Are we overly focused on the 08 Presidential race when we should be

[Skidmore]

concentrating on getting solid majorities in the houses of Congress?

[stellanoir]

1. And fixing the damn voting technology

aggressively pursuing the felony of "caging," and replacing the corporate media bobble heads, whilst visualizing a better world to come.

[asjr]

2. Both are important. I hope

the media coverage of the presidential election will not turn off people who want to vote. I'm sick of the mainstream media punditry already and we still have almost 2 years to go. Gaining in Congress is imperative. Our slight margin now is too fragile.

[John Q. Citizen]

3. No, they go hand in hand historically. A good candidate at the top will turnout

voters down ticket.

We do need to recruit progressives to run down ticket, though.

[AndyTiedye]

4. If We Lose the Presidential Race, We Probably Lose Congress Too

[Buzz Clik]

5. I was hoping you were going to say we need to spend the coming year on other problems.

So, yes, we're too obsessed with the presidential campaign but only because it's continuing to allow Bush's disregard for the Constitution.

[Skidmore]

6. You went where I hoped people would go.

We do need to focus on other issues.

[EFerrari]

7. Could you say more because I don't think I follow you and would like to. nt

[Buzz Clik]

8. We were talking about the 2008 primaries this time LAST year, ...

... and they really won't be coming into clear focus for at least another 4 or 5 months. So, we'll have diddled away 16 months (and by "we" I mean those candidates who should be spending time in Congress as well as the voting base) instead of being more productive.

[Skidmore]

10. Yup....

You got it.

[EFerrari]

11. Thanks. I got it and I agree. n/t

[Skidmore]

12. This was why I put up a thread a couple of days ago that sunk like

a lead brick about maybe having a dedicated workspace on DU to develop a platform that could help them focus a bit on legislating in the now in a fashion that could help them concentrate on issues in the election ahead. A platform that embodies some priorities and democratic values that we could lob it over the walls of the citadel to those who fancy themselves to be deciders on our behalf. I'm not just talking about congressmen and senators here either. I'd like to knock a few DLCers out with that platform.

What do you think?

[EFerrari]

14. I think that's a great idea, truly, and I'm sorry I missed that thread. n/t

[Buzz Clik]

15. Outstanding!

I, too, missed the first thread -- it's easy to do around here.

[alfredo]

9. Three states elect governors this year. Kentucky, Louisiana, and

Mississippi. See how you can help there.

We have a good chance to win back the governor's office here in Kentucky. If you want to help, go here:

http://www.stevebeshear.com/ BTW, Mitch McConnell is backing Beshear's opponent.

Here's an up and coming Democrat from Kentucky. He's running for AG

http://jackconway.org/main/index.php

His opponent is a hateful theocrat.

[gravity]

13. I believe the presidential election is more important at the moment

A democrat president would be the best plan to help fix our image and our foreign policy strategy abroad, and is the best bet of getting out of the war with Iraq (assuming that we are still in there by 2009)

Look at the 90's with Clinton. There were a republican majority in Congress, but the country was for the most part prosperous during that period, especially compared to Bush's term.

A popular president would be able to change the direction of this country more than Congress will be able to do. Even if there is an opposition party in Congress, the president still can have the power to set the agenda in congress, and has considerable influence over what legislation gets passed.

[FrenchieCat]

16. We are allowing the media to lead us where they want us to go......

as always.

They Decide. We Repeat!

[spanone]

17. The Election is 17 MONTHS away. Seems a bit premature. IMHO