[applause]

Posted at July 14, 2008 12:28 AM in response to Can Progressives Unite, or Will It Be the Same Old Bit-Politics Story?

Imagine if solid Republicans were voting in favor of progressive issues that they disagreed with because they were worried about what the big mean Democrats might say about them at election time.

Ridiculous, right?

The American people want to see Democrats walk up to the Republicans and kick them in the balls.

But they haven't, and it seems they won't. Hence the single-digit approval ratings for Congress.

Unfortunately, I'm afraid our congresspeople see those single digits and think "obviously we've been standing up for our principles too often - we'd better try even harder to please George Bush."

Posted at July 13, 2008 9:54 PM in response to Our Fear of Success

Yeah, that's the #1 problem for me. If not for that, I'd be OK with it.

Hagel's got enough cred with Joe Nascar, and is sensible enough on foreign policy issues, that he could really make a difference.

Posted at July 13, 2008 9:46 PM in response to Hagel's Office Officially Announces Iraq/Afghanistan Trip With Obama

It's too bad because a principled stand by Obama on FISA would have strengthened the Democrats hand in the debate about national security and promoted the stance that it is possible to enjoy civil liberties and national security simultaneously.

Yes, yes, a million times yes.

This more than anything is what pisses my off about Obama's vote.

I've said it before: He decided to effectively "teach" his followers that it's OK to give up liberties in return for perceived security, when he could have, and should have, done the exact opposite.

Obama seriously underestimated the American people this time. Americans are ready to end the bullshit, and they thought Obama was the guy to do it.

Posted at July 12, 2008 12:49 AM in response to Poll: National Race Tightens; Majority Says Obama Flip-Flopped On Key Issues

A well thought out change of heart, is not the same as a cynical ploy to get more votes.

That's true. And it appears Obama's cynical ploy to get more votes has cost him dearly.

Posted at July 12, 2008 12:41 AM in response to Poll: National Race Tightens; Majority Says Obama Flip-Flopped On Key Issues

I'm not at all surprised that Obama's FISA vote is sinking him like a stone.

Even those who don't care so much about the issue per se do care about politicians standing for their principles.

Posted at July 11, 2008 6:31 PM in response to Poll: National Race Tightens; Majority Says Obama Flip-Flopped On Key Issues

I'd say Daschle is roughly equivalent to Reid. Both are/were good guys who knuckled under far too often, with the occasional principled stand thrown in there now and then.

But Daschle compared to Thune? Pffff. No contest.

And agreed about McAuliffe. He's probably a decent guy for the most part, but IMO somehow comes across as about the weakest Dem imaginable. With a few rare exceptions, of course.

Posted at July 10, 2008 3:22 PM in response to Poll Suggests Obama Putting Deep-Red North Dakota In Play

I've always been kind of amazed that ND managed to send pretty-decent Byron Dorgan to Washington.

I guess SD is similar - it's said that SD likes to send Republicans to the statehouse and Democrats to DC (setting aside the travesty of Thune unseating Daschle).

Anyway, great news.

Posted at July 10, 2008 2:58 PM in response to Poll Suggests Obama Putting Deep-Red North Dakota In Play

It's not only Europe. That same Republican logic applies to absolutely everything.

Posted at July 10, 2008 1:22 PM in response to Top McCain Surrogates Questioning Obama's American-Ness

heh... well, the Dems anyway.

You know what I mean.

Posted at July 9, 2008 3:20 PM in response to Senate OK's New Wiretapping Law