I posted in that thread. But, I have to admit that I actually forgot about him until he did the "Die Quickly" speech last month. I certainly won't forget him again, that's for sure!

[sabrina 1]

44. Hey, Turborama ~

Thanks for that link. No, I had not heard that interview. I'm actually really worried about him as he has definitely angered the rightwing and no one should ever underestimate how far they will go to take down someone like Grayson.

I anticipate smears and hope we will not fall for it when it happens. Like Van Jones and ACORN.

As I said in the OP, I first noticed him after the ACORN bill passed and was so thrilled when he pointed out that if they defund ACORN, they will have to defund the entire MIC! I wanted to know more about him then. Lol.

Btw, did you get my last PM about the blog? And thank YOU for all the great videos you've been posting.

Off to listen to that interview ~

[Turborama]

62. I did get the PM

And tried to add you using the email but it didn't recognize it so I used the Wordpress request thing to send a notification but it sounds like it didn't get through. I'll send you my personal email address to make communication easier. Need to get back in touch with mzmolly and theother guys too...

It looks like we need to step it up a gear now, O'Keefe or one of his minions has just joined DU to post an "Interesting development".

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x373378

[sabrina 1]

64. Wow, sure looks like a visitor from the O'Keefe camp!

I agree, I'm working on a post on the lie about the false Election Fraud charges and have found some excellent work on that done by Brad of Bradblog. Will try to get it done as soon as I have some time where I'm not doing five things at once. This is important as they keep telling that lie.

I don't know anything about the mechanics of a blog so wish I could help, but don't have a clue. ACORN is going to need a lot of support and I hope they get it from the party they helped put into power.

Will look forward to your email, when you have time. Not to worry, I know how busy everyone is.

And I love your OP today re Franken! That was a classic put-down of a real rightwing idiot. Always good to see.

[madamesilverspurs]

47. Spine salesman.

"I don't owe anything to anyone here. I don't owe anything to lobbyists. I don't owe anything to leadership."

Implicit in that statement is the accusation that others have sold their allegiance, thus betraying their constituents. No doubt there are quite a few on the left side of the aisle who, like their counterparts on the right, squirm and wince and wish they could shut him up. For the present, at least, Grayson is publicly reminding them of that thing called conscience.

Keep up the good work, Mr. Grayson; we look forward to the day when we can say the same to all of our representatives and senators.



-----

[redqueen]

48. I desperately hope that he's inspiring other Dems.

:applause:

[Roland99]

49. Local news was reporting the GOP is bringing someone up from Coral Gables to oppose him.

What a joke!

Why not trot Keyes down here?!? LMAO!!

[sabrina 1]

51. Lol, yes I read about that, some twenty-something

young Republican I think.

How about Sarah Palin? She's out of a job and probably could use the attention. That would be a fun battle to watch, probably totally end what's left of her career. Or, as you suggest, bring in old Alan Keyes!

[vinylsolution]

53. I hear Mark Foley is....

... currently out of office....

[sabrina 1]

59. Don't even say that ~

Lol, that guy has had the nerve to surface again with a radio show or something. In the upside down world of the right, he is probably a 'victim' of the left. Remember even after the revelations of his harassment of young pages, he still received a lot of support in his district. The hypocrisy of the right knows no bounds.

[newtothegame]

52. Not so sure about bragging about earmarks, but the rest is great! n/t

[colsohlibgal]

54. Republican Are Wasting Their Time

Democrats everywhere have been looking for someone who can't be bought off, speaks pure truth, and is not afraid the the big bad bullying wing nuts. He will crush any Imhofe want to be they run against him.

Alan is almost too good to be true, if only he could do a mind meld with Reid aka Wimpy the Majority Non Leader.

[sabrina 1]

55. Well, you're right about Democrats waiting for so long

for someone like Grayson. But look how quickly they jumped ship when the radical rightwingnuts went after Van Jones and ACORN? They couldn't jump fast enough.

If the smear machine comes up with something, and they are experts at that so we should be prepared for it, how many Dems do you think will rush to defend Grayson? Will the DNC support him if he is under fire from the right? So far, they don't have a very good track record of doing that. Ordinary Dems like us, yes, but we don't have much power over what the party does.

As someone said above, many Dems are already uneasy about him so it wouldn't take much to sway them to their usual stance 'we can't risk backing someone who is far 'left' or whatever excuses they come up with.

Hope you're right and I'm wrong, but history says we should at least be prepared ~

[kjackson227]

56. It's good to see that we have a few Democratic warriors...

with integrity- Rep. Grayson, Rep. Weiner is another one, along with Sen. Bernie Sanders. We (as Democrats), need to continue to give them our intense support whenever possible.

[sabrina 1]

57. And don't forget the ones who were out there mostly alone

for so long, like Hinchey and Kucinich and Marcy Kaptur. There are a few others too. Maybe there is hope for the party after all?

[kjackson227]

58. Absolutely! :)

[sabrina 1]

65. Oh, and add Al Franken in the Senate lol!

If you haven't seen the video of Al leveling a rightwing shill on the floor of the Senate, posted by Turborama and near the top of the rec list right now, you will love it! Lol! All is doing great.

[bvar22]

60. A lot of Democrats would also like to see Grayson disappear.

He exposes the Centrist, Republican ass-lickers.
They look really bad when someone like Grayson comes along.
They don't like their little "Centrist" boats getting rocked.
Their Corporate PayMasters might get mad.


Keep telling it like it is, Alan.
The Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party has your back.



"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans. I want us to compete for that great mass of voters that want a party that will stand up for working Americans, family farmers, and people who haven't felt the benefits of the economic upturn."---Paul Wellstone

[sabrina 1]

61. I agree completely bvar22

I haven't noticed a lot of support for him from the leadership of the party. And I've seen a few remarks from some Dems, basically saying he should be careful as this is not the way things are done in DC. Which is exactly what we need, someone who will no longer do things the way they are done in DC. How has that worked for us?

Btw, love your sigline. Very appropriate to what you just said and so true. Nice to see Wellstone still remembered.

[Sebass1271]

68. i just pledged to help financially next year.

he is not my congressman, but want him to win. He speaks for me!

[LaPera]

69. Republicans will absolutely try to smear, lie & distort Grayson - WE have to be ready to immediately

scream right back and expose the filthy greedy republicans lies!!

[sabrina 1]

72. They've started already.

Here's a whole website dedicated to smearing him I just found, set up by the NRCC:

http://www.alandisgrayson.com/

Alan (dis)Grayson has gone too far – which is saying a lot. His accusation that the House Republican’s healthcare plan wanted people to “die quickly” falls far short of any decent human being’s decorum. Since his election to the House last fall, (dis)Grayson has continued to lower the standard and expectations of decorum from an elected official.

The time has come to send (dis)Grayson home. That is why, Leader Boehner and NRCC Chairman Sessions are pleased to announce the official “FL-08 Nominee Fund.” Any dollar donated to this fund will go directly to the Republican candidate who emerges from the primary to challenge (dis)Grayson in 2010.

I wonder what they thought of the Republicans accusing the Dems of 'wanting to kill grandma' etc. if Grayson's statement 'falls far short of any decent human being's decorum'?

Look on their sidebar for their so far, feeble attempts to smear him ~ distortions as can be expected but they need to be hit back now, not later. They are raising funds to give to whoever dares to come forward to challenge him.

I would not dismiss them though. The Dem Party cannot be counted on to support him against the smears sadly.

They will be relentless, and we must be also.

[debbierlus]

77. They can forget it. He has national stature and donations now

He will be more then safe.

Now, if only the rest of the democratic sellouts could figure that out.

Stand up for the people. The people will have your back.

Simple.

[GreenTea]

78. Cheers to a man doing his job. A Democrat doing & saying what he was elected for!

[Ardent15]

85. Finally, a Democrat being a Democrat. nt