Chris Van Hollen joins Harry Reid in telling activists' groups not to be critical...

[madfloridian]

of Congressional Democrats, as it might hurt their chances in the next election. That is like saying to the "liberal" "activist" "left-leaning" Democrats that we really don't have a voice in the party. If we speak out, he says, we will hurt them in races and make the party vulnerable.

Today I read that the Senate Democrats have already voted NOT to use reconciliation on climate issues. That is in effect caving in to the GOP and corporations. The new group of Conservadems, Blue Dogs, centrists are already hard at work moving the party to the right.

Mr. Bayh, Mr. Carper and Ms. Lambert are all honorary leaders of Third Way, a progressive Democratic policy group. Mr. Bayh and Mr. Carper have also lead the centrist Democratic Leadership Council.

The new coalition includes six Democratic freshmen, Mark Begich of Alaska, Michael Bennet of Colorado, Kay Hagan of North Carolina, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Mark Udall of Colorado, and Mark Warner of Virginia. Other members of the group are Herb Kohl of Wisconsin, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Bill Nelson of Florida. Joseph I. Lieberman, the Connecticut independent, is also part of the group.

..."But Mr. Bayh in the MSNBC interview, warned that Mr. Reid would need the new group’s help to get major legislation through the Senate. “As you know, on most things, you’ve got to get the 60 votes in the Senate,” he said. “And that’s going to be hard. And it’s going to take the centrists to get us there. And so we want to help make the changes we need. And that’s — that’s what our group is all about.

Oh, wait. Please wait. Did you hear Van Hollen or Reid tell Bayh's coalition not to criticize the liberals in the party? The activists? The Left Wing of the party?

I didn't. Not a damn word.

Here are the words of Chris Van Hollen:

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen, in a Wednesday afternoon news conference, said that a wide range of attack ads by groups like MoveOn.org could hurt potentially vulnerable Democrats in their 2010 races.

“What I’ve been warning people very clearly is, beware of forming a circular firing squad,” Van Hollen said. “We believe people should be focusing their efforts on expanding the Democratic majority, and that should be their singular focus."

In recent weeks, MoveOn.org and labor-backed Americans United for Change have launched ad campaigns targeting moderate Democrats like Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana to back Obama’s budget. Last week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told reporters at a breakfast sponsored by the Christian Science Monitor that that such efforts were "unwise and not helpful."

"These groups should leave them alone. It’s not helpful to me. It’s not helpful to the Democratic Caucus,” Reid added.

Van Hollen asks liberal groups not to hurt Dems' chances

Leave them alone to vote as they wish, though we worked our butts off for that majority. Leave them alone, don't hurt their chances. I would be fine with that, but the noise is already indicating that they are going to bow to the corporate world and the GOP in issues of health care and climate.

The centrist groups of New Dems and Blue Dogs voted to allow the president to invade and occupy Iraq. They voted for the bankruptcy bill which took away the rights of the elderly and ill to keep their homes during hard times even with medical bankruptcy. They gave no leeway, the bill was tough.

We lost the fight on FISA and immunity, we lost all the trade bill fights, we have had no major wins to speak of.

Now they want us to back away and not hurt the party. We ARE the party. They work for us.

[Dr Fate]

1. If these DEMS would support the president, there wouldn't be a problem.

The conservative DEMS are trying to make this appear as "moderates vs. the crazy, far left" as opposed to what it really is: conservative DEMS opposing a moderate president.

[madfloridian]

2. Yes, you are pretty much right.

"conservative DEMS opposing a moderate president."

[elleng]

3. 'THESE DEMS' DO support the President.

We really must learn how to disagree without being disagreeable. Something my 'husband' never learned.

PS, VanHollen is my Rep.

[Dr Fate]

4. Then what is the fuss over? Blue Dogs oppose Obama's budget.

n/t

[madfloridian]

17. They oppose fast tracking health care and climate change efforts.

They will give the power back to the Republicans.

[imdjh]

42. I see those as two hugely different issues

I would prefer that national single payer and GW not be linked, the former being of unquestioned benefit if not unquestioned feasibility and the latter being a major argument in all sectors.

[madfloridian]

5. So do I. So do the activists groups he refers to.

I am not disagreeable. Reid and Van Hollen don't seem to think the rest of us are knowledgeable and important. That is our job. To hold their feet to the fire. They work for us. They are not privileged.

[elleng]

6. Van Hollen knows that his constituents are knowledgeable;

we're in a very active district just outside of DC, and knowledge and activity are in our 'bones.'

Its disagreeable to suggest that these members don't think we're important, imo.

[madfloridian]

7. So I should not question our leaders?

Now MoveOn is actively working for Obama's agenda, more than I would like. I think they should be an outside activist group.

There are Democrats who do not want the traditional Demccratic values of public options for health care, choice for women, civil unios or marriage for gays.

So what do we do? Just never speak up? Do Reid and Van Hollen want to hush United for Change, Move On, or others?

[elleng]

8. Just watch how you say what you say.

'Its not what you say, its the way you say it.'

[madfloridian]

9. Is that you, Ari Fleischer? "Watch what you say?"

I am sorry, but I said nothing wrong, I said nothing the wrong way. This is a critical time in our history. They are not about to allow a public option, not really, though some sort of refer to it.

Do not tell me I can not speak out. I am fair about what I say.

Either the party goes Republican or it doesn't. It is up to us.

They even have Dean afraid to say much at all. I have a feeling that next they will have him on TV lecturing us as well.

I said it well, I said it carefully.

[elleng]

10. I am NOT telling you not to speak out.

What I said was: Its disagreeable to suggest that these members don't think we're important, imo.

[Raineyb]

22. Sure they think we're important...

When it's time for elections. The rest of the time no so much as evidenced by their zeal to tell us to STFU.

Regards

[Dr Fate]

23. The rub here is that they are telling us to STFU for SUPPORTING OBAMA- a moderate Democrat.

Insane that these conservative Democrats are attacking groups for merely supporting a moderate, Democratic President.

[xxqqqzme]

49. That's not being disagreeable it's being

honest. Something blue dog dems ignore. If they thought WE were important, they wouldn't be obstructing single payer.

[sabrina 1]

31. How should we say that we want

accountability regarding torture, eg? Accountability for the lies that got us into Iraq? How do we let them know that we want Healthcare, decent jobs etc. without offending the sensibilities of Politicians?

And why should anyone have to 'watch what they say' in a democracy btw? I find that directive to be as offensive coming from a Democrat (I'm assuming you are) as I found it coming from the Bush administration.

Are you saying we ought to be quiet and just trust our leaders to do the right thing?

Frankly, I think the American people have been too damn patient and have listened to this 'we need to be careful in case we lose' argument for far too long.

I feel guilty for being so nice as tens of thousands died and others were tortured and maimed, and so many in this country lost their jobs and homes and on and on. Imho, it's time to take the gloves off, long past time actually, before we have to feel as responsible as Bush et al. I do think history will not judge us very kindly for our 'patience'.

Sorry, I guess you can tell, I couldn't disagree with you more. We tried your way, and it failed, miserably and after each election, there's always another (or the same) excuse. And we accomplished NOTHING. Not one life saved, not one falsely detained, innocent person, spared the vicious torture no decent country should have tolerated. But we didn't want to offend anyone in case the Dems might lose. And what are we gaining now that they won?

I might have listened, (did in fact) to this kind of placating talk from Reid several years ago. But not any more.

I just don't understand what you mean by 'watch what you say'. I will say what I believe to be the truth to any politician I have access to, and that is the duty of every citizen, not worry about whether or not they win the next election. If they are not representing the interests of the people, they don't deserve to win, do they?

[DaLittle Kitty]

54. National Single Payer Plan W/ Public Option Begins HERE!

Here is a proper Health Care Plan http://www.johnrussellforcongress.com/page.asp?PageId=37


Share
The Solution for Health Care Consumers

* Commence the incremental transition to a National Single Payer Universal Health Care system through a competitive model utilizing a Medicare for All approach similar to the plan proposed by 2008 Presidential candidate John Edwards..

* Mandate that all health insurers will be required to use a uniform standardized health care claims reporting form.



* Mandate that all health care insurers be required to adhere to a uniform standard set of rules for claims submission for services reimbursement.

* Mandate that there will be a uniform standard of compensation per medical specialty for equivalent services rendered without arbitrary/preferential variation between differing health care providers per a given geographic/locality/region.

* Mandate a 25% federal tax deduction for physicians and other licensed Medicare-eligible primary health care providers based upon parameters established via Diagnostic Related Groups for care rendered to the indigent.

* Increase Medicare re-imbursement levels so as to broaden program participation among physicians/health providers.

* Invest in preventative care targeted at known causes of increased morbidity/mortality e.g., Diabetes, Basic Dental Care.


* Increase funding for the National Institutes of Health, which currently performs nearly half of this country's research into new drugs and therapies. The pharmaceutical industry subsequently patents these drugs and sells them to the U.S. consumer. Drugs derived from this federally funded research should then enter the market WITHOUT PATENTS… given the substantial taxpayer investment in the development of these drugs thereby greatly decreasing the cost to government as well as consumers.

* Provide a “Means-Tested” Prescription Drug Plan for those without coverage.

* Improve Medicare reimbursement levels in rural areas.



PROPOSED SOLUTIONS IMPACT

The steps outlined above represent the first steps toward a universal single-payer health care program. It is the “Velcro” lining of the health insurance industry that is the root cause of the massive inefficiencies in our health care system. These solutions adopted wholly, or in part, will increase patient access as well as participation by qualified physicians and health care providers. Additionally by improving remuneration for medical services, we will begin to make medicine and the health sciences more attractive to those capable of enduring the rigors of preparation for these vital careers.

John Russell, MS/ARNP (Acute Care), MBA, Health Systems Management

[swilton]

30. Van Hollen knows that he is in a safe district as far as a challenge

from the Republicans goes. Montgomery County is heavily democratic as you point out. His real worry is a primary challenge. As a progressive constituent, I can say he is a real disappointment. I remember meeting him at the metro station when he was challenging Connie Morella....Mr. libera......

[DaLittle Kitty]

55. RIGHT! So When Is Someone ANYONE Going To Step Up and Challenge This "Republican?"

Hmmm? :think:

[DaLittle Kitty]

51. Van Hollen IS A CORPORATIST DEM + Could Give A Sh*T What You Say!

Van Hollen works for CORPORATE AMERICA... Just like the Republicans do! Blue dawgs are just Rep's w/ a (d) after their name!:think:

DCCC WILL NOT SUPPORT ANY CANDIDATES WHO ADVOCATE SINGLE PAYER!

[tavalon]

45. Pretty much sums it up

Thank you.

[democrank]

11. Democratic leaders to the progressives.....

Sit down, shut up and send us your contribution.

[Nipper1959]

12. Don't call them "Blue Dogs"

I emailed Sen. Kohl and told him I did not like what the Blue Dogs were doing. He replied and said the name of the group is the "Moderate Dems Working Group". Then he went on to say they were working to craft common sense solutions. Then he signs off with, "I'm nobody's Senator but yours." Geez, he must think I'm a bank or corporation. I'm really disappointed in him.

[Dr Fate]

20. If they are opposing Obama and siding with Republicans, then they are not "moderate."

They are conservative.

[DaLittle Kitty]

56. Probably Thinks You Represent An INSURANCE Company...

:rofl:

[Enrique]

13. 26 dems voted against fast-track for climate change

this isn't something that should have happened but was foiled by a cabal of conservative dems. It's just normal politics.

By the way, Baucus seems to have flip-flopped on reconciliation for health care reform (seems to support it now), so maybe there's some dealing going on.


http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/dems-help-ban-reconciliation-vote-on-climate-change-2009-04-01.html

The other Democratic senators who voted for the Johanns amendment were: Max Baucus (Mont.), Evan Bayh (Ind.), Mark Begich (Alaska), Michael Bennet (Colo.), Jeff Bingaman (N.M.), Robert Byrd (W.Va.), Bob Casey Jr. (Pa.), Kent Conrad (N.D.), Byron Dorgan (N.D.), Dick Durbin (Ill.), Russ Feingold (Wis.), Kay Hagan (N.C.), Amy Klobuchar (Minn.), Herb Kohl (Wis.), Mary Landrieu (La.), Carl Levin (Mich.), Blanche Lincoln (Ark.), Claire McCaskill (Mo.), Ben Nelson (Neb.), Mark Pryor (Ark.), Jay Rockefeller (W.Va.), Debbie Stabenow (Mich.), Jon Tester (Mont.), Mark Warner (Va.) and Jim Webb (Va.).

[madfloridian]

14. It's ok to vote against climate change fast track if you are a Democrat.

I guess that is politics. :shrug:

The Bayh coalition accomplished their mission, and the Democratic leaders tell us not to be critical.

Denying that climate change was more important than red state/blue state politics...just politics. :shrug:

Yeh, I am probably off base being critical. After all they live in red states so called. Bill Nelson is in Bayh's group because he fails to understand that the major population centers of Florida do believe in climate change....it is creeping up on them.

[xxqqqzme]

50. Is bayh on his way to being the new zell miller?

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

15. And They're Both Right.

[Dr Fate]

19. Right in opposing The President's agenda, or Right in demonizing Obama's DEM supporters?

Or Right about siding with conservative Republicans who have been wrong about nearly everything?

They are capital "R" "Right" on certain issues, granted- but what are they correct about?

[kenfrequed]

48. Hmm

A good question. I wish I could put my objections so clearly.

[madfloridian]

16. Daily Kos blog...top of recommended list...DCCC warns liberal groups...

But here at DU we are hesitant to talk about the fact that we are being warned off by our party leadership.

DCCC afraid liberal groups are forming "circular firing squad"

I know, you think you can take my vote for granted. You think you can pander to me at election time and ignore me later, because I have no one else to vote for. You think that I will vote for Democrats no matter what, because I have always voted for you in the past. You're wrong about that.

I am a liberal, and I am tired of being marginalized and ignored by the Democratic Party. I am sick of having spineless leaders in Congress who are afraid to take risks and do the right thing. I am tired of triangulation and phony centrism. I am sick of hearing about change at election time and getting more status quo after the elections.

..."If the Democratic Party leadership continues to follow this policy of completely ignoring the left wing of the party, if they continue to shy away from making substantive change, if they continue to let Republicans dominate and bully them, then they have nothing to offer me, and I'll be forced to vote for a primary challenger or stay home in 2010. If they want my vote, they need to give me a good reason to vote for them. Being just a bit better than the Republicans is not enough.

Mr. Van Hollen, you have control of both houses and the executive branch. You have power, now it's time to use it to do things that are good for America. Please, give me a good reason to vote for your party. Otherwise, I may join the "circular firing squad".

[gratuitous]

18. The criticism will stop immediately

Conduct the government like Democrats and abide by the will of the people as expressed in the general election of 2008, and we'll be glad to shut up. Govern like you're trying to appease the 25% of the population that still supports the failed policies of the Bush administration, and we're probably going to say something.

It's not that hard to figure out.

[Raineyb]

21. Van Hollen can consider himself on the list of politicians who can

STFU and do the work we the people put them in office to do.

I'm tired of these people who are supposed to be our employees acting as though they are our masters.

Regards

[Fumesucker]

24. "In a mature democracy, "public servant" is semantically equivalent to "public master""

-Robert A Heinlein

[DaLittle Kitty]

52. Well Said! This "Pretender" MUST Be EXPOSED! The WORLD IS At Stake! Nice Job!

:)

[tritsofme]

25. Maybe if the "activist" contingent in Congress leveraged its power

in the same way centrist Democrats have been able to, they will be in a better position to get their ideas enacted by leadership.

Until then, it just looks like whining on the sidelines.

[Oak2004]

26. I thought all the complaining was because we *are* leveraging our power.

If we were just whining, they'd ignore us entirely like they usually do.

[madfloridian]

27. We are leveraging, the activists that is. I think he means the Progressive Caucus.

There are 70 plus of them, and we don't hear anything from them much at all.

I think that is what was referred to.

[Oak2004]

36. I suspect that I'd hear complaints if that happened, too. nt

[peacetalksforall]

44. This is the moment that we continue to put things right with American values

of peace and a future for our kids. Not to turn right and be silenced. Call them Purple Dogs, but they look more like red dogs to me. What a joke it is to say we have 59-60 Dem votes. Looks like the Republicans won/stole again.

I haven't been able to pay attention to these votes. Looks like I should support MoveOn some more if Harry Reid is pushing us toward the Purple Dogs.

Exactly when can we, the American people with our heads on straight about rights of the Constitution and our children's safe future, start getting votes from the Purple Dogs = with assurance and peace of mind?

WE SHOULD BE DEMANDING THEY VOTE WITH US INSTEAD OF VOTING WITH BOEHNER AND MCCONNELL and their lords and warlords.

TURN THOSE WORDS OF HARRY REID RIGHT BACK AT HIM. SILENCED? SO THEY CAN GET IN OFFICE AGAIN? THAT IS NOT THE WAY IT WORKS.

[madfloridian]

28. How they do it. Remember when Hoyer caved in to them...intimidated.

Hoyer: FISA bill passed to keep the Blue Dogs from demanding a stronger bill. Absurdity.

Hoyer said that if House Democratic leaders failed to reach a FISA deal with the White House and GOP leaders, as many as “30 Blue Dogs and another 20 to 30 members” could have signed onto a Republican discharge petition calling for a floor vote on the Senate version of the FISA bill, which was even more anathema to House Democrats than what eventually passed. Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.) confirmed that “there were a lot of Blue Dogs getting anxious” and “a lot” of them would have signed a discharge petition.

“You can take a position and be a purist and sort of sit around yelling at each across the divide and nothing gets done,” Hoyer said. “The American people, they want us to get this done. That’s the whole thing to me.”

They won in the House by threatening to enable Republicans.

That is what this coalition we criticize is about: Bayh's group will threaten to enable Republicans if they do not get their way.

That is so dangerous. 3 of them are afraid to say they are members. The party is warning us off being critical of them.

That, my friends, is where the power lies in our party. In Democrats who will vote Republican to keep that corporate agenda.

Dear Chris Van Hollen, you don't seem to be aware how these groups intimidate our party. And sir, you need not try to intimidate activists who really do care about where our party goes from here.

[Gman]

29. Heaven forbid that Reid is right

then we couldn't bitch and complain, could we?

[Mithreal]

32. When you tell someone who can do something about the problem

it is not complaining.

We are the ones who can change government. Most of us here are willing to take responsibility for our democracy and for us it is called speaking like adults. If you are unfamiliar with activism, put party before principle, or are immature(no offense, I mean this not as a slight) then I suppose it could look like complaining.

Further, the attitude expressed in your post mocks the democracy we have been given and are responsible for maintaining.

[truedelphi]

38. Hey there- Here's a

small
:toast:

[Time for change]

33. What good does it do to expand the Democratic majority

if they won't do what we elected them to do?

By acceding to that kind of thinking we just help them in their effort to marginalize us.

[madfloridian]

34. You said it well. If they vote to empower Republicans...what good is a majority.

I no longer believe in the red state spin that they have to answer to their constituents. If they are senators they represent the whole state. If they are in the House, then their constituents did NOT vote for Republicans, they voted for Democrats. So that doesn't fly anymore.

[Dr.Phool]

57. I agree completely.

When our new majorities voted to continue funding the Iraq war, I resigned my DEC position. When they voted on the FISA bill I changed my registration to "No Party Affiliation".

From now on, any candidate will have to earn my vote and my support. Blue Dogs and DLC, need not apply. I'm tired of supporting people who have no intention of supporting me.

[santamargarita]

35. Oh, so now we can't do anything to hurt our chances next year...

are they out of their goddamn minds? A year ago it was the same shit!

[truedelphi]

37. Only thirty two per cent of all Americans consider themselves

To be Democrats.

Twenty eight per cent consider themselves Republicans.

On both sides, people don't feel that they have left the party as much as the fact that the party has left them.

When you compare FDR's quote (paraphrasing) "It is as dangerous to collude with organized banking interests as it is to collude with organized crime" you realize quickly that this Administration is not very closely related to the party that FDR headed.

So until this party comes back to its roots, and stops favoring the bankers over the working class, I will say what I want to say.

[Truth2Tell]

39. Take thee to the greatest page...

to help people recognize that if we ever want progressive reforms in America we will have to eventually defeat the corporatists within the Democratic Party, just like we defeated the Republicans.

[Karl_Bonner_1982]

40. The party leaders need to remember who elected them

Was it the Blue Dogs and corporate sponsors or the grassroots activists? Let 'em know who's boss here and they'll be more likely to respect us.

[Dr.Phool]

58. Uh, they do remember who elected them.

Who financed their campaigns? Except for a few, like Kucinich, who can get by without a lot of corporate support, they're pretty much all bought.

A friend of mine was running for congress was told by a Pharma lobbyist, that if he played ball with them, he's have all the funds he needed. He chose not to compromise his integrity. And lost.

[DaLittle Kitty]

61. MUST HAVE BEEN JOHN RUSSELL. He Told Me The Same Story! John Advocates Single Payer

so I guess it would be pretty tough to support single payer health care and pander to the pharmaceutical companies too. John said that after he told the consultant he could not compromise his position by "sucking up" to the drug lobby that he never heard from the consultant again. So much for winning because of integrity!

John Russell is all about integrity evn when dem leaders are not. www.johnrussellforcongress.com

[bertman]

41. With Van Hollen at the DCCC and Kaine at the DNC there is going to be NO liberal agenda

for the Democratic party. Forget the DLC. They are the Democratic wing of the Republican party.

When they send you their self-addressed, spiffy envelopes asking for donations, write them and tell them you're not sending a frickin' dime until they start promoting progressive legislation. Remind them that you WORKED for Democrats in '08 (and '06, and '04, etc.) but that doesn't mean you'll work for them next year or the next.

At least that's a start.

Recommend this post.

[cascadiance]

43. I'll go back to sending back the self-adressed envelopes empty...

... or with the recommendations of what to do for the people to get their money instead of cash.

That way they will pay the premium in postage fees if enough of us do this to hopefully get the message that they are NOT doing their job as EMPLOYEES of the people!

[Dr.Phool]

59. I got a letter from the DCCC the other day.

It's going back with a letter, and no money.

[cascadiance]

60. I found it amusing that the messaging on some of these letters from the DCCC

and others that pander to us so much and do nothing for us, where they ask us to actually add a stamp and not use the self-addressed postage on the envelope to help them save costs. I'm guessing that if enough folks swallow that crap, they'll be able to hide more how many of us do this other strategy to try and claim that its not significant.

Since they were doing this, part of me feels that there's enough of us doing this that it might be making a difference in some sectors.

[tavalon]

46. And now they have "third way" along with DLC, eh?

Now, I have two organizations trying to destroy the Dems from within to hate.

[antimatter98]

47. Run the pink tu tu Democrats out of Congress, period. We need spine, not whine from Reid. n/t

[DaLittle Kitty]

62. One Word... John Russell!

:)

[LiberalLovinLug]

53. Just to rule as a moderate, Obama needs a vocal left

I am starting to understand that Obama is not as dedicated to "left" issues as I had hoped. Single payer universal health care without private insurers...not going to happen. ALL troops out of Iraq soon.....not in the plans. Addressing crimes from previous administration....highly doubt it.

Obama is a smart politician. I think he planned the reaction of the left to his right wing appointments and his shutting out public health advocates etc.. We are to raise a stink, stamp our feet, and call him a nazi. That way at least Rush and company screaming about Obama being a communist is balanced out. The plan is that when the MSM, being reduced to the simple and unjournalistic weathervanes that they are, looks out their window and sees an equal number of enraged righties as lefties will declare Obama a centrist. Which is where he wants to be seen. Our outrage at his moves to the right are being used.

But what is our choice? If we keep quiet the only voices of outrage (faux or not) will come from the dredges of rightwing hate speak. The louder we yell, the more cover Obama has to AT LEAST move through moderate legislation, that will not make any extreme happy, but may get him re-elected. If I sound a little disappointed and cynical its because I am.

[omega minimo]

63. Deja vu all over again. Isn't that what they said during the two year campaign?