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| Should MoreOn.org Challenge 'Right-Wing' Democrats? |
| 2006-02-14 |
| Should we challenge right-wing Democrats? Our top goal is ending right-wing Republican control of Congress but to make progress on core issues we think MoveOn should challenge right-wing Democrats in primary elections. What do you think? Give us feedback. Dear MoveOn member, This year our top goal is breaking the right-wing Republican stranglehold on Congress. That is our main focus every day. It is also part of our work together to hold Democrats to their Party's highest values on issues like foreign policy, economic prosperity and good government. That sometimes means grappling with specific right-wing Democrats who consistently side with big corporations and right-wing Republicans. One approach is to support progressive primary challengers to right-wing Democrats. We think this makes sense but it's a big decision so we wanted to check with you and other MoveOn members. What do you think? Click below to let us know. http://political.moveon.org/whattodo/?id= The story about "the Democrat who sold out" has become too familiar. Too often progressives tip toe around these betrayals. But there needs to be real consequences for these Democrats. Replacing a right-wing Democrat with a more progressive Democrat will help voters more clearly understand what Democrats stand for—and that will help Democrats win. Many of these conservative Democrats we would challenge represent states or districts that are heavily Democratic—so we're not imperiling a Democratic majority by doing this. Why is this a big decision? At some level it isn't—we've consistently held Democrats feet to the fire on a long list of issues. But challenging right-wing Democrats in an electoral setting would be new for MoveOn.org Political Action. That is why we're asking for your feedback. Click below to let us know what you think. http://political.moveon.org/whattodo/?id= Who are the Democrats we would challenge? One example is Congressman Henry Cuellar in Texas. Cuellar is a right-wing Democrat infamous for supporting the Bush agenda and Republican legislation. He is wrong on many core Democratic issues like the war and Medicare, he often undermines key Democratic initiatives and too often pokes progressives in the eye with his votes and statements. (More on Cuellar tomorrow.) We would start with the worst like Cuellar and work to build a progressive majority one election at a time. A Democratic majority will be a big step towards progressive reform. But at the same time we have to work to build a progressive majority that will work towards bold reforms. Please help by giving us feedback on this decision. http://political.moveon.org/whattodo/?id= Thanks for all you do. –Tom, Jennifer, Rosalyn, Justin and the MoveOn.org Political Action Team Tuesday, February 14th, 2006 P.S. Here are some key practices we'll follow: Member endorsement. MoveOn.org Political Action only endorses candidates with the consent of MoveOn members in the state or district—surveying them before an endorsement. If members are split, we won't endorse. Viable candidates. We don't want to waste your money—so we work hard to pick candidates who have a real shot at winning. A progressive majority. We believe that all Democrats are not the same—and we work to elect progressive members of Congress when we can. Support our member-driven organization: MoveOn.org Political Action is entirely funded by our 3.3 million members. We have no corporate contributors, no foundation grants, no money from unions. Our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. If you'd like to support our work, you can give now at: http://www.moveonpac.org/donate/email.html?id= PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://political.moveon.org/?id= Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. "Bwahahahahahahaha!" -- Karl Rove (allegedly) |
| Posted by:Anonymoose |
| #8 sounds like Kate Michelman - Nat'l Abortion Rights Action (?) League (NARAL) |
| Posted by: Frank G 2006-02-14 22:22 |
| #7 #6 2b: "I watched feminist Kate Melcham (or something like that) halking her book" Not to nitpick, but it's spelled "hawking." However, in this context I like your spelling better. "Halking her book" - sort of sounds like something a cat would do with a hairball. Same dif, I suspect. ;-p |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2006-02-14 22:14 |
| #6 I watched feminist Kate Melcham (or something like that) halking her book on TV the other night. She was lecturing to a group of like minded women. I found it fascinating. Mostly because it was an interesting insight into just how dejected the lefty dems feel. One girl said, "how do we get the campus democrats off life support" and "feminist" is almost a dirty word. Kate clearly believed that the only reason their product wasn't selling was because the evil Christian right is better organized and if only the far left could organize as well as they could, then everyone would want to think just like them. The cognitive diss was strangely compelling to watch. |
| Posted by: 2b 2006-02-14 21:18 |
| #5 Oh please please do, this would be the greatest event to watch Democratic party implode. |
| Posted by: djohn66 2006-02-14 20:58 |
| #4 Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes. Replacing a right-wing Democrat with a more progressive Democrat will help voters more clearly understand what Democrats stand for—and that will help Democrats win. First part -- right on. Second part -- no freaking way. |
| Posted by: Robert Crawford 2006-02-14 19:26 |
| #3 "Our top goal is ending right-wing Republican control of Congress but to make progress on core issues we think MoveOn should challenge right-wing Democrats in primary elections. What do you think?" I think you're certifiably insane, every bit as much as the droolers, dribblers, munchers, shufflers and head-bangers locked up in Bellevue. But what the fuck: go for it, dudes, you're on a roll. You've already driven most of the sane folk out of the Democratic Party, so why not evict the rest? Have a ball. |
| Posted by: Dave D. 2006-02-14 17:24 |
| #2 Go for the billions, Barb...money should be no object when you're talking about party purity! |
| Posted by: Seafarious 2006-02-14 17:02 |
| #1 Why, yes - that's a great idea! Why not ask Soros today for a few more |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2006-02-14 15:23 |