I'm not a regular on this forum anymore but I'll take your bait Andy
And certainly I'm not the only democrat on this forum. I suspect a sizable number is.
This is going to sound very unorganized but I have many different things to say
1. We democrats (not liberals by the way)
won because of the hardheadedness of the president. I was never for the war and still not. But I understand we are there now and can't change the fact. But what we're doing is not working as planned yet there is no proposed changes --- from either side. I'm pleased to see Bush as released the sec of state (though I wonder if he would of done so had the republican kept congress). I think Bolton's out as well.
And I really think you guys could of kept congress had Bush fired Rumsfeld in october as part of a political move to keep congress.
2. As far as massachusets is concerned, I find nothing wrong with thier politians - including kennedy, kerry, and the newly elected black governor, as well as the other elected officials. Likewise, I find nothing wrong with the ultra conservative states politicians. See, the people vote in who they want. And Kennedy and Kerry wouldn't keep winning elections unless they weren't who the people of the state want. Not all states or people who live there are what people who live on the opposite side of the country want them to be.
I understand your anger though for those republicans that live in Mass.
3. As far as congress's agenda is concerned
I'd like to see talk of national health insurance, immigration, and social security. We haven't seen this serouis talk in 5 years.
As far as the rumers of impeachment - as much as I'd like to see it happen (come on the Clinton impeachment was the repulbican's attempt to overthrow the president for no valid reason) it's not going to be discussed unless something new happens. I think impeachment proceedings wouldn't hurt the democrats in 08 but it won't help them as much as getting more of a grip on the other issues I mentioned - insurance, immigration, and social security. I think congress is still too divided on these issues but if the democrats can be seen as the party who "initiated" these talks they stand an excellent chance of gaining even more seats in 08. And I think then they stand an excellent chance of a social security "lock box" and national health care in 2010-2014 if we can gain more congress seats and get a democrat - or at least McCain in the white house.
4. As far as who will run for President, I'm assuming McCain will get the republican nod. It's way too early to tell though. As far as the democratic side is concerned I see either Clinton, Kerry, or Obama. I think either would do about the same (both general election results and the job should they be president). Like Bill Clinton or not, the democrats and many independants did. I think by giving Hilary the nomination you will get a lot of votes. I don't think she can beat McCain simply because she is a woman as well as the fact that Mccain is a moderate. Obama stands a good chance. He'll get the democratic black vote and the blue collar democrats will vote for him as well because he's not "black" in the sense.
I think Kerry though stands the best chance of them all. Afterall, he almost won the first time - when the republican party was stronger.
Kerry vs Mcain
Geez, what a close election this would be. It could be said they are pretty much the same people
5. Just a touch on guns
Now we know certain politicians are anti gun. Democrats are not going to take away guns. Consider the number of gun owning democrats. Agree with it or not, democrats make up a HUGE number of gun owners --- maybe as high as 50%. Blue collar factory, construction, utility, highway workers...
Democrats aren't going to do something stupid with guns. This is a scare tactic by the republican party and NRA (who has to be hard lined in their nature so this post isn't an all out rant on the NRA. They possition themselves the way they do because of lobbying nature of government...as does PETA) I support neither as neither tells the truth or makes sense.
Andy, do you get or heard of the "River Hills Travellor". It's a southern missouri outdoor monthly paper / magazine on hunting and fishing the ozarks. I can't find my nov. issue - and naturally it's the one I need. But to translate the editorial --- to all you yellowdog democrats of the South. Don't let gun control, a made up threat, make you vote on the side of Big Business.
And that's what I consider myself to me --- a yellowdog democrat. Pro FDR, Pro Clinton, southern, pro-union democrat that will vote for any democrat (inlcuding a dog should my cainaine friend be nominated) before voting for any republican.
I'm the big dumb fish that took the bait - so set the hook and reel me in
