2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014

[WilliamPitt]

I see so many threads about who is or isn't or should or shouldn't run for president in 2016.

The fuck I give about who's running for president in 2016 is so small, it cannot be measured by any means known to science. The fuck I give is so small, it only exists in theory, like a quark or a superstring.

2014, people. Get your heads in the game.

90% of the reason shit is so fucked up right now is because everyone - well-meaning people, too - get all "Ermahgerd, presidential race!" and completely forget that almost all the government we have to deal with gets elected during the midterms...and 30% turnout (with 80% of that coming from far-righties who ALWAYS VOTE) = the current miserable situation in the House of Representatives = the current miserable state of the nation.

Fuck 2016. It'll come when it comes.

In the meantime, all politics is local, and happening next year.

Heads in the game, folks.

[OldDem2012]

1. Bingo. Dead on. nt.

[bigtree]

2. Senate, Senate

etc.

[onehandle]

3. What does this have to do with 2016?

But now that you've brought it up, let's talk about 2016.

I say give President Jimmy Carter a well-deserved second term.

[Life Long Dem]

105. It has to do with 2014 coming before 2016.

It's a math thing.

[Ninga]

4. Hear, hear! I strongly believe that SWOT assessment conducted in the political

environment of TODAY, focused only on 2014 is critical..and in some races, may already be too late.

To live too far in the future, or measure today against the past, is to be tone deaf of the actual, and real time political environment of today.

[99Forever]

5. Welllllll...

... perhaps in those we put in office during Presidential election years would actually follow thru with the promises they made, there might be stronger support and turn out for them in the mid-terms, eh Mr Pitt?

I know, I know...

... what a totally wacko concept. We all know it 's those gawdamn dirty hippy liberals fault when the totally awesome Dems get their ass handed to them, it couldn't possibly have anything to do with what THEY do or don't do when they take office.

[nevergiveup]

6. yeah, stay home in 2014....

that'll show'em.

[99Forever]

7. Uh huh...

... that's exactly what I said.... uh huh... uh huh... uh huh....


Some people NEVER learn.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

10. Boycotting voting is a really dumb idea.

If you want to vote against Democratic Party nominees, just say say and do so. Not voting is as good as a vote for the Republicans because they tend to be more committed voters, especially in mid-terms.

[99Forever]

12. Assume much?

Or do you always make it a practice to just make shit up to spew?

[Bernardo de La Paz]

15. I assume you plan to not vote in 2014 (from your post), and I know that helps the Republicans.

I assume you plan to not vote in 2014 (from your post), and I know that helps the Republicans.

If you do plan to vote in 2014 (contrary to your post), then I make no assumption about your vote. You might vote Democratic or you might vote Republican.

You can clarify this all, and you can do it without the personal attack.

The idea (not you, but the idea) of boycotting voting is really dumb. But you don't address the idea in preference to making things personal. Get back to a discussion of ideas and leave the personal shit out. It's the DU way.

[99Forever]

32. And you would be dead fucking wrong,wrong, wrong.

I haven't missed a vote in 42 years. The issue is WHY other Liberals and Progressives stay home in the mid-terms. I spoke to the issue. You liking what I have to say about it, means jack squat to me. YOU made it personal, not I, so whine away if you must. I'm done with your distraction.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

16. And leave off the "have you stopped beating your wife" type of questions.

[Arkana]

51. So you're not going to vote for elected representatives because Obama did something you didn't like?

Jesus Christ, REALLY?

You know why people engage in hippie-punching? Because they make it so goddamn easy.

You're on your high horse all day every day, screaming about purity and how the President has betrayed us because he hasn't legalized weed/eats burgers instead of tofu/talks to his political enemies. You scream and moan about the smallest parts of the liberal agenda while ignoring the fact that if we don't get the bigger pieces, NOTHING ELSE WILL FUCKING MATTER.

I'm not disputing your right to be angry with Obama or any amount of elected Democrats or liberals or who the fuck else. He's done some things to piss me off too--hell, government transparency was one of the big reasons I voted for him, and he's let me down big time on that front. But in our first-past-the-post political system, I look at the two major parties and I see one group trying to govern and the other trying to burn everything down and piss on the ashes. What choice do you think I make?

Yes, that's right. I protest, I wave signs, I criticize--BUT I VOTE.

And do you know why? Because if you don't fucking vote, YOU DON'T GET TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO REPRESENT YOU.

[99Forever]

66. Learn to read for comprehension and get back to me.

In the meantime, have a blast kicking that strawman's ass.

[Arkana]

77. Reading comprehension, eh?

"... perhaps in those we put in office during Presidential election years would actually follow thru with the promises they made, there might be stronger support and turn out for them in the mid-terms, eh Mr Pitt?"

To any sane person this would infer that "real" liberals just won't vote in off-year elections because the President didn't do something they wanted him to do. It's not a strawman, it's a logical conclusion. Whether it was your intent or not is irrelevant--you failed to make that clear.

[xtraxritical]

86. You're dense arn't you?

[Dryvinwhileblind]

104. ^^^^^^^^BOOM^^^^^^^^

[xtraxritical]

116. Yo

[Cha]

123. I'm thinking you're dense for asking Arkana that very question. n/m

[99Forever]

89. The choices are to face the truth or pretend...

... it's something else. My life experience tells me that if you want to fix something, first you have to honestly assess what the problem is. This is the exact same crap that went on in the lead up to the '08 debacle. If this doesn't fit Einstein's definition of insanity, nothing does.

Proceed.

Go ahead and "infer" any fucking thing you care to.

[Cha]

122. yeah, it worked so well in 2010. Too bad.. we've got big plans

to get out the vote in 2014 and those who want to stay home and sit on their thumbs again ..feeling all self satified have no room to whine about anything.

But, of course, they will.

[tavalon]

130. One has little to do with the other, actually

[99Forever]

132. You honestly believe what...

... politicians do once in office has "little to do" with how many people support and vote for them in subsequent elections? Really? How'd that philosophy work out in 2010?

[joshcryer]

133. The President isn't a dictator.

[99Forever]

135. Did anyone say he was?

Another ridiculous excuse for not even trying and making false promises during campaigning.

[joshcryer]

138. He's followed through with every promise in his power.

He made promises during election time which required Congress. Are those false promises? Probably. But that's politics for you. I've never heard of a President refusing to make promises that require Congress to act. Their portfolio of "things they want to get done" would be slim to none.

[99Forever]

139. You have your opinion and other people don't agree with you.

If you think you can browbeat people into buying what they know isn't true, you sir, are in for a rude awakening. Clearly, that mindset worked so very well in 2010, didn't it, joshcryer.

Like it or not, people, especially REAL liberals, aren't nearly as gullible as Corpodems might like believe. But go right ahead and try that authoritarian and listing of "reasons nothing can be done for us ungrateful peons" nonsense on us again and wait for the results.

[joshcryer]

140. Cite me some examples where I'm wrong.

I'll refute each case because the legislative history of the congresses is easy enough to look at.

I am only stating facts. If I am ignorant of some area where Obama could have acted on a promise but chose not to, I would be fully willing to listen.

Note: Obama promised to stay in Iraq until troop draw down and to increase troops in Afghanistan. Yes, that was a campaign promise. Which he kept.

[99Forever]

141. Been done to death.

Not going down the rabbit hole. Been there, done that. Complete waste of time and energy. There is no changing a closed mind.

[joshcryer]

142. Once simple citation is all that's needed.

You don't provide one because you can't. And I challenge you thusly because I am extremely confident you can't. Yes, we've been down this road, and yes many people put too much onus on the President to get stuff done. He's not a dictator. And people still don't understand that.

By 2016 we may have the best progressive ever running for President. A new FDR. If said person doesn't have the Congress every promise (outside of military usage) they make will be bunk. The President's power is militarily unlimited, everywhere else the President is effectively powerless. We don't have decree powers for Presidents.

[99Forever]

143. Alrighty then...

... didn't really want to go there, but since you are being insulting about it, here ya go smartguy, just for starters:

http://www.businessinsider.com/9-campaign-promises-that-obama-has-broken-2012-3?op=1

[joshcryer]

145. Nice, you prove my point pretty well.

Super PACs are the only thing on that link that Obama could've arguably failed of his 2008 campaign promise. But I don't seem to recall Super PACs being part of his 2012 promises. New election, new strategy.

Closing Gitmo? Congress. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/29/harry-reid-guantanamo_n_2576274.html

Bush Tax Cuts? Congress. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_fiscal_cliff

Cap and trade? Congress. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126280761

Excise tax on tobacco? OK, that was Obama, but that's a right wing talking point. Written by none other than John Kartch from FOX News and supported equally by Democrats and Republicans. It depends on how you look at it whether it was a "tax hike." Quit smoking, no tax hike.

Quiet on DOMA? Yeah, OK. http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/02/23/172767887/obama-administration-urges-supreme-court-to-rethink-doma

Endorses the goal of sending men to the moon = actually saying he was going to do it?

What the hell is up with this source?

Healthy Families Act? Congress. http://thinkprogress.org/tag/healthy-families-act/

Immigration reform? Stalled in congress (Obama gets slighted for not magically "getting to it" in the first year?): http://www.schumer.senate.gov/new_website/record.cfm?id=314990

[99Forever]

146. You asked. I answered.

Now you use the usual blue link excuses. Exactly as it always is.

What you just can't seem to get thru your skull, is that you can play this silly "my team is perfect, their team is evil" game till your fingers bleed, and people are STILL going to vote and support or not vote and not support based on the perception they have seen with their own eyes of who ACTUALLY FIGHTS FOR WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO THEM and who, once in office, does not. If that simple, basic FACT of reality doesn't sink in to you, then there is nothing that will. Believe whatever the fuck you please, but don't come whining to me when "The Blue Team" gets handed it's ass in 2014 by "The Red Team."

Wearing blinders only gets one blind-sided, as such, I'll pass on further conversation with you. Have a nice weekend.

[joshcryer]

148. "Blue link excuses." No. Facts.

Use your canned talking points and deflection, you proved little.

And used a right wing talking point to boot, quoting a FOX News reporter.

Funny that.

It's all on Congress, I know you don't like to accept it, but that's just how it is. It's convenient that you can blame the President for everything, but it's silly at best.

[99Forever]

144. What?

No more snarky retorts after having your insulting nonsense shown for what it is?

I said it before and I'll say it again, some people NEVER learn.

[joshcryer]

149. I have other things to do.

To expect a "snarky retort" is rich coming from someone who says something as preposterous as "blue link excuses" to deflect from the fact that the vast majority of those links were to actions stalled or blocked or otherwise manipulated by Congress, and at least one link is to a right wing FOX News commentator.

Nope, I just posted you the facts, sorry that the facts and your reality are so opposed to one another.

[99Forever]

150. Thanks, for once again...

... proving to me, beyond any doubt, that trying to have a conversation with someone who has a closed mind, is an exercise in futility. Happy trails, buddy.

[joshcryer]

151. When someone posts a FOX News reporter...

...I tend to not take them credibly much anyway.

[99Forever]

154. I care ...

... fuckall what your opinion is of me. You asked the question, in fact, you insulted me for not wanting to go there, so I answered. Now you are all butthurt and defensive when proved to be full of shit. So, run along and try your baiting horseshit with someone who cares what you think.

[joshcryer]

155. I proved to be completely accurate.

And you couldn't refute what I said without blustering about "blue links." How the fuck else am I to rebuff your banalities?

The reason you were hesitant to attempt to rebuff me is that you know from past experience that this is a dud of an argument. Indeed, you had to resort to right wing sources to prove your pitiful point (as is usually the case with delusional Obama detractors).

The President isn't a dictator and most of the power outside of military power falls to the Congress. Bully pulpit or not that's the reality. Thanks to the gerrymandering by the Republicans we probably won't get power back until 2022 if then.

[99Forever]

159. You "proved" you aren't..

... capable of having an honest conversation. Good bye, you're gone, forever.

[joshcryer]

160. Thanks for the favor.

Anyone can read the discussion and see it is me who was correct. Your thin skin doesn't change that.

Another dishonest poster I don't have the joy of having to repeatedly rebut.

[riverwalker]

8. amen n/t

[we can do it]

9. Thank you

[Bernardo de La Paz]

11. 2014 is a chance to turn over the House to Democratic & reinforce the "GOP out of touch" message. nt

[trumad]

13. = 201,400

[WilliamPitt]

14. LOL

[davidthegnome]

17. Oh I'll be there

I'm just not terribly excited about it. Campaign finance reform is absolutely necessary if we are going to see real progressive change - and with the supreme court firmly on the side of greed and stupidity, I can't really see much reason to be hopeful. I'll keep voting for democrats, because they remain, to an extent, the lesser of two evils. I'm just rather cynical about it. I'd love the opportunity to vote for people who aren't rich jerks, who don't have millions of dollars, who aren't more likely to serve corporate America than real America.

I know, keep dreaming...

[caseymoz]

18. Thanks. K&R

[Roy Rolling]

19. obsession

Of course the election is important, but obsessing over elections to the point of diminishing the importance of good governance is the problem. Elections only deal with the symptoms, Governing so that problems are effectively solved makes an election that much easier to win.

Simply focusing on elections is the game Republicans want everyone to play----so that good government becomes lost in the background noise. If Democrats want to win elections, they should focus on programs that effectively govern.

And, of course, there will always be Republican opposition. How to overcome stall tactics is a sign of an effective leader.

[WilliamPitt]

21. "...they should focus on programs that effectively govern..."

...but they can't govern if they don't win elections.

I can walk and chew gum at the same time.

[AlbertCat]

49. Voting is only dealing with symptoms????

I thought it was dealing with good & bad legislatures.... that make law. Congress (as in both houses) MAKE LAWS.... not the Prez.

[antigop]

20. Good luck with that...the "inevitability" meme is alive and well on DU. nt

[valerief]

22. What you said!!! It's Congress that's killing us. nt

[davidn3600]

23. Other than a watered-down healthcare bill, what did the Democrats do from 2008 to 2010?

Practically nothing. Wall Street was bailed out. No investigations of the Bush administration. No investigations of the big banks for the mortgage mess.

Like the old saying goes...the more things change the more they stay the same. Even if the Democrats find a way to take the House in 2014, I'm not expecting much to be done. When the Democrats finally get control, a number of the moderates become scared and start voting with the GOP.

[WilliamPitt]

27. You're right. I give up.

<-----------------------------------------------------------------

[iandhr]

31. They did a lot

LETS SEE


Ended DADT Heath care for 9/11 workers, Expanded AmericaCore, Lily Ledbetter Act, A nuclear arms treaty with Russia. Just to name a few things.

And on the subject of a "watered down health care bill."

I have had five operations in the past two years. I have healthcare because I was able to stay on my parents plan. So to millions of others.

To say nothing got done is just plan wrong.

Dems ran for the hills in 2010 because we didn't have their backs.

[MrSlayer]

112. They aren't scared, they're bought off.

That's why nothing ever gets done. You can bet your ass that if the GOP had 60 senate votes and a majority in the House it would be All John Birch all the time.

[chknltl]

118. I carefully payed the closest undivided attention to FOX NEWS and I have to conclude that:

This world, she is indeed round... but not round like a basketball NO!!1! I now know that this good Earth is round like a Dominoes Pizza!

(A view not subscribed to here in the Democratic Underground! I know... weird huh?)

[Cha]

124. There's this little thing called Google..

Updated and Expanded List of 212 Obama Accomplishments, With Citations

http://pleasecutthecrap.typepad.com/main/what-has-obama-done-since-january-20-2009.html

Oh, and we just got the VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=2474516

And, two great Supreme Court Judges!

[joshcryer]

134. They didn't have a majority, for one.

Al Franken wasn't seated and Ted Kennedy died.

There was only a period of 49 days where we had a filibuster proof Senate.

Most of which that time Ted Kennedy was on his death bed.

[GoCubsGo]

147. Awwwww!

Why did you have to go and ruin a perfectly good talking point with the facts?

[bluedigger]

24. Focus on the present, plan for the future.

My head is in the game, and it's a long game. The winners and losers of 2014 will determine the outcome of 2016.

[Honest_Abe]

59. This!

The Republicans have spent 30 years moving this country farther and farther to the right. It will take years of concerted, constant effort to get it moving straight again.

[Android3.14]

25. Query

What, specifically, is the unit of measure for fuck?

[JNelson6563]

26. THANK YOU!

I marvel that there are DUers who actually seem to think the only election that matters is for the WH.

We are so screwed in so many states! DUers, get up and get busy with 2014!!

Julie

[nadinbrzezinski]

28. I have said this in the past

And good luck you getting the point across.

[MADem]

29. Thanks for iterating that important point. nt

[ewagner]

30. Ding, ding ding...we have a winner!!!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=291555

[JustAnotherGen]

33. Even better

It's two years until 2014.

I don't want to have to wait for ANYTHING because we might 'lose the house' or 'senate' in 2014.

That's the problem here - we are so caught up in elections that we forget the activism and PARTICIPATION in the government we currently have.

The constant 'electioneering' is destroying our political process in America.

[WilliamPitt]

35. ...says the DUer who has one of the best electioneers in history as their avatar.

Can't govern if you don't win.

Walk + chew gum.

[fadedrose]

40. Who is zat guy he has as avatar?

And I've asked you before, who is the guy you have as yours? Several people have him and the only thing he brings to mind is the actor who lost Doris Day to another actor in an an old movie..?

And somehow, you don't fit in the Doris Day fan category...

[WilliamPitt]

46. The only place I know him from

is from this internet meme:



...which is always helpful when conversations get...well...dumb.

Our friend above has FDR has his avatar (in case you were really asking).

[fadedrose]

55. I thought it was FDR because of the top hat

Only worn by Kennedy at his inauguration as the only other person I've seen wear one (who didn't live in England).

But it is not a good picture of FDR, who I loved as a little kid, and appreciate him more and more as I grew older.

Yours sort of reminds me of Jack Carson, who was in a lot of Doris Day-type movies, which I loved and never missed one. It's not him, but there's a resemblance.

[JustAnotherGen]

58. I'm a woman

A 40 year old black woman - recently married for the first time in April.


You know - as good as my life is - I'm a big concerned about ohhhh - silly little things - like not getting sent to the back of the bus and having to go on a blind date with Jim Crow even though I'm married.

I worry about my mother falling into the health care donut hole in a few years.

I worry that my nephews will go on vacay to Florida and get their heads blown off.

I worry about a lot things - and if others would stop worrying about 2014 or 2016 we might be able to get at least the shit that IMPACTS black folks wrapped up WHILE we have a black President.

I've seen a few posts about Bill Clinton's approach on DOMA. And I agree with him. And he should be ashamed of himself for his approach in the 1990's. But I would hate to have to NOT do something to SECURE my civil rights and liberties because if we make sure black women can still vote in 2016 it might mean that we don't get to have Hillary for President. WilliamPitt - I love what you right and I know you are teasing . . .


But that man in my avatar made things just a little bit better for people in America - wouldn't you agree?
As did LBJ?

And Obama could make sure those things just get BETTER instead of going away if we could keep our eyes on an attainable prize.

[fadedrose]

61. Not "yes," but HELL YES...

To mimic Boener, and answer your question -

"But that man in my avatar made things just a little bit better for people in America - wouldn't you agree? " -

But I disagree in one thing. It wasn't just a "little bit."

He's the best case for cloning I've ever seen.

[JustAnotherGen]

54. Yeah!

But he did stuff when he wasn't 'running'. He just did it. Even though it put a huge bullseye on his back - he did stuff.

And you know what?

America did stuff. They knew the economy was bad and they - the people in America got up and said - let's change this shit and worry about 1936, and 1940, and 1944 later.

We did really REALLY big stuff.


Maybe the real end of America is just playing politics - and never getting another big thing done? Terribly sad if that's the case.

[Dawgs]

82. Maybe you should read your OP again before talking about 'walking and chewing gum'. n/t

[lastlib]

45. We do need both! Participation AND campaigning!

without one or the other, we weaken ourselves, and strengthen the forces of evil (conservatism).

[MineralMan]

34. Now there's something I can heartily DU Rec.

2014 is the issue right now. We can take control of the House and increase our majority in the Senate in 2014, if we're willing to do the hard work needed.

[AtheistCrusader]

36. Quarks can be proven to exist.

[fadedrose]

37. Don't just vote in 2014 - contribute to your local candidate or DFA

DFA helps dems in smaller races that count big. My district was gerrymandered and we got screwed with Candice Miller. We used to have David Bonior, who was also House Leader, and he did a good job.

Even if you can just contribute less than $20, do it.

[hfojvt]

38. thank you

that is what I often say or think.

However, since GD is a national board, it is sorta hard to have a national discussion about some Congressional candidate or other, except for Grayson or Kucinich. Right now, those of us who live in districts with incumbent Republicans do not even know who our candidates will be, or sometimes if we will even have candidates. http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002798703

Last time, we had no candidates in the 1st and the 3rd. This time I will run in one of those races if nobody else does. Like any other candidate, I would get slaughtered in the Big Red One, but at least there will be a candidate.

[treestar]

39. Recommended a zillion times

Seventy zillion zillion.

[lastlib]

41. K & R +2014!!!!

2014.
2014.
2014.
(Breathe.)
2014.
2014.
2014.
(Breathe.)
2014.
2014.
2014.
(Breathe.)
2014.
2014.
2014.
(Breathe.)
.........lather, rinse, repeat.

This is all that matters right now, people. If we don't work our asses off to get the House back, we are shooting ourselves in multiple appendages, and it's going to hurt. Sitting back (or sitting out) is absolutely insane.

[kardonb]

42. 2014

is it at all possible to express your opinions without using bathroom language ? The English
language is so rich , the f and s words are getting a bit boring and overworked .

[WilliamPitt]

47. No.

But thanks.

[mountain grammy]

43. yes 2014. we busted our butts to bring Dems and sanity to the Co. statehouse in 2012.

it will take more work to keep us blue. Thats the prize get the state legislatures out of GOP hands and turn the House back to a Democratic majority. We can do this. We must vote. Get off your high horses and get to work.

[Eleanors38]

44. True 'nuff. ^^^

[talkingmime]

48. The first thing I thought of was "scratched record". I've fixed vinyl with a sewing needle.

You can take out the scratches if you're careful and end up with a small "pop" every 20 seconds.

But yes, you are correct. The midterm elections determine who is in control and Democrats don't turn out in sufficient numbers. I'll be there.

[SunSeeker]

50. K&R

[AlbertCat]

52. You are correct sir....

.... about everything...

except I don't think quarks are a theory.

[Liberal_Dog]

53. Bravo!!

A hearty K & R.

[PADemD]

56. 2014 is important in PA

We have the chance to be rid of Gov Corbett.

[MindPilot]

57. Yeah! Remember that Democratic sweep in 2006?

And how the Democrats ended the war in Iraq, rescinded the PATRIOT act, brought banksters and war criminals to justice?

I don't either.

The only question to be answered is if you want your corporate overlords to have a D or an R after their name. It is true that a blue corporate overlord is marginally better than a red one, but anyone who believes this shit is going to fixed at the ballot box--or fixed at all for that matter--is probably using some good drugs and they are obligated to share.

[OnyxCollie]

83. +1. nt

[joshcryer]

137. The Senate was split 49-49.

With no filibuster proof majority which led to a record breaking culture vote.

What have conservatives obstructed this year? Here's just a partial list:

-- Ending the disastrous occupation of Iraq.

-- Providing health insurance to millions more kids.

-- Empowering Medicare to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices.

-- Taking away handouts to Big Oil so we can invest in renewable energy.

-- Repealing the effective ban on embryonic stem cell research.

-- Investing more in health research.

-- Making it easier for workers to join unions.

-- Investing more in fighting poverty and training workers.

The 110th United States Congress did set benchmarks for withdrawal from Iraq. But with the obstructionist conservatives in place, they couldn't get much more than that.

I know it's easy to say there's no difference, but with the right majorities we can see that there is a difference.

[graham4anything]

60. President Obama is doing that. First president ever to insure a neat and tidy 50year continuation

after he leaves office.

Too bad the protesters in mock protest ruined things in 2010.

The Democratic party did not lose in 2010.
The people that stayed home in mock protest, or didn't realize how important it was,
just like the Nader voters in 2000, threw the election.

Which is why President Obama is on campaign mode 24/7/365, to do as Rush Limbaugh warned, "Annhiliate the repulbican party."

in the words of Jackie Gleason (who unfortunately was a Nixon supporter)..."HOW SWEET IT IS"

and 2016 is important in 2013 because it ensures a smooth, neat and tidy continuation of President Obama's two terms after he leaves office,
and 2016 insures, that President Obama becomes Supreme Court Justice Obama, so that President Obama will have direct power as Justice, to rule on all the things that
the Ralph Nader court now rules again.

Just think
President Obama, President Clinton, and Senate Leaders Reid and Warren
with Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House, and the US Supreme Court at 7 to 2 or 8 to 1
by 2024.

Continuation.
Working for the continuation of President Obama's agenda forever.
No retreat, no surrender, and no opposition.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

62. Not caring enough about 2010 got us into a huge mess.

Thanks to our collective apathy, what would on all accounts be nothing but a laughable fringe element (i.e. the Tea Party) was able to magnify its voting power thanks to many of us not caring or even staying home.

Thus explaining how complete and utter crazies such as Allen West and Joe Walsh were able to say they were--albeit briefly--members of the U.S. House of Representatives.

[ReRe]

63. Bravo! Bravo!! Bravo!!!

K&R

The President proposes, and the Congress disposes. It's great and wonderful and fine we have a Democratic President, and that we have been able to elect him twice. We know now that we can elect Democratic Presidents. Democratic Presidents are important in order to replace our aging right wing Supreme Court ACTIVIST Justices. But, what has happened to this country cannot be changed by the President alone.

What this country needs is a Democratic Congress like none that we have ever had in the history of this country. A Congress with kick-ass hearings, passing kick-ass legislation to clean up what the GD Republicans have wrought over the last 30-35 years in this country! Fuck everything else. We thought PO would be our FDR. He wasn't. What we need is a kick-ass Congress that will remembered till the end of time as the savior of this country, as FDR was remembered in his time, as President. A Congress of the People!!! NOT a Congress of the Corporations! A true peaceful all-encompassing revolution in our country led by the Congress!

We need to keep 2014 uppermost in our minds and work like we've never worked before to get a REAL group of Democrats in Congress in 2014. Not right-wing Democrats, not blue-dog Democrats. Real Democrats! We all need to be working our fingers to the bones, wearing out the rubber on our tennis shoes, creating little democratic election clubs and having meetings every week, speaking at Civic orgs, writing letters to the editor, everything we can think of in all of our districts all over this land. One thing I do know about Democrats is that they are NOT lazy. We get up, and we move and we do. We know how to GTVO!

2014! Con-gress. 2014! Con-gress. 2014! Con-gress. 2014! Con-gress. 2014! Con-gress. 2014!

[JDPriestly]

64. How hard I campaign in 2014 depends on how hard

Democrats work now to protect our Social Security and Medicare.

If they can't come through on that for us, I don't know whether I can come through for them again when it comes time to campaign in 2014.

It was hard for the rank-and-file Democrats to defend the American Care Act with much enthusiasm. Yes. It was better than nothing. But it wasn't what we needed. It isn't what we need now.

So, whether volunteers are ready to campaign full-force in 2014 will depend on the extent to which Obama caves. So far it doesn't look really promising.

[leftieNanner]

65. We Need Minimum Wage Bills on all 50 State Ballots!!

It's a fact that a minimum wage increase issue on the ballot drives people to the polls, and it increases Dem wins. We need to take back the House!

[oberliner]

67. Is the swearing really necessary?

Couldn't you make your point without the use of such language?

[WilliamPitt]

68. No.

[Cha]

125. Geeze.. that's two. How about just let

Will be Will?

[abelenkpe]

152. Really got the swear police in a tizzy didn't you?

Personally think more swearing and exclamation points are in order.

It was a mistake for dem candidates to not support one another more openly during the last election. We really need to win the house back and maintain the senate. Otherwise the house, which approves spending, will continue to block every effort to improve the economy and will actively work to make things worse.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

69. I ran into a right winger convinced Obama supporters are already dispersing....

They'll just fade away and the Republicans will hold the House and maybe take the Senate and the last two years of Obama's presidency will be spent in impeachment hearings.

[WilliamPitt]

70. Romney pollsters perchance?

[Spitfire of ATJ]

71. He DOES watch FOX "News"....

I swear,...this guy is convinced the minorities all came out, voted, and then ran off to watch soccer and basketball for four years and wont bother to vote if the Democrats run someone white.

[Cha]

126. Good.. they know nothing about

OFA.

[AllyCat]

72. It cannot come soon enough for Wisconsin. We are literally dying here

thanks to Walker kicking off thousands of families from BadgerCare. They now have no health care. He's plotting to destroy our environment with mining that will create jobs for...wait for it...the CHINESE!!!! We are nearing the bottom of states in job creation and actually, we have lost almost 16,000 jobs since he took office. He's stopped worker rights at the public level and now is trying to break us at the private level. Our kids are getting their educations hammered.

2014, I wish you were tomorrow.

[grahamhgreen]

73. All our political guidance should be asked like this: "Will chained CPI help or hurt us in 2014?"

The answers become obvious.

[Coolest Ranger]

74. Thank you

and stop worrying about what the President may or may not do. Get him a congress and a senate he can work with and stop being one issue voters.

[TheKentuckian]

106. At this point, who the President can work with isn't a metric I have any interest in

Because he wants to do lousy stuff. What we need is a Congress that will send him good legislation and rein his ass in.

In other words like a TeaPublKlan President you want to balance him with a Congress that will box him into doing the right thing on occasion ala Nixon.
You know the Congress that will say "shut your fucking piehole" when the "eat your peas" rolls out of his Pete Peterson influenced, Chicago Business School dominated mouth, will refuse to fund his right wing Education Deform policies, and will demand oversight of the Executive or face the big I word.

[Hekate]

75. Preach it, Will!

Amen, Brother.

[LiberalLovinLug]

76. I agree with this OP. But does the DLC?

I don't recall much furor to get out the vote in 2010. I'm not sure if its even technically possible to come out of the 2014 elections with a majority in the House and Senate, but if it was...does the DLC really want that? As it is, the "third way" Democrats that rule the roost seem content to play the Good Cop to the Republicans Bad Cop. Because in the end, they are both working to protect and serve the 1% above all else. The only difference is that the Good Cop will also throw in coffee and maybe a sandwich and speak more calm and rationally about fair treatment for everyone.

If a Democrat is in the White House AND he has a majority of both Senate and House there are no excuses left to give to their base. They may even have to address issues raised by the "fucking retarded" liberal wing. *gasp*!.......much to the detriment of their carefully crafted (hands off) relationships with Wall Street.

The 2010 elections were to me noticeable only in there un-noticeability. Sure it was the fault of Democratic voters not showing up, but there didn't seem to be much urgency given off by the leadership. There was no inspirational call to arms from President Obama. All I saw was the major networks showing predictions of an increase in GOP seats and not much argument from the Democrats about it, not much of a sense of urgency from the DLC. They seemed resigned to it, and so it gave off the impression of why-even-try to their base. I will wait to see if it is any different this time around.

I hope its all just a wild conspiracy theory, but either way, I agree with the OP. In that its so important to give Obama no excuses. To hand him the political capital whether he and the DLC wants it or not, and also as a final statement to the Baggers, Fundies, and Faux News Freepers to shut the hell up and stop claiming that you represent the 'real' America.

[Dawson Leery]

78. Certainly. The GOP is going to attempt to take the Senate.

That must not happen. We also must pick-up seats in the house.
Governorship races in PA/OH/MI/FL are going to be opportunities for Democrats.
Perhaps having two strong Democrats on the ticket in Michigan (Gov/Sen) will help with turnout.

[Zorra]

79. We got LGBT Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema, (D~AZ) elected here in Red Arizona.

Therefore, we can do almost anything.

Great reminder post, thanks!

Still...I just gotta say...Elizabeth Warren For President, 2016!!!


Senator Warren is a perfect example of the type of Democratic legislator I will strive to elect in 2014.

[0rganism]

80. 2014's going to be an uphill climb, for sure

To win back the house, we have to overcome some of the most effective gerrymandering I've ever seen.
To hold the senate, we have an even bigger hurdle to overcome - almost twice as many D's up for election as R's, a number of D's retiring, and the incumbent R's are from the deep south or places like Idaho where it's tough for a liberal to exist, let alone win a statewide election.

Add to that the ever-increasing paranoid fervor of rightwing firearm fiends, and we're looking at a daunting political landscape indeed.

We'll need every activist's wholehearted involvement just to tread water, but it's hard to gin up enthusiasm for what looks like a losing fight.

On the upside, if we win either house in 2014, our victory will be all the sweeter.

[DonCoquixote]

81. This thread canot get enough K and rs

indeed, I wonder if we should have a group dedicated to mid term elections...forgive me if there is one already

[Demo_Chris]

84. I am finding it hard to care

Right now the Democratic party has 253 members serving in both both houses of congress.

253 Democrats, and you probably cannot name a half-dozen who are passionately, reliably, and demonstrably liberal. Most of them don't even pretend to care about liberal causes and positions.

It's gotten so bad that the progressive caucus, the so-called hard left of the democratic party, refused to sign a pledge to defend social security. Fifteen years ago the GOP would have signed the thing, and today our "progressive" left recoils. Four years ago our party fought for the hyper-conservative heritage foundation insurance mandate plan, and today we are leading the charge to destroy social security. NO ONE is fighting harder to destroy it than the leader of our own party. He didn't even bother to wait until the inauguration to break six months of promises.

Which is why I am having a tough time getting motivated. I am a passionate, proud, and politically active liberal, and I am ready to give up. And that's scary. Because if I am feeling that way I know that others feel the same, and how in the hell are we going to motivate people to volunteer when our rallying cry might as well be:

"Diet GOP: Same great conservative taste and only half the crazy!"

[Duval]

96. Demo_Chris

I know how you feel. I've felt the same way time and again this past year. I always vote in every election and most of the time I'm out there campaigning and knocking on doors. Despite discouragement that our Democrats aren't very fired up, and, in fact NC does have Blue Dogs, I think we all should do as much as we can in the coming election. We need to keep trying to encourage people and educate them as to what is really going on.
Maybe in the next few weeks, some DUer will come up with good ideas and a RALLYING CRY!

[Duval]

97. WRP, actually

your cuss words echo my feelings! And your post serves as an excellent reminder for us all to "think" and stay active. Thank you.

[Cha]

127. That's okay.. we're going to do it without all those

who aren't willing to do the work.

[Demo_Chris]

131. We will have to n/t

[NYC_SKP]

85. K and R and Elizabeth Warren for President 2016

[Historic NY]

87. From the State House to the White House all elections are important.

All politics are local and its a local as its gets if you stay home...and whine later about the politics in DC, we need a Congress of Democrats not baggers.

From the State House to the White House

[Skittles]

88. AGREED

[patrice]

90. I want NEW blood in 2016; I hope to see some likelies in 2014, doesn't look like it though, the way

the same old divide and conquer seems to have such a deep hold, with people insulting otthers before they even make an effort to understand, or start with an honest question.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

91. Alan Alan Alan Alan Alan

[Blanks]

92. We need a democratic controlled congress in 2014...

To pass a jobs bill. If we don't get a jobs bill, the republicans will take control of the government completely in 2016.

All of this austerity talk will go away and there will be talk of stimulating the economy and they will get credit (the republicans), but they will try to stimulate the economy by rewarding the wealthy (again). It will work because the economy has been throttled back for so long.

Boehner's behavior makes the republican controlled house an easy target for takeover if the message is framed right.

Obama's hands are tied with Boehner and company. They got to go.

Forget 2016, if the republicans lose the house and the democrats keep the senate in 2014; any democrat can win in 2016.

[tabbycat31]

93. Let's worry about 2013 first

We have a US Senate seat (MA), two governors (NJ, VA), and two statehouses (NJ, VA).

Then we can talk 2014.

[WilliamPitt]

94. Cheers.

[Cha]

128. Oh, that's right.. I posted the two Gov Races but

completely forgot your Senate race in Mass!

The whole Nation will be eyeing that one!

[lame54]

95. 20,140

[philly_bob]

98. Perhaps it bears repeating: 2014! n/t

[spanone]

99. 2010 should have NEVER happened....never.

k&r

[Bucky]

100. NO way. I'm not wasting my vote on small elections. I'm waiting for something big & sexy

[timdog44]

101. Dead on WilliamPitt.

Everything is local. Politics, business, food. We all need to remember that and do that.

[aquart]

102. 2013. 2013. 2013. 2013. 2013.

ALEC owns this country because we didn't bother with small, local elections.

[sdfernando]

103. Here! Here! Here! Here!

I just don't understand for the life of me how anyone can brush off the most important and often only way to influence the way YOU are governed...and that applies to all levels of government. Once I turned 18 and was able to vote I was so happy and so proud to cast my ballot. I make sure to vote in every election. It is not a burden. I view it as a RESPONSIBILITY.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

107. Thanks for this post

Reality

[rhett o rick]

108. I am going to say that those on the left that I know are willing to fight

in 2014. We will be there knocking on doors and making phone calls just like 2010. I challenge the centrists, blue dogs, or whatever they call themselves today to get out and work this time. Or stay home and try to blame it on the left like last time.

[indepat]

109. Democrats are f*cked in 2014, imo, if the President's grand bargain with Republicans

includes reducing social security and/or Medicare benefits, for Republicans would likely rule the day in 2014. Reductions in these benefits would be particularly loathsome in view of the recently enacted tax cuts for those earning $250,000 to $450,000, all the while still taxing up to 85% of social security benefits, the ludicrous treatment of carried interest as if these were capital gains, the continued favorable tax treatment of dividends and capital gains which mostly go to the wealthy, and loopholes which permit large, highly profitable corporations to pay little or no Federal income taxes, sometimes for years.

[Blanks]

110. Again, not much can be done as long as we have a republican controlled house.

The president is limited by what comes out of the house.

2014.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

111. there you go again...telling us what the think and say and write. nt

[Martin Eden]

113. 4 years ago, what needed to be emphasized: 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010

Just look at the opportunities that have been wasted and the utterly fucked up dysfunctional bullshit with a House controlled by knuckle-dragging teabagging one percenter henchmen who have obstructed and will obstruct every attempt at progress since January 2011 and at least until January 2015.

Can we, CAN AMERICA, afford to let this go on into 2017 and who the fuck knows how much longer if we don't start winning every battle in every trenchant Congressional district RIGHT NOW??!!!

K&R for STATING THE PRIORITY

NOTHING gets done with Rethugs in control of the House.

[daybranch]

114. 2013, 2013, 2013...........

If you wait until 2014 to get involved, you wil have blown it. The tea party seized power by capturing the primaries. Progressives should do the same. If your dem organization are a laid back good ole boys and girls social club exhibiting little action, it is up to you to get it moving now, in the party if you can or outside if necessary.
If the repubs in your state legislature is busy enacting laws you despise, fight back in any legal effective way.
It is the time now to come to the aid of our country- for many unfortunately 2014 may be more than a liifetime away if we do not work now.
Lets get busy in Ohio to defeat Gerrymandering in 2013. This is vital to winning 2014 for the people.

[Egalitarian Thug]

117. So what about the Democrats that are enacting and supporting laws that I despise? What about the

entrenched party hacks that control every aspect of the state party mechanism that are actively excluding every progressive from any involvement at all?

[indivisibleman]

115. good point and well taken

Thanks

[eridani]

119. May I put in a word for 2013?

Odd-numbered years are when many municipal, county and service districts hold elections. If we get good progressive candidated elected to such positions, that's where our farm team for state and national offices comes from.

[paulkienitz]

120. this is why I said even in 2012 that congress is what matters

even more than the presidency

[Cha]

121. Hear Hear! And, this year the People of NJ and Virginia

are going to have their Gov Races. Hopefully we can win back the Governship in Virginia.. not hopeful about New Jersey.

Thanks for your little essay on 2014, Will

[tavalon]

129. Very good point

[marble falls]

136. The House and keeping the Senate is where it is.

[Hoops59]

153. WilliamPitt

Relax, check out cartoon showing GOP as Dinos, above them is a meteor labeled "Demographics". See ya, demographics will doom the GOP. This country ALWAYS embraced basic civil rights, we NEVER go backwards. The youth are very tolerant .

[KoKo]

156. If my state doesn't get our State Repug House & Senate Out...

It's isn't gonna' matter who is running for President or President in Four Years!

The Dem Push back is beginning. It's going to be tough work because we have ALEC and Art Pope plus other Repug Groups going for broke to ram through bills that only getting it overturned by putting anything but a Repug in Office to overturn their fascist crap which they are ramming through.

Some people here like to say that Dems didn't show up for 2010...but, they forgot the statistics that it's the "older folks" who consistently vote who show up for Mid-Term elections which are always way much lower in participation than the National Elections.

It was the Youth for Obama who didn't show up in my State in 2010 and it's important that the blame isn't on the registered voters in states who always vote in the local...but the One Timers who vote for President and in 2008 it was a particularly enthusiastic crowd who put Obama over the top....but, after that...what happened.

We need EVERYONE to vote in 2014 and it doesn't at this point matter in some states whether the candidates we Dems put up for election or support are Dem, Green, Indy, Socialist or Libertarian. We have to keep the Repug Think Tank/Corporatists and their Funded Action Groups OUT. They have done far too much damage with their money and control.

Thanks for this post Will...!

[great white snark]

157. Thank you and how the f&@k can an OP like this draw criticism?

You already killed META Will, please stop being so controversial in GD.

[WilliamPitt]

158. Me???

What did I do?