Agenda Issues
The Democrats seem to be having agenda issue lately. Not only is Feingold trying to push Resolution 398, calling for the President's censure, but Nancy Pelosi evidently missed a Howard Dean memo from last month.
Both the Washington Post, and Opinion Journal have articles today about Feingold's resolution, reaction to it, and why it's getting no support from the Democratic Party big wigs.
The Post story points out what has been said here, and about a billion blogs in the last 3 days about party support for the Censure resolution. The party bigs don't like it because, while they privately would love to beat Bush up with it, the public is behind the idea, in a big way. With only hard core liberals thinking the program is a bad idea, the resolution threatens to alienate middle of the road Democrats, and that all important "undecided" voter with mid-terms coming up.
Opinion Journal goes deeper with "The Impeachment Agenda", noting that folks like Barbara Boxer and John Conyers have tried to find out if there are impeachable offenses they could charge the President with. They bring the whole thing together with this ending note:
The Daily Kos and Atrios, can't see past their own 0-17 record for supported candidates to realize it's a losing proposition. Evidently the guys at Gun Toting Liberal can't either, since they are all ga-ga over the idea.
Other Agenda Issues
Iowa Voice points out that Nancy Pelosi has started talking about the Party agenda for the mid-term elections. The only problem is that Howard Dean did that last month on Face the Nation, obviously Nancy missed that episode, since their agendas don't mesh.
The one common thread they have is pandering to union voters. While Pelosie pushed her agenda for easier unionization with the Communications Workers of America, last month Dean made sure the Teachers Unions understand that public education, and union teachers are on his agenda.
What the Dean/Pelosi disconnect shows is that the media has been right in bashing them for the last few months on a lack of a coherent message. At some point, soon, if they really do aspire to hold part of Congress after November, the leadership is going to have to sit down, and come up with the actual plan, and start getting it out.
In case they hadn't noticed primary elections have already started, and incumbents with little opposition could be pushing the new party agenda already. Those with opposition could be pointing to what part they would play in it, as a more senior member of the House or Senate.
Instead, right now they have people running in ever congressional district on their own agendas, with little tying them together to show how the party as a whole would run things. When the leaders to finally start pushing their agenda, some Democratic candidates are going to looking like they've changed their entire campaign strategy mid stream.
Technorati Tags: Iraq,politics, education,health care ,Unions ,Howard Dean 2006, elections,Nancy Pelosi, The Daily Kos, Russ Feingold, George Bush, Atrios, Censure, Impeachment
Thanks to Don't Go Into the Light and PowerPundit for providing some inspiration for this.
Both the Washington Post, and Opinion Journal have articles today about Feingold's resolution, reaction to it, and why it's getting no support from the Democratic Party big wigs.
The Post story points out what has been said here, and about a billion blogs in the last 3 days about party support for the Censure resolution. The party bigs don't like it because, while they privately would love to beat Bush up with it, the public is behind the idea, in a big way. With only hard core liberals thinking the program is a bad idea, the resolution threatens to alienate middle of the road Democrats, and that all important "undecided" voter with mid-terms coming up.
Opinion Journal goes deeper with "The Impeachment Agenda", noting that folks like Barbara Boxer and John Conyers have tried to find out if there are impeachable offenses they could charge the President with. They bring the whole thing together with this ending note:
Which brings us back to Mr. Feingold's public service in floating his "censure" gambit now. He's doing voters a favor by telling them before November's election just how Democrats intend to treat a wartime President if they take power.While the Kosite's would love to have that debate, the truth is, if the GOP frames the election as being about the Presidents ability to defend the country, the polls show the Democrats won't do well. While his overall numbers are low, when the question of is he doing a good job protecting America from more terror attacks, it's always high.
Not only do they want to block his policies, they also plan to rebuke and embarrass him in front of the world and America's enemies. And they want to do so not because there is a smidgen of evidence that he's abused his office or lied under oath, but because they think he's been too energetic in using his powers to defend America. By all means, let's have this impeachment debate before the election, so voters can know what's really at stake.
The Daily Kos and Atrios, can't see past their own 0-17 record for supported candidates to realize it's a losing proposition. Evidently the guys at Gun Toting Liberal can't either, since they are all ga-ga over the idea.
Other Agenda Issues
Iowa Voice points out that Nancy Pelosi has started talking about the Party agenda for the mid-term elections. The only problem is that Howard Dean did that last month on Face the Nation, obviously Nancy missed that episode, since their agendas don't mesh.
The one common thread they have is pandering to union voters. While Pelosie pushed her agenda for easier unionization with the Communications Workers of America, last month Dean made sure the Teachers Unions understand that public education, and union teachers are on his agenda.
What the Dean/Pelosi disconnect shows is that the media has been right in bashing them for the last few months on a lack of a coherent message. At some point, soon, if they really do aspire to hold part of Congress after November, the leadership is going to have to sit down, and come up with the actual plan, and start getting it out.
In case they hadn't noticed primary elections have already started, and incumbents with little opposition could be pushing the new party agenda already. Those with opposition could be pointing to what part they would play in it, as a more senior member of the House or Senate.
Instead, right now they have people running in ever congressional district on their own agendas, with little tying them together to show how the party as a whole would run things. When the leaders to finally start pushing their agenda, some Democratic candidates are going to looking like they've changed their entire campaign strategy mid stream.
Technorati Tags: Iraq,politics, education,health care ,Unions ,Howard Dean 2006, elections,Nancy Pelosi, The Daily Kos, Russ Feingold, George Bush, Atrios, Censure, Impeachment
Thanks to Don't Go Into the Light and PowerPundit for providing some inspiration for this.
posted by Crazy Politico at 5:40 AM
8Comments:
CP, even if we disagree on this one (partially at least), I do appreciate the linkie-luv and have reciprocated of course.
I do see where you're coming from believe it or not, and I don't wholly disagree. The problem is, the Democrat Party has become infested with authoritarian far-leftists and no longer supports it's Liberal candidates like Sen. Feingold or their Liberal base. I don't know what the answer is, but I'm beginning to lean toward a truly Liberal 3rd party to combat the authoritarian left DNC and the authoritarian right GOP.
It wouldn't be easy, but I'm willing to do what I must to help restore some liberty to our nation. Ironic that our main export is liberty and democracy these days while it is eroding back home.
No unifying message might actually work to the betterment of the democratic party. Each member can rise to power on providing an agenda the will tie in with the voters of their district. Once they gain the office they can then turn unified and act. These politicians will gain office based on a lie, but what else do we expect.
Bill Frist tried to have a vote and the Democrats wanted nothing to do with it.
To have a cohesive agenda they need a cohesive set of beliefs, and they are so "diverse" that they need to tailor their message for each congressional district and senate seat. A unified agenda is just not possible for this group.
I seriously doubt that they are in as strong of a position as they think they are.
Thanks GTL, having lived in Feingold's home state or been a resident of while stationed away from it, until 1999, he's as "hard left" as they come. However, he's a quiet Liberal, not a loudmouth like Kos's kids. If you look at his record he's as liberal as Kennedy or anyone else. He just hasn't been a screamer until lately when he decided he has presidential ambitions.
Steven, MDC is right, the Democrats used a Senate rule to keep the vote from happening. Unfortunately there are so many parlimentary parlor tricks in the Senate you can hold anything up indefinitely if you really want to.
Shoprat, you are correct on that, and as the Illinois EEO board fiasco proved a few weeks ago that could be a big issue for them.
Interesting summary, CP, on Sen. Feingold. Makes me wonder if you would put me in that same category as being "hard left" as well, based strictly upon what you've read at the Gun Toting Liberal blog...
No, GTL, I wouldn't put you quite in his category, but then you don't want my guns (other than to shoot), he does. Among other things.
Interesting, CP. Yes, I do want your guns. I want everybody's guns. Guns are THAT cool! :-)
All kiddin' aside, The Pew Research Center, if I recall correctly, noted that the vast majority of "Liberals" polled didn't want our guns, and over a third are handgun owners. Not talking about Dems, just talking about TRUE Libs here.
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