It will be good for the Democratic Party to defeat a Repub-Lite...

[kentuck]

Just to send a message to any other Republicans masquerading as Democrats. The patient is in need of some castor oil. It's not that we demand our Party speak with one unanimous voice. But it would send a message that we do expect Democrats to act like Democrats on some important issues, whether it be illegal Republican wars, immigration, English only, bankruptcy legislation, or whatever. We do expect Democrats to act like Democrats the majority of the time. We don't want them kissing up to the criminal in hte White House. Bi-partisanship is a two-way street - not just when you agree with your Republican friends.

[Warpy]

1. Exactly, and a DINO who has continually stabbed you in the back

on important votes has NOT earned a trip back to Congress.

Try to defeat them in the primaries, if you can.

If not, consider voting third party.

The problem is Congress in its incumbent entirety. If we keep sending the same selfish bastards back, we can expect no changes at all.

[The Magistrate]

2. Just Now, My Bluegrass Friend

My preference would be for defeat of some moderate Republican, such as Chafee, to send the message that any and all Republicans are held responsible for the acts of their Party as a whole, whatever pious noises they may make to signify dissent without action against their fellows.

In the present circumstance, my only concern is getting a Denocratic majority in the Senate and the House, and anyone who will tally as a Democrat in the initial nose-count, and remain in caucus with the Party through the term, is quite acceptable.

[billbuckhead]

4. Both Chafee and Lieberman should go

Joe Lieberman ran to the right of Lowell Weicker. Connecticut will elect a reasonable Dem candidate if the Joementum is done. I'll never forgive Lieberman turning the VP debate in to a job interview for Halliburton.

[Lefty48197]

5. Chafee, Snowe, Spector...

Those three always vote for the radicals that lead the Republican Senate such as Dr. Fristenstein, Trent Lott etc.

[The Magistrate]

7. My Point Precisely, Sir

And even Sen. Lieberman may be relied on to vote for a Democrat for Majority Leader.

[Robbien]

3. The DNC stands for nothing but sitting back and hoping they

get votes of people disgusted with the GOP.

Just a bunch of people scared to stand up and be counted on any issue.

[Tiggeroshii]

6. I like losing the chance of holding investigations on a bum like Bush

too!

:sarcasm:

[MrBenchley]

8. Yeah, who cares about actually defeating a Republican

as long as the far left can prance around, celebrating what a fucking disaster they are for the Democratic party.

[Shipwack]

9. We are -not- losing a Senator...

We're gaining a Democrat!

Sorry, the prancing people only look "far left" when compared to Lieberman.

[kentuck]

10. Thank you!

Some people act as if it's a given that a right-winger is going to take over if we get rid of one DINO??? The odds are that if a Democrat is now in office, another Democrat has a good chance of winning the same seat. Sometimes it sounds like bullshit.

[Tiggeroshii]

12. Like in Nebraska?

Cause Democrats are always winning in Nebraska, right?

:sarcasm:

[kentuck]

13. So you really like Ben Nelson, huh?

A real Republican is better than a fake one, imo. At least, we don't "think" they are on our side.

[Tiggeroshii]

14. You really don't want a Democratic majority, huh? n/t

[kentuck]

16. So you'd rather have the elephant inside the tent pissing out ?

Rather than outside pissing in? You present a false choice. If you don't vote for Ben Nelson or Joe Lieberman, you will not have a Democratic majority?? How in the hell do you reach that conclusion?

[The Magistrate]

17. In The Case Of Nebraska's Sen. Nelson, Sir

That probably is the case. In a state like that, a Democrat capable of winning a statewide election probably will fall somewhat short of the standards upheld by the most ardent spirits here. But it is unlikely we can put the Republicans back to minority status in the national Legislature without some such persons in our ranks.

[kentuck]

18. You're damned if you do and damned if you don't because...

it is exactly these "types" of Democrats that side with the Republicans on important votes and Democrats never get anything passed - even though they are in power. They are prevented by these "Democrats" in their midst. Richard Shelby was one of them. So was Nghthorse Campbell. They were in on all the Democratic strategy meetings. Then they became Republicans... But, they will be in charge of the Committees - they will just get nothing passed while they are in charge. And they will continue to be stabbed in the back. It's not a good choice, I admit.

[The Magistrate]

19. That Is Part Of Life, Sir

Some of these people are certainly double-edged weapons, it is true, and those who go so far as to switch after election deserve a special place in Hell.

But the root of the problem remains, and it is not in the particular figure but in the electorate that must be appealed to. A man like the late Sen. Wellstone, who could appeal to a rural and conservative electorate by the sheer force of his manifest integrity and honesty, and gain their votes despite their dissagreement with much he stood for because they respected him, is an exception, and such figures as he are rare. Generally, a person running for office must reflect pretty closely what the people who will vote him or her want to hear, and when in office must perform in a manner that will be popular with his or her constituents. What would be met with thunderous acclaim from Chicago or New York or Los Angeles is likely to draw boos around Lincoln or Baton Rouge or Bismark.

[kentuck]

20. Sometimes we get what we accept...

I saw a poll on DU a few days ago with polls on Bush from every state in the Union. Only three states did he poll more than 50% - Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming. I don't accept the premise that we cannot win in those other states with "better" Democrats than we are getting now. They don't have to be as leftwing as myself but they don't need to agree with George Bush so often either.

[MrBenchley]

11. You sure as shit ain't.....

Funny the far left has no interest in electing a Democratic governor in Connecticut....but then they hate pretty much every Democrat anyone's ever heard of.

[CTLawGuy]

15. do you have any basis for that comment?

the "far left" I'm sure is backing one or both of the Dem candidates to unseat Jodi Rell.

[Ken Burch]

21. What the hell does THAT mean?

Of course Democratic progressives want to elect a Democratic governor in Connecticut. What does opposing Lieberman have to do with that? Who is the Democratic gubenatorial candidate you seem to think Democratic progressives are hurting in Connecticut?

[wyldwolf]

22. who do you think is going to be defeated?