Bayh is the perfect example why we need a farm team. We need candidates ready in every seat.

[CK_John]

We should have someone legally ready to fill in for local, state and fed offices should the need arrive. That what makes a party. It also lets every candidate know he can be replaced and enforces the party platform.

Don't like it, start your own party or run as an independent.

[Tippy]

1. I agree...100%...We need groom people who can do this..

For one thing it would keep elected officials on there toes..

[SharonAnn]

23. But, our elected officials don't want a "deep bench". It's threatening to them.

They want everything to revolve around them.

And, I love Robert Byrd at times, but sheesh. Can't he retire? Isn't there anyone in the wings who culd run?

[tekisui]

2. Yep. We should be able to plan ahead for fuck-ups like this

and Kennedy's seat. Are we playing to win?

[KoKo]

20. That's the job of the Dem National Committee and the Senatorial & House Chairs...

or the re-election Committees. Why aren't they doing their job? Or are they doing their job and it just isn't working. It's hard to know at this stage.

[Captain Hilts]

3. People go from nowheres to the majors so quickly because of how the media and money work. nt

[tabbycat31]

4. agree 100%

which is why more people need to get involved in their state level races (assembly, state senate, etc) as well as the local races.

[liberalpragmatist]

5. There's actually a pretty strong Dem bench in Indiana

So we still have about 50-50 odds of holding the seat. Still unfortunate though - Bayh was an ass, but he'd have won comfortably and in the end he usually voted with us even if he postured along the way.

[Voltaire]

8. I think we can still hold the seat

I didn't think so yesterday, but who are they going to put up from the Stupid Party? The Stupid Party gets to choose first and then we can match the best candidate against him. So we have a pretty good shot of holding the seat.

[DFW]

6. i.e. Howard Dean was, and still is 100% correct with his 50 State strategy

Howard came up with a winning formula then. I don't see why it should be less so now.

[polichick]

7. Yeah, but Dean wasn't into the conservadem candidates favored by Rahm...

This party has to figure out if it represents people or corporations.

[DFW]

10. Howard knew perfectly well who he wanted to represent

The people who followed him don't seem to have quite as clear a vision, and we are paying a price at the polls for that.

With Howard, we never had to ponder the question, because with him, there was no question.

[polichick]

11. You mean the people who came after him don't have a clear vision, right?

If so, I agree.

[DFW]

13. I mean that if they do....

their way of articulating such a vision is so obscure as to have left me in the dark as to what it is.

With Howard, I have no doubt as to where he stands. Of course, I don't know Tim Kaine, never met the guy.
But even so, one shouldn't have to be a friend of the party chair to know what's on their mind.

[polichick]

14. Just wanted to be sure you're talking about people like Kaine...

...rather than those who are followers of Dean.

I agree with you about Kaine - and think the same thing about Obama.

[DFW]

15. Howard is a personal friend

I have nothing but the highest regard for him and those who share my views on the subject (which
for reasons just stated, are not necessarily totally objectve).

[polichick]

16. Well, I'm with you - a big Dean fan...

Volunteered for him the first time around and would gladly do it again.

[Hippo_Tron]

18. Well he did go to Pennsylvania to endorse Bob Casey during the primaries

And Casey did have a primary challenge from the left. Granted one with no chance of winning, but he did have one nonetheless.

[jaksavage]

9. Bayh didn't help our cause...

He did help the pukes though.

[KoKo]

21. True.. The MSM is spinning it that even a "Centrist, Moderate Dem" doesn't want to

run for re-election. Code for "..the Dem Party is just too liberal and the President can't hold his centrists together." Rahm Speak.

[harun]

12. We absolutely should and it isn't that hard for us to do it.

[Rebubula]

17. That is not....

...how the system works.

'We the People' - remember that one?

I do not like it and this is already my party. You do not like it, feel free to start your own party.

[uponit7771]

19. Then "We The People" need a farm team with good experienced leaders

[KoKo]

22. Howard Dean made a good start on that...but he got shoved aside...

There was a network in place. The network is now back to where we started in some states. Without support for new groups of people the energy dissolves and the party machinery goes back to the way "things were done before."