Booman Tribune ~ A Progressive Community

What If...

by BooMan
Sun Nov 8th, 2009 at 06:38:29 PM EST

Can you imagine what would have happened to Howard Dean if he had tried to pull this when he was chairman of the DNC?

Last week, Republican National Committee Michael Steele warned GOP members of Congress that they will face tough consequences if they vote in favor of the health care bill.
"So candidates who live in moderate to slightly liberal districts have got to walk a little bit carefully here, because you do not want to put yourself in a position where you're crossing that line on conservative principles, fiscal principles, because we'll come after you," Steele told ABC News.

What If... | 12 comments (12 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: What If... (none / 0)

What would have happened if Democrats were threatened with consequences unless they voted for legislation with a robust public option including funding for abortion? What would have happened? Most people would be better off today. And Howard Dean would be a hero. But that's not the answer you were looking for, was it?

Oh, there you are, Perry. -Phineas -SLB-

by boran2 (blogistan@yahoo.com) on Sun Nov 8th, 2009 at 07:00:57 PM EST

Re: What If... (none / 0)

He would have been laughed out of town by the very Democrats he was trying to pressure.

by BooMan on Sun Nov 8th, 2009 at 07:18:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: What If... (none / 0)

If the threat was an empty one.

Oh, there you are, Perry. -Phineas -SLB-

by boran2 (blogistan@yahoo.com) on Sun Nov 8th, 2009 at 07:26:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: What If... (none / 1)

But, of course, it would be. Dean would have been slapped down by half the caucus and all of the media.

by BooMan on Sun Nov 8th, 2009 at 07:28:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: What If... (none / 0)

There are a large number of "progressives" who think that W was right: determination and being an asshole is all you need to win.

by rootless2 (sansracine_at_yahoo_dot_fr) on Sun Nov 8th, 2009 at 08:26:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: What If... (none / 0)

So tell me again who those candidates are that are moderate to liberal districts?

The only likely ones in NC to fit into this category is Walter Jones (NC-03) or Howard Coble (NC-06). Both are fixtures in their districts. Jones can depend on the support of Camp Lejeune to avoid the teabaggers. And Coble has been there so long it is unthinkable for folks in his district to vote for any other Republican.

However, the others are Patrick McHenry, Sue Myrick, and Virginia Foxx. Of those, the only one I see even remotely in danger is, irony of ironies, McHenry.

In South Carolina, Lindsay Graham is in the teabagger sights. Maybe Bob Inglis as well. Gresham Barrett, Joe "You Lie" Wilson, and Henry Brown are safe.

Steele is trying to rev up the base by signaling that he will be open to supporting teabagger challengers.

50 states, 210 media market, 435 Congressional Districts, 3080 counties, 192,480 precincts

by TarheelDem on Sun Nov 8th, 2009 at 07:48:53 PM EST

Re: What If... (none / 0)

So tell me again who those candidates are that are moderate to liberal districts?

Jim Gerlach, as Boo knows all too well. Speaking of which, I am catching flack for saying that Rahm is overhyped. And Gerlach(and not finding a real candidate to beat him) is reason one why

by Calvin Jones and the 13th Apostle on Sun Nov 8th, 2009 at 10:15:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: What If... (none / 0)

Meaning I was catching flack over at The Great Orange Satan

by Calvin Jones and the 13th Apostle on Sun Nov 8th, 2009 at 10:15:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: What If... (none / 0)

It's all about making sure that Obama fails - has nothing to do with the needs of the citizens or the health of our democracy [such as it is]. Dean was never about that [as McCoy would say, "I'm a doctor, not a ..." [what he says depends on episode]

Viva Obama

by Errol on Sun Nov 8th, 2009 at 07:54:58 PM EST

Re: What If... (none / 1)

That's because Republicans, generally speaking, have a set of cohesive principles. So do progressives. Democrats, as a party? Not so much. War? Nope. Economic policy? Nope. Climate change? Nope. Abortion? Nope. Torture? Nope. Civil liberties? Nope. Health care? Nope. Nope, nope, nope. Herding the caucus is like herding 300 or so self-interested cats precisely because there's never a line that can't be crossed.

The term "litmus test" tends to get sneered at in the Village, but the Democratic Party could stand a few. For far too many people, the only thing the party stands for is not being Republicans, nothing else. And it's obvious why people come to that conclusion. That worked for Democrats in 2006 and 2008, but is not so helpful once you have all the reins of power.

by Geov Parrish on Sun Nov 8th, 2009 at 08:14:41 PM EST

Re: What If... (none / 0)

Uh-oh, now we're really scared of that big, bad, old Michael Steele.

What if...what if those villagers marching up the hill with their pitchforks, hoes, rakes and other implements of destruction were really coming for MICHAEL STEELE?

Would he still be dishing out his tough talk then?

by ppatt on Mon Nov 9th, 2009 at 01:35:59 AM EST

Re: What If... (none / 0)

steele should be receiving all the help we can give him. he may well be the strongest recruiter the bems have. poor mike.

by billjpa (billjpa@aol.com) on Mon Nov 9th, 2009 at 06:56:24 AM EST

What If... | 12 comments (12 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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