How does one go about replacing a Majority Leader?

[jgraz]

Aside from a federal election, that is. How can citizens push for new leadership in the Senate? I've been trying to find info on this all day -- does anyone have any insight on this?

[L. Coyote]

1. First, you get elected to Congress.

[PoiBoy]

2. Check out these folks...

...see what you think... they look interesting... at least they're saying the right things...

http://workingforuspac.org/content/home/

while they seem to be focused primarily on economic issues at the startup, I don't think it would take much for them to expand the focus..

http://www.workingforuspac.org/pages/about/
<snip>
Those Democrats and Republicans who vote against the progressive agenda should consider finding a new line of work - and Working For Us PAC will make that very clear. Please join our fight. Until now these Democrats (in name only) have been able to stray because they knew there were no consequences for their actions -
There was no organized effort to publicize in their districts how they were voting:
They rarely faced viable primary challengers;
They knew they would be "the lesser of two evils" for progressives when they ran in November -- frequently against ultra-right Republicans; and so
They knew that regardless of how they voted, they would get the support of the Democratic Party and its allies in the end.

It's happened time after time...but those days are over.
<end>

:applause:

<snip>
Who is behind Working For Us PAC?
WFU PAC was established due to the actions of Members of Congress who routinely abandon their constituents. To hold them accountable at the ballot box, a diverse group of progressive activists joined together to work with constituents, other activists, the netroots, allied membership organizations and state and local officials.

WFU PAC itself is not a coalition of organizations. It is governed by a board of five directors, and while most of them have "day jobs" with major progressive groups, they operate WFU PAC as individuals, without pay, and don't represent their employers. But WFU PAC appreciates the support each group has expressed for this effort.

Current WFU PAC directors (and their regular positions) include:

Tyrone Freeman, General President, SEIU Local 434B
Thomas Mattzie, Washington Director, MoveOn.org Political Action
Steven Rosenthal, President, The Organizing Group
<end>

check them out... we have to take back the Democratic Party.. this may be a good place to start.

[jgraz]

4. Cool! Thanks.

:toast:

[KingFlorez]

3. Unless you are member of the Senate, you can't

It's not possible in anyway.

[jgraz]

5. We also can't impeach a president, but we're working on that as well

The point is, where do you start to apply pressure?

[L. Coyote]

7. On the ones who vote for their leaders, other Congress People

[Harper_is_Bush]

6. Maybe you're on the wrong forum?

[pat_k]

8. Find a formidable primary challenger. . .

. . .Should not be too difficult. There is money and clout in her district -- and not all of it happy with her. She is using her power to thwart the will of her constituents, most (all?) of whom are in San Francisco, where 60% voted for Proposition J "Adopting a Policy Calling for the Impeachment of President Bush and Vice President Cheney."

Perhaps Matt Gonzalez would consider running as a Democrat? Might be worth looking more closely at. Current dynamics could make him a formidable challenger to Pelosi's reign. Running as a Green he narrowly lost the 2003 SF mayoral election to Newsom (53-47%).

From http://www.mattgonzalez.com/

In a heartbreaking defeat for San Francisco's progressive voters, Matt Gonzalez narrowly lost his first bid for mayor. In a 53%-47% (133,546-119,329) vote, Supervisor Gavin Newsom won the highly contested election.

Though the ultimate results are disappointing, in many significant ways, Matt's campaign was a great success. Despite being outspent 10-1 by his heavily backed Democrat opponent, and after only four months in the race, Matt energized a whole new electorate and managed to attract a large and diverse coalition of voters. His message of clean, fiscally responsible government, and fair and humane solutions to the city's social problems resonated with thousands of voters.

[leftofthedial]

9. one way it was done in the past was for the citizenry

to mount an insurrection, seize power back from the villainous "government" and begin executing the former ruling elite.

[OzarkDem]

10. Seriously think we need a new Senate leader

Reid just isn't cutting the mustard, never has and never will. Its not in his nature or skill set to do the job.

Dems have had a bad run during the last several years where Senate leaders are concerned and its hurt us tremendously in asserting our authority and advancing an agenda.

These are desperate times that call for the likes of Lyndon Johnson's leadership style. He managed to get the Civil Rights Act passed as well as Medicare and a host of other programs at a time when southern Dems were still prevalent in Congress. He did it by being an authoritarian - rewarding good behavior and punishing bad.

Any ideas? Suggestions?

On edit: If we had a strong Dem leader in the Senate it would help Pelosi assert her authority in the House? I think she has the will, but not the way, nor the support from a fellow Dem leader who can stand up to the Caucus with her.