General Discussion

-- that is, Democrats capable of winning in diverse districts -- the key to inspiring voters is strength.

Over, and over, and over voters send a message that couldn't be clearer: Strong and Wrong beats Weak and Right.

If our party could find unity in demonstrating the sort of strength needed to be willing to draw lines and sacrifice for fundamental moral principles, come hell or high water, win or lose, we would have the truly winning combination of STRONG AND RIGHT.

I don't think I need to recount all the junctures that Democratic electeds who claimed to stand strong for principles like the Geneva conventions, free and fair elections, and on and on, have turned into wet noodles out of fear of "backlash" when the circumstances demanded actions like impeaching bush/cheney, objecting to the unlawfully appointed Florida electors, and so much else.

All that said, I think more and more of them are learning. And I think those old dogs who never seem to get it will suffer the wrath of voters -- and hopefully be replaced with more powerful voices who understand their duty to stand up when it is a moral imperative to do so, whatever the odds; who understand that their failure to do so sends a single message: I am weak.

I guess the point that may be lost in my post is the main thing I object to are the global statements that all Democrats are shit. To me, yes, some who identify as Democrats are doing the party great harm. There is no doubt about that.

It is up to us to make accurate judgments, and lobby those who are failing to demonstrate the strength of their convictions -- to keep asking them pointed questions, and jump all over their shameful rationalizations for the wrongheaded things they do.

Carrots and sticks. Praise and support to those that get it, and a clear message on the nature of their failures and how wrongheaded and shameful their rationalizations for those failures are.

I'd like to see more of us to attempt to refrain fror global assessments of doom and gloom that sap hope and immobilize, and instead, be more targeted with our anger, keep hope alive, and focus on specific actions in response. It will ultimately be a positive feedback loop of hope and action that turns the tide.