Reply #53: You don't have to think of the NRA as the enemy.

[Peak_Oil]

Why not think of them as a potential source of lots of voting leverage? What's so horrible about the NRA?

I have a feeling this is the tail wagging the dog. The NRA is a gun rights group. If you're a member of the party that's trying to ban guns, of course they're going to be against you. When you become the party that seeks more individual liberty for gun owners, guess which way the NRA is going to go?

Take control of the debate, don't simply react to RW talking points. Make up some of your own.

My next stance would be to actively support the right to Freedom of Speech and Assembly by explicily NOT having "free speech zones" and praising journalists who attack Democrats. Take the active position that I disagree with what you've said, but we have a right to freedom of speech here in this country and I'll defend your right to say whatever you want.

For now, though, I'll settle for taking up the banner on gun rights. We need to start winning elections, folks, or it's lights-out for the Dems.

Candidly, the Democratic party isn't the best fit for my personal political opinions. I think the Green party is. But, the Greens aren't really in a position to win anything on the Federal level right now. If the Dems take positions that are losers, then it doesn't make any difference to me anymore which party I cast my vote with. If both the Dems and Greens are going to drown again in 08, I'll vote my conscience and support Cobb.

But, if the Dems decide to do something that could actually win a friggin election then I'm here.