"Don't bail on the team"....

[Ken Burch]

This phrase was used in another thread I started, a thread dealing in part with the political splits that lead to Dub's 'victory' in 2000. The implication was that it was entirely up to the progressive wing of the party to stay loyal to the "team", no matter what the "team" stands for or what levels of loyalty others on the "team" showed at other times.

I'm just gonna say this: If loyalty is expected, and I agree that it should be, it has to be equally expected from ALL on the "team". And all on the "team" need to have a real say in the playbook the "team" uses to win. It can't be some having to be loyal and the rest being free to "bail" and then not only face no consequences but being given control of the party when they choose to come back.

Loyalty is built on inclusion, respect and engagement. That's the kind of treatment everyone who is expected to be loyal deserves. We must never again be a party with an "in crowd" and an "out crowd", and loyalty must never again be sought simply by some screaming at others that is it an obligation. Loyalty must be based on equality and equal respect. So it is in life, so it must be in politics.

[Kucinich4America]

1. When the "team" has thrown the last two "Super Bowls"

And they're looking to pick another weak-assed quarterback, it's not giving me a lot of incentive to stay on the field.

[Ken Burch]

3. I understand your feelings. In the end, it will be us progressives staying more loyal

And working harder for the ticket than the "moderates" do anyway, no matter how lame the ticket is and how bland the platform is. And if the ticket blows it again, it will still be the "moderates" saying "it was because they were TOO LIBERAL".

Even though those same "moderates" will make sure no DLC'ers in the House or Senate get punished for campaigning in the fall for Bloomburg. Just like those same people were never punished in the past for not supporting the ticket or for campaigning for Lieberman against Lamont in the fall.

[Breeze54]

2. "The Team" bailed out on me.

:(

[lapfog_1]

4. When the team selects as QB (as they might) someone who

engages in political tactics I simply can't condone...

I think I'm off the field, coach... sorry.

I'll all for "all for one and one for all" and "any Democrat is better than any Republican", but I can't wrap myself around the concept of voting for someone, much less working for someone, that does some of things that have been done.

It's one thing if I don't personally like the candidate... or their policies...

but I have to respect their ethics (at least view them as better than the opposition).

Maybe some more pep talks coach... but then again, I don't view this as a game.

[Perry Logan]

5. Would the bench-warmers please be quiet? Got a game to win here.

[Ken Burch]

6. Aw gee, coach. It's not our fault Mom wouldn't let us take steroids.

n.t.