Internal squabbles dampen Democrats' hopes

CHICAGO TRIBUNE/duluthsuperior ^ | Jul. 09, 2006 | JEFF ZELENY

[ncountylee]

WASHINGTON - Four months before the midterm congressional elections, Democrats are mired in a ferocious battle for control of the House and Senate.

Among themselves.

A feud within the ranks of party leaders is creating concern and consternation about Democrats' ability to capitalize on the bountiful political advantages the GOP has dealt them. Democrats are beset by competing messages, quarrelling messengers and conflicting visions for the future of the party, all of which could complicate and impede their fall election strategy.

In Washington, the fingers of blame are wagging largely at Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, who has pledged to rebuild the party in all 50 states and U.S. territoriesrather than solely concentrate on the next election. But outside of the capital, party officials praise Dean for taking a longer view and devoting attention to Democrats everywhere, from Alaska to the Virgin Islands.

"They can say what they want, but we've been doing it the old way for a while and it's time for a change," Dean said in an interview. "To find out if the 50-state strategy is going to be successful, you'll have to wait for a couple of presidential cycles. It won't be deemed a failure, because I'm going to keep doing it."

That is precisely what worries Democratic leaders such as Rep. Rahm Emanuel of Illinois, who heads the party's congressional campaign committee. More than one month after a strategy meeting between Emanuel and Dean ended in an explosive dispute, the two men have not directly spoken. And Emanuel said he is beginning to doubt whether the party's nuts-and-bolts operation will be ready to compete in key districts.

"Will we have the resources to run an effective ground campaign for this election?" Emanuel asked.

[Awgie]

The only things democrats can unanimously agree on is an all consuming maniacal gut level hatred for President GWB. His very existence, let alone his Presidency, pushes the libs bigoted and irrational buttons. Once these buttons are pushed they respond in robot like fashion. All shades of gray, all sense of fairness and balance are gone.

After all, GWB is male, heterosexual, Texan, traditional, Christian, pro business, conservative(?) and republican. To libs this is the witches brew that steals sanity and fuels fanaticism. It is the perfect storm of politically incorrect personality characteristics that justifies condemnation and a hatred so blinding, that they would compromise their own security.

People so consumed with hate and so openly expressing bigotry must sell others on the benefits of being driven by such negative emotions. Until now most people have not seen the benefit of focusing on hatred and negativity especially when aimed at fellow citizens.

But if Dean and others in his party have their way, they will unite for the purpose of slaying the evil they perceive and target, in traditional conservative Americans. Be assured, they celebrate the thought of your de-vitalization. Your extinction would go unmourned.

[RIght Wing Republican]

In Illinois, the Dems MUST retain the seat of first term Dem. Melissa Bean if they want to win back the House - so how do you explain this (from the Pittsburgh Tribune):

"Independent, pro-labor candidate Bill Scheurer remained on the ballot after last Monday's deadline without challenge in the Chicago suburban congressional district where freshman Democrat Rep. Melissa Bean is a priority Republican target for 2006.

It had been widely expected that state House Speaker Mike Madigan, the Illinois Democrat chairman, would challenge Scheurer's collection of the necessary 14,000 petition signatures for ballot access. Scheurer had filed a lawsuit alleging dirty tricks by Madigan and other Democrat leaders."

So now there are three candidates; Bean, Republican McSweeny, and this pro-labor (soon-to-be anti-war) guy. Every vote he gets will come from Bean. Sometimes I think the Dems just ain't too bright.

[Recovering_Democrat]

Yeah, yeah, the 'rats are constantly in a state of turmoil. So what else is new? When they lose seats in November, it won't be because of their socialist message or their fruitcake leadership or their "We Surrender" attitude towards the enemy or their passionate embrace of infanticide and gay marriage--it'll be because they were "divided" among each other.

Anything to deny reality: that is the mantra of the LameStream Media and their favorite electable party, the Democrats.

[Snardius]

It won't be deemed a failure, because I'm going to keep doing it."

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing, again and again, the same way, and expecting a different outcome.

[mikeybaby]

LOL, Drink on keyboard.
As for the Dems, more rope please.

[razorback-bert]

I think their plan is, it is Bush's fault and I am not Bush.

[Hardastarboard]

the party's nuts-and-bolts

I don't know about bolts, but the (Democrat) Party sure has its share of nuts, and I'm not talking about a slang term for male reproductive organs.

[Lancey Howard]

I think this is a perfect example of liberal thinking: "It won't be deemed a failure, because I'm going to keep doing it."

Yeah, that was my first thought exactly.

"We've flushed five trillion taxpayer dollars down the government toilet but haven't ended poverty? Well, let's keep doing it - - we need to flush ten trillion more."

"We've flushed a trillion taxpayer dollars down the teachers union toilet but the schools keep getting worse? Well, let's keep doing it - - let's flush trillions more."

[therut]

Well they want the 1960's back so it is 1968 Chicago and anti-war Mcgovern time again. YYEEEEEEEEPPPIIIIIIII>>>>

[cardinal4]

Bush lied, tax cuts for the rich and Diebold stole Ohio arent going to cut it, no matter how many times they repeat it. My liberal buddy at work just shakes his head every time Sheehan, or Chris Matthews, or someother mainstream moonbat makes an outrageous claim. Even he knows the party is doomed if it stays on this path. The Democrats-party of Dean, Pelosi, Sheehan, Murtha, Kerry and Clinton. Oh, and dont forget McKinney..

[submarinerswife]

(((sigh))) and only a month ago, Nancy was picking out the drapes for the Speakers Office.....

And the coffin draped in fantastically coordinating colors for her day time naps.

[Jameison]

"(((sigh))) and only a month ago, Nancy was picking out the drapes for the Speakers Office....."

Not only that, John Murtha was choosing what colors the drapes were going to be too..so far as they were white for surrender.

[Jameison]

"Bush lied, tax cuts for the rich and Diebold stole Ohio arent going to cut it.."

Halliburton, No WMD in Iraq, Bush knew about 9/11 beforehand...oh what's the use?
The moonbats have taken over the RATS Party.

[TheRealDBear]

As far as the Dims are concerned, anyone to the right of Karl Marx is a conservative.

[The Old Hoosier]

But outside of the capital, party officials praise Dean for taking a longer view and devoting attention to Democrats everywhere, from Alaska to the Virgin Islands.

Of course they're going to praise, Dean, they're getting all this money and all the resources that SHOULD be going to win the House and Senate.

All I can say is, GO DEAN GO!!!

[Bush gal in LA]

''ferocious, internal squabbles''............The only squabbles for the RATS that I can them fighting over is,which candidate they should throw their support for in 2008 for president,Chavez, Sheehan , or Castro......

[wouldntbprudent]

Ya got that right!

[wouldntbprudent]

And pass the popcorn!

[Our man in washington]

Wow, he IS a Rove plant! Having read Democratic Underground, I have learned there are two types of Democrats: 1. Michael Moore. 2. Rove plants. With all those Rove plants running around, I don't know how those DUers stay sane!

[upchuck]

"To find out if the 50-state strategy is going to be successful, you'll have to wait for a couple of presidential cycles. It won't be deemed a failure, because I'm going to keep doing it."
                      ~Howard Dean

Stupidity is executing the same failed plan over and over excepting a different result.

Love ya Howie. You're exactly what we need!