primitives discuss losing Congress

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8768027

Oh my.

November's a long ways away yet, so the primitives shouldn't worry.

breadandwine  (1000+ posts)      Sun Jul-18-10 04:40 AM
Original message
 
•••• White House & Congressional Dems feud over predictions of loss of House ••••

Politico.com report with video of Gibbs:

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0710/39703.html

Another report:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5585266/speake...

I'm not sure what to say about all this except that it sure sounds like the White House STILL refuses to fight the Republicans, first by caving to them on every issue, and now by accepting as a fait accompli that Democrats may lose the House. The whole Administration approach seems to be one big "Eh!" about everything important. They are throwing in the towel at the start of the process as ever, just like before they even begin negotiating on legislation. Now at the start of the Fall elections they are throwing in the towel on winning, and are RESIGNED to losing. If that is how Obama feels, why doesn't he resign HIMSELF and let a DEMOCRAT take over his job? It could be done. Obama and Biden quit, then Pelosi becomes president. She's next in line of succession. Weak, weak, wimpy, wimpy, wimpy White House.

All this squabbling would never have come to this if only the White House had merely decided instead to advocate an expansion of Medicare, which has always been a popular program. And if they had fought for the common man instead of always bringing a knife to a gunfight.

If anyone thinks the party is not in trouble this Fall, how do we say otherwise when even the White House Press Secretary Gibbs sounds like he is ALREADY throwing in the towel, even though in the above video he tries to backtrack, not surprising.

Is anybody in the White House or DLC going to EVER realize that midterm elections are poorly attended since there is no presidential race to attract attention, and that therefore the most committed, the fanatics, are the ones who show up to vote, and that presently, with the limp wrists in the White House, that is the GOP and not us???? Cenk Uygur the other day correctly pointed out that although slightly more voters favor the Democrats, when you factor in LIKELY voters (i.e., the committed, the passionate) the Republicans are way ahead of us. When are they going to energize the base? Never!!!!!! When are they EVER going to show some fire and brimstone, get ANGRY and rail against the other side the way they rail against us, with passion and spicy language? Apparently not in this century......

There was a time when Democrats knew how to fight. Hubert Humphrey, saddled with baggage by being the veep of the unpopular Johnson, nevertheless nearly pulled off a victory against Nixon in 1968 by constantly calling Nixon with a holler, "Richard the chicken-hearted." Oooooh! Obama can't do things like THAT! THAT were be fisticuffs! That. Were. Be. Fisticuffs. FISTICUFFS I say!

I am reminded of an old joke about Prozac. In it someone tells a Prozac user that he has heard that Prozac users are not motivated to accomplish anything. The Prozac user pleasantly replies, "Whatever...."

When is this party going to get off its ass, get over the "No Drama Obama" shtick, get ANGRY at the evils of the other side, galvanize public anger to OUR side and actually start FIGHTING???? Apparently never. Instead, they are trying to spin it that they EXPECT to lose. How clever!!! We weren't even TRYING to win! We didn't have a dog in THAT fight!!! And I saw the latest Obama weekly address and while he blamed the GOP he did it with so little passion that I sat there wondering if he was sleep walking. When will they start fighting? Apparently never as long as the DLC crowd runs the White House with limp wrists like Gibbs. They are just throwing in the towel. The proof? Gibbs says we might lose the House, ho hum!!!!!!

We might lose the House? Eh. Whatever......

Bobbieo  (1000+ posts)        Sun Jul-18-10 06:17 AM
Response to Reply #1
 
2. What happens if we lose both the House and Senate? And it is a strong possibility!

DCBob  (1000+ posts)      Sun Jul-18-10 06:38 AM
Response to Original message
 
3. What a bunch of bunk.. Gibbs is not "throwing in the towel".. he said its mathematically possible..which it is. There is no feud. That is the GOP/media spin. Surprised you fell for it.

sabrina 1 (1000+ posts)        Sun Jul-18-10 07:43 AM
Response to Reply #3
 
4. He sounds like a defeatist. Sometimes I think the WH wants to lose their majority. It will make it easier to blame Republicans because they sure haven't been able to do that now, after the Health Care debacle.

Memebers of Congress have twice met with the WH to complain about their tactics and their constant attacks on Democrats, by including them in claims that DC is 'broken' because of 'partisanship'. Finally, Democrats in Congress are getting fed up with WH attempt to be 'above it all'. Congressional Dems are now wondering if they made a mistake in going along with unpopular bills, angering their own base, risking losing in November for a WH that is doing nothing to help their party maintain a majority in Congress.

Can't say I feel sorry for them. They should have seen the writing on the wall and voted for what was right, not out of party loyalty against what the people wanted.

Twice now that we know of, Nancy Pelosi has demanded a change of attitude towards Democrats in public speeches from the WH and she knows how Congress has alienated Independents and significant portion of the base, iow, the people who gave them a majority, by ignoring them and supporting the WH. Hopefully she learned who to listen to from now on.

DCBob  (1000+ posts)      Sun Jul-18-10 07:59 AM
Response to Reply #4
 
6. I seriously doubt we will lose either chamber.. prospects are improving daily..

There are several reasons but I think primarily its because the teabagger movement has peaked and in some cases they are actually helping Democrats. Another factor is that the GOP is now being effectively exposed as obstructionists with little thought or care for the negative effects on the country. Also, the angry left is becoming more and more marginalized and irrelevant. I think November will be just fine for Democrats.

noise (1000+ posts)        Sun Jul-18-10 11:20 AM
Response to Reply #6
 
17. The angry left?

The establishment seeks to marginalize the left because they know full well the policy agenda caters to special interests at the expense of the public.

DCBob  (1000+ posts)      Sun Jul-18-10 11:56 AM
Response to Reply #17
 
22. as opposed to the non-angry left.. which is by far the majority.. but you would hardly know it from reading posts on this site.

eilen  (1000+ posts)        Sun Jul-18-10 09:14 AM
Response to Reply #3
 
8. Well, I'd like to think of the response by Grayson if he was given that question and would like Gibbs to repeat it word for word, like he means it-- every time he is asked about Democratic chances in November.

He is after all a PRESS SECRETARY. Not a statistician.

DCBob  (1000+ posts)      Sun Jul-18-10 09:21 AM
Response to Reply #8
 
9. I think there may be more to it than meets the eye.. I think WH may want this to get some..national media attention to wake up the millions of complacent Dems so they vote in Nov. If they show we will be fine, if they dont it could get ugly.

noise (1000+ posts)        Sun Jul-18-10 11:23 AM
Response to Reply #9
 
18. If the Democrats wanted to win they should have passed more public friendly legislation. Obama should have stayed true to his campaign promises.

Instead the "complacent Dems" are supposed to circle the wagons for a party that treats them with contempt. Why not put the blame on the Democrats who have the White House and both chambers of Congress?

DCBob  (1000+ posts)      Sun Jul-18-10 11:55 AM
Response to Reply #18
 
21. I dont think the "complacent" Democrats are complacent because they are upset about legislation..

They are just busy and not paying much attention. Most Americans seldom watch the news or read newspapers. But if they thought there was any chance the "Evil Empire" (aka GOP) might take over again, then I think many would take the time to vote this November.

Proud Liberal Dem  (1000+ posts)        Sun Jul-18-10 09:42 AM
Response to Original message
 
11. While what Gibbs said is *theoretically* possible 

I think that his statements were more geared towards trying to (over-)inflate the Republicans' egos and make them think that they're on a cakewalk to taking over Congress this year and when they don't succeed in taking either the House or the Senate (which they probably won't) they will be even more humiliated than they were (or should've been) when THEY met their "waterloo" against Obama on HCR. However, it has sure gotten Boehner and Cantor talking loudly like the idiots they are. Sometimes this administration (like all of them) stumbles but, at least in this case, I think that they knew exactly what they were doing. Despite all of the gloom and doom and hysteria being promulgated by the corporate media whores- one the single biggest group of Republican boosters- I don't think that 2010 is shaping up to be another 1994 and the polls for us are improving bit by bit.

breadandwine  (1000+ posts)      Sun Jul-18-10 10:13 AM
Response to Reply #11
 
12. This is the same kind of rosy denial we heard from some Democrats right before Gingrich took over.
 
Fact:

Among LIKELY voters, the Republicans are well-ahead.

They're energized. We're not.

Proud Liberal Dem  (1000+ posts)        Sun Jul-18-10 11:09 AM
Response to Reply #12
 
15. Fine. I may be in a state of rosy denial. 

You've apparently already thrown in the towel- as well as a lot of other people on our side (no WONDER we're not very energized). However, as you should know, the ONLY poll that matters is the one taken on election day, so any proclamations of defeat are VERY premature IMHO and for all of the similarities to 1994, there are also a LOT of differences as well that few people (and certainly the corporate media whores) wish to acknowledge. I guess that after the election, we can debate and discuss the outcome and who was right and who was simply delusional.

With all that being said, I guess there's absolutely nothing else for us to do other than simply sit around and wait for the inevitable electoral sweep of Congress in November, right? 

Or........................................

breadandwine  (1000+ posts)      Sun Jul-18-10 11:38 AM
Response to Reply #15
 
19. You're saying that if I REPORT that the WH has thrown in the towel, that means I have?
 
And if you are in denial, that means you DIDN'T throw in the towel?

MoonRiver  (1000+ posts)      Sun Jul-18-10 10:30 AM
Response to Original message
 
13. I'm still trying to decide whose side Obama is on.

After all, Reagan is his hero. Just sayin'.

Proud Liberal Dem  (1000+ posts)        Sun Jul-18-10 11:14 AM
Response to Reply #13

16. When did Obama say that Reagan was his hero??? 

I think that I remember him saying something or other nice about him during the campaign but Obama saying something nice about the guy and/or not trashing him doesn't mean that Obama considers him his personal hero. I guess Obama didn't like him enough to follow in his footsteps and become a Republican, right?

Tierra_y_Libertad  (1000+ posts)        Sun Jul-18-10 10:40 AM
THE LIBERTINE TERRORIST PRIMITIVE
Response to Original message

14. Memo to Gibbs and Pelosi: "Not as bad" is a piss poor campaign slogan. 

Particularly when the record shows constant cave-ins to "the bad".

The primitives can go back to sleep now.  November's still a long way away yet.

[Ballygrl]

I'm not sure what to say about all this except that it sure sounds like the White House STILL refuses to fight the Republicans, first by caving to them on every issue

Can someone please tell me where Obama has caved in to Republicans?

[JohnnyReb]

Seems someone already has the    concession....Sooooooo.....

I want the ice cream concession for this Novembers election.......I asked first.

[franksolich]

Can someone please tell me where Obama has caved in to Republicans?

That was the first question that popped into my mind, when I saw that.

But these being primitives, it's hopeless to expect to get an answer.

[JohnnyReb]

That was the first question that popped into my mind, when I saw that.

But these being primitives, it's hopeless to expect to get an answer.

The DUmp is a suppository......but not the kind for truth and facts.

[SSG Snuggle Bunny]

Can someone please tell me where Obama has caved in to Republicans?

He hasn't had them shipped off to the camps.

[DefiantSix]

The DUmp is a suppository......but not the kind for truth and facts.

I think you meant "RE-pository".  Then again, knowing it's the DUmp; maybe not.

[JohnnyReb]

I think you meant "RE-pository".  Then again, knowing it's the DUmp; maybe not.

Yeah...but then I thought , "Where do they get their facts and figures?"

[DefiantSix]

Yeah...but then I thought , "Where do they get their facts and figures?"

Problem is, if the DUmp is a suppository, who in the HELL would want the DUmp shoved up their ass, and to do WHAT, for God's sake?  It seems like a case of "the cure" being worse than any desease it could be treating.

[Ballygrl]

That was the first question that popped into my mind, when I saw that.

But these being primitives, it's hopeless to expect to get an answer.

It reminds me of the saying "if you repeat a lie long enough it becomes the truth".

They keep saying that Obama is caving into Republicans and I can't think of 1 example to support that comment.

[BlueStateSaint]

if the DUmp is a suppository, who in the HELL would want the DUmp shoved up their ass, and to do WHAT, for God's sake?

Do you really want to know the answer to that question?

[Carl]

It reminds me of the saying "if you repeat a lie long enough it becomes the truth".

They keep saying that Obama is caving into Republicans and I can't think of 1 example to support that comment.

That they didn`t get all the free stuff they think they deserve it means O caved in.
They consider it his duty and mission...free health care,free housing,free food and so on.

Then add in their childish need for vengeance to somehow be made whole again,not having President Bush in chains is killing them.

Since they consider themselves to be so gifted and intellectually superior all these things just must be so to not have them means someone had to willingly give them away.

[Freeper]

noise (1000+ posts)        Sun Jul-18-10 11:20 AM
Response to Reply #6
 
17. The angry left?

The establishment seeks to marginalize the left because they know full well the policy agenda caters to special interests at the expense of the public.

The left is full of anger. What kills me is you own all 3 houses and still wanna kill cracker babies. 

[ReaganForRushmore]

Seems someone already has the    concession....Sooooooo.....

I want the ice cream concession for this Novembers election.......I asked first.

I want the soft drink concession for this November election

[Mike220]

I want the soft drink concession for this November election

I want the liquor concession. With the Bostonian Drunkard sure to drown himself in a vat of booze alone, I'll be able to retire.

[Karin]

Mike220's business model is the most advantageous, as he'll also rake in the champagne profits from the other side. 

[Godot showed up]

It reminds me of the saying "if you repeat a lie long enough it becomes the truth".

They keep saying that Obama is caving into Republicans and I can't think of 1 example to support that comment.

That one hit me too. First thing I thought of was Obamacare. Some caving. Also...caving to Republicans? Never mind Republicans. He hasn't even caved to the majority of Americans--which is why the Dems are going to be slaughtered in November.

Then we'll the crazy fingerpointing--it's the tea party. its the VWRC, it was the Dems' lousy campaings, and finally and most important, the American people are too stupid to know what they really want.

I nearly agree with that last arrogant crap; after all, the American people were stupid enough to put Obama and the Dems in power.

Damnit, though, repeal of Obamacare is a winning platform. Republicans would be foolish not to nationalize the issue. If we can take both houses, then out reps can use the reconciliation process just as the Dems did. Let Obama keep vetoing repeal of his socialist crap. He'll be all the more despised by 2012. And his party will lose even bigger.

[diesel driver]

I want the liquor concession. With the Bostonian Drunkard sure to drown himself in a vat of booze alone, I'll be able to retire.

I'm buying drug company stocks, because I feel Prozac is going to go thru the roof!

[Mike220]

Mike220's business model is the most advantageous, as he'll also rake in the champagne profits from the other side. 

I hadn't thought of that.

I'll be sure to send everyone my best wishes after I buy Tahiti and make it my own private island. 

[Carl]

This is why im a moderate, i trust that obama knows what he is doing, he is pleasing boh sides and making compromises, dems wanted universal healthcare repubs wanted complete private care (uh hum) and obama made a hybird of both ideas which will pay off in the end, either side that repubdiates this is just extreame in their belief system.

Obama designed a "plan" that is destined to fail but will cripple private healthcare in the process so the outcry will eventually be solved with government dependency.

Yes,he knows in that sense what he is doing because the public never would have supported that and won`t until it is the only alternative.

[Airwolf]

This is why im a moderate, i trust that obama knows what he is doing, he is pleasing boh sides and making compromises, dems wanted universal healthcare repubs wanted complete private care (uh hum) and obama made a hybird of both ideas which will pay off in the end, either side that repubdiates this is just extreame in their belief system.

Your time here will be very short or you will get the education you deserve . The Big Eared Kenyan hasn't a clue what he is doing to either this country or international relations.

[DumbAss Tanker]

Your time here will be very short or you will get the education you deserve . The Big Eared Kenyan hasn't a clue what he is doing to either this country or international relations.

I believe so; I think he is a fairly well-spoken speech reader and cat's-paw who is in waaaaay over his head.

[USA4ME]

breadandwine

There was a time when Democrats knew how to fight. Hubert Humphrey, saddled with baggage by being the veep of the unpopular Johnson, nevertheless nearly pulled off a victory against Nixon in 1968 by constantly calling Nixon with a holler, "Richard the chicken-hearted." Oooooh! Obama can't do things like THAT! THAT were be fisticuffs! That. Were. Be. Fisticuffs. FISTICUFFS I say!

When is this party going to get off its ass, get over the "No Drama Obama" shtick, get ANGRY at the evils of the other side, galvanize public anger to OUR side and actually start FIGHTING????

"UNEMPLOYMENT IS AT 10%!!!!  ADD THOSE WHO ARE NOT LOOKING ANYMORE AND WE'RE CLOSER TO 17%!!!!  WE NEED MORE OF DAT!!!!!!1!!11!!!!!!" 

Yeah, go for it, primitive.

.

[Ballygrl]

This is why im a moderate, i trust that obama knows what he is doing, he is pleasing boh sides and making compromises, dems wanted universal healthcare repubs wanted complete private care (uh hum) and obama made a hybird of both ideas which will pay off in the end, either side that repubdiates this is just extreame in their belief system.

Huh? if that was true than Republicans would've voted for Obamacare wouldn't they?

And please elaborate on how you think Obamacare is going to work out.

[djones520]

This is why im a moderate, i trust that obama knows what he is doing, he is pleasing boh sides and making compromises, dems wanted universal healthcare repubs wanted complete private care (uh hum) and obama made a hybird of both ideas which will pay off in the end, either side that repubdiates this is just extreame in their belief system.

You are no such thing.