Impeachment/Censure is off the table for Bush and Co., but not for liberal groups and Democrats.

[Beelzebud]

Is that really where we are with our majority?

We will put a vote on the floor, to condemn MoveOn.org, and then actually vote for it and let it pass. Nevermind they are one of the biggest grass-roots organizations that support the Democrats.

We will DEMAND Stark apologize, for telling the truth, and threaten him with censure if he doesn't?

Then when someone like Kucinich puts up a bill to impeach Dick Cheney, he's labeled the "loony left" by members of his own fucking party?

When someone like Russ Feingold asks if we should censure the president, he's greeted with "you're just triangulating to become president"?

when BFEE officials IGNORE congressional subpoenas for MONTHS, with NOTHING done about it, it leaves me to believe that Washington is just one big "Good 'Ole Boys Club", and that they care more about covering their own asses, than upholding their duty to the constitution. These weak leaders have now made congressional subpoena power about as useless as a warehouse full of unused dry powder.

I've had it with the national Democratic party. This band of losers and half-whits snatch defeat from the jaws of victory Every. Damn. Time.

Enough. I no longer support Democrats just for the sake of them being Democrats. They have to actually EARN my trust, and then my vote.

Our country can't afford weak, brainless, spineless leadership right now.

[T Wolf]

1. That is my response to every damn call from the DNC and all of their

sub-committees that call begging for money.

I tell them that I will support individual candidates who act like Democrats and go after the administration, but the national party will not get my time, money, or vote.

I do feel sorry for the (mostly) young people who are making the calls. They are where many of us were decades ago - young, energetic, committed, and naive enough to still believe that "the party" has our best interests at heart.

[madfloridian]

2. PLEASE stop equating the DNC with the congressional Democrats

It is not fair. Reid and Pelosi told Dean he would have no bearing on policy.

[TechBear_Seattle]

4. So what is the National Committee doing to improve things?

I have yet to see any action whatsoever by the national party in getting Congresscritters to act like Democrats. No reprimands, no public statements, no threats of disassociation.

Silence means either total ignorance or agreement. Which do you think is the case?

[Beelzebud]

5. Party leadership told Dean to sit down and shut up, and it looks like he did.

[TechBear_Seattle]

6. So the National Committee is NOT the party leadership?

Then why the bloody Hell do they get paid so much?

[Beelzebud]

7. They're an election committee. Party leadership resides in the House and Senate..

[madfloridian]

10. Not true.

Why do you think that?

[TechBear_Seattle]

13. I think that because I have heard and seen nothing from the DNC

I would be happy to be shown wrong. Please educate me.

[madfloridian]

14. It is not part of congress. It is the structural arm of the party.

Since Dean was not wanted in that position by congressional leaders, they have pretty much made it pretty lonely if he were to speak out against them.

Can you imagine how long he would last?

[TechBear_Seattle]

15. So there is no point in giving the DNC any money to start with?

If Dean and other members of the National Committee have no influence and no power, they don't need any money, right?

I agree with T Wolf: I will support individual Democrats who act responsibly; all other Democrats can forget any kind of support, financial or otherwise. If Dean and the rest of the National Committee are as marginal as you assert, then screw them too.

[madfloridian]

16. It's ok. Everyone else feels the same way.

That is the general attitude now...screw Dean even though he is not allowed to contradict congress.

It's a good thing, isn't it. The one person trying to marginalize the DC power elites is now being "screwed".

Very effective very intelligent.

Harold Ford is waiting in the wings.

[TechBear_Seattle]

17. You are shooting the messenger, and the recipient of the message

When I was in AP government 20+ years ago, we had a unit on how the parties operated (back then, at least.) The central committee is the policy arm of the organization: its job is to gather input from the rank and file within their area, decide on a platform, present that platform for approval, and provide guidance towards implementing that platform. My understanding is that this is how local/precinct, county, state and national committees have always worked.

From where I am standing, the National Committee is either derelect in its fundamental duties, or it is endorsing the actions of the Democrats in Congress (which amounts to the same thing IMO, but I digress.) In either case, I see no reason to support the DNC with my resources. If I want to support party do-nothings, I have plenty of other people to whom I can give money.

[madfloridian]

18. You should not misrepresent it.

"The Democratic National Committee plans the Party's quadrennial presidential nominating convention; promotes the election of Party candidates with both technical and financial support; and works with national, state, and local party organizations, elected officials, candidates, and constituencies to respond to the needs and views of the Democratic electorate and the nation."

http://dnc.org/a/party/aboutDNC.html

You must certainly don't need to donate. But you should not discourage others from doing it.

[EST]

3. It won't matter much whether we support them or not.

Like new puppies, they have all managed to find the money teat of the fascist economy.
Pick the few you like and support them, especially the challengers, newbies.

[leftchick]

9. the newbies will be hillary dogs

groomed by Rahm.

[EST]

11. I meant the other newbies.

If you have a chance, go over to firedoglake once in a while and take a look at some of the work going on to challenge and replace the bush dog democrats. It's enlightening and encouraging. Here's the blueamerica page-- http://www.actblue.com/page/blueamerica08
Some of the new guys coming up to challenge both republican seats and the blue dog/bush dog pseudo dems, both recently elected Rahm acolytes and established know nothings.

[leftchick]

12. thank you for the link

that is good news.

[Wiley50]

8. COMPLICIT! n/t