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Ed Rendell repeats absurd White House talking point that Elections Matter

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USArmyParatrooper Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-06-10 06:13 PM
Original message
Ed Rendell repeats absurd White House talking point that Elections Matter
Just in case you all were wondering what that AMERICAblog editorial was http://www.americablog.com/2010/10/ed-rendell-repeats-absurd-white-house.html">talking about when he wrote, "Ed Rendell repeats absurd White House talking point that Democratic voters need to 'get over it'".

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3096434/vp/39511278#39511278

5:50

Lawrence O'donnell: What do you have to say to Obama critics? And look, you can be a supporter and a critic. I mean, the thing I hate in politics are robots you know who just - will go along with anything, or any kind of flip-flop or broken promise that a politician does. You can vote for a politician, criticize them when they break a promise and then vote for them again for reelection because that one is better than the alternative. But what do you have to say to the uninspired Democratic base right now that where in polls indicates they don't - they aren't showing the same enthusiasm about even showing up at the polls as they did in 2008.

Governor Rendell: Well point number one, this isn't about President Obama. I mean, he's out there campaigning and I think he's lately done a pretty good job of it. But this isn't about him, it's about whether the Democratic party - not perfect - but certainly bent on trying to preserve progressive theories in government and progressive practices - is going to be in charge of the Congress, or the Republican party. And it's not the Republican party of old, this is a scary Republican party. So we ought to get over it, and if we've got some issues with President Obama save them for another day. This is about the Congress of the United States turning control, as you said Lawrence, of that co-equal branch over to a bunch of people who are more and more increasingly influenced by what I call the wacko wing of the Republican party. And if that's not enough to motivate Democrats - if that's not enough to scare the be-jabbers out of them - it ought to be. Because this could be an enormously destructive election for the United States.


Without a doubt those who are on a mission to be offended will still pluck ONE line - (actually one-half of a sentence) - "Get over it" and interpret his entire reply to be a snub against Liberals. But after watching the entire exchange I doubt most reasonable people would be offended by what he said. And for the life of me I can't understand why John Aravosis (the author of the AMERICAblog entry) in question didn't even provide a partial transcript, let alone the whole exchange.

I think Governor Rendell's greater point is a valid one. You can focus on singular, or even a couple of pet issues. Or alternatively you can look at the big picture and realize there IS a valid choice to make. With the Republicans in power we http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_10/025954.php">wouldn't have passed the Affordable Care Act, the Recovery Act, Wall Street reform, student loan reform, Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, new regulation of the credit card industry, new regulation of the tobacco industry, a national service bill, expanded stem-cell research, a nuclear arms deal with Russia, a new global nonproliferation initiative, the Hate Crimes Prevention Act, the most sweeping land-protection act in 15 years, etc. Alternatively there's a lovely new breed of Republicans that are flooding the ranks that have blatantly advocated for things like banishing the minimum wage, gutting Medicare and Social Security, forcing rape victims to birth their rapist's baby, and many other extremists ideals.

Point being guys - this election is about serious issues and has serious consequences. Let's break away from the high school bullshit about John being offended by whatever Joe said about Jane.

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Broderick Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-06-10 06:17 PM
Response to Original message
1. One can
be offended by anything given the chance.
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Number23 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-06-10 06:18 PM
Response to Original message
2. Thanks for this, USAP. John Aravosis gives bloggers, the Internet and the English language
Edited on Wed Oct-06-10 06:19 PM by Number23
a bad name. He affirms the notion that absolutely anyone (no matter how ill-informed or just hateful) can be a blogger and that the information contained within blogs should be read with a huge dose of skepticism.
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Spazito Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-06-10 06:30 PM
Response to Original message
3. It certainly is clear Mr. Aravosis did not provide any of the transcript...
because if he had he could not have published something so deliberately misleading as was done.

Thanks for providing the FACTS on this, it is much appreciated.

Recommended.
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HuckleB Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-06-10 06:35 PM
Response to Original message
4. Kick And Rec!
:hi:
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derby378 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-06-10 06:44 PM
Response to Original message
5. Rendell clearly hasn't seen THE POWER OF NIGHTMARES
His comments are a symptom of a much larger problem - the idea that voters, instead of being encouraged to vote by the promise of a better tomorrow, are being scared into voting by the promise of terrible nightmares if they do not.

This is not to say that teabaggers aren't planning dark days for America; rest assured that they are. But Rendell's best argument for appeasing Democratic dissatisfaction with the Obama administration and Congress appears to be "sit down and shut up," as thought the Democratic insiders are thoroughly unwilling to learn from their past mistakes and deliver real, substantial change for the American people.
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USArmyParatrooper Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-06-10 06:51 PM
Response to Reply #5
6. Oh please
From: Well point number one, this isn't about President Obama. I mean, he's out there campaigning and I think he's lately done a pretty good job of it. But this isn't about him, it's about whether the Democratic party - not perfect - but certainly bent on trying to preserve progressive theories in government and progressive practices - is going to be in charge of the Congress, or the Republican party. And it's not the Republican party of old, this is a scary Republican party. So we ought to get over it, and if we've got some issues with President Obama save them for another day. This is about the Congress of the United States turning control, as you said Lawrence, of that co-equal branch over to a bunch of people who are more and more increasingly influenced by what I call the wacko wing of the Republican party. And if that's not enough to motivate Democrats - if that's not enough to scare the be-jabbers out of them - it ought to be. Because this could be an enormously destructive election for the United States.

You read to mean, "Sit down and shut up"? You're reading what you want to read.

I fully agree that the Democrats need to start touting their positive legislative accomplishments, of which there are many. But this latest narrative of "OMG I'm so offended! He's mocking me! He just told me to shut up!" seriously makes me want to barf. Most of this crap only comes from those who have an incurable case of Obama Derangement Syndrome.
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derby378 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-06-10 06:57 PM
Response to Reply #6
8. Here's a list of what Obama has done RIGHT so far
He signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, extending the statute of limitations for filing a sexual discrimination lawsuit against an employer.

He overturned the Reagan-era "Mexico City Policy" that denies funding to international family planning groups that offer abortion services.

He endorsed the United Nations declaration on gay rights and lifted the ban on HIV+ immigrants.

He ordered the military to allow women in uniform access to the "morning-after" pill.

He has begun reversing the Bush administation policy against stem-cell research.

He extended partnership benefits to Federal employees in same-sex relationships.

He gave transgendered Federal employees protection against discrimination.

He allowed states to enact higher carbon standards that exceed those of the Federal government.

He directed the EPA to classify excessive carbon dioxide in the atmosphere as a health hazard.

He cancelled the obsolete F-22 fighter project.

He gave immigrants the right to legal counsel in hearings.

He shut down the T. Don Hutto Detention Center, a private prison in Texas designed to house immigrant families, including small children.

He negotiated a new START treaty with Russia.

He expanded children's access to health care.

He signed the Tribal Law and Order Act, which is designed to combat substance abuse and domestic violence on reservations.

All of these accomplishments are indeed commendable, and President Obama deserves our thanks for all of these - but there is still a world of work to be done on jobs, healthcare reform, the environment, etc.
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USArmyParatrooper Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-06-10 07:02 PM
Response to Reply #8
9. That's an interesting list
The Democrats have done a great deal more than that, but in fairness it would be impossible for one person to compile everything. Yours included a few things that weren't even on my radar.

Veterans issues is definitely an important one for me.

* Increased the Veterans Administration budget to recruit and retain more mental health professionals

* Fully Fully funded the Veterans Administration

* Assure that the Veterans Administration budget is prepared as 'must-pass' legislation

* Expand the Veterans Administration's number of "centers of excellence" in specialty care

* Create a 'Green Vet Initiative' to promote environmental jobs for veterans

* Passed the 21st Century GI Bill
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derby378 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-06-10 07:05 PM
Response to Reply #9
11. My father-in-law is a WWII vet, too
I fear his health is slipping away, so these benefits may not have been enacted in time to restore his quality of life, but there are so many veterans out there who still need help. Desperately.
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USArmyParatrooper Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-06-10 07:13 PM
Response to Reply #11
12. I'm still in. My father-in-law is a retired Vietnam vet
He was former Special Forces. Has the Silver Star, Bronze Star, the Soldiers Medal, and three Purple hearts. He's also on 100% disability and has a serious case of PTSD. If he wasn't so up there in age I would be afraid of the guy!

I've done two tours in Iraq but I doubt anything I went through even remotely compares to the shit the Vietnam and WWII vets had to go through.
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TreasonousBastard Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-06-10 07:36 PM
Response to Reply #6
16. I wonder just how much touting we can do..
since there are a lot of "undecideds" and otherwise noncommitted types out there who are getting the message that whatever we've been doing has been some terrible stuff.

Maybe we screwed up our sales pitch from the getgo, but it seems kinda tough at this point to brag about what is being sold by the other side as socialism, and worse.

(A little late in the game to argue that not much of it is socialist, and what's wrong with a little socialism anyway?)



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USArmyParatrooper Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-06-10 07:44 PM
Response to Reply #16
18. IMO the way you go about it is to get away from platitutes and tout the specifics.
For example, with health care reform don't talk about "Obama care"

Talk about the specifics of what just went into effect:

_Young adults can remain on family health plans until they turn 26.

_Free immunization provided for kids.

_Free preventive care provided, such as mammograms and cholesterol screenings.

_No more lifetime coverage limits, and annual limits start to phase out.

_Plans can't cancel coverage for people who get sick.

_No denial of coverage for kids with pre-existing health conditions.

Talk about everything the Democrats has done for veterans! Why haven't the Dems been honing in on this one? Taking care of veterans is very popular.

Talk about disallowing credit card companies from raising your rates without advanced notice, and how they can no longer raise your rates on what you already owe.

There are all kinds of things the Democrats can hone in on.
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TreasonousBastard Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-06-10 08:05 PM
Response to Reply #18
19. Good points, and that's the way I would tend to approach it, but...
nobody actually running for office is.

Think they might know something we don't?

FWIW, on primary day last month I ran into a teabagger, a very proud teabagger, who hadn't been terribly active until he got on that bandwagon. Now, he's working his ass off for the Republicans and is on a mission. The tea thing has hit a nerve in that part of the population and whatever strange message they have is taking hold.
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BzaDem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-06-10 07:32 PM
Response to Reply #5
15. What's wrong with appealing to fear?
Edited on Wed Oct-06-10 07:33 PM by BzaDem
If people truthfully should have something to fear from a Republican government, wouldn't articulating that truth to the MAXIMUM extent possible be a GOOD thing? How could it be considered anything other than a good thing?
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Diane R Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-06-10 06:54 PM
Response to Original message
7. Very good.
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JNelson6563 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-06-10 07:04 PM
Response to Original message
10. There it is!
The bottom line, elections matter.

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azmouse Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-06-10 07:18 PM
Response to Original message
13. K&R
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Name removed Donating Member (0 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-06-10 07:30 PM
Response to Original message
14. Deleted message
Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.
 
JNelson6563 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-06-10 07:39 PM
Response to Reply #14
17. I suspect you are correct.
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TreasonousBastard Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-06-10 08:06 PM
Response to Reply #17
20. So correct that they deleted my post.
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JNelson6563 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-06-10 08:29 PM
Response to Reply #20
22. Yes, I see that!
Oh dear! Been a bit of a rough evening at DU.

Julie
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POAS Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-06-10 08:07 PM
Response to Reply #14
21. +1 n/t
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anAustralianobserver Donating Member (440 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-06-10 09:17 PM
Response to Original message
23. I like how he described the importance of this election, but as O'Donnell is saying—supporters can
Edited on Wed Oct-06-10 09:48 PM by anAustralianobserver
do 2 things at once. "...save them for another day" is dismissive and carpet under-sweepy.

I think the most motivating message (as some here have suggested)—is go out and vote Dem for these reasons:

1. keep the Republicans out
2. don't let the Dem leadership off the hook
3. don't give up hope for real change with the Dem party just yet
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Hekate Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-06-10 11:26 PM
Response to Original message
24. Kick and Rec
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AtomicKitten Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-06-10 11:45 PM
Response to Original message
25. Thanks for posting this.
Edited on Wed Oct-06-10 11:54 PM by AtomicKitten
Ferreting out the truth is exhausting and I sure appreciate you taking the time to do it. It's really a damn shame that context-less misinformation is allowed to stink up the boards. Bravo.

K&R
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Touchdown Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-07-10 01:27 AM
Response to Original message
26. Every time I think I see the bottom of the rabbit hole...
It's a mirage.
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Hekate Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-07-10 02:05 AM
Response to Original message
27. Kick
:kick:


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Scurrilous Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-07-10 05:22 AM
Response to Original message
28. Thanks USArmyParatrooper.
K & R :thumbsup:
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The Uncola Donating Member (519 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-07-10 07:54 AM
Response to Original message
29. So..
Edited on Thu Oct-07-10 07:55 AM by The Uncola
.. if our elected representatives don't want us to speak up during the time when their job is on the line, exactly when would be a more convenient time for them when they will actually LISTEN AND DO SOMETHING TO ADDRESS OUR PRESSING NEEDS and not just those of the owners of the multinational corporations and the banksters? Sure hasn't happened in the last two years.

Wanna shut me up? All it would take is a decent paying job and the self-respect that comes with it. Till that happens, this fucking wheel IS damn sure gonna keep squeaking.
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SidDithers Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-07-10 10:33 AM
Response to Original message
30. K&R...
Facts are good.

Sid
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NJmaverick Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-07-10 10:56 AM
Response to Original message
31. K & R!
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