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You are here: Home / How many divisions do Erick Erickson and David Gergen have?

How many divisions do Erick Erickson and David Gergen have?

by DougJ|  April 5, 20126:16 pm| 105 Comments

This post is in: We Are All Mayans Now

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John last night:

Democrats just seem like such spineless wimps who never fucking fight for anything they believe in. I’m a Democrat now and more sensitive to language than I once was, so I’m hesitant to call Democratic officials pussies because I know it will result in 20 emails yelling at me for my sexism, but good Christ the Democrats were and still are pussies. It’s enough to make you want to smash your head through your computer monitor when you see them constantly capitulating. Republicans might be crazy, but at least they fucking fight. Whether I am right or wrong, I stand up for what I believe. I’ll put my name, my ass, and my money on the line. So watching people repeatedly cave just makes me have no respect for them whatsoever. Sure there are political realities, but good grief, stand for something. I’m honestly shocked that other than a few jackasses, the Democrats fought the good fight on this latest contraceptives bullshit.

It’s not that Democrats need to make every hill a hill to do die on. On the contrary, we need to recognize that Republicans do do make every hill a hill to die on, and when they choose a particularly disadvantageous hill, Democrats need to show up to do the slaughtering. Fuck the “oh noes, what will the Bishops say”, the “Romney’s quote was taken out of context”, the “we’re still a right-center nation”. When Republicans decide to fight to the death on some issue where their position alienates a wide swath of the population, and excites no one but Villagers and Teahadists, fucking fight them.

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105Comments

  1. 1.

    General Stuck

    April 5, 2012 at 6:22 pm

    It’s not that Democrats need to make every hill a hill to do die on.

    Some hills you just need to stretch out on, fire up the crack pipe, and scout for guverment drones.

  2. 2.

    MikeJ

    April 5, 2012 at 6:24 pm

    I think Pelosi’s one speaker, two cups interview the other day is related to this.

  3. 3.

    Baud

    April 5, 2012 at 6:31 pm

    Ok but when Dems do this, the rest of us need to have their back.

    That means no “it’s about time” or “why don’t they do this all the time” or some other snarky, cynical comments like you usually see on the blogs.

  4. 4.

    David Koch

    April 5, 2012 at 6:32 pm

    Reince Priebus compares women to caterpillars.

    “Reince Priebus’ comparison of Republican attempts to limit women’s access to mammograms, cervical cancer screenings, and contraception to a ‘war on caterpillars’ shows how little regard leading Republicans, including Mitt Romney, have for women’s health,” said Obama deputy campaign manager Stephanie Cutter.

    Meanwhile, WaPo is saying the Dems are being mean to Priebus.

  5. 5.

    DougJ, Head of Infidelity

    April 5, 2012 at 6:32 pm

    @Baud:

    Fair enough.

  6. 6.

    Kathy in St. Louis

    April 5, 2012 at 6:34 pm

    Did I write this in my sleep? It’s time to get tough. Democratic officials need to understand that

    a.) No one, except very old conservative Catholics listen to the bishops on ANY subject anymore. They sailed that ship for the last time when they enabled the child molesters among their ranks and sacrificed the kids.

    b. Except for the small percentage of weirdos like us, who are political junkies, most people in the United States have an attention span on the Dem/Republican stuff that is nowhere near as long as their spans on Real Housewives of New York. If they did, we’d actually have an informed electorate, which we don’t.

    c. Those numbers for Fox News viewers count every old coot over 65 who ever said the Pledge to the flag, and not a lot of other people. The Dems need to remember that these people hate them, always will, and will vote against them regardless of what they do or don’t do to better their lives.

  7. 7.

    General Stuck

    April 5, 2012 at 6:36 pm

    When Republicans decide to fight to the death on some issue where their position alienates a wide swath of the population

    Sometimes, this is called political suicide, whereby all that is required are a few solemn words to mark the occasion for the sake of posterity. Then to mostly get out of the way.

  8. 8.

    cathyx

    April 5, 2012 at 6:38 pm

    Erick Erickson. Why would you give your kid the same first and last name.

  9. 9.

    brendancalling

    April 5, 2012 at 6:38 pm

    but if the democrats fight, the powder won’t be dry anymore. There is NOTHING worse than wet powder.

    Also too, the funders won’t like it.

  10. 10.

    TenguPhule

    April 5, 2012 at 6:39 pm

    On the contrary, we need to recognize that Republicans do do make every hill a hill to die on

    Freudian Slip much?

    Also, kill them all and let someone else sort it out.

  11. 11.

    TenguPhule

    April 5, 2012 at 6:40 pm

    Erick Erickson. Why would you give your kid the same first and last name.

    Gives them a 50% chance of remembering it.

  12. 12.

    TenguPhule

    April 5, 2012 at 6:42 pm

    When Republicans decide to fight to the death on some issue where their position alienates a wide swath of the population, and excites no one but Villagers and Teahadists, fucking fight them. slaughter them to last man, woman and fundie creepy child and stick their severed heads on poles as a warning to the spirits of stupid, driving them far from the colony.

    Improved.

  13. 13.

    ThatLeftTurnInABQ

    April 5, 2012 at 6:43 pm

    @David Koch:

    how little regard leading Republicans, including Mitt Romney, have for women’s health

     
    More of this please. Tie Mr. Etch-A-Sketch to the train tracks on the Crazytown Special
    s regular route. Keep doing this until most low-info voters think that ‘including’ is Romney’s first name.

  14. 14.

    Chuck Butcher

    April 5, 2012 at 6:46 pm

    It must be election time again…

    C’mon take a look at Congress and your congresscritter and tell me about “fight.” It must be remembered that every (D) counts for … well, something or the other especially when you’d be hard pressed to tell them from the not actually crazy GOPers and those from the actually crazy GOPers.

  15. 15.

    WJS

    April 5, 2012 at 6:48 pm

    Democrats need to show up to do the slaughtering

    This sort of reminds me of what the old bull said to the young bull. “I tell you what son. Let’s walk down there and fuck all of them.”

    Sometimes it is much, much wiser to let your enemy run around and play army while you wait for a chance to set them on fire and take everything from them. This is called acting like an adult in a room full of frat boys on coke. When they pass out, their wallets and pledge pins and fancy watches become your personal property to dispose of as you see fit, especially if they’re assholes. And that’s what we’re fighting–we’re fighting frat boys who can’t succeed at anything important. The days of the credible Republican are long past. We’re fighting the frat boys who never grew up and who will never be as good as their daddy. These are a people who can be consumed and destroyed in good time. They are nothing. They are the failed elite.

    In the midst of all that phony testosterone, remember what patience looks like. I know these are not patient times, but if you run around trying to beat them at their game, you’re going to lose about as often as you win. Let them blow a gasket over everything and act like children in public. And, when the time is right, disembowel them and step over the bodies on your way out of the office so you can enjoy your weekend.

    Of course, your own mileage may vary on that.

  16. 16.

    dollared

    April 5, 2012 at 6:53 pm

    Doug. Not a song lyric. But a wonderfully apt quote. Please send to Axelrod, with a Singaporean caning rod.

  17. 17.

    Schlemizel

    April 5, 2012 at 6:55 pm

    The problem is not that they won’t make every hill a hill to die for but that they won’t make ANY hill a hill to die for. At some point they have to start demanding a little more loyalty and cohesion. They need to tell their members that there are principles worth fighting to the death for because they are the bedrock of what it means to be a Democrat. “Not as bad as the fucking GOP” won in ’08 but those legs are not that long & we need to plant some flags.

  18. 18.

    TenguPhule

    April 5, 2012 at 6:55 pm

    We’re fighting the frat boys who never grew up and who will never be as good as their daddy. These are a people who can be consumed and destroyed in good time.

    No, they need to be destroyed as fast as possible because unlike a frat party, their drunken insanity never rests.

  19. 19.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    April 5, 2012 at 6:57 pm

    @Baud:

    That means no “it’s about time” or

    Pierce yesterday? Yeah, he can be exasperating.

    The entire birth control feint was so they could run ads about Candidate X (Kaine, McCaskill, Tester, fill in the blank) standing with Barack Obama against CHURCHES AND RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS. Dems are frankly lucky the Bishops want to make trouble for its own sake I mean stand on principle, and Darrell Issa is as dumb as he is convinced he’s on the cusp of becoming a star.

  20. 20.

    Danny

    April 5, 2012 at 6:58 pm

    Well yeah agreed, insofar as WE should stick up for our team and take it to the enemy.

    Still, a bit of historical context is useful. Republicans have been bold and Democrats timid because Republicans won a shitload of political fights all through the 70s and 80s. There was a realignment in the late 60s – if you heard – where southern whites abandoned the Democratic party over civil rights and other whites abandoned it over New Left and counterculture overreach. Between 1968 and 1992 Democrats held the White House for four years. Republicans pretty much controlled congress between 1994 and 2006.

    The shoe was on the other foot back in the 50s and 60s when Ike, Rockefeller and Romney were the bluedogs and DLCers of their time.

    Part of present day Republican ‘boldness’ is really overreach from people who are used to winning, who react with frustration and entitlement when they realize they’re starting to loose.

    Imho, what should learn from them is sticking up for our team, and – absolutely – kicking the bastards when they’re down, in the balls, hard.

  21. 21.

    pragmatism

    April 5, 2012 at 7:02 pm

    i prefer punching a bully in the nose and living with the consequences to continually moderating my position closer to the bully’s to “keep the peace”. plus, the bully’s reaction is priceless when they are punched in the nose.

  22. 22.

    Kathy in St. Louis

    April 5, 2012 at 7:03 pm

    @Schlemizel: At some point they have to start demanding a little more loyalty and cohesion

    Very true. I am shocked when a democrat ever comes out to have Obama’s back. They just leave him there.

    Look at our caucusing “friend” Lieberman,probably the worst case of biting the hand I’ve ever seen. They allowed him to hang in with them even though he spoke at the other party’s convention, for his friend McCain. He never came through on any votes when he was needed. His ass should have been out on the street. We had Ben Nelson, and several house reps who could never be counted on.

    Of course, we don’t want the old lockstep mindless Stepford Legislators of the GOP, but the party needs to kick a little behind to get some loyalty on the major stuff.

  23. 23.

    Steve in DC

    April 5, 2012 at 7:04 pm

    You forget that Democrats are “the villagers” for the most part. Our party leadership is fully of rich, elite, ivy leaguers exactly the same as the village.

    In the end the Democrats only care about rich social liberals. Working class people, fuck em! Unless it’s a feel good minority cause, otherwise fuck em. But even then, if it negatively impacts rich liberals, to hell with it.

    This is why the Democrats will fight and die on social issues, but NEVER EVER on economic issues.

    Not all of them are like this, but the vast majority of them are and the leadership sure as fuck is to the last one of them. The Republicans are worse of course. But if you’re not an ivy league educated social liberal hauling in the big bucks, you’re not in the Democratic club, and all they care about is your vote.

    We need more firebrand economic populists, fuck the social issues, back to economics.

  24. 24.

    Brachiator

    April 5, 2012 at 7:04 pm

    @DougJ, Head of Infidelity:

    and when they choose a particularly disadvantageous hill, Democrats need to show up to do the slaughtering.

    Absolutely. I was listening to some pearl clutcher on public radio talk about how “anger is the same as fighting,” and progressives should never be angry.

    Send these mofos a copy of The Art of War and The Book of Five Rings and a couple of copies of The Prince. No, you don’t have to be as bad, as negative, as putrid as the GOP, but you should make them pay, and use their stupidity against them.

  25. 25.

    JCT

    April 5, 2012 at 7:11 pm

    @cathyx: When you realize he’s a loser on first sight?

  26. 26.

    Narcissus

    April 5, 2012 at 7:13 pm

    You guys this thread is so uncivil

  27. 27.

    RD

    April 5, 2012 at 7:13 pm

    @WJS:

    In the midst of all that phony testosterone, remember what patience looks like. I know these are not patient times, but if you run around trying to beat them at their game, you’re going to lose about as often as you win

    Ralph Nader isn’t running this time.

    This is what failure looks like.

  28. 28.

    doofus

    April 5, 2012 at 7:23 pm

    The are very specific reasons why Dems look so accommodating and weak. You want fighting Democrats? Get a new *#$(@% electorate.

  29. 29.

    Baud

    April 5, 2012 at 7:26 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: It’s a more widespread attitude than just Pierce, unfortunately.

  30. 30.

    Marcellus Shale, Public Dick

    April 5, 2012 at 7:26 pm

    not every hill can or needs to be conquered by charging up infantry style. some times all that is required is a drone flyover or two to topple the conservatives ass over tea kettle, then let gravity roll them down to us.

    we still believe in gravity, right?

    occasionally leaving the conservatives in place on the hill that isn’t needed, prepared for us to storm to the top, is all that we need to do.

  31. 31.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    April 5, 2012 at 7:34 pm

    @Baud: Oh sure, but he used those exact words to lead off his column on Obama’s Social Darwinism speech, and I couldn’t read any further

  32. 32.

    LT

    April 5, 2012 at 7:35 pm

    I just realized that John’s (and millions of others) view on this is nothing but a part of their Republican fucking sickness. (Although John’s gotten over most of that sickness.) The more human, the kinder, the nicer people on the planet are always saddled with this shit. How fucking weak of us to not be vicious lying fucks.

    What horrible, macho wannabe fuckery. Fuck it all to hell and back.

  33. 33.

    Schlemizel

    April 5, 2012 at 7:40 pm

    @Kathy in St. Louis:
    Whats sad is I feel like if LIEberman ran again Obama & several other Dems would not hammer him like he deserves. They left the real Dem hanging when he needed their help.

    Then they wonder why nobody fears their party

  34. 34.

    LT

    April 5, 2012 at 7:41 pm

    Why does my moniker say “undefined” above?

    It changed to LT. Never mind.

  35. 35.

    RD

    April 5, 2012 at 7:45 pm

    @LT:

    An American writer moves to Australia…and whines about it.

    FUCK you.

  36. 36.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    April 5, 2012 at 7:47 pm

    @Schlemizel: Wait till Lieberman’s last day in the Senate, the hosannas are going to be nauseating and coming from every direction, from the Dems who served him as useful idiots to the Republicans he served that way

  37. 37.

    LT

    April 5, 2012 at 7:52 pm

    @LT:

    I need to amend my earlier comment to say that there are of course things that Dems do that look like weakness – but that’s not the right way to look at it. Just for starters it implies that Republicans are strong and courageous when they are actually just dishonest, greed, conniving fuckheads that should never be anywhere near actual power.
    __
    Obama and Dems don’t give away half the farm before even beginning to negotiate because they’re weak – they do it because they don’t actually want the things that the core values of Democrats should naturallly lead us to – universal health care, free higher education, less fucking war, etc.
    __
    They don’t want those things. They just don’t.

  38. 38.

    LT

    April 5, 2012 at 7:55 pm

    @RD: Suck my fucking cock you fucking fuck. Jesus fucking christ. Fuck you with your own fucking femur.

    Jesus. The fucking idiot children you have on this site. Fuck me. Unbelievable.

  39. 39.

    LT

    April 5, 2012 at 8:00 pm

    @WJS: Well said.

  40. 40.

    Baron Jrod of Keeblershire

    April 5, 2012 at 8:04 pm

    @LT: Both parties are the same, herp. It’s all a big conspiracy, derp. Too bad you people aren’t as wise and perceptive as me, herpderp.

  41. 41.

    FlipYrWhig

    April 5, 2012 at 8:04 pm

    Oooh, ooooh, the “what we need is game”! This is always a blast. What We Need is a Democratic party where everyone is liberal, and they all stick together, and they have a commanding majority in both houses of the legislature. Unfortunately, we don’t have those things, and we can’t fucking get them, mostly because there aren’t enough liberal voters in the populace and, consequently, running as a liberal in places where there aren’t enough liberals to vote for you means losing badly every single time.

    So there are two options: accommodating heterodox views for the sake of a majority that can enact watered-down policies we can all enjoy carping about, or enforcing rigorous discipline that talks a good liberal game but can never enact anything.

    Everything else on this general subject is 10% actual organization and movement-building, and 90% wannabes bragging about their hot Canadian girlfriends.

  42. 42.

    Keith G

    April 5, 2012 at 8:07 pm

    Democrats need to show up to do the slaughtering. Fuck the “oh noes, what will the Bishops say”

    Is that even our brand anymore? I thought we were the adults in the room.

    Ok but when Dems do this, the rest of us need to have their back.
    __
    That means no “it’s about time” or “why don’t they do this all the time” or some other snarky, cynical comments like you usually see on the blogs.

    That is pretty weak back support. Words on a blog…who cares?

    Reach out to the fighters. Communicate support, sent a small check, volunteer. Also reach out to the passive poo-heads, communicate your frustration, tell them what it takes to get your money and time.

    Republican pols fight because they have been selected and trained by their supporters to be fighters. Democrats say they value rational thinking and sound analysis. Just look at the Supreme Court if you want to see how that has worked out over the last few decades.

    11th dimensional chess is awesome, but if you are playing at chess and the the other side is using Tae Kwon Do, you might have a problem.

  43. 43.

    mclaren

    April 5, 2012 at 8:08 pm

    The problem is that Democrats never make any issue a hill to die on.

    Torture? Oh, okay, we’ll go along with that…

    The president of the united states murdering U.S. citizens without a trial? Hm, er, well, I guess that’s okay…

    The president sequesters funds and shuts down programs authorized by congress to the point where environmental groups have to sue the EPA just to get it to do its job (under Reagan)? Yeah, big deal, we won’t scream about that…

    The president launches an illegal immoral war of aggression based on phony intelligence? Sure, we won’t squawk about that, no impeachment, we’ll let bygones be bygones…

    So what the fuck is something that would actually cause the Democrats to erupt in righteous fury and shut down the government?

    I can’t think of anything.

    Torture, mass murder, illegal wars, nothing gets the Democrats upset enough to rise up in fury and say NO MORE!

    That’s not a political party, it’s a collection of paramecia.

  44. 44.

    Baud

    April 5, 2012 at 8:10 pm

    @Keith G:

    That is pretty weak back support. Words on a blog…who cares?

    It wasn’t intended to be an exhaustive list. You’re other suggestions are a-ok with me.

  45. 45.

    RD

    April 5, 2012 at 8:11 pm

    @LT:

    they do it because they don’t actually want the things that the core values of Democrats should naturallly lead us to – universal health care, free higher education, less fucking war, etc

    No, they did it because pussies like you fed the opposition.

    Have fun on the Gold Coast.

  46. 46.

    LT

    April 5, 2012 at 8:11 pm

    @Baron Jrod of Keeblershire: That’s just dumb. They’re not the same. And it’s not a conspiracy.

  47. 47.

    Some Loser

    April 5, 2012 at 8:13 pm

    @LT:

    Before I use harsh words, your post was kind of unclear.

    Are you saying that President Obama and the Democrats do not want healthcare, ends to silly wars, and et cetera?

  48. 48.

    LT

    April 5, 2012 at 8:14 pm

    @RD: I’m not on the Gold Coast. And you’re a fucking dumb ass.

  49. 49.

    LT

    April 5, 2012 at 8:20 pm

    @Some Loser: I am actually saying that. They might actually have visions of such things, but don’t treat them as something they can or should actually strive for. I think they’re like most people and believe the world is the way it is for a reason and don’t really think it can change much, or change much in a relatively short amount of time. Which allows them to limp along and not actually lead and charge into changing things.

  50. 50.

    RD

    April 5, 2012 at 8:22 pm

    @LT:

    You all end up on the Gold Coast.

    Trust me.

  51. 51.

    Baron Jrod of Keeblershire

    April 5, 2012 at 8:25 pm

    @LT: No, of course its not a conspiracy. You’re merely claiming that Obama deliberately lied about wanting single payer, and then after telling that lie he schemed with congress so they would spend a year pretending to argue and negotiate over health-care only to finally and very theatrically barely pass the exact bill that Obama really wanted. During the whole process Obama was just laughing his ass of at the suckers who actually believed he didn’t have absolute power to get any bill he wanted passed. Nope, it was all a ruse. But that’s not to say there was any conspiracy, per se.

    But you? You’re just too canny to fall for the non-conspiratorial plan to trick you. The scales have fallen from your eyes, boy-howdy, and you know the truth. The truth that Obama hates health care but really just wanted some way to funnel taxpayer dollars to his beloved insurance companies.

    As I once heard a man say, “That’s just dumb.”

  52. 52.

    Keith G

    April 5, 2012 at 8:31 pm

    @Baud: Good, as I read your previous comment as shunning tough love. Even those Democratic leaders who usually do the right thing, need to be reminded that we have high expectations.

  53. 53.

    LT

    April 5, 2012 at 8:31 pm

    @Baron Jrod of Keeblershire: Look – let me step back and gratn you that what I said could be taken like you took it, okay? I actually dont’ think I put this very clearly. And it’s not some great thesis of mine, I’m just thinking out loud. And I did give it a bit more finesse in later comments.
    __
    This started with me refuting the “Dems are so weak!” crap. It’s such a macho wannabe-cool kid way to look at this.

  54. 54.

    The Moar You Know

    April 5, 2012 at 8:31 pm

    I am actually saying that.

    @LT: That’s nice. Fuck you.

    Oh, that’s right, your opinion counts for less than jackshit, because you ran away and left us here to do the fighting.

    EDIT: All this goes double for mclaren.

  55. 55.

    Corner Stone

    April 5, 2012 at 8:33 pm

    @LT:

    Suck my fucking cock you fucking fuck. Jesus fucking christ. Fuck you with your own fucking femur.

    Good sweet Christ. And this with FlipYrNick preaching his centrist pragmatism and other discussionism in this very thread!
    You may have killed the poor fellow.

  56. 56.

    Corner Stone

    April 5, 2012 at 8:37 pm

    @Baud:

    That means no “it’s about time” or “why don’t they do this all the time” or some other snarky, cynical comments like you usually see on the blogs.

    What if it is, in fact, “about time”, or leaves some wondering, “why don’t they” ?
    Isn’t that kind of the clash between Cole’s post and DougJ’s?

  57. 57.

    Corner Stone

    April 5, 2012 at 8:38 pm

    @brendancalling:

    but if the democrats fight, the powder won’t be dry anymore. There is NOTHING worse than wet powder.

    This is indeed a consideration that must be considered.
    Where will the dry powder come from for the next fight where they need to keep their powder dry?

  58. 58.

    LT

    April 5, 2012 at 8:38 pm

    @The Moar You Know:

    Oh, that’s right, your opinion counts for less than jackshit, because you ran away and left us here to do the fighting.

    You are now no less than the third person on Balloon Juice to imply that an American who lives in another country is somehow less American, and less permitted to speak on things America, than Americans who live in the U.S.
    _
    I’m honestly shocked. BJers are supposed to be smarter than this.

  59. 59.

    Baud

    April 5, 2012 at 8:40 pm

    @Corner Stone:

    What if it is, in fact, “about time”, or leaves some wondering, “why don’t they” ?

    Suck it up–or be part of the problem.

  60. 60.

    RD

    April 5, 2012 at 8:41 pm

    @Corner Stone:

    And this with FlipYrNick preaching his centrist pragmatism and other discussionism in this very thread!

    Link?

  61. 61.

    Baud

    April 5, 2012 at 8:42 pm

    @Keith G: Tough love isn’t bad per se. Too many people on our side, however, just want to focus on tough love and their own cynicism and forget to support good behavior they claim to want.

  62. 62.

    beergoggles

    April 5, 2012 at 8:48 pm

    Or you could just take democrats at their wordvote. If they capitulate, it’s because that’s what they believe. Like Romney.

  63. 63.

    Corner Stone

    April 5, 2012 at 8:49 pm

    @Baud: Ahh, suck it up. The lesser of argument.
    A powerful argument, you make.

  64. 64.

    Corner Stone

    April 5, 2012 at 8:50 pm

    @LT:

    You are now no less than the third person on Balloon Juice to imply that an American who lives in another country is somehow less American, and less permitted to speak on things America, than Americans who live in the U.S.

    This is the primary rebuttal against Greenwald from the same authoritarian followers.

  65. 65.

    Baud

    April 5, 2012 at 8:53 pm

    @Corner Stone: I try to put it in terms any idiot can understand…

    Look, if someone wants to spend all their time complaining about the Democratic Party even when the Democrats are doing good things, then that’s their right. Some of us want to see productive change in the party and the country, and part of that means supporting good behavior wherever and whenever it occurs (even if we would have liked it to happen sooner or more often).

  66. 66.

    RD

    April 5, 2012 at 8:57 pm

    @LT:

    I’m honestly shocked. BJers are supposed to be smarter than this

    LT has been declared unmutual and subject to social conversion.

  67. 67.

    LT

    April 5, 2012 at 8:58 pm

    @Corner Stone: I know, I’ve seen that. It’s not just offensive – it’s so fucking dumb. It’s dittohead dumb.

  68. 68.

    Some Loser

    April 5, 2012 at 9:00 pm

    The stupid . . .

    Really. I think this may be the reason Democrats find it so hard to win on each issue. It isn’t that we can’t fight, but we choose not to. We rather fight ourselves. We make perfect the enemy of good. If one of leaders is not 100% perfect, we act like they have ulterior motives, or we act like they do not care sufficiently about our issue. It can never be that they simply failed! It can lonely mean that they traitorous.

    I am beginning to feel sympathy for some of our representatives. They have to deal with us after they work their ass off only to fail. I feel sympathy for some of our representatives, the hard working ones. Makes me despise party traitors and lazy Republican politicians even more.

  69. 69.

    RD

    April 5, 2012 at 9:03 pm

    @LT:

    Speaking of dittoheads, who would you like to see elected over Obama?

  70. 70.

    General Stuck

    April 5, 2012 at 9:06 pm

    This thread turned to shit on a dime.

  71. 71.

    LT

    April 5, 2012 at 9:11 pm

    @efgoldman: “It is not in Democratic DNA to be GOBP-style authoritarian, for better or worse.”

    Exactly. Especially the “for better or worse.”

  72. 72.

    Some Loser

    April 5, 2012 at 9:11 pm

    @General Stuck:

    This thread turned to shit on a dime.

    It usually does when Corner Stone posts.

    @efgoldman:

    It is not in Democratic DNA to be GOBP-style authoritarian, for better or worse.

    I don’t Schlemizel meant that much “loyalty”. Just maybe standing together and stabbing each other in the back. Some standards, y’know.

  73. 73.

    LT

    April 5, 2012 at 9:13 pm

    @RD: I have not once here or anywhere voiced support for anyone but Obama in 2012. I didn’t support primarying him. It is a choice between him and a Republican. The choice is easy.
    __
    Did you have a point, or are you just chatting?

  74. 74.

    General Stuck

    April 5, 2012 at 9:14 pm

    At some point they have to start demanding a little more loyalty and cohesion.

    And democrats would give up their individual penchant for telling all the other democrats they’re doing it wrong? I don’t think so. Face it, we’re a mob of lone rangers/edited

  75. 75.

    Some Loser

    April 5, 2012 at 9:19 pm

    @LT:

    Even when I agree with the person I hate this type of argument.

    It is a shitty argument.

    And if a person dislikes Obama, one shouldn’t vote for him.

    Though, I am not accusing you, LT.

  76. 76.

    redshirt

    April 5, 2012 at 9:22 pm

    I’m glad Democrats support gun control, cuz otherwise everyone would get shot in the back.

  77. 77.

    LT

    April 5, 2012 at 9:24 pm

    @Some Loser: I disagree. People should vote. If you get my drift.

  78. 78.

    RD

    April 5, 2012 at 9:28 pm

    @LT:

    How ’bout that Julia Gillard?

  79. 79.

    Keith G

    April 5, 2012 at 9:29 pm

    @Baud:

    Look, if someone wants to spend all their time complaining about the Democratic Party even when…

    The thing is, political parties are rockous, fractious conglomerations. It takes all kinds and we need all kinds to keep all of our oars moving. I figure you aren’t really signing up to be hall monitor, and really one is not called for at this level. Remember that which separates us…and all that.

  80. 80.

    doofus

    April 5, 2012 at 9:34 pm

    @Some Loser: True. And then they look at the 59% of Democrats believe it’s better to compromise instead of fight.

  81. 81.

    Baud

    April 5, 2012 at 9:36 pm

    @Keith G:

    It takes all kinds and we need all kinds to keep all of our oars moving.

    We actually don’t need people who don’t want to be part of the party and seek to undermine it. These people aren’t oars–they’re anchors.

  82. 82.

    Corner Stone

    April 5, 2012 at 9:39 pm

    @Some Loser:

    We make perfect the enemy of good. If one of leaders is not 100% perfect, we act like they have ulterior motives, or we act like they do not care sufficiently about our issue.

    What a fucking wanker. This is the moleman’s way out of discussing what’s going on.

  83. 83.

    Corner Stone

    April 5, 2012 at 9:42 pm

    @Baud: Your pragmatic undermine is a bunch of people with actual real beliefs wondering wtf happened to people with principles.
    You’re one of the perfect examples of how giving a little to get nothing has worked so well for the majority of Democratic voters.

  84. 84.

    Baud

    April 5, 2012 at 9:44 pm

    @Corner Stone: I have no idea what you just said, but I’m certain you’re incorrect.

  85. 85.

    General Stuck

    April 5, 2012 at 9:47 pm

    @doofus:

    Depends on what is offered in compromise, but compromise is the essence of what democracy is all about. You can give away too much in efforts to compromise, for sure, but approval of the general premise that compromise is essential to a healthy functioning democracy, is, I suspect, what most of that 59 percent of democrats polled, were meaning. The fact that the other side has gone insane, and has cast aside any good faith effort to compromise, is not a democrat problem. It is a republican/and national problem that is very serious, if not changed fairly soon. Without that good faith mindset to compromise, with the goal of fairness for both sides giving up some of what they want, means that we are steering ourselves to stalemate and you can’t govern a country that way. And if policy and political differences are not handled in such a way with measured compromise, then we begin teetering toward politics by other means.

  86. 86.

    RD

    April 5, 2012 at 9:47 pm

    @LT:

    You have set a high bar of accomplishment for American progressives in the near future.

    It seems only fair to ask this from of a small pool of names.

    One or two would be a start.

  87. 87.

    RD

    April 5, 2012 at 9:54 pm

    @Corner Stone:

    All love is unrequited.

  88. 88.

    doofus

    April 5, 2012 at 9:59 pm

    @General Stuck: I don’t disagree with you. I just think that Democratic politicians must always have that 59% in their mind. I assume that DougJ and Cole are part of the 18% that value principle higher than compromise. I think most of us, Firebagger and Obot alike, are in that 18% as well. It’s frustrating being in that 18%, but I bet it’s even more frustrating being a Democratic politician that’s gotta deal with both the 59% and the 18% and the Village and a hostile and unpricipled opposition.

  89. 89.

    Corner Stone

    April 5, 2012 at 10:06 pm

    @Baud:

    I have no idea what you just said, but I’m certain you’re incorrect.

    If that isn’t an anthem for you and your pragmatic brethren, then I don’t know what is.

  90. 90.

    Keith G

    April 5, 2012 at 10:08 pm

    @Baud:

    We actually don’t need people who don’t want to be part of the party and seek to undermine it.

    Are they actually ‘underminers’ or just folks who behave in ways that you (and others) find annoying?

    And…if they have a slightly warmish body and are willing to consider voting Democratic, we sorta do need them. We will be a lot more successful at this political thingy if we work on addition and not subtraction.

  91. 91.

    Corner Stone

    April 5, 2012 at 10:14 pm

    @Keith G:

    and seek to undermine it.

    You’ve smoothly glossed over the fact that Baud wants to determine who in fact are the underminers and who fit into the party.
    The Purity Pony Police called. They want to know when Baud is coming back on shift.

  92. 92.

    RD

    April 5, 2012 at 10:25 pm

    If that isn’t an anthem for you and your pragmatic brethren, then I don’t know what is

    This country’s anthem will never be The Internationale.

    There are too many NASCAR moms and dads.

    Get over it.

  93. 93.

    Keith G

    April 5, 2012 at 10:28 pm

    @Corner Stone: There is a woman on my TV, Rep. Debbie Riddle of the Texas 150th who just said “Americans do not want the IRS determining their health care.”

    My dear Baud, et al, these are the people that we need to confront. The liar Riddle needs to hear from all of us. For once lets not miss who the nasty people really are.

    Please use the link.

  94. 94.

    Librarian

    April 5, 2012 at 10:29 pm

    Speaking of pearl clutching, Sully did some today, scolding Obama for calling the Ryan plan “social darwinism” because it’s the same as the GOP calling him a socialist. Thanks, Sully, you’re a big help. Big fucking help.

  95. 95.

    Loviatar

    April 5, 2012 at 10:59 pm

    When Republicans decide to fight to the death on some issue where their position alienates a wide swath of the population, and excites no one but Villagers and Teahadists, fucking fight them.

    But, but, its not pragmatic to do so. The political reality is that because of the rightwing congress, we have to compromise on the conservative position. It has to be a bipartisan negotiated solution with Ben Nelson being the lead negotiator for the Democratic side.

    Its all about results. PRAGMATISM!!!!!!

  96. 96.

    RD

    April 5, 2012 at 11:30 pm

    @Loviatar:

    The political reality is that because of the rightwing congress, we have to compromise on the conservative position. It has to be a bipartisan negotiated solution with Ben Nelson being the lead negotiator for the Democratic side.

    It’s the darnedest thing.

    Get this: after 2016 Democrats will have Hillary Clinton.

    John Edwards is fucked.

  97. 97.

    mainmati

    April 5, 2012 at 11:47 pm

    @cathyx: Scandinavian or Icelandic, also sometimes Russian.

  98. 98.

    Montana

    April 5, 2012 at 11:52 pm

    That is pretty convoluted. But, yes, it is necessary to fucking fight them. The right has lied and will continue to lie to our countrymen and attempt to drive us further Into the downward spiral we have experienced since Bush the Worser was appointed by our less-than-Supreme-Court court.

  99. 99.

    FlipYrWhig

    April 6, 2012 at 12:47 am

    I take it all back. What We Need is more people making abstract demands of no one in particular, then patting each other on the back about it.

    Also, Hollywood comedies suck, and they always cater to the lowest common denominator. They should really should be more adult, more sophisticated, and in general more like the kind of thing I like. I don’t understand why they don’t just try that strategy, you know, striving hard to appeal to a small number of hard to satisfy people who don’t like their product. It’s marketing 101!

  100. 100.

    Corner Stone

    April 6, 2012 at 12:56 am

    @FlipYrWhig: [slow golf clap]
    Well played, Old Bean, well played.

    Well, actually, not really. This is just some fantasy capture of real life.
    People actually do argue positions, you know. They fight for decisions and outcomes.
    The fact that those desired outcomes get crushed by the president and the administration/media, does not make those goals incorrect.
    And that’s where you seem to miss the boat.

  101. 101.

    FlipYrWhig

    April 6, 2012 at 1:21 am

    @Corner Stone: I have no problem with the goals. The goals are awesome. My issue is and has always been with how to pursue the goals.

    We can long for liberal fighters. When they surface, it’s exciting like nothing else, and there are too few of them. But we shouldn’t just leave an empty seat for Liberal Elijah in the hopes that one day he just shows up. We need to also talk about why he isn’t here yet. And some of that has to do with how liberal politics isn’t necessarily winning politics, and what’s to be done in the face of that challenge.

    The ideal is a politician who is liberal on rights, populist on economics, and who wins. But the sad fact is that it’s rare to have all three at once. Wishing for her to arrive is like wishing for a car that’s both zero pollution and affordable to everyone. It bugs me when we get caught up in the fantasy without acknowledging how much of a struggle it would be to realize it.

  102. 102.

    AA+ Bonds

    April 6, 2012 at 3:18 am

    Democrats need to show up to do the slaughtering.

  103. 103.

    AA+ Bonds

    April 6, 2012 at 3:20 am

    Liberals: you will never show up for this, which is why the Presidency was usurped in 2000 – because you lost the left that year and once the right stole the office with their own fascist mob, what the fuck were you going to do [blame the left, lay back, and get fucked for eight years]

    That is why you need the left, because next time that shit happens it will be for keeps and none of you are prepared to resist

  104. 104.

    Danny

    April 6, 2012 at 5:10 am

    @AA+ Bonds:

    Liberals: you will never show up for this, which is why the Presidency was usurped in 2000 – because you lost the left that year […] That is why you need the left

    One of the most destructive pathologies we on the left have to get away from, yesterday. “I’m important! Because my team needs me and if they don’t suck up to me I can make my team lose. WINNING!1!”

    Think about it, my friend.. You matter when you can get people in general – the American people – to consider your opinions and find them reasonable and important.

    Shooting yourself in the foot, just to prove that you have the ‘power’ to make it hurt real bad is bordering on Darwin Awards worthy behavior.

  105. 105.

    Keith G

    April 6, 2012 at 7:16 am

    because you lost the left that year

    No.

    2000 happened (primarily) due to a combo of a dash of Clinton-ista fatigue and an abysmally run campaign.

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