Agree to Disagree

Two thumbs up (4.00 / 1)

Way up.

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by: JimC @ Thu Apr 02, 2009 at 10:04:19 AM CDT

Thank you n/t (0.00 / 0)

7 Days
Have you knocked on doors today? Have you made calls ? Have you talked to your neighbors ?  

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by: JonnyBBad @ Thu Apr 02, 2009 at 10:30:57 AM CDT

In any legislative body (0.00 / 0)

it is more important to have the majority than caucus issue purity. Having committee chairmanships and the power to effect the process by the Speaker or Senate President is critically important.

Have you written a letter to the editor today? Have you donated today? Have you put up signs? Have you made calls? Have you talked to your neighbors?

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by: Ray Buckley @ Thu Apr 02, 2009 at 12:23:33 PM CDT

"Power" Without Ideals Is Abuse Of Power... (4.00 / 1)

...and that said, we can certainly work toward both.  We've seen the success of some important goals during the past three years in Concord, and we're seeing the results in Washington.  But let's never deter from our work on meaninful issues which affect people's lives.  

Keeping an eye out for the next election is certainly important.  But the first duty of a politician, I'll always submit, is NOT to get reelected, but is instead to do the right thing.  

And let's remember, despite Democrats being in the minority in New Hampshire for many years, we were able to do many good things.  It took good leadership, and courage. It also took some inventiveness, but it happened.  The pendulum of politics is such that we'll want to remember how we did that, because we won't always have the majority -- nor should we sacrifice issues to avoid that reality.

We can compromise on some issues, and we can emphasize certain issues over others, but let's always keep true to our ideals.  Let's keep our eye on the good.  

Otherwise, perhaps, on our death beds we'll wonder what all of our high-sounding titles and carpeted offices really was about.  

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by: Rep. Jim Splaine @ Thu Apr 02, 2009 at 13:13:15 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Provided (0.00 / 0)

that's what happens.  It is really disappointing to see cracks in our coalition so soon after the election.

If some of what's happening in DC is posturing and political theater by "conservative" Dems, then I'm delighted that we have learned to play the game designed by Republicans.  As long as it begins and ends with the media and we get the votes in the chambers.  

My general intuition has been that the DNC still doesn't understand the power of the grassroot progressive movement as it exists today.  Shea-Porter's victory in '06 is a harbinger of some of that power.  

Your comments about moving the agenda through the Speaker and Majority Leader are encouraging.  Pelosi and Reid are supporters of the President's policies, and will need legislative maneuvering (read: no more amendments taking proposals out of reconciliation) room to make progress.

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by: j cicirelli @ Thu Apr 02, 2009 at 13:19:25 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

"Purity" (0.00 / 0)

Just what does that mean, here?

It's clearly a loaded term, suggesting that others are zealots of some type. But just what does it mean?

Adherence to the Democratic Party platform? Support of the President's agenda? Abstaining from endorsing candidates who are running against Democratic nominees? Or does it mean support of some unspecified narrow agenda that may rule Them in and Us out?

We can all condemn ideological purists because each one of us is fully confident that s/he isn't one of them. So what does it mean?

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by: elwood @ Thu Apr 02, 2009 at 20:15:06 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Results based loyalty (4.00 / 4)

Perhaps to you, as party chairman, these are the most important things (caucuses and majorities etc.), but understand that the view from down below may be something entirely different. Heresy though it is, I don't in fact care whose party name is on the things that get done. If these accomplishments are the right things (the things that I think are the best ones I can figure) my only concern really about who gets credit is that if that credit is misplaced, the next time it may be harder or impossible to achieve more of these ends. It is very clear to me that the policies which I prefer are more nearly represented by the tradition of the Democratic Party and on top of that, it is even clearer that I am much more likely to be listened to in the Democratic Party than is my experience with the other ones.

My appreciation of your service, and that of other old party hands is immense. We are all standing on someone else's shoulders. But the point of all of this is to be "right" about what we do now. There is no particular reason to reject an idea because it comes from a foe or an outsider any more than accepting one from an old hand or some other source of tradition. Ideas stand on their own as soon as they pass lips or pen. While it is true that some people produce more than others, Dennis Kucinich is proof positive that that isn't enough to assure support.

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by: xteeth @ Thu Apr 02, 2009 at 13:02:14 PM CDT

There are two important issues here.. (0.00 / 0)

In any state, national or local legislative body there are always two issues.

1. The process.
2. The proposal.

Our form of government gives great powers to those who are in charge of the process, nearly anything can happen to a proposal depending on the decisions of those in charge of the process i.e. a senate president, speaker or committee chair.

A proposal, or piece of legislation if you will, can have significant moral and public support but without the ability to move it through the process that proposal will fail.

I would much rather have geniuine progressives as committee chairs and legislative leaders then demand that 100% of the caucus that gives them that position of power over progressive ideals take a litmus test and if rejected, place wackadoos in charge of the process.

That is my only point.

Have you written a letter to the editor today? Have you donated today? Have you put up signs? Have you made calls? Have you talked to your neighbors?

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by: Ray Buckley @ Thu Apr 02, 2009 at 14:41:46 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Ray's Point Is Correct... (0.00 / 0)

...and he's offered great leadership to put Democrats in charge, keeping the "wackadoos" in the hallways.  

My point is correct too, I think ... that "power" without ideals is abuse of power.  

Neither point is competitive with the other, and Democrats in Concord, and in Washington so far, seem to be balancing the two concepts well.  

That we continue to remind one another of that is a good thing.  That's what discussion is all about, isn't it?  That's what www.BlueHampshire.com allows for very well, I think.  

And let's hope Democrats will keep the wackadoos at bay for a long time -- as we continue to fight for our ideals.  Seems to me we have leaders in place who can do that.

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by: Rep. Jim Splaine @ Thu Apr 02, 2009 at 19:29:27 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Tediously, I will re-assert that sitting public officials have no (0.00 / 0)

business interfering or funding the electoral efforts of other candidates.  The DCCC and the DSCC are making anticipatory bribes to sew up votes that may or may not serve the interests of an official's constituents.

Why do we have people like Jack Kingston, who does nothing to represent the first Congressional District of Georgia in Washington?  Because, like New Hampshire, Georgia is a state whose citizens would just as soon not be bothered by Washington.  So, they don't much care whom they send to the nation's capital.  Kingston being  the leader of the Republican theme team, spewing out lies on a daily basis, isn't even noticed.
That is Georgian's shame.  But, not having a particular interest in the public officials one elects does not relieve one of the obligation to check their qualifications to satisfy the structural requirements of a democracy.

I once was blind and used to donate to the DSCC and the DCCC.  Then I saw the light and realized that they're no different from Tom Delay's PAC.

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by: hannah @ Thu Apr 02, 2009 at 13:52:35 PM CDT

I think we are all are having.... (4.00 / 1)

A good moment!  The sun is out, the day is warm, and we are all Happy Democrats!  Hurray!  



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

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by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Thu Apr 02, 2009 at 14:32:59 PM CDT