Without a public option, we might as well not vote in 2010

[LoZoccolo]

is a shit statement

[UrbScotty]

1. Oh, you had me there!

I was about to get my flamethrower!

[countingbluecars]

2. My unrec finger was ready! n/t

[ParkieDem]

4. It is tempting ...

Seriously -- what's the point if a public option is completely off the table? If our reps can't even bring the idea to the FLOOR of the House and let the entire body vote on it, how are we ever going to get real reform PASSED?

[Pab Sungenis]

5. Mine was, too, and I used it.

There's no point in voting for a Democrat who is going to behave like a Republican. Maybe if we got rid of a few of them, then we'd be able to get REAL Democrats in their places.

I won't vote for anyone who shafts us on the public option.

[harun]

12. I used it too. Why legitimize the system by voting in it when the system

is actively destroying us?

[DJ13]

3. Oh, we must vote

Especially in the primaries, for any challengers to those Democratic Congress members who werent supporters of the public option.

Vote early, vote often!

[rhett o rick]

7. what challengers? It is a very rare case when a Democratic incumbent gets challenged in the

Primaries. Dream on.

[Dr Fate]

9. So said Joe Lieberman (I-3rd Party)

If they want to join his disgraced ranks, via 3rd party or a lost election, that is their risk.

[rhett o rick]

13. Ah yes, Lieberman. The exception that proves the rule.

Joe is still in the Senate even though the grass roots Democrats rejected him. The good ole boy club supported him all the way. So what's your point?
see this thread: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=6311829

It is easy to threaten to unelect someone, but it is almost impossible in reality.

[kenfrequed]

14. Yup

Fox news and the republicans all lined up to vote for Joe Lieberman. Sorry but in a rational state you actually have a good deal of trouble jumping ship and running after you have lost a primary bid in yoru party.

[Dr Fate]

16. Let DEMS leaders continue to embrace Fox news DEMS. That exposure would be a good thing.

The more voters who understand how their rigged game works, the better.

[rhett o rick]

19. I agree completely. nm

[Dr Fate]

15. Point taken- yet it could be the rule unless defeatism is the name of the game.

Do you really think that every Blue Dog wants to go through what Lieberman went through?

Let the DEM good old boys continue to embrace conservative 3rd parties and see if it all still remains business as usual. At worst, it will expose "the game" to that many more voters.

In any event I say that putting the primary threat out there is better than being a total defeatist.

MAKE them run as 3rd parties- then let the DEM good old boys decide whether to embrace them- better than just sitting back and letting them get by with a ruse...

[rhett o rick]

17. I am all in favor of changing the rule. But not many are even interested in discussing the problem.

There is a lot of big talk about voting out an incumbent in the primary, but the fact is, UNLESS WE DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT, the outcome will be the same. The incumbent can't be replaced in the primary. In the Lieberman case you had a fairly unique case where his opponent was able to personally finance his candidacy, no support from big money or the Democratic Party. You are going to have a hard time finding rich challengers for each and every case we need to unelect.

Go ahead and call it defeatist, but I want a plan not rhetoric. There are things we can do, but no one is doing them. Most are just comfortable saying we will "vote em out", ra ra.

Here is a post i wrote and almost no one even responded.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=6311829

[Dr Fate]

18. You are right. I said so in your other thread.

At this point, I think we might need to choose one or two symbolic battles.

Also, I think that if primary winners are getting no support from the Democratic party-that would be very educational to many DEM voters. More exposure to how they really feel.

The Liebrman situation is not a position DEMS want to be in again, and I think we should do what we can to make them uncomfortable...

I'll surely lend support to any organized effort- just like I did for Lamont- I agree with much of what you say-this time we need to follow through a little better...

[rhett o rick]

20. Yes I recognize your point and agree. I also think that two is a good number

to start our campaign of primaring. I suggest Sem Baucus and Sen Nelson.

[bvar22]

30. Both Nelsons....

Ben Nelson of Nebraska, and Bill Nelson of Florida were elected to the Senate in 2000, and re-elected in 2006.They won't be up for re-election until 2012.

I believe Baucus was just re-elected in 2008, and won't be running again until 2014.


However, Blue Dog Evan Bayh is up for re-election in 2010.
I would like to see The Left make his Primary a national issue.
We should use the InterNet to coordinate national support for a Progressive Primary opponent.
Even if we are unsuccessful at unseating him in 2010, we can make his Primary HELL, and serve notice to other Blue Dogs of what can happen when you OPPOSE a Democratic Agenda by voting with Republicans.

[rhett o rick]

32. Good enough for me. How do we get this started? We need a website that can take donations.

Kickoutabluedog.com

[bvar22]

6. Voting for someone....

...who works AGAINST you own Economic Interests is a poor strategy.

[Echo In Light]

28. Which is either of the two Name Brands. I'll stick w/3rd party indies as usual n/t

[freddie mertz]

8. I always vote

In 2010 the big one HERE will be the PA Senate primary.

Both Specter and Sestak are on record for the PO.

But I'm leaning Sestak.

[rhett o rick]

10. Isn't that cute. Some people think that as long as they vote they have done their duty.

I say bullshit. They dont even care if the machines are rigged. They voted, they are satisfied they have met their obligation as a citizen. I say bullshit.

This is the issue to determine if we currently live under corporate tyranny. If we do, what good is voting?

[Dr Fate]

11. Agreed- I will vote and I will donate money to Primary candidates I agree with.

No money-not a red cent- to Blue Dogs, etc- just individual DEMS.

[demodonkey]

21. Beware the electronic voting machines... that problem has not gone away.

Support the local, state, and / or national election integrity group of your choice. The vote you save may be your own.

[TankLV]

22. Sorry - but you don't deserve my vote if there is no public option...

it would be STUPID to give somebody your vote who CONTINUALLY goes AGAINST you...

No public option - NO VOTE or SUPPORT from ME!

Don't like it?

TOO FUCKING BAD!!!

YOU can FUCK OFF if you don't like it...!!!

[ccharles000]

23. yup

[CreekDog]

24. Even though I will probably always vote, no matter how trivial the election

if health care is not reformed this year, the chances of non-depressed Democratic turnout in 2010 will be extremely small.

they have got to get this done.

[McCamy Taylor]

25. Wow. Looks like some folks can not be bothered to read a one line OP.

This is what I must assume from the "less than zero" recs for this thread.

Either that or we have a lot of GOP operatives working at DU, today. The Republicans big campaign strategy for 2010 is torpedo health reform and then encourage Democrats to stay home from the polls in "protest" that will help the GOP win majorities.

[rhett o rick]

26. Or people don't like to be tricked by the subject. Lame. nm

[mmonk]

27. Depends on how selective one uses their vote.

Nothing compels one to vote for someone who doesn't represent them.

[WeDidIt]

29. I'll vote

for any Democrat that votes for or signs a bill with a strong, untriggered, public option.

I'll vote AGAINST any Democrat that votes for or signs a bill without a strong, untriggered, public option.

[depakid]

31. Fact is- though you of course won't accept it- that's exactly what people will do

and the dynamic will be much like 1994- only with your beloved blue dogs being on the receiving end of the backlash.

[DU GrovelBot]

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