Sometimes, You Have To Choose

Very Well Thought-Out Analysis, Doug (4.00 / 3)

You have taken a good look at each of these very good people, and made your call.  And by your presentation it sounds like you were torn, and the choice was tough to make.  I see either Katrina Swett, who I admire for her (and Dick's) many years of progressive leadership and Democratic Party involvement, and Ann Kuster, whom I respect for her depth and intelligence, as great choices.  

I just hope that whomever is the "runner-up" on Tuesday immediately gets behind the nominee.  She should become a co-chair of the nominee's campaign, pull together their campaign teams, and go on to Smash Bass.

I have the luxury of not having to choose, since I can vote this coming Tuesday for the excellent Congressperson we have in Carol Shea-Porter.  I have a similar dilemma as you, however -- we have 8 Democratic candidates running for the 7 State Legislative nominations in the Portsmouth-Newington district.  

I like them all, but there's a line on the ballot that says, "Vote for not more than 7."  On the ballot are the best House Speaker we've ever had, the longest-serving woman in the NH House, and tremendous advocates for health care, environment, education, diversity, and child care.

Every dilemma has a solution, however, and I HAVE figured out a way to vote for them all!

---

by: Rep. Jim Splaine @ Fri Sep 10, 2010 at 06:36:56 AM CDT

Vermont's Dem Gov Candidates (4.00 / 2)

Are setting a great example (touring the state together while the recount is going on) and talking about the Dem agenda vs Dubie's Agenda.

While I hope they have their Nom very soon, its a great example of Party over Person.

Hope > Fear




Create a free Blue Hampshire account and join the conversation.

---

by: Mike Hoefer @ Fri Sep 10, 2010 at 06:58:06 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

VT for Dubie! Who knew ? n/t (4.00 / 2)

We represent the Lollypop Guild, the Lollypop Guild, the Lollypop guild.

---

by: JonnyBBad @ Fri Sep 10, 2010 at 07:21:42 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Thanks for your thoughtful approach... (4.00 / 1)

Thanks for your thoughtful opinion Doug. While we disagree on your conclusion, I appreciate your approach to the decision. I would though take exception to the following statement:

However, it seems most militantly moderate holders and seekers of major office are simply triangulating, hedging on any effort to take any controversial action.  I don't respect the idea that the lowest common denominator is the solution to our problems.

There are certainly politicians who fit your statement. However, I believe that it is a disservice to us, our party and the country to assume that moderates are simply afraid to take a principled stand.

Moderate is a stand in its own right. There are moderates in both parties and among undeclareds. I look no further than my home state of Mass. at Paul Tsongas to see a principled moderate. He was not the exception.

Actually the statement:

There is nothing in the middle of the road except yellow lines and dead skunks

is a measure of Republicans rush to self destruction by "cleansing" their own party.


If Democrats are to remain the Big Tent party, as I believe we are, we must allow that moderates have a legitimate point, even though we may not agree with it.


Thanks again for your thoughtful approach and I will now get off my soap box, before I fall off...

"Never doubt that a small group of dedicated people can change the world...it's all that ever has."
~Margaret Mead

---

by: johndejoie @ Fri Sep 10, 2010 at 09:47:51 AM CDT

Yes and no (0.00 / 0)

If Democrats are to remain the Big Tent party, as I believe we are, we must allow that moderates have a legitimate point, even though we may not agree with it.

Yes, absolutely.

Moderate is a stand in its own right.

No. Stands are defined by issues and policies, not labels.

---

by: JimC @ Fri Sep 10, 2010 at 10:39:56 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

I'm not against moderates in general. It's healthy to have a middle. (4.00 / 2)

What I'm against is the idea that one's position on an issue should be defined by placing oneself halfway between Bernie Sanders and Jim DeMint.  There's nothing sacred about centrism for the sake of centrism.  I'm extremely skeptical of pols who believe in a deus ex medio.

I respect people whose positions place them near the center--and for the record, I respect you, John.  What I don't respect is, for example, the time Senators Collins, Snowe, and Nelson decided they would vote for the Recovery Act, but only if it were a hundred billion dollars smaller than whatever it might otherwise have been.  For another example, Senator Lieberman coming to oppose his own proposal for medicare expansion as a part of healthcare reform and pointedly admitting he changed his mind because he learned that Congressman Anthony Weiner was for it.

--
"Act as if ye have faith and faith shall be given to you." -Aaron Sorkin

---

by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Fri Sep 10, 2010 at 10:47:15 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

I am against fake moderates (4.00 / 1)

By her continued strong and vocal support of Joe Lieberman in the '06 CT Senate race after he had been defeated in a Democratic Primary by Ned Lamont, Katrina showed no regard for the wishes of the electorate. When she loses on Tuesday will she pledge not to run as an independent who knows better than the State's Democratic primary voters?

It was a very similar race...Lieberman was beaten by Lamont over support for Bush policies in Iraq. Lamont was against the War. So is/was Annie. Katrina was quoted supporting Bush's policies invasion of Iraq as a "very sophisticated and smart approach" in the Nashua Telegraph 10/9/02. It makes my question above relevant, and redolent of '06.

Is her Centrism radical ? So important that it is bigger than party? Seemed so in that case, for sure. At the time, before Lieberman ran as an independent, Dick told me to my face that he was not sure "this is my Democratic Party anymore'. Joe ran outside the Party as an independent with the Swett's blessing and continued support.

Now the campaign, through debate talking points and hit mail has tried to paint Annie as a "real progressive", something to be scorned in a turn back the clock election.

Is this the DLC in 1991 talking about to get the White house back by co-opting Republican positions ? No the NH version is co-opting about the Swetts Democrats. Shame on you!

When you endeavor to cast yourselves as the center of the NH Democratic Party,it has to be based on something relevant in 2010. Your campaign is so 1992. That was then. Fully one third of the electorate voting next week, did not live or vote in NH in 2000.
Good luck with your 'punch the hippie' style.

BTW, Dean deserves the Pulitzer for that line alone.

See you Tuesday at the Bow Polls. I'll be there all day.

We represent the Lollypop Guild, the Lollypop Guild, the Lollypop guild.

---

by: JonnyBBad @ Fri Sep 10, 2010 at 12:54:09 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

*should have said (0.00 / 0)

No the NH version is about the Swetts co-opting Democrats.

We represent the Lollypop Guild, the Lollypop Guild, the Lollypop guild.

---

by: JonnyBBad @ Fri Sep 10, 2010 at 12:56:24 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Point of clarification (4.00 / 4)

Neither candidate could run as a independent after Tuesday as it is about 12 weeks too late to file.

Three more days.




"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

---

by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Fri Sep 10, 2010 at 13:53:14 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

could always be a write in n/t (0.00 / 0)

We represent the Lollypop Guild, the Lollypop Guild, the Lollypop guild.

---

by: JonnyBBad @ Fri Sep 10, 2010 at 14:58:38 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Real World, Jon n/t (4.00 / 1)

"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

---

by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Fri Sep 10, 2010 at 16:36:52 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Right in ? :) n/t (0.00 / 0)

We represent the Lollypop Guild, the Lollypop Guild, the Lollypop guild.

---

by: JonnyBBad @ Fri Sep 10, 2010 at 18:48:54 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I like that rule. (4.00 / 1)

I have no problem with candidates who run as independents, but that's a decision to make when becoming a candidate.  Committing to a party's primary and seeking its nomination is committing to respect the party's primary voters in their decision about who to nominate.

--
"Act as if ye have faith and faith shall be given to you." -Aaron Sorkin

---

by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Fri Sep 10, 2010 at 17:56:11 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

whom n/t (4.00 / 1)

We represent the Lollypop Guild, the Lollypop Guild, the Lollypop guild.

---

by: JonnyBBad @ Fri Sep 10, 2010 at 18:49:30 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

On Some Issues, Bass is to the Left of Swett (0.00 / 1)

Reproductive rights

The war in Afghanistan

Hers is not a moderate position.  


No'm Sayn?

---

by: BurtCohen @ Fri Sep 10, 2010 at 16:21:39 PM CDT

? (4.00 / 4)

Bass would vote for Boehner for speaker. That means Bass is to the right of all Democrats on all issues.

Period.



"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

---

by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Fri Sep 10, 2010 at 16:35:31 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Wrong -- and Blatantly Untrue (4.00 / 1)

I am not going to defend what Katrina said in the debate.  It is bad political strategy.  And, more importantly, it is not true.

I cannot think of a single position where Katrina Swett is to the right of Barack Obama, much less Charlie Bass.  (She is to the left of the President on several issues, including gun control and human rights as a key component of US foreign policy.)  Since the President is no moderate, Katrina Swett isn't either.

On choice, Katrina is to the left of Charlie on federal funding and stem cell research.  She attacked him on these issues in the 2002 campaign.

Everyone is having their fun, and I can't complain -- after all, Katrina asked for it.  But I draw the line at false garbage like your comment.  Which deserves a TR.

---

by: Dartmouth Dem @ Fri Sep 10, 2010 at 18:26:48 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Yes and No (0.00 / 0)

Kathy's right when it comes to Boehner. Charlie is Mr. Go-Along-to-Get-Along, no question.

But on choice, Katrina is against federal funding.
And Charlie is less of a hawk on Afg than KS.

But the Boehner thing...that does top it all.  

No'm Sayn?

---

by: BurtCohen @ Fri Sep 10, 2010 at 18:41:55 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Wrong (4.00 / 1)

Katrina is for federal funding.  She always has been for federal funding.  Katrina campaigned against the Hyde Amendment in 2002, and opposed the Stupak Amendment from Day 1 last year.  

You don't know what the hell you're talking about.  

---

by: Dartmouth Dem @ Fri Sep 10, 2010 at 18:43:52 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

My Ears Don't Lie, DD (0.00 / 0)

If you've never heard your candidate say she does not support federal funding, you are in a very small group.

All the pro-choice groups have heard her on this, as have my own ears.

 

No'm Sayn?

---

by: BurtCohen @ Sat Sep 11, 2010 at 14:31:20 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Your Ears DO Lie, Burt (4.00 / 1)

Saying it over and over again doesn't make it true.  It just makes it a bigger lie.

Here is Katrina's statement on Stupak from last December:

"...the trepidation comes from the Stupak amendment which, much to my dismay, was adopted as part of the bill passed by the House. The effect of the Stupak amendment would be to significantly curtail women's access to health care coverage for the full range of reproductive services. As someone who is pro-choice..."

http://www.bluehampshire.com/s...

And her position on Hyde has never wavered, either.

---

by: Dartmouth Dem @ Sat Sep 11, 2010 at 15:21:00 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

President Obama is a moderate. (0.00 / 0)

The kind of moderate who believes in things, but a moderate nonetheless.

--
"Act as if ye have faith and faith shall be given to you." -Aaron Sorkin

---

by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Fri Sep 10, 2010 at 21:31:55 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Does This Mean (4.00 / 1)

that a "moderate" is someone who cares less about getting party principles converted into legislation than he does about the appearance of enjoying support from both parties?  I think your description of Ms Swett is accurate, but I also perceive President Obama as too much (so far) of a triangulator rather than a principled leader.

"Moderate" can be a handy way to describe someone who thinks a middle way between the extreme positions is more doable, or it can be a description of someone who is afraid to take the more ideological position.

---

by: Ref @ Sun Sep 12, 2010 at 07:53:10 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

He has some of that, but mostly, he's the other kind of moderate: (0.00 / 0)

He also stands up for minorities (like Muslims) when nobody else will. (left)

He also escalated the war in Afghanistan when his party was against it. (right)

Against the advice of all of his closest advisors, he pushed for a comprehensive healthcare reform bill, not a series of smaller bills. (left)

He's dragging his feet on ending many of the myriad Bush-era civil liberties abuses. (right)

For the first time, an American President is convening summits of world leaders and getting serious about reducing and eliminating nuclear weapons worldwide--Presidents like Reagan were all talk on that. (left)

--
"Act as if ye have faith and faith shall be given to you." -Aaron Sorkin

---

by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Sun Sep 12, 2010 at 11:18:28 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Adding: (0.00 / 0)

I'm not necessarily saying Swett is the next Ben Nelson; I'm saying she doesn't talk enough about the issues for me to be convinced that her rhetorical triangulating in that debate is just rhetoric.  And frankly, even if it is just rhetoric, I think that rhetoric is harmful to the political zeitgeist.

That said, Katrina Swett is a good Democrat who I will full-throatedly support if she wins the nomination; I have enormous respect for her human rights efforts and for her father's and husband's tenures in Congress.

--
"Act as if ye have faith and faith shall be given to you." -Aaron Sorkin

---

by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Sat Sep 11, 2010 at 10:40:58 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

sweet seasons (0.00 / 0)

sometimes you win sometimes you lose

We represent the Lollypop Guild, the Lollypop Guild, the Lollypop guild.

---

by: JonnyBBad @ Sat Sep 11, 2010 at 14:04:02 PM CDT