Pissed at President Obama? Feel Like Skipping 2014?

[MineralMan]

Think again. President Obama is not running in 2014. Turnout is likely to be low in the Congressional and Senate elections. If Democrats turn out in record numbers a majority in the House of Representatives is more than just possible. It's likely. At the same time, we'll also pick up a few more Senate seats.

A massive GOTV effort is what's needed. With a Democratic majority in both houses of Congress, anything is possible. Plus, there will be a benefit in state legislatures as well.

In my own state of Minnesota, I know of two house seats, currently held by Republicans, that are vulnerable. Check your own state. Odds are you have some districts like that, too.

But, what happens if Democratic voters don't bother to turn out in large numbers? The answer is not pretty. We could lose the Senate Majority and let the House Republican majority grow. I don't like what will happen to the country in that case.

2014 is a Congressional election year. President Obama is not running for anything. Your congressional representatives and a third of senators are running though. Who will win? It's up to us, really.

GOTV 2014! It's our only hope.

[arcane1]

1. Skipping 2014??? I'm more motivated for 2014 than ever!

[MineralMan]

2. Outstanding! nt

[ISW]

82. Same here, we really need to turn out a neuter these repukes!

[HowHasItComeToThis]

101. IS OBAMA AN UNDERCOVER REPUBLICAN

JUST WONDERING

[FiveGoodMen]

106. I used to think so

Now, I'd say it's beyond any doubt.

[grahamhgreen]

115. My conclusion: Yes.

[Warpy]

176. No he's a Wall Street Democrat

and he needs a Congress full of fire breathing liberal lions to counter him.

So yes, I am more motivated to GOTV in 2014 than less so.

[xtraxritical]

189. I still think the President controls the ball.

If Republicons reject this budget (which includes 98% of what they asked for) the President and Democrats can squarely lay the pain of sequester at their feet. If they further refuse to raise the debt ceiling this summer, after rejecting this offer, the Democrats can hammer home the theme of RepubliCON obstructionism. I hope this will be the denouement.

[Buzz Clik]

3. +1, MineralMan.

I quite honestly believe that a lot of the pot-stirring that feeds the fears and distrust of the DU demographic is created by those with the agenda of reducing turnout.

Some of our most veteran, trusted posters are upset with Obama, but this level of hysteria seems beyond the norm.

[MineralMan]

8. You may be right. I don't know.

However, I'm going to keep beating that GOTV drum right up to election day. That's a solemn promise.

If, in fact, there are those who are trying to suppress the vote in 2014 here, there are others who are trying to boost it.

[Buzz Clik]

12. You're the man. The MineralMan.

I'm beside you all the way.

Except when we disagree. Then, you're a slobbering dipsh*t.

[MineralMan]

19. Ain't that always the case?

Disagreement seems pretty common around here at times. That's what makes it worthwhile. I hate it when people agree with me too much.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

64. Excuse me, but I've never seen anyone disagree with you too much.

[HappyMe]

41. I can see being upset and concerned.

But you are right about the weird level of hysteria and motive. I can't think of anything else that would explain it.

[JDPriestly]

74. Social Security is more than 90% of our income, and improvement

in the economy will not help us keep up with inflation if Obama's budge proposal goes through. That is not just true for those of us who rely on Social Security for 90-100% of our income. It is true for all who pay taxes or who rely on government benefits -- veterans, food stamp recipients, all who aren't in the upper middle class.

That is why we are angry, bitterly disappointed and disillusioned. And many of us, like me, worked very, very hard to elect that man. We didn't just post on DU. We were out there working for Obama. And now, Obama is working against us.

Betrayal. Serious betrayal.

[Hekate]

73. +1,000 Buzz Clik and Min Man both

[Skittles]

4. once again we will be voting against something

instead of FOR something

[nobodyspecial]

15. And the Republican turnout will be driven

by those who are voting *against* Obama.

Right now there are two choices: Democrats and Republicans. And for as f*'d up as things are now, I sure would rather have Dems in charge than the GOP.

[840high]

87. I'm so tired of voting that way.

[Skittles]

142. it occurred to me today

republicans always seem to get what they want regardless of which party is in office

[woo me with science]

175. I would say that the *one percent corporatists* always get what they want.

I agree with you about Republicans in Congress; they are the quintessential corporatists, and the two corporate parties collude. But if you talk to Republicans out in the country, they aren't happy. They are being impoverished just like we are, but they are being told that it's because the socialist Democrats are getting everything they want.

Our government, both parties, was purchased by the one percent, and 99 percent of us have been disenfranchised. They are not running Republicans and Democrats for office anymore. All major party candidates are corporatists, or they do not have the money to compete.

Nobody in the 99 percent is being represented. We are all being played, Democrats *and* Republicans, and we are all fed with lies about each other to keep us fighting each other instead of the ones who are doing this to all of us. The big ugly secret on DU is that Republicans across the country are just as angry as we are.

Just as our politicians lie to us about wanting to protect public education and the social safety nets and unions and the environment, their politicians lie to them about wanting to stand for small government, limited government interference in private lives, and the defense of civil liberties.

If we could agree on just one thing....that our representation has been stolen from ALL of us by the corruption of money in the system....we could join together as the 99 percent to get the corporate money out and demand our representation back. When elections are for the people again, and corporations are not allowed to select our candidates, we can have a real fight in the public square about Democratic versus Republican philosophy. And real Democrats will win.

Right now, we don't get any choice at all. We get two candidates pushing essentially the same corporate agenda, by and for the one percent.

IMO, becoming the 99 percent is our only hope.

[Skittles]

185. worthy of its own thread

I agree with you.....I have not felt represented in a long, long time, ESPECIALLY living in Texas

[blackspade]

199. +1000

Well said.

[broadcaster75201]

148. Back atcha nt

nt

[GreenPartyVoter]

177. Ayuh. Isn't it always the way?

[Rex]

5. No and no.

I never can understand why anyone would think Dems would NOT vote in the next elections, based on their current emotions. Sounds like what repukes do.

[MineralMan]

10. Some folks are openly saying that they plan to do just that,

right here on DU. Keep reading this thread, and you'll see...

[Rex]

16. For some reason I don't believe they represent the other 1000s

here. Just a gut feeling. And if someone does let their current emotions dictate their future vote - congrats, you decided to opt out of the democratic process for no good reason.

[MineralMan]

21. I don't think they do, either.

Looking at DURec counts is deceptive, I think. Looking at who's doing the reccing clarifies things a little. It's easy to get a lot of DURecs.

[Rex]

31. It is and was easy to get recs/unrecs on DU2.

It is just so obviously counterproductive to claim to be 'the Left' and tell people to stay home and not vote that I always question their true intentions. I don't think people like that are very pro-Democracy.

[caseymoz]

166. And they'll look at what Repubs are doing

. . . in state governments and will change their minds.

[MineralMan]

167. I hope very sincerely that you are correct.

2014 is also important for state legislatures, too.

[5catjenny]

211. Seeing the "Im mad at O" & not voting 2014 posts on the increase on Twitter

Twitter too- Seeing an increase in "Angry at O for "something" so sitting out 2014, same as occurred 2010. Put the whole country thru misery cause you're angry? How does this get even with O? Yea, it sure showed him & the rest of us by turning Congress Red! Do it again & we all may as well pick out the box & bridge we're gonna starve to death in/under now! I'll be at my polling place Nov, 2014 Voting as an ADULT, not sitting home "mad" like a child w/a temper tantrum.

[arcane1]

17. There was a lot of "teach them a lesson, don't vote" crap in 2012 too.

Not on DU that I saw, but lots of it on Facebook, all coming from the "left". Somehow, having 50% of the population not voting, just wasn't sending the right message, so apparently the call was for say 75% of people staying home on election day.

As if that would teach anyone anything

[Rex]

22. I question someone like thats true intentions.

nt.

[sendero]

162. Just because you..

.... haven't caught on to the blatant good-cop-bad-cop routine that is our two parties don't think plenty of other folks haven't noticed. When you get Dems bargaining away SS how can you expect anyone to think their vote makes two shits of difference?

[5catjenny]

212. Votes must matter,

Or we wouldn't see such efforts by 1 party to stop people from voting. BUT...Not voting certainly will guarantee that your vote isnt worth a crap.

[Flashmann]

45. why anyone would think Dems would NOT vote in the next elections

Beats me too.I see and hear some folks,likely those who were disillusioned and stayed home in 2010 and have griped about those results ever since,threatening to stay home in 14 and let it happen again.
There was a whole thread on that very thing just the other day.

[Rex]

54. Yeah...this is NOT one of those instances

where we can 'take our ball and go home'. We already ARE at home! I am baffled by people that stay at home and don't vote. THEN want to complain about politics!

You can have your cake and eat it too AND while riding YOUR pony...but only IF you actually go out and vote!

[totodeinhere]

169. You mentioned what happened in 2010. Some people are afraid that 2010

could happen again. And if President Obama continues with his plan to try to compromise with the GOP and cut social spending then that just might discourage some of the Democratic base and cause them to stay home on election day. I know that's illogical but it was also illogical when some of the base stayed home in 2010 and threw that election to the Republicans. Lets hope that history does not repeat itself.

[Flashmann]

179. Some people are afraid that 2010 could happen again

Yeah.I'm one of those people.The idea of a 2010 repeat scares the crap out of me.

[jeff47]

86. Well, it happened in 2010

Turnout was way down among Democrats, and a large part of that was driven by disillusionment over Obama.

Just how much depends on who you ask - polling revealed some disillusionment, but we also don't know what sort of multiplier effect the disillusioned had. A lot of people volunteered or otherwise GOtV in 2008, but only showed up to vote themselves in 2010. It's not really possible to measure how many votes were lost due to reduced volunteering.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

172. And this I never understood. It's stupid. Don't people realize that Obama is not on the ballot?

Why would we punish good liberals like Russ Feingold and not come out and support him? He did nothing wrong.

I can understand being disillusioned with Obama and not wanting to vote, but to punish good liberals because of it, I will never understand. And I will never forgive those who stayed at home. We will be paying the price for their ignorance and apathy for years to come.

[Art_from_Ark]

191. Mid-term elections almost always favor the party that's not in the White House

In the past 100 years, only two Democratic presidents have seen a net increase in House seats during a mid-term election-- FDR in 1934, and Clinton in 1998. In other words, in only two out of 13 mid-term elections have Democratic presidents gained seats in the House. There is a similar trend for Republicans as well.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_midterm_election

Mid-term elections nearly always go against the party in the White House. And in nearly all cases, it's not the die-hard supporters who sit out the mid-terms-- it's the mushy middle who either tend to vote only in the "glamorous" (=presidential) elections, or are easily swayed by the other party's mid-term platform.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

192. Of course I know this. Midterm elections always favor the party not represented in the White House.

I don't need a civics lesson. I have a doctorate in political science.

HOWEVER...

We cannot deny that we failed to show up in 2010. It's simply the truth.

[Art_from_Ark]

193. Once again,

Last edited Thu Apr 11, 2013, 10:39 PM - Edit history (1)

It is NOT the die-hards who sit out mid-term elections-- it's the mushy middle-- the people who have no particular allegiance to either political party, they just go where the political winds blow them. If the election doesn't enthuse them, they sit it out. Or they vote for the other party because they don't like the way things are going. It's been that way for more than a century.

And in case you didn't notice, nationwide, more people cast ballots for Democratic candidates for Congress in the last election, than for Republican candidates. And yet, the Republicans *still* control the House.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-11-16/republicans-can-t-declare-mandate-with-more-democrat-house-votes.html

And in some places, like Arkansas's 3rd district, we didn't even have the option of voting for a Democratic candidate for Congress, since he dropped out a couple of months before the election. On top of that, there were no statewide races last year in Arkansas-- just President, representative, and legislative and county offices. Obama didn't have an ice cube's chance in Arkansas, which is one of those states that used to be solidly Democratic but now has a great mushy middle. So while the die-hards like me tried their darndest to vote for Democratic, or at least, non-Republican candidates, we did not have a whole lot of choices. It's hard to get fence-sitters motivated to vote in an election like that. And while that was a presidential year election, in many states it is like that in mid-term elections if there are no statewide or Senate races.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

210. And once again, enough so-called progressives stayed home that liberal stalwarts like Russ Feingold

were defeated. I'm sorry but there is NO excuse. I don't care how many links you send me. If you are arguing that progressives came out in 2010, then why did so many progressives lose? That doesn't make since. This midterm was not like your standard midterm; it was a *critical* election--a very important critical election. Again, there was no excuse for it. Russ Feingold and other progressives were soundly defeated. If enough of us came out, that would not have happened.

We should have been there to answer the Teabaggers. Our anger (and cowardice) towards Obama did us no favors! It cost us dearly and we will continue to pay the consequences.

I am lucky. I live in a very blue state that is getting bluer every election season. However, I care about this country. And I care about the progressive movement in this country.

We weren't there. We failed to show up. I hope we learn a valuable lesson from 2010 and not repeat the same mistake in 2014.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

171. But that's what they did in 2010, upset with Obama because he didn't magically clean up the economy

in less than two years.

We need to put more progressives in Congress. That should be our #1 goal. Fuck Obama. It's not about him anymore. It's now about regaining the House and keeping the Senate. If we don't succeed in doing that, we can kiss 2016 goodbye. And those you who adore Hillary Clinton and want her in, you can forget that too!!

[msongs]

6. ya, now we need new dems to counter the repubs and the president. let's go get em! nt

[MineralMan]

37. However you want to look at it.

I look at it this way: Every bill comes from Congress. They're the ones who make the laws. The President signs them. Which party would you prefer to make the laws. The answer's easy for me. Democrats will make better laws than Republicans every time.

GOTV 2014!

[avaistheone1]

7. I know a lot of true believer Democrats who have already given up.

In the last election some voted Green Party. and unfortunately some chose not to vote at all.

After Obama proposed Social Security cuts I don't think I can rouse myself any more for this party.
I don't know what the hell the Democratic Party stands for anymore. Really I don't.

[HappyMe]

11. So, just throw in the towel.

That's it?

[avaistheone1]

29. I have made the prescribed calls and emails.

What more would you suggest? I have worked on campaigns for years. Organized my community, but it just isn't make sense any more.

This administration is tone deaf on so many levels, particularly regarding seniors.

[HappyMe]

47. So you will be voting Green or repuke in 2014 then?

[avaistheone1]

58. As angry as I am I don't think I could ever vote Repuke.

Green, yes I think I could. Repuke, no,no,no,no,no.

[HappyMe]

66. I looked into the Greens.

Meh.
Well you know damn well that the repukes are going to all but kill themselves gotv in 2014.

[avaistheone1]

78. Meh, what?

[MineralMan]

49. This administration is not running in 2014.

Congress is a separate critter.

[avaistheone1]

61. Understood.

I am just so deeply pissed and disappointed.

My trust is broken once again, something THIS administration takes lightly.

[MineralMan]

13. I see. Well, I guess I'll have to work even harder, then.

That's OK. I'm certainly willing to do that. Not all Democrats are here on DU. That much is certain.

[Buzz Clik]

18. You're downer attitude has made me give up.

[avaistheone1]

44. You have given me a good laugh.

Much appreciated.

[Katashi_itto]

27. Agree. No my focus is getting my masters and getting out of the country.

I'm done. It's been building for a while to. Wasnt anything that suddenly occurred overnight. You just have to look at the reality with every perceived step forward, we really take five back. The system is screwed and it's not coming back. Almost everyone I know in graduate studies is looking at other countries now, too.

I may or may not vote. If I do it will be on some random 3rd party or a write in.

[avaistheone1]

39. A few years ago that idea seemed extreme to me,

now it is making sense.

[totodeinhere]

170. Rather than causing me to give up it motivates me all the more to work for and

support truly progressive candidates in the future. Please don't give up. Never give up. That's what the other side is hoping for.

[HappyMe]

9. It's never a good time

to stay home on election day. We have serious work to do for 2014.

[MineralMan]

14. We do, indeed.

We can win, if we're willing to work.

[tokenlib]

20. Then we don't need our base demoralized and kicked under the bus...

..by cutting their earned and needed benefits. The "you have nowhere else to go" and "it would be worse under the GOP" admonitions may be TRUE..but they do little to motivate the masses to work phone banks, and canvass, and scrape the bottom of their empty bank accounts for donations. They need to have our back..to get us to fight for their political positions.

The President and the congressional democrats need to give us something to VOTE FOR ..NOT AGAINST.

[MineralMan]

26. I'm voting FOR a Democratic majority in Congress.

That's what I'm voting FOR. I can't imagine doing otherwise, you know...

[tokenlib]

42. The party has our votes..they need our hearts...that is my point. N/T

[MineralMan]

46. You have one heart.

I have one, too. My heart is in all the way in 2014.

[OldDem2012]

38. You vote to protect your interests...if that's not enough motivation, then by all means,....

....stay home and complain about what that mean ol' Pres is saying that you don't like.

[tokenlib]

67. I'm simply saying there are ways to bring people together..and ways to push people away..

And this tone of discounting and scolding people who are fearful of hunger, and lack of housing, and lack of security in their old age and when disabled is not helpful. Chained CPI and other safety net cuts are scaring the hell out of people..and if you are perceived as urging them to vote and support democratic politicians who will "grease the skids" for such proposals..you should not be surprised if you PUSH PEOPLE AWAY.

[GreenPartyVoter]

178. Agreed!

[progressoid]

23. Problem is, there are so many more like him.

It's rather disheartening to fight for the guy who sucks less.

[MineralMan]

28. So many like who?

[octoberlib]

24. I'll be voting and volunteering on the national and state level.

I'm also more motivated than ever. Repukes are tearing my state of NC apart. Not turning out isn't an option for me.

[ladjf]

25. I'm very dissappointed with much of Obama's policies. But, I'm sure as hell going to vote

for whoever the Dem candidate is in 2014. nt

[MineralMan]

30. Thank you!

[ladjf]

34. Obama was in the position to have become one of the greatest Presidents. But, for

whatever his reasons, he seems to have chosen too many of the wrong ideas. nt

[MineralMan]

51. Then let's get a Democratic Congress to send him some

new ones. That's my goal.

[ladjf]

84. That's a good goal. nt

[Boomerproud]

158. Sadly (for us) you are correct.

We needed a heroic/transformative figure and he ain't it. No one is sadder to say that than me.

[Vinnie From Indy]

32. I agree with a single caveat

The highest priority of liberal Democrats is to form a more cohesive liberal wing with a very simple litmus test for any candidate hoping to have no challenger in the primary. In short, liberals need to focus first on finding each other and forming a wing that far surpasses what we have now.

Liberals need to stay engaged and most importantly re-establish ourselves as a potent force within the Dem. Party.

Cheers!

[MineralMan]

40. That ain't happening before 2014.

[treestar]

33. Shooting oneself in the foot comes to mind

It's so boring. They did it in 2010 and apparently succeeded. Now they are trying for a House with even more Republicans. Some people just love to suffer and be victims. They actually prefer it to protecting any progress made thus far or making incremental progress or even enduring periods of stalling.

[MineralMan]

43. Well, that's a trend we need to counter.

We need to redouble our GOTV efforts. It's that simple.

[greatauntoftriplets]

138. You nailed it.

[bowens43]

35. why would anyone skip voting in 2014 because Obama betrayed us?

that wouldnt make sense.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

36. Yes I'm ROYALLY pissed at his lying ass. And NO. I'm NOT SKIPPING 2014!

HELL NO.

[hay rick]

48. I expect to be very active in 2014.

I expect to work hard on the state level. Yes, I am pissed at Obama, but that's not an excuse for disengagement.

[MineralMan]

50. Thank you very much!

[bullwinkle428]

52. A) YES. B) NO.

[lastlib]

53. I WILL NOT skip the opportunity to exercise my vote--it's the only way to keep it healthy!

My disagreements with Pres. Obama or any other politician is all the more reason to exercise my democratic rights!

[ebbie15644]

55. makes me more determined to elect progressives!

[daa]

56. We gave them a majority in the senate

And did they do filibuster reform? Uh no.they caved. If the idiots we elected can come up with 40 to filibuster the chained CPI then I am in for mor dems otherwise it will continue to be a complete waste of time. But I can already hear "it's the best we could do. We have to support the prez." Dems strengthens the safety net, not destroy. Raise your hand I you and your partner can a 50 K haircut on your social security. And that also raises income tax rates and Medicare cuts go to "the doctors" who will no longer take Medicare patients.

[bvar22]

57. I'm ALL fired Up.

I will be voting and campaigning,
especially in the Democratic Primaries!

Grayson: 170 Democrats need to get primaried
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017111159


The Grass Roots and Organized LABOR took a Primary beat down from the White House and Bill Clinton in the Arkansas Primary 2010 when we tried to replace DINO Blanche Lincoln with a real Democrat,

"So what did the Democratic Party establishment do when a Senator who allegedly impedes their agenda faced a primary challenger who would be more supportive of that agenda? They engaged in full-scale efforts to support Blanche Lincoln. Bill Clinton traveled to Arkansas to urge loyal Democrats to vote for her, bashing liberal groups for good measure. Obama recorded an ad for Lincoln which, among other things, were used to tell African-American primary voters that they should vote for her because she works for their interests. The entire Party infrastructure lent its support and resources to Lincoln — a Senator who supposedly prevents Democrats from doing all sorts of Wonderful, Progressive Things which they so wish they could do but just don’t have the votes for.

<snip>

What happened in this race also gives the lie to the insufferable excuse we’ve been hearing for the last 18 months from countless Obama defenders: namely, if the Senate doesn’t have 60 votes to pass good legislation, it’s not Obama’s fault because he has no leverage over these conservative Senators. It was always obvious what an absurd joke that claim was; the very idea of The Impotent, Helpless President, presiding over a vast government and party apparatus, was laughable. But now, in light of Arkansas, nobody should ever be willing to utter that again with a straight face. Back when Lincoln was threatening to filibuster health care if it included a public option, the White House could obviously have said to her: if you don’t support a public option, not only will we not support your re-election bid, but we’ll support a primary challenger against you. Obama’s support for Lincoln did not merely help; it was arguably decisive, as The Washington Post documented today:"

<much more>

http://www.salon.com/2010/06/10/lincoln_6/

....but that insult only made us stronger and more committed to wrest our government BACK from the hands of the 1%

The DSCC, The DCCC, The White House, The DNC, or ANY nationally funded Democratic Party Organization has absolutely NO BUSINESS interfering in local Democratic Primaries.


It is the "Centrists" and "Moderates" who don't show up for the mid-terms.
The Moderates and the 2010 election
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022646102


[font size=5]Lets ROLL![/font]

[font color=firebrick][center]"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans.
I want a party that will STAND UP for Working Americans."
---Paul Wellstone [/font][/center]
[center][/font]
[font size=1]photo by bvar22
Shortly before Sen Wellstone was killed[/center][/font]

[tabbycat31]

114. And how did that primary affect the general?

Blanche Lincoln got her ass handed to her by a teabagger. I'd much rather have her than a teabagger in the senate, especially coming from a red state.

[bvar22]

141. I'm glad you brought that up.

We did EVERYTHING right in Arkansas.
We did EXACTLY what the White House asked us to do to "give the President Progressives in Congress that would work with him."

Lt Governor Bill Halter, the Pro-LABOR/ Pro-Health Care challenger to Blanche Lincoln
was:

* Polling BETTER against the Republicans in the General,

*was popular in Arkansas in his OWN right,

*had an Up & Running Political machine,

* had a track record of winning elections (Lt. Governor)

*Had the full backing of Organized LABOR and The Grass Roots activists

*was handing Blanche her Anti-LABOR ass in The Primary until the White House stepped in

*Blanche had NO chance of winning the General in Arkansas


After the White House stepped in to save Blanche's failing primary campaign with an Oval Office Endorsement of The Witch that Wrecked the Obama Agenda,
and Bill Clinton toured the state bashing Organized LABOR and "Liberals" at every opportunity,
and then ridiculing and taunting the Grass Roots and Organized LABOR after the Primary for "wasting $10 Million Dollars" (supporting a Pro-LABOR challenger in a Democratic Primary!!!)

"Another senior Democrat (who also would not be quoted by name) echoed the point in an exchange with the Huffington Post. "Labor is humiliated," the source said. "$10 million flushed down the toilet at a time when Democrats across the country are fighting for their lives, they look like absolute idiots."

It was a remarkably blunt dumping on the unions. And, in the process, it provided one of the most telling revelations as to how frayed the relationship between Obama and the modern labor movement truly is. Up until now the two parties have generally aired their disagreements over policy and politics in private, with scant public acknowledgment that friction was building below the surface.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/09/blanche-lincoln-win-spark_n_605443.html

Ed Schultz
sums up my feeling perfectly in the following clip.
http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/ed-schultz-if-it-wasnt-labor-barack-obama-



...well, guess who didn't show up to help Blanche in the General Election.
You can hang the loss of THAT Senate seat squarely around the neck of the White House. At least Halter had a chance in The General.
Blanche had ZERO, even before the White alienated and insulted the part of the Party that shows UP to get people elected.


It will be a LONG time before LABOR & The Locals Democrats forget how we were treated by the White House and the Party Establishment in ARkansas, 2010.
We did EVERYTHING exactly like the White House had asked us to do to
'give the president good Progressives that will work with him."

Looks like the White House would rather have a Business Friendly Free Trading Republican sitting in those seats instead of a Pro-LABOR Democrat.

[Nay]

186. A similar thing happened here in VA in the last election. The odious Eric Cantor, who has

been in this district FOREVER, had a Democratic opponent who actually came to my door. I sent him money. In the end, He got over 35% of the vote, IIRC. How much did the DC Democratic machine send him to help him beat that fuck Cantor?

NOT A DIME. This is why we have trouble getting Dems in. The DC machine ignores them!

[LooseWilly]

201. Brilliantly well criticized and documented

You must be one of my fellow fu∆?ing re†å®ds, to quote Rahm, to be reminding people of this information, err... stuff...

[Hekate]

59. I wouldn't skip 2014 if you paid me. WAY too much is at stake.

I am hoping the American people -- in their infinite wisdom -- actually send Obama a Congress he can work with and who will challenge him to do better than he ever hoped or dreamed of.

The alternative is enough to make me lose my lunch.

[MineralMan]

122. Excellent!

[LeftInTX]

60. And let a Tea Partier win?

No way!!!
I will vote Dem all the way

[AverageJoe90]

62. A voice of reason in a sea of hopelessness. Thanks, M.M. n/t

[MindPilot]

63. So THIS time it's going to be different?

This time, when daddy comes home drunk, he'll be in a good mood.

This time, when I pull the handle I'm winin' the jackpot.

This time...

Nope, sorry some of us may be slow learners, but we do learn. I've been scammed by 3rd-way neoliberal democrats for decades. I'm finished with being the abused spouse who keeps going back for another beating because...this time it's going to be different. Or the alternative is worse.

Lucy has pulled that football out every damn time. Nothing other than pure dumb blind faith could make me believe that won't be true the next time. You know the old saying..."doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result..."

[MineralMan]

123. It is up to you, really.

[dawg]

65. I will vote in 2014, and I hope to vote for all Democrats.

But I will not vote for anyone who supports cutting Social Security benefits while the bulk of the Bush tax cuts remain in effect as a permanent "entitlement" to the "under $400,000".

[Enrique]

68. not necessary

the people you are lecturing are the people that re-elected Obama. We'll be there in 2014 too.

[Scuba]

69. K&R

[allinthegame]

70. In Case You Need Motivation

Remember Ed Schulz carrying on in 2010 about how it wasn't worth voting because Obama was such a disappointment....
I don't remember THAT turning out all that well.

[MineralMan]

125. Absolutely right.

[JDPriestly]

71. If Democrats in Congress refuse to vote for chained CPI, we will be

able to get out the vote for progressive candidates no matter what Obama does between now and then. His chained CPI proposal will really hurt us, and members of Congress who voted for chained CPI, I personally will not support.

But if we run progressive candidates against those Republicans we could take the House -- and remove it from Obama's influence as well as from the influence of the Republicans.

I am not compromising any more with the DLC. I worked hard to get Obama elected. I won't make the mistake of helping a DLCer again.

[whatchamacallit]

72. Only genuine liberals, and not centrist turd-wayers, will ever get my vote again

No matter what.

[SunSeeker]

75. K&R

[mnhtnbb]

76. If we don't turn out in 2014, more states will end up the way NC did in 2010. Not pretty.

Repubs take over the State Legislature. They gerrymander districts.
Then when they take the Governor's office, they end up pushing
a Tea Party agenda.

Think again.

[damnedifIknow]

77. Our Democratic president

has just put a major hurt on our Democratic party. This Social Security blunder is going to hurt and there's no way around it.

[liberal N proud]

79. Skipping 2014 would be one of the stupidest moves we voters could make.

[MineralMan]

126. +100

[Phlem]

80. I wish we would all take our voting rights more seriously.

Not voting at all is just plain irresponsible. Not knowing what's going on in our government, irresponsible.

Unfortunately we all share the effect that others cause.

I'm absolutely pissed @ Obama, does that mean I just hand the reigns over to the GOP? WTF!

I identify with the (left of Obama) Independent Bernie Sanders because some of the shit Obama's pulled is to the right of my Democratic standards.

Does that mean I'm gonna piss in whatever progress we've made and hand it over the GOP in 2014? WTF!

People, the politicians create the environment we have to live in, literally! Get off your asses and at the very least, VOTE!



-p

[MzNov]

81. The motivation to me will always be

REMOVE the RepubliDEMS who dare vote for SS and Medicare cuts and a host of other bad choices, and REPLACE with progressives. Turnout numbers matter, but what matters more is INFORMED voters on the left.

[ReRe]

83. Exactly! Pissed at PO? Go over his head by...

K&R

...electing a veto-proof House and Senate in 2014! And it all starts with the 2014 mid term Primaries!!!! First, primary out all the DLC (right) leaning "democrats", then vote in all the Real Democrats (which have NEVER leaned right) in Nov 2014!!!

And don't nobody say we can't do it. We elected PO to his second term over Citizens United, didn't we? We can do this!

[MadHound]

85. Yes, by all means, vote for the party that screwed you over

Again and again and again.

That is, after all, what they are counting on.

[840high]

90. Good way to keep

getting screwed - over and over.

[MadHound]

91. Actually, if the Democratic party goes away due to lack of votes,

The vacuum will be filled by some other, truly left party. A bit of short term pain for lots of long term gain.

[name not needed]

108. You're right. We'll be much better off with a Republican majority in the Senate.

[MineralMan]

127. I stopped listening to you long ago.

Your path leads nowhere.

[Harriety]

88. When and how can we get rid of Baa-ach-mann?

[MineralMan]

128. 2014, if we are determined.

[Zorra]

92. Left leaning Independents may stay home, just like they did in 2010.

When Democrats promote and support conservative policies, they assist the GOP in winning elections. The Third Way has prevented the Democratic Party from obtaining and or retaining long lasting Congressional majorities. Given a choice between a real Democrat and a republican, Third Way will choose the republican every time, and Third Way legislators alienate Independents who would be Democrats if the conservative Third Way Centrists had not corrupted the Democratic party.

If Democrats would stop shooting themselves in the foot, (and their base in the heart), by promoting conservative policies, there would be no need for OPs on DU about Democrats staying home, because Democrats and Independents would be overjoyed to go out and vote.

Cutting Social Security is solid foundation on which to build electoral disaster for Democrats in 2014.

"Democrats moving to the middle is a double disaster that alienates the party's progressive base while simultaneously sending a message to swing voters that the other side is where the good ideas are. It unconsciously locks in the notion that the other side's positions are worth moving toward, while your side's positions are the ones to move away from. Plus every time you move to the center, the right just moves further to the right."
~Professor George Lakoff

"When a Democrat "moves to the center," he is adopting a conservative position - or the language of a conservative position. Even if only the language is adopted and not the policy, there is an important effect. Using conservative language activates the conservative view, not only of the given issue, but the conservative worldview in general, which in turn strengthens the conservative worldview in the brains of those listening. That leads to more people thinking conservative thoughts, and hence supporting conservative positions on issues and conservative candidates. Material policy matters. Language use, over and over, affects how citizens understand policy choices, which puts pressure on legislators and ultimately affects what policies are chosen. Language wars are policy wars."
- Professor George Lakoff

[MineralMan]

130. The more fools they, then.

[Zorra]

139. 51,000,000 million Americans voted (supposedly) for Bush. Obviously, we are not

a nation of rocket scientists, and you don't have to be a rocket scientist to recognize this fact.

Democrats promoting conservative ideas and policy are the ones being foolish ~ they should be smart enough know better.

Or maybe they do know better.

Maybe Democrats pushing conservative ideas and policies don't want to risk a strong Democratic Congressional majority alongside a Warren/Grayson administration, and are deliberately pushing the Independent Left away. Maybe they are protecting the power and control of wealthy private interests from the forces and agents of democracy.

Scary thought, but there is evidence that this is a possibility.

[BumRushDaShow]

93. K&R

And rather than the whining or foaming-at-the-mouth bitching, run for office if you can or recruit progressive candidates to run in seats where there is no opposition.

[aandegoons]

94. So you say don't waste your vote by not voting then you say.

Waste it by voting against your interest?


Hmmm....

Here goes sell me down the river you will have to go down the river to get my vote.

[Arctic Dave]

95. I'm motivated to get rid of DLC pukes like we have now.

From the top down.

Fuck the DLC pukes and their repug light ideology.

[DearHeart]

96. I'm completely pissed, but there will NEVER be a midterm election that I skip

because I'm pissed about the President's actions...we need more PROGRESSIVE DEMS in 2014!!!!

[HereSince1628]

97. 2014 is pretty fucked as thing sit. It isn't up to a handful of DUers

It's up to tens of millions of average Dems who are just about to realize they've been kicked where it really hurts.

We saw this in Wisconsin when demoralized dems didn't show up in 2010.

The Wisconsin experience is about to spread.

[hobbit709]

98. Not thinking of skipping, haven't missed an election yet.

But it doesn't stop me from being pissed at Obama.

[Pisces]

99. Only a moron would skip 2014, this is why Obama is in this position. If people had voted in 2010 we

would be setting the agenda!!

[Moostache]

124. I respectfully disagree.

In 2008 - 2010, we held the House, the Senate (by a count of either 60-40 or 59-41 depending on how you count LIEberman).

We were coming into office with a mandate from the American people, a complete repudiation of Bush era policies and politics. The wars had to go. Gitmo had to be closed. The tax breaks had to be sunset. Health care had to be fixed.

What did we get from that?

Wars? Still going in Afghanistan - 5 MORE years later; out of Iraq.
I grant 33% credit because extending the stay in Afghanistan and the drone policy are enormous disappointments.

Taxes? We got held hostage on this multiple times, we got a capitulation and extension of all of them for a long time and in the end, did they ever get fully undone? NO.
0% credit

Gitmo? Made a big, big political deal about signing it for closing on day one and then....oops, I guess that meant some vague date in the future that we would actually, you know, really close the place down...
0% credit - should actually get negative credit here for flat out lying and not following through on a pledge to close that abomination as advertised...so on second thought, -33% credit

Health care? This is one that I will grant was a partial victory...but taking single payer off the table as step one? Really? The strongest card in his hand was discarded like a bad draw poker play. Even if he had zero intention of EVER going to single payer, he could have held that out like Damocles' sword and drawn the fear of god from drug makers and insurers and gotten them to give much deeper concessions to Obamacare 1.0.
50% credit

So, overall and IMO only, that is a grand total of 1/2 of ONE out of Four key promises kept. Agenda is set EXACTLY the way Obama and pals WANT it to be set.

[lucca18]

100. I am looking forward to voting in 2014.

I am mad, but I will vote for sure!
I really do hope there is a huge turnout by Democrats.
I want our representatives to work for us; we the people.
We should have more control, not corporations and special interests.

[Bluenorthwest]

102. 2014 starts today. Every single politician who supports these cuts has to be brutally primaried

Every last Third Way middle of the road, might as well be a Republican who votes for this bullshit has to go, go, go.

[Marr]

105. +1

[Nay]

187. But, as happened in VA this last election, the Dem machine doesn't seem to "brutally

primary" Pubs. The Democrat running against that asshole Cantor in my district got NO money from the DC Democratic machine! None! And with his own money, this Democrat got about 35% of the vote anyway. How much more would that have been if he had gotten some money from the Dem leadership?

[Rosco T.]

103. Oh but don't you understand.....

.. the whineys that sit on their ass in 2014 are gonna 'teach Obama a lesson' just like they did in 2010

saw how well that turned out.

Same for the "I'm tired of voting like that" meme.
Well tough, it's what we gotta do to try to get things where we DON'T have to vote like that.

The "there is no difference between the parties" bullshit is getting thin.

Make a solid DEM house/senate and watch what happens.. other than the 'Thugs head explode

+1000 MineralMan

too many people think all they have to do is say "I want a pony!" and they get it.

[Bluenorthwest]

111. It's funny, in my State we set record turnout for a midterm in 2010...what did you do wrong?

2010 here was the largest midterm turnout since at least the 80's. So why did your State and others fail to produce a good turnout? What do you think you did wrong? Complacent? Certain that simply saying 'Change I Can Believe In' would bring out the voters on election day? Is your State Party poorly organized? Is it filled with Third Way types who don't really mind seeing a Republican win because 'both sides are to blame' and all?
I marvel that you States that failed to get turnout in 2010 are still wandering around casting blame rather than working constantly to make sure that sort of embarrassment never happens again.

[MrSlayer]

104. Because I'm pissed at him I'm more inclined to vote.

No one is staying home, none of us stayed home last time. What we and the President need to do is convince all those young and minority voters that came out specifically to vote for him in '08 and '12 that voting Democratic in the '14 midterms is a chance to vote for him "one last time".

Those are the people that didn't come out last time and got us killed. It wasn't liberals throwing a hissy fit. That is a third way lie.

[unapatriciated]

131. Thank You

I have been saying the same thing for awhile now. The youth were very enthused as well as the minority vote in 2008. But they did not turn out for midterms. I'm so sick of hearing this lie, that those of us on the left lost the mid-term elections.

[Marr]

107. Fuck that.

We'll see how they vote. We'll see if they back up this president on his undermining of the social safety net; not just Social Security-- but everything that's keyed off of the CPI. The one's who properly tell him to shove it will have my support. I'll work against anyone who supports it.

I already knew they had YOUR support either way, even back when you were still insisting that Obama would never, ever, ever even PROPOSE a Social Security cut.

[flamingdem]

109. Yes indeed! nt

[limpyhobbler]

110. Focus now should be on the PRIMARY campaigns.

Force candidates to say clearly where they stand on important issues.

Don't nominate people to represent the Democratic Party unless they make specific commitments on issues you care about.

[UnrepentantLiberal]

112. This OP is so insincere it's ridiculous.

[Stellar]

113. I remember the 2010 election when people

...were so pissed with Obama a lot of them didn't come out to vote and we lost the congress because all you heard from the GOP they kept promising jobs, jobs, jobs all the while. Instead they chalked up a lot of states and now we've got this war on women and no more jobs at all. They weren't trying to help all the poor people.

They just want to find ways to keep democrats from voting and phu*king up our lives! I'm sick of all of them especially those crazy REPUBS!

[calimary]

116. +1,000,000!

What happened in 2010 when Dems yawned and went back to sleep? We got the fucking teabaggers on the ascendent, and it's been like unleashing the hyenas and baboons at the zoo and letting them run rampant - oh, but it's not gonna be that bad, what could possibly go wrong?

Happy now?

I would ask - "how'd that couldn't-be-bothered in 2010 work out for you?"

[grahamhgreen]

117. I assume that what he'd like us to do.

[redqueen]

118. You are correct.

Too many people stay home during midterms. We need all the votes we can get. We have a slim chance with blue dogs and new democrats... we don't have a prayer with republicans.

GOTV.

[MineralMan]

132. Thank you!

[Historic NY]

119. They're the same people coming here bitching and moaning...about voting..

that will be bitching and moaning if the Tea Party & GOP take over the Senate and more of the house. Their solution vote for some minor party or stay home...that worked a couple of years ago. I'm in for a penny, in for a pound .

[unapatriciated]

120. It's hard to get pumped upped about 2014 when

there are still some who blame 2010 (it is still being said in this thread) on those that criticized Obama for placating the R's.
We may have criticized but the majority of us still voted for D's in 2010 and quite frankly I'm sick of hearing that we didn't.

The truth is our young turned out to vote in massive numbers in 2008 and did not in 2010. Our youth were very enthused and involved in 2008 not so much during mid term elections. I worked and GOTV in 2008 and 2010. I will always vote D (until something more viable comes along) but that is all I'm willing to do.

[MineralMan]

133. Lots of things are hard.

We either do the hard things or we lose.

[unapatriciated]

135. re-read my post

never said I wouldn't vote, I have never missed an election since 1972 and have been involved before I could even vote. Just not willing to give my time and money to those that continue to abuse my trust.

[MineralMan]

136. You will do what pleases you,

no doubt.

[unapatriciated]

137. just as you did.

This thread has become the vehicle to shame and blame those of us who disagree on the direction our party is going. I tend to think that is the only reason you posted it by your comments to me. What pleases me is not to see my party throw the least among us under the bus for the top 1%. But your snark alludes that I want something different.

[Demo_Chris]

121. I will be blunt: if the DLC doesn't curb Obama on this then the hell with them.

[bluestate10]

129. The thing that burns my ass.

Are that the same fucking people who cost the nation with their votes in 2000 and 2010 are the ones talking about sitting out 2014. When will they fucking learn? They take actions that set the damned country back decades by helping get republicans elected, then they piss and moan about the politics coming out of Washington when those assholes get more power and are able to gum up government.

[MineralMan]

134. An excellent question, indeed.

It makes you wonder.

[Demo_Chris]

140. We've done our part, we elected a man who pretended to be on our team

But he turned out to be a grinning fraud. Now it's up to the party. If the Democrats in Congress slap Obama down hard then they will be worth working to reelect. If not, then it doesn't matter. I'll still probably show up to vote, if only for the local stuff, but that's all.

I only vote for people who represent me, so earning my vote is easy.

[on point]

150. The real question is when will the pols listen and learn?

[zeeland]

143. Voting against your own best interests

because of the letter after someones's name

Is what repukes do. I will never do that as a

Democrat. I would never vote repuke, but I'm

very interested in third party candidates. I know

others feel the same.

[LWolf]

144. Pissed off?

I have been, since '04.

Sit out? I never do.

[Arkana]

145. I refer you to 2010

as an example of what happens when Democrats decide to "teach the President a lesson". It allows people like Michele Bachmann onto the House Intelligence Committee.

[on point]

146. I haven't missed a single election in my life. This time? GO THIRD PARTY!

[broadcaster75201]

147. Yes. No.

Dems will NOT skip 2014 like they did 2010. (According to Nate Silver, 29 million Obama voters sat out 2010).

I have a number of friends who were pissed at Obama and sat out 2010. Talking to them now, they don't care if he joins the Tea Party, they will not sit out 2014 like they did in 2010. The horrors of TeaBaggery are too great to have that happen again.

[Orsino]

149. When our party's leader has set an anti-SS agenda...

...I'm going to have to be more careful in which Dems I support.

But the president knew this when he waited until his second term for his declaration of war. Or his surrender, whichever it is.

[L0oniX]

151. ...becasue the last time they had a majority they really did a lot. n/t

[kickysnana]

152. Are you working on getting an FDR Democrat up for President?. Needed more than ever now.

First year I considered not voting for the Democratic nominee, ever.

[Jackal87]

153. Re:

Bush and Gore are the same people -2000

[MineralMan]

154. I'm working on the 2014 elections.

The Presidential Election is in 2016. I'll start thinking about that the second week in November, 2014.

GOTV 2014!

[ChoppinBroccoli]

155. All Of Us In Ohio Would Like To Thank 2010's "Foot-Stompers" For John K-Suck

Just because you disagree with the way the war is being fought doesn't mean you have to go fight for the other side. And that's exactly what will, can, and DOES happen when butt-hurt Democrats stomp their widdle feet and threaten to hold their collective breath until they pass out. They stay home on Election Day, assholes like John K-Suck get elected to positions of power by razor-thin margins, and then we have to spend the next 4 years fighting like hell just to keep them from completely destroying all the progress we've made over the past couple of CENTURIES.

Dry your tears, little buttercup, change your Pampers, and get out there and do your frickin' civic duty. Those of us who actually understand what's really at stake don't want to have to constantly be in fear of our country turning into some horrible right-wing fantasy just because YOU don't feel like your ass was kissed thoroughly enough.

[MineralMan]

157. Mid-term elections are about legislators,

not Presidents. I do not understand why that is so difficult to grasp.

The next Presidential Election is in 2016, not 2014. 2014 is for electing legislators.

GOTV 2014!

[99Forever]

156. You play, you pay. It's simple.

Save your browbeating for someone who hasn't had their fill of being lied to.

No sale.

[MineralMan]

159. Do as you please.

I'll keep working on getting Democrats to the polls in 2014. If you don't think that's important, then I guess you might call my OP browbeating. I call it GOTV activism.

[99Forever]

160. Thanks for your permission.

I'll pretend I need it.

You want my vote, you damn sure have to EARN it, and I don't give two shits what letter is behind your name, considering that President Barack Obama has proven that being a "Democrat" means almost nothing at all.

[MineralMan]

161. You don't need anyone's permission to do nothing.

You posted. I responded.

I don't need your vote. I'm not running for anything. Check your candidate list for 2014 after the primaries.

[BrainDrain]

163. oh bullshit......

Here it begins.

(in a fearful granny-like voice)

"Please vote for any ole Democrat we of the current hunta designate as worthy of your vote. 'Cause if you don't (sniff, sniff) those nasty ole republicans will win. So Please work hard and give your money and vote to this wishy-washy we have put up in front of you so we can maintain our hunta."

BULLSHIT!

If you want my vote PROVE to me you are a true PROGRESSIVE. If you ain't, talk to the squirrel in the front yard.

Let the Revolution....begin.

[Fumesucker]

164. Welcome to DU!

I think you might enjoy your stay!

[xmas74]

165. Any chance to vote against Vicky Hartzler

And I'm in.

[Lifelong Protester]

168. Not mad enough to not vote

but mad, tho.


I live in WI, and of COURSE I will be out there working to change things.

But I am for primary-ing anyone who votes for this chained CPI crap.

[mother earth]

174. Not skipping 2014 because of men like Grayson, AND because of Obama for opposite &

self-evident reasons.

[BanTheGOP]

180. The Immigration Reform bill will help us go over the top

The Immigration Reform bill will help us beat the GOP easily. Once we legalize the status of all the individuals here who actually produce the goods that make the rich, white GOP bastards retain their power, we will have over 10 million NEW Democratic voters all over the country! What we can do after the bill passes is to ensure the districts that could go either GOP or dem have a huge influx of these new voters to sway things.

Once we have the House along with the Senate, with perhaps a supermajority in the senate to prevent GOP backlash via filibuster, we can completely ensure that America fully gets rid of anything and everything GOP-related, by ensuring that capitalism does not flourish, and by cementing Barack Obama's legacy as the greatest American in US history, and arguably, the greatest human being to walk this planet.

[MineralMan]

181. Actually, that would take a long time.

Only US Citizens can vote, and that Immigration Reform bill doesn't do a lot toward making people citizens, really, in any time frame that will affect the 2014 elections.

[BanTheGOP]

182. Actually, it will, and the POINT if fasttracking the bill is to ensure enough voters 2014

IN fact, the very reason the bill is being fasttracked is to ensure that individuals are able to register in their respective states. This is a necessary component that the DNC has identified for retaking the entirety of Congress. The paperwork involved also includes voter registration paperwork, and Obamacare navigators will be able to help the new citizens with all that is necessary to help them register. You can be DAMN sure not one of them will go GOP unless he wants to be a pariah to his family and immigrant community. This is key.

[boomerbust]

183. Michelle Bachman

Was vulnerable in 12. Minnesota Right? The system is rigged and the Dems are part of it. They act all Progressive during the campaign, but are nothing but corporate shills in the end. The only person I would vote for in 16 is Bernie Sanders.

[Indyfan53]

184. We can't sit out!

I bet the RepubliCONS made Obama did this and claimed they would show bipartisanship in. They set up a trap for him to fall into and use it against the Dems in 2014 midterms. Suddenly, they become the party that wants to save social security.

Do I think Obama should have suggested the CPI? Of course not. He should have seen this as a trap, but we can't just suddenly get completely discouraged about voting for Democrats. This is exactly what the Republicans want. They want us to either sit out, vote green party, or vote for Paul-bots in 2014 and 2016. That's what happened in 2010. We can't let it happen again.

[Yukari Yakumo]

188. Unfortunately

Check your own state. Odds are you have some districts like that, too.

I'm in Idaho. Trust me, the GOP ain't losing here unless they get caught in a gay brothel. Hell, a lot of them run unopposed for state congressional seats.

And I'll vote for whoever opposes this "Chained CPI" BS (among other issues).

My vote is a privilege, no one is entitled to it no matter what letter follows their name.

[nonoxy9]

190. Right...because "Hold your nose and vote...

for the same people who keep letting you down." is such a great motivational tool. It worked wonders in 2010, can't wait to see how it works in 2014.

[davidpdx]

194. I will be voting and doing my part to encourage others to vote

But feel we probably will have turnout more like 2010 (maybe not as bad), not like 2008 or 2012.

[mountain grammy]

195. 2014, local, state, and federal!! 2014!

My Dem Congressman is safe, but will be working for Udall to keep his senate seat and Romanoff to unseat Coffman in Colorado's 6th district.

[melody]

196. This whole uproar is part of the right-wing tactics

It's the way they weaken us before a mid-term. It has always happened. The wealthy use their nested allies among the far left to start attacking the President.

And they always fall in line.

[bobclark86]

197. The first Dem in my district announced this week...

and 20 months out, I know they're fucked. A boilerplate Dem can't win in this district (they've tried for 30 years now, and got their asses kicked each and every time... occasionally by 30 points).

You need something that at least a few center-right independents can sign on to in some way. With some of the most conservative counties in the state, you need to do more than just show up with party talking points and expect to win anything at all.

Unless somebody really special comes in, Tom Reed doesn't even need to campaign... again.

Get me Shawn Hogan (longest-tenured city mayor in New York... but I don't think Shawn will want to deal with that bullcrap with his sweet gig in Hornell), or pretty much anyone other than ANOTHER bloody Tompkins County legislator. We tried that last time, and with a piss-poor campaign (we're talking dead silence after the primary -- literally months between press releases) and the perceived Ithaca ivory tower mentality that nobody else can stand, we wound up winning only one of 10 counties (losing Tompkins would have just been embarrassing...).

Wake me up when my party is serious about a win in my district. With no Senate races, I could not honestly care less...

Signed,
--A Very Bored Dem in NY-23.

[blackspade]

198. I plan on voting regardless, but

I can't agree with this statement:

A massive GOTV effort is what's needed. With a Democratic majority in both houses of Congress, anything is possible.

We had a majorities when Obama first came into office and got little in the way of strong progressive legislation.
Not that we didn't get anything, but the sweeping changes that are needed on all fronts, social, political, and economic, are not going to happen with a Democratic controlled Congress. There are simply too many moderate republicans elected as Democrats for it to happen. Not to mention the bucket loads of corporate cash that has corrupted both parties.

So, unfortunately we are left with either the status quo or fascism. Shitty, and extremely shitty.
Both stink.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

200. Anybody reading this post (or any other on DU) is likely voting in 2014

It's all the disengaged, brainwashed, unplugged or still exhausted from waiting on line to vote last year who I worry about.

[LooseWilly]

202. Skip 2014? But... my rep is one of the ones working to stop Obama's stupid ideas...

Though, the thought of voting for Feinstein, after the telecom immunity bullshit she led... I'm not sure I can do it. Green? Libertarian (now there's a wasted vote)? Maybe I'll vote for my mom. Even dead, she'd do a better job.

Oops, looks like the boogey-man threat isn't always enough to make voters toe the line. Maybe Democrats should learn to at least pay some respects to the left, rather than just pissing on "them"?

(And by the way, if even one poster tries to "taunt" me to "go ahead" and vote against my own interests... I will vote green, or even Republican, rather than vote for Feinstein again... just saying.)

[blkmusclmachine]

203. Thanks for making it that much harder for the REAL DEMOCRATS in 2014/2016, BHO.

Thanks for nothing!

That's mavericky!

[Mr.Pain]

204. We'll still end up with corporate sponsored candidates...

[Skittles]

205. I'll never skip out on voting

but I am sick of voting against something instead of enthusiastically FOR something

[merrily]

206. I have no problem voting Dem in 2014. My rep promised not to support the cuts.

If he breaks that promise, he will have shown that he cannot be trusted.

[Diremoon]

207. All republicans are bad.

Not all democrats are good, but all republicans are bad. They have saturated many state and local governments. Vote every one of them out. The worst thing we can do is not vote. Vote in EVERY election. rid the country of republicans, then elect better democrats. Conservative policies do not work. They never have, and never will. Voting republican is not only stupid, it is un-patriotic (it is destroying the country). Do your part to help the country, vote democratic.

[Conium]

208. Politicians who side with RepUGLYcans do not deserve our votes.

If the choice is two evils, I vote for neither. Let them count the blanks.

[LaPera]

209. Hear, hear!!