Dem's didn't fight too hard on Schiavo legislation (Frist "Dem's helpful")

[truthpusher]

Posted on Thu, Mar. 24, 2005
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Democrats didn't fight too hard on Schiavo legislation
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DAVID ESPO
Associated Press
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WASHINGTON - "Reid and Senate dems have been helpful thruout," Majority Leader Bill Frist messaged fellow Republican senators privately during pressured negotiations on legislation designed to save Terri Schiavo.

(snip)

The party didn't want to be on the wrong side of "the culture of life," said one Democratic aide, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Add to that their hope - fanned by recent polls - that Republicans would wind up paying a political price by offending large segments of the electorate out of a desire to appeal to social conservatives.

"That's why we have just been sort of keeping our mouths shut on this," said a second Democratic aide, explaining the strategy on condition of anonymity.

(snip)

Speaking of Republicans who are undecided on the rules change, he said, "When they look at the Schiavo case and look at where leadership led them and look at the fact that 70 percent of the people are against them, we'd hope they'd think two, three or four times before plunging over the cliff."

Lots more here: http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/news/11222550.htm

[msanthrope]

1. When your opponent is doing your job for you,

you keep your mouth shut. The Dems were right to let the Repukes go crazy. It backfired on Bush & Co.

[Zhade]

3. Yes - and WRONG to vote for the legislation.

NT!

[mtnester]

11. It is like being invited to a train wreck...

you are told what time and where it is going to happen...nothing better than to sit back and watch.

[dogman]

2. It might have been better to have been absent than a yes vote.

I can understand diffeing views on the issue of Terri but not on the issue of Federal intervention. Once again it makes it easier for me to detemine where my limited donations will be made. It crossed another one off my list.

[stopbush]

5. You're right. It's clear that the Rs were expecting a party line vote

with Dems voting against. They wanted the "the Dems and their liberal courts killed Terri" as a mantra for '06. But the Dems made a decent *strategic* vote by going along with the legislation, thus diffusing the issue.

I agree that a better move would have been to not show up for the vote. The downside to that ploy would have been the Rs turning it into "the Ds don't have the guts to show up and fight for their beliefs" - which would have further aided the Rs by allowing them to fill the no-show vacuum by defining what the Dems beliefs were on the issue.

All things considered, the Dems may have made the best political play they could have. The fact that the country is so against the Rs power grab became apparent only after Congress took its action. And the vote is tarnishing the Rs, not the Ds. The Rs will try to drag the Dems down with them on this, but unfortunately for the Rs, it is they and their crazy surrogates (Randall Terry et al) who have been getting all the face time on this loser issue. That's pretty hard to turn around when there's almost zero footage available of any Dem saying *anything* about it, pro or con.

A silk purse from a sows ear to be sure.

[FredScuttle]

4. Republicans are drowning

and they're trying to drag Democrats down with them by claiming this was a "bipartisan" effort...what a joke.

[katsy]

7. unfortunately

this really WAS a bipartisan effort.

I'm not angry at the neocons because they were handing the Dems a perfect opening to stand up for every citizen's privacy rights.

The neocons shot themselves in the foot. The mere presence of Dems on the floor then to have the gall to vote on this farce... well, the Dems gave the neocons a bandaid.

It was sheer stupidity on the part of the Dems.

[FredScuttle]

9. They won't get everything right

but the Democratic minority in both houses are really showing me something this year. Between holding the line on the fillibuster fight and Social Security privatization, I have a lot of confidence in Reid and Pelosi. Sure, the bankruptcy bill was an outright disgrace, but I'm not holding my party to a level of perfection...yet. Let's amass these wins now and take back control of either or both houses in 2006. Then, I expect accountability and adherence to our party's core values.

I think the fact that more than half the House Dems stayed away from that Sunday night debacle is a statement more powerful than any vote from our side for that putrid piece of legislation.

[katsy]

12. okay... BUT

they better shape up after 2006.

I just question their strategy.

We should have blown away monkey boy in 2004. I really question their strategy.

[ElectroPrincess]

14. I fear that they will cave in ... we only have ONE party in the USA

Ultra-Greedy Corporate Whores (Republicans) and Selectively-Greedy Corporate Whores (MOST Democrats). What's the common factor? Yes, Corporate Whores!

We need to do what it takes (term limits, equal time for media, no bennies to incumbents) to shake loose these corrupt representatives (many within both parties) from their "cushy position" and constant corporate payola schemes.

We do not have a true "loyal opposition" party. Hasn't anyone noticed that even Dean, now that he's emplaced, is beginning to figuratively blow-off the base of the Democratic Party?

Until the Democratic Party chooses to connect with its base (torn away from the corporate teats), then we will always have the sell outs like the ones who voted yeah with Frist.

Disgraceful. :(

[cookiebird]

21. You're Focused

Particularly with the "band-aid" Great Image, tho' The Neocons need major surgery to stop this bloodletting...the Dems who supported this crap will hear from their constituents soon enough.

[Robbien]

6. Misleading headline, if Dems were helpful why is the article headlined

"didn't fight too hard".

If Dems were helpful doesn't that mean they didn't get in the way and fight the issue?

Headline writers should be taken out back to the toolshed.

[aintitfunny]

8. Our leadership lacks

the courage of their convictions. Or maybe they lack conviction entirely, I don't know. If they don't develop some balls and take some stands, whether they think it will be popular or not, they will gain no respect, no how, no way.

[katsy]

10. Observation

"The party didn't want to be on the wrong side of <the culture of life>"

---------------

Okay, does anyone see the STUPIDITY of this strategy, let alone making that statement public???

What does the <the culture of life> mean? I mean metaphysically speaking... because this phrase has no empirical value as far as I'm concerned. What the hell does <the culture of life> refer to? YOGURT?

Is it in our Reps freaking JOB DESCRIPTION to preserve <the culture of life>?

Is it in our Reps freaking JOB DESCRIPTION to PANDER TO <the culture of life>?

You know what... the Dems are paying too many media consultants too freaking much money and not using their BRAINS.

It's been said here by many others more eloquent than myself but... the Dems are their own worst enemy.

[Robbien]

13. "said one Democratic aide, speaking on condition of anonymity"

Who is this Democratic aide and why are they leaking Dem strategy to the GOP?

[ElectroPrincess]

16. Sadly, if the leadership of the Democratic Party doesn't pull their

heads out of their butts, they will *all* be shot down in flames. I will NOT compromise anymore. It's going to get tough no matter what, we might as well watch them destroy themselves, then WE, THE PEOPLE can once again build the party from the ground up.

Sure it will take time, perhaps a generation or two. However, the Democratic Party has become so corrupt through Corporate payola there's seemingly IMO no other way to rid ourselves of representatives who serve the "mean green" multi-national corporations before the people of the USA.

[katsy]

20. Well said... but sad.

:cry:

I feel the same way.

[ElectroPrincess]

23. We'll make it katsy ... it just is going to be "really tough" ...

but those of us insightful enough to see through the propaganda are also intelligent enough to survive. It's going to suck in so many ways but we can make it if we truly pull together. I hope and pray. :-)

[retnavyliberal]

24. Hiya EP. This will be shocking to you, I know...

but we disagree. I think Barney Franks handled Sunday perfectly. They did not get sucked into the emotional argument. They kept chanting the mantra, "Not our business. We should not be involved. States rights." Then they let the repubs run the vote. If they boycotted the vote totally, then the 218 (is that the number that was needed?) the bill would not have had the needed minimum to pass and the repubs would not be looking like morons now. Is anyone hearing stories of people saying them damn Dems? Sure, lots of "Liberal Judges" comments, but who isn't tuned out to that by now. No, I think we get much more hay from "giving them enough rope to hang themselves" which is what they have done to the T.

[ElectroPrincess]

27. I sincerely hope that you're right retnavyliberal. Being wrong on this

would be a nice kind of wake up call. I'll keep working on that positive attitude check. Positively, everything sucks! LOL
Thanks for the exchange.

[AndyTiedye]

26. After "A Generation Or Two" Of Repubs, We Will Have a Full Theocracy

Democracy and freedom of speeech (or anything else) will be a distant memory,
as "heresy" will carry the death penalty.

There will be no opposition parties, indeed there will be no opposition.
It will have been wiped out.

That is what happens under a theocracy.

The "if it gets bad enough, the people will rise up" theory simply
does not apply to theocracy. It never has. There are no limits
to how repressive a theocracy can become and get away with it.
That is why the robber barons are going along with the fundies to
create one.

The above-mentioned theocracy would eventually piss off the rest of
the world enough so that we get nuked, in which case there will be
nothing left of America except radioactive wasteland. :nuke:

[AlamoDemoc]

17. I think this quote has a merit

"The party didn't want to be on the wrong side of <the culture of life>"

I think we have democratic party who can't decide on any single issue because of their un-deciding mentality....waiting and viewing polls on what the public are thinks before they decide on any given issue.

[ClarkUSA]

31. Quote from an unidentified source...I don't believe everything I read

Besides, the GOP and Bush are sinking like a rock on this while the Democrats look
as if they are being dragged into a fight that they have no interest in.

"Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake."
~ Napoleon

[Warren Stupidity]

19. it means that our 'leaders'

accepted the republican framing and were so busy being 'nuanced' and 'strategizing' and practicing 'political jui-jitsu', that they couldn't even figure out what was right and what was wrong and what they believed in.

Cripes. Just stand up and say NO! 70% of America would be standing with you.

[xultar]

15. Trying to pull eveyone into the drink ahe' Munster? n/t

[AlinPA]

18. I think the R's and religious nuts are making complete asses of

themselves.

[footinmouth]

22. I just can't forgive them for this one

It was so out of line for Congress to butt in like that. I feel abandoned and wounded and I'm just not going to get over this one in a hurry. I'm sending back my DNC pledge envelope empty with a note explaining why. I can't send money to people who can't stand up for a basic right to privacy. Just say no to government intervention.

[democracyindanger]

25. political judo

It would've passed, anyway.

And when an anonymous Democratic aide says, "the culture of life," the reporter most likely leaves out, "while rolling his eyes."

[Placebo]

28. I still think the Democrats missed a huge chance...

to be a very vocal opposition for the 87% of Americans who likely didn't agree with what the republicans in congress did. Now that the Democrats know that the polls show the American people on the side of Terri's husband, democrats are starting to come out because they know it's "safe" to do so. But all the republicans have to do is say "flip flop" and we're done for, whether the public agreed with us or not.

Politically savvy (at the time) or not, the democrats in the senate and house should not have allowed the bill to pass.

[Itsthetruth]

34. Political Savvy?

If inaction and weakness is now applauded as "political savvy", perhaps the Democratic Party ought close their doors, step aside and let a genuine opposition party to Bush and the Republicans emerge.

[Jim Lane]

29. Another strategy

The Democrats should have offered an amendment to the bill: overturning Bush's restrictions on stem cell research. They could say, "It's too late to help Terri Schiavo, but we will honor her life by doing all we can to spare others from disabling illnesses."

Of course it would lose, but it would highlight the Republicans' hypocrisy. It would also give more prominence to an issue where a large majority of the electorate disagrees with Bush.

[struggle4progress]

30. Sure ya got enough rope, Mr. Bill? Want us ta give ya summore?

[bunny planet]

32. Senator Frank Lautenberg just wrote a formal letter to Trent Lott

asking for an investigation into who wrote the Republican talking points circulating on the Senate floor that talked about how the Shiavo case was 'good for us politically' and targeting Senator Bill Nelson of Florida. Apparently there was no signature and it is bad form for a paper to circulate on the floor without a Senator's signature. This could get interesting.

[Itsthetruth]

33. 42% Disapprove Of The Way Democrats Have Handled The Case!

Wonderful.

That reminds me of an old union story. When the bosses have workers by the balls they squeeze. When we have the bosses by the short hairs we don't squeeze, so they think we just like playing with them.

The Democratic Party had the Republican right-wingers by the balls on this one. And what did the Democratic Party leaders do? You know the answer to that. And the Republican leaders are grateful to them. Isn't that just sweet?

According to the lead news article one Democrat said: "Speaking of Republicans who are undecided on the rules change, he said, "When they look at the Schiavo case and look at where leadership led them and look at the fact that 70 percent of the people are against them, we'd hope they'd think two, three or four times before plunging over the cliff."

Why in the world would a member of an opposition party hope Republicans would "think two, three or four times before plunging over the cliff"???? I say give them a push!


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