Dean: Dems will defend gains via action

[cal04]

Democrats have a tough job in protecting their recent election gains because "now it's what we do and not what we say," national chairman Howard Dean told party leaders Saturday.

"It's what happens in Congress that will determine our message more than anything I say or what they say in Congress," Dean said.

Democrats, who will run both the House and Senate come January, have outlined an agenda that includes overhauling ethics, raising the minimum wage and making college more affordable.

Dean said Democrats must prove to people in conservative and swing districts that they can earn the voters' trust.

"Elections are not mandates. Elections are power being loaned to politicians for a two-year period by the voters of this country," Dean said. "Now it's our job to earn it back again in '08."


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061202/ap_on_el_ge/democrats

[goforit]

1. You let it rip!!! Go Dean!! Keep corrupt Dems out!!!

[neoblues]

2. Seems reasonable; perhaps mostly obvious, however...

it seems to forget the importance of one issue in particular: the unrestrained power of and commonly partisan bias in the mainstream media--resulting from the excessive Corporate mergers, concentration of ownership and resulting oligopoly.

Hell, even if we perform spectacularly--the image presented to the American people (and the world) is completely controlled by this virtual monopoly of Corporate "News" sources. The "Truth" is irrelevant and won't be passed on except as it suits the purposes of these Corporate controllers of the public's view of the world.

In fact, without even considering what our Congressmen need to be doing--we, the people, should be demanding that our M$M be conveyors of the unvarnished "Truth". Our 'fourth estate' needs to take up it's role as government watchdog once more--and it cannot do that if it is controlled by no more than a half-dozen masters (who are largely in cahoots; sharing the same desire for the bottom line (profits)).

We can't wait. We need an honest look at what is happening; what happens and why. If Congress fails miserably for the next year, we need the people to know the real reasons. It will be the Republicans version of being the "obstructionists" or it will simply be that the problems were insurmountable (and we'll need the people to be reminded of just who created and then exacerbated the problems--and that's the President and those who just finished running Congress).

If we don't change this, we'll be sorry.

[Tellurian]

6. Yes, mega juxtaposing...

Republicans preparing their usual attack strategy have said:


"We have already learned the Democrat agenda of raising taxes and surrendering key fronts in the war on terror," said
Republican National Committee spokesman Danny Diaz. "Republicans over the next two years will focus on holding Democrats accountable and recommitting to reforms that deliver for hardworking families."

Dr. Deans perfect comeback..right here. "Democrats over the next two years will focus on holding Republicans accountable for the damage already done to the economy and a great many Americans still reeling from Katrina while recommitting to reforms that deliver for hardworking families."

I agree, we need to work on legislation to control media spin. The one thing that works in our favor is Americans are learning the Truth and are refusing to be dumbed down any longer.

[Skink]

3. An interesting thing happened between 94 and today..

special interest money that had flowed almost evenly to congressional canidates of the Democrats and Republican parties was strong armed by Norquist and Delay et al, almost completely to the republican side. So it stands to reason that it was the people that elected these Democrats.

[Zorra]

4. The only way for Dems to effect positive action is through Dem unity. n/t

[GreatPirateRoberts]

5. I hope to hell he's able to...

Keep the guys in congress in line with what we want, & actually get some progressive legislation out! Impeachment - America's Choice!!!

I hope the democrat leaders give the republicans a taste of "shock & awe" & see how they like it! The shock of investigations, the awe of impeachment!

[IndyOp]

7. Humility. Staying constantly aware of what citizens want will get us...

far.

Thanks, Dr. Dean!

[Cha]

8. Good Ground Network

Strategy! Deano!

[Guaranteed]

9. K +1R. Folks, listen to what he's saying, please.

We need a bold agenda.