Do Dems in DC view DU as the base or as a fringe?

[jebediah]

Does anyone have feedback from them indicating whether they consider the opinions here mainstream or representative of the larger whole?

Specifically, I wonder if Reid, Pelosi and the others are reading this, and if so, is it disturbing to them?

[mmonk]

1. Considering their actions, the leadership is sure we are the fringe.

They think we are so insignificant, our votes won't matter in the scheme of things.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

2. those who are DLC view all websites as an irritant. they know so much more

than poor little us. Take Rahm for example. He was interviewed on the radio and said he did not care one bit the the netroots said or did, too small, too crazy and too uninformed.

[Zywiec]

3. What do you think?

Are we the base or the fringe? I think we encompass the entire spectrum just like any other group of people.

[jebediah]

8. I asked specifically about the politician's expressed opinions. nt

[mmonk]

21. Not all do.

Election 04 had candidate representatives and family visit here. But the leadership pretty much thinks in the long run we don't matter apparently. Either that or the DLC operatives that advise the party about elections.

[Maddy McCall]

4. If we're fringe, then so is Wes Clark Jr. and Elizabeth Edwards....

because both have posted here.

[EFerrari]

5. And Mr. Conyers. n/t

[CTD]

6. By definition...

Anyone who posts online at a site dedicated to XYZ (be it a political party, make of automobile, type of music, whatever), is NOT part of the mainstream with respect to that area of their live. We have to accept that we're fringe. The mainstream doesn't care enough to read this shit all day long. And if you spend enough time here, you inevitably seem some inarguably fringe viewpoints posted.

But we are a good chunk of the "base" so we cannot be discounted entirely. I'm sure the DLC Dems couldn't care less what we think but I suspect folks like Edwards give the mood here some weight.

But face it, mostly we're just preaching to the choir - each other.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

7. Unfortunately, they view us as "safe" votes.

[JNelson6563]

11. They view the base that way, sadly they are right.

I think there are certain candidates who feel free to shit on "the base" because they know we know what's at stake. Yes, they can flip us off semi-regularly to appease the wingers knowing we'll belly up to the polls on election day to at least protect things like the Supreme Court.

Sickening isn't it?

Julie

[JNelson6563]

9. Newsflash

DU is only important to DUers.

What is it about the collective egos of web-sites? There's another blog-forum site I visit and i just laugh. They are convinced that if only the state Legislators would post at their site more often things would be much better and the pols would be deserving of their support. Also, if any of these pols happen to say something they agree with, musta got if from their site (sound familiar?).

Absurd. I can tell you that Congress-critters are far more concerned with realities than what a bunch of self-important keyboard commandoes, many who've never stepped foot in a campaign office, are writing.

Julie

[jebediah]

12. ? Who said anything about ego? If DU happens to be an

accurate sampling of opinion from their base then they might consider it a valuable resource. It does presume some democratic urge on their part.

The question was "do they?" If so, who?

[JNelson6563]

19. I did.

I was once again marvelling at this collective ego thing of DB's/blogs.

Frankly I suspect the pols know that sites like this are made up of all sorts of people and don't give it much consideration beyond that.

Julie

[Horse with no Name]

10. Why do you want to know?

:eyes:

[jebediah]

16. I just don't know the relationship there. I'm frustrated at the

state of affairs which I really don't have the time or skill to express. Olbermann just said it exactly right.

So I was wondering if that outrage, reflected here at DU in a lot of posts, is valued or even seen by anyone in DC.

[jgraz]

13. You've just encapsulated the entire problem with the DC Dems

To the Rethugs, their true believers are "the base". To the DC Dems, we're "the fringe".

[hatrack]

14. We are milk cows during the election cycles, to be ignored at other times

That's about it these days - or so the last week would lead me to believe.

[mike_c]

15. that's an interesting question-- the truth is the I have come to consider...

...MYSELF at the very fringes of the democratic party, after voting staunchly democratic since the early 1970's. The party has marginalized me and my progressive colleagues while seeking support from moderates and centrists who might just as well be republican in my view.

[demnan]

17. I think they think most of their constituents are the fringe

and they aren't listening to the majority of the people right now.

[lonestarnot]

18. Hmmmm. They are in real uneasy shoes then aren't they?

[napi21]

20. I suspect they think we're pretty far left of center, and so does

the media think that, at least CNN does. They also think the Free Republic is pretty far right of center. They're probably right in both cases. I think I'm a small part of the minority here on DU. I tend to look at things and ask myself if what I'd like to see is actually doable. If it's not, I look for another option. From what I can tell, the majority here take a stand and just won't change...no compromise, no alternative solutions, just stand with their opinion and bit*h. Believe me, I've been slammed quite a few times for being a wimp, a wuss, caving in, wanting us to lay down AGAIN, etc.