Oops, Didn’t Realize I Was So Late: Dean’s DFA
By Lady Boomer NYC on July 27, 2008 at 3:05 PM in DNC, Howard Dean
What and Who Is Democracy For America?
Talk about a bamboozlement. What a strategy. It appears that attempts to organize now, after the Hillary fact, are, well, several years too late, to put it mildly. This one bowled me over, like I’d been hit in the gut. It doesn’t mean that I’m giving up; I’m just saying.
Howard Dean, it seems, has been busy training Democratic operatives and bloggers in a highly organized manner for a while now. Where have I been? I hadn’t heard of DFA until this week. This from fellow blogger, Claudiabl*:
DFA (Democracy For America) along with Netroots Nation are organizations founded by Howard Dean for the purpose of “training” campaign workers and promoting progressive candidates
That makes sense, right? It makes sense to have launched such an operation, considering the ass-whooping Dean and company got in 2000 and 2004. At the time, there were rampant “what hit us?” conversations about how Republicans had organized at the grassroots level, situating themselves in local government and on school boards. And what with the “swift-boating,” we were patsies and pansies and weren’t going to take it anymore. (I can’t help it, even though Democracy For America was on my side and ostensibly formed for good progressively strategic reasons, my mind keeps wandering over to the Hitler youth movement as a comparable. I should be ashamed.)
Why Was DFA Founded?
DFA was founded to reform the Democratic Party:
DFA members are working everyday to build a stronger more progressive Democratic Party. We believe the Democratic Party must be driven by people-power and responsive to the needs of everyday Americans.
Why sure, “people-power.” Me too, I’m for that!
Too often, once leaders from any party get elected, they get tied to a culture of incumbency and insular thinking that is dominated by special interests. DFA members fight for a culture of activism and rebuild policies and platforms for grassroots empowerment. It is our mission to constantly revitalize the party with new members, progressive ideas, and effective actions.
Huh. I guess that the Clintons were among those cultural incumbents. Bill had been so wildly popular as to be elected twice (first time for Dems in 40 years), and accomplish so much for our country, that Dean couldn’t wait to take ‘em down.
How Are DFA and The DNC Connected?
Evidently, DFA elected Howard to the DNC Chairmanship — Who knew? I had no idea how screamin’ Dean had gotten that position:
In 2005, DFA members elected our founder Howard Dean to the Chairmanship of the Democratic National Committee. With the 50 State Strategy, Governor Dean has successfully delivered on our campaign commitment to stand up for Democrats and our principles in every district in every state.
Our work hasn’t ended with electing a new chairman to head the party, DFA members have run for all levels of party office from precinct captains to county and statewide party chairs. We don’t just talk the talk. DFA members do the work it takes to make change happen. Join us in our mission to reform the Democratic Party.
DFA, The DNC, and Obama
Dean had run a hallmark campaign in 2004. Indeed, it was the first Presidential primary campaign to make effective use of online technology to mobilize and raise contributions from small individual donors. Dean’s training of campaign workers and bloggers would seem like a dovetail fit with Obama’s so-called grassroots community organizing background, combined with the forces of the progressive grassroots moveon.org. Moveon caught the attention of Congress and the DNC with their effective online protest and voter campaigns beginning in 2003. I was an active member, from their Berkeley inception as they grew into a national movement, until their early endorsement of Obama which I protested.
A Florida progressive blog, Florida Politics carries along the DFA message in their state, and notes that their blogging software is similar the Daily Kos, apparently a bragging right. Lately, they’ve reported on the huge Obama operation being set up there, and the takeover by his campaign of a portion of FL’s previous delegate selection. Just as with Michigan, I wonder if the Sunshine State will Remember in November or warm to the candidate who blocked fair reflection and counting all their votes.
Integrating Activists With Grassroots Media
If you fish around on the DFA website under their trainers and training agenda, you will find that we PUMAs and Just Say No Deal Coailtion Members, and likely Hillary herself, ladies and gentleman, are very late to this table.
Last summer we did a session of Night School live from the YearlyKos convention in Chicago. We featured Chris Bowers from OpenLeft.com and Katrina Baker from Living Liberally to discuss building open progressive communities.
Of course it now stands to reason how the DNC could so “quickly mobilize” to announce their move to Chicago last week, and accomplish it over the weekend.
Early Involvement In Presidential Endorsement
Question: How did all the progressive causes that we — I and other Democratic Party members, now-refugees — fought for over our entire lives get absconded by people who seem ready and able to disregard us and our efforts? Hey, over here, I’m a progressive too. How did they choose to throw Hillary away? Or did she or her old-school campaign staff not see DFA as a force?
It appears that DFA had weight in making their early assessments of the Presidential candidates in terms of progressiveness. I don’t see any mention of Hillary Clinton being engaged with them. Perhaps they were deterred by Mark Penn’s purported initial barriers to her easy access, or perhaps Dean didn’t include her? Obama even used their training manuals for his trainings!
All throughout 2007, DFA members were engaged in the Presidential race. DFA kicked off the year with messages to the candidates demanding to hear their plans for ending the Iraq War and combating global warming – and Senators Edwards and Obama, Gov. Richardson, and Rep. Kucinich responded with special videos to DFA members. Gov. Richardson sent campaign staff to a DFA Training Academy and Sen. Obama’s campaign used the Training Academy manual for their trainings. (emphasis mine) This engagement culminated in November of 2007, with the largest online poll of the election season. Over 154,000 DFA members voted in response to “Vote for Me Messages” from the candidates in the race. As a response to the overwhelming support for progressive leaders, DFA launched the Unite for a Progressive President campaign.
Big Tent No More
DFA appears to send out strident press releases, endorsing their progressive candidates and slamming others within the Democratic Party who don’t go along. Evidently, they deemed Obama and Edwards the most progressive, crediting their organization with Iowa’s win, and challenging an unnamed candidate with: what’s all this inevitability talk, huh? Bwa ha ha ha ha.
So, it’s clear that the DNC Chair, under the auspices of Democracy For America, preferentially campaigned, and built an organization, to defeat Hillary Clinton from within, and from the git go — way before Iowa and months, if not years, before the DNC RBC Committee Meeting on May 31, 2008. Pardon me. I am now officially more than naive. I thought I kept up, but maybe I was just a “holiday Democrat” after all. Until this campaign season, I always thought that the DNC was a neutral body that contained all Democrats in “the big tent.” Oops, my bad.
From DFA, originally dated January 3, 2008:
Progressives Win! Obama Wins. Edwards Second.
Democracy for America Lead the Way in IowaDes Moines, IA – Democracy for America, our nation’s largest progressive political action organization with over 9,000 members in Iowa, has shown their power tonight in Iowa. With the one-two finish of Senator Barack Obama/Senator John Edwards in the Iowa caucus, it is clear that progressive voters are the key constituency in this election. DFA’s Unite for a Progressive President Campaign made the difference here in Iowa. Democracy for America’s Unite for a Progressive President Campaign brought together the strengths of the Iowa caucus process and the commitment of DFA members throughout the country. The 675,000 members of DFA gathered tens of thousands signatures on a national call to action, wrote over 6,124 letters to Iowa DFA members, and plastered the Des Moines Register with an ad asking Iowa Democrats to not leave their caucus until a progressive wins their location.“If you listened to people last year, it was as if there was no need to vote. There was all this talk about inevitability, but, tonight, Democracy for America’s members here in Iowa proved that primaries matter, progressive values are what make the Democratic Party strong,” said Jim Dean, Chair of DFA. (* bold format mine, itals theirs)In sharp contrast to 2004, issues of concern to progressive voters have been front and center in this presidential race. The activism and involvement of progressive Democrats have transformed the Party and fundamentally altered the primary landscape. From universal health care to ending the War in Iraq to global warming, every Democrat in the race has seen the need to take a strong stance. Those Democrats who have taken a stance have seen their support increase among voters.
“Tonight’s caucus results are further proof that progressive voters make up the core of the Democratic Party – they are the key constituency in this election. DFA members and progressive Democrats support candidates who fight for progressive values: bringing our troops home from Iraq, expanding universal health care for all Americans, and fighting to end global warming,” said Arshad Hasan, Executive Director of DFA.
Dean’s Mission Remains The Same
Now I’m wondering exactly when did my candidate and I get voted out of the Party? It would appear as if the strong-arm tone and tactics that characterize many people’s encounters with the Obama campaign have roots in the mission of an organization that has been at play since Dean’s piercing scream. The fratboy doc never gave up. In fact, he has been very hard at work getting back at anyone who ever laughed at him, and is still intent on going all the way to the White House. Memory lane, y’all.
—————————————————————————–
* Hat tip to Claudiabl for the lead.
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Party unity is off the table.
Party Unity was a SHAM….from the GET-GO!….Follow the actions….
“Party unity” always was “quit whining and blindly follow the selected One”.
Party Impugnity
This entire virus needs to be destroyed from the inside out!
PUMA
Let’s completely identify the political apparatus, and dismantle this machine.
Dangerous For America is more like it.
All the more reason to hope for and work toward Obama’s defeat in November. And to think I was in favor of Dean becoming the new DNC chair. I guess you really do need to be careful what you wish for.
The World Tour has worked, Obama is loved and adored by the whole world and is in the lead. It’s over for you, admit it.
The World Tour has worked to do what?
My apologies, if I am wrong. Troller Trash
To Be Ignored Going Forward
The backlash is coming sweetie.
It’s you who is in love with Obama — the world does not even know Obama and if he becomes president they will learn to have disdain for him.
You Obamatrons are rubes. You want the support of voters for Clinton while at the same time badmouthing everything she stands for. Listen chump, the bad news is that he can’t win without our support. The good news is that we won’t support the provocateur.
Have a dull life.
he’s the laughingstock of the world
We are in central Florida. The local club leadership is all for Obama, but when they hold city-wide or county-wide events, there are very few showing up. Out of a membership of over 200, the last event drew about 10 Democrats who were willing to support Obama.
Incredibly good news and thanks for sharing it. This is the kind of local thing that we all need to hear more and more of. It will keep us going in those wee hours of the night when I – along with so many of you – wake up remembering that the DNC actually did this – what actually happened and how I had to get a big rope to tie around my head to make sure my jaw that dropped over and over again in early June got set up into my skull properly and I got over the scuffed marks that were beginning to permanently disfigure what had been a nice jaw.
thank you, terri.
It is so hard to get a wink of sleep these days. NQ provides me with — uh,btw, when are we going to get our Andy Martin’s c.v…The More Than Essential Barak Obamhemorrhoid
Hope you don’t chuck, david asselrod.
Reminds me – The 52 Hostages Held By Iran 11/4/79 – think Terd Kennedy was on the ballot that year.
And, Desert Storm Airstrikes Iran and flies out victorius. 1/16/90 – Impossible Mission Complete
9/11/2001 without a even compare…
I have lost so much sleep over the past 29 years.
Obama’s misstep in Berlin shows he can not make good decisions under pressure. Glad it wasn’t 3am.
Obama not apologizing for his mistake shows he has no integrity.
Obama pointing the finger at the Pentagon shows he has no backbone and is nothing more than a spineless whiney brat.
That was no misstep. Sarkozy and Carla Bruni were awaiting, Folks.
Not a penny to Dean and his backtrack stormtroopers!
It’s my vote and as the weeks go bye, I’ve gone from Hillary to no vote to mccain and finally; enough is enough. Won’t vote for a single idoit that supports this current regime!
PARTY UNITY MY ASS
who will come to my aid, when they knock on my door?
Do you think they will at least let us sit in the bus on the way to our incarceration?
Bus???
More likely a railcar heading to the nearest internment camp.
My bad, I forgot we have great numbers opposing the selected ONE.
PUMA!
A penny here and there to the dNC would be a great thing though because they would have to process, record and promulgate the donation.
Patti I like your thinking.
And I bloody well second that thought.
I just sent my third penny yesterday.
I went around the house singing ‘HEY BIG SPENDER’
it felt great and very uplifting.
A couple of nights ago there was an old WWII movie on tv about the nazi fifth column.
Is that the new democratic party?
COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY ALWAYS
PUMA RULES
I sent them an envelope full of diaper coupons. Thought the obots might need them when the repubs finally unleash on obobo after the convention.
Great idea!
Nice post Lady Bloomer Nyc! We’ve got to keep the truth coming out. The big mistake of Dean/Brazille is that they couldn’t stay even somewhat neutral. If they’d had their wits about them they could have slowly shifted to Hillary when it became clear in March that she was the stronger candidate. But its still not too late, in spite of the obstacles. Hillary ‘08!!!
Good Article…Didn’t Burning the grass roots cover some of this too….
The New Party for a New America…..HOWL….They have got to be stopped
Country before Party
It is apparent I am not wanted in this new DNC. Voters are obsolete at this point.
Can anyone say “Voter Intimidation”?
“and plastered the Des Moines Register with an ad asking Iowa Democrats to not leave their caucus until a progressive wins their location”
Hillary Clinton will be inaugurated on January 20th, 2009.
Just stop and think for one second. Senator Barak Obama II has foreign blood relatives within his own generation ~ blood brothers by foreign origin. He is simply not eligible to be Commander In Chief, let alone President of the United States of America.
Under the right technicalities as we now know, Osama Bin Laden could have a brother or two “eligible” to run for this Office, for all we know.
He is not eligible with his foreign immediate kin affiliations. He has only 28 years on our Mainland.
C’mon. No essay needed.
Coward Dean will be known for two things in his life. The destruction of the democrat party and a scream.
Primal Scream. I think I am up for one of them myself.
As a Lion,
I’m ready to roar!!
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRoooooooooAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRR
We call it the Democratic Party. Right Wing radio calls it the Democrat Party.
Of course, I guess I really shouldn’t defend it because it hasn’t done anything for me lately.
Oh. it is sooo passe*.
* that’s French derived from some Latin/ Greek origin, I presume.
Wry…
I now know why the Republicans call it the Democrat party…
Because they are anything but democratic!
Well said PKJayne, but where to go? My first thought was not to vote, but anger and resentment took hold during the past few weeks and now I really don’t feel bad voting for mccain. What better way to stick it to Dean & the zealots… But that leaves two years to organize..
Since the end of the primaries when the DNC pushed for Hillary to get out I have had my mind set that I will vote for McCain. I’ll be more than happy to stick it to Dean and Brazille. The “Where else do they have to go ” torqued me up.
TO bad the media isn’t letting people know about the free beer/pizza/2 free rock concerts at the big OBAMA Berlin crowd gathering. THIS GUY IS PHOTO OP ONLY, SHEER GENIUS TO GET ELECTED BUT I BET HE WAKES UP IN THE OVAL OFFICE ANYWAY SAYING “NOW WHAT DO I DO” doesn’t matter, just look busy and let media take pictures while the country goes to POT!
Please is you love your country research this empty suit before voting for him. The DNC just want a puppet for their socialistic agenda. God Help Us!
I learned at Democratic Underground that no one hates Democrats more than progressives.
You must be talking about people that think for themselves.
Yes we are held in great scorn by the aZoids.
Must be sad for them!
We decide all elections!
Ha!Ha!
The writing has been on the wall. Perry.
Thanks for jolting my system from time to time. It’s deja vu.
Hello…..Progessives of the type you describe hate the WORKING CLASS….
We tend to be…BitterclingyignoranthillbillyloserracistsecretrepublicanwhinydeadendefrustratedLUNATIC…..SPOLIERS WHO JUST WON’T GET WITH THE PROGRAM….
Don’t worry artist, you don’t cling alone. We are all clinging with you.
Every time you hear Dean saying “Hillary and I both lost” – you know what powers his every move…
he was an exceptionally poor loser in 2004.
At first he lashed out when Clark appeared – netroots and all – and overtaking him: “my followers are not transferable” (remind you of someone?)
After only winning Vermont and having to finally bow out, he had a phone conference with his followers and asked them to go to Edwards – to stick it to Kerry some more…
They said JUST NO DEAL to HILLARY while we were busy fawning over the new democratic leadership, Nancy Pigrossi day in and day out and Countdowning with Keith Obamamann by night.
Snooze and Lose was their Mission.
Dean is a dope. Never will forget the scream and now the stealing of an election. Nice legacy dean. Ha ha ha …. to funny, what a bunch of idiots we have running the DNC. Brazille and Dean. To say it’s a joke is the understatement of the year.
My mother who has been a dem as long as she could vote, my 3 brothers and I, all dems are jumping off this sinking ship and voting for Mccain. Wow, never though that would happen but wonders never cease! Obarf and the DNC have effectively united us with the Republicans to defeat the threat to our Nation. Great work guys, It’s never been done before. There’s a first time for everything!!!! Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha
The DNC will not get my vote unconditionally ever again!
I have 27 members swearing on oath that they will vote McCain if Hillary Clinton is not the Demcratic nominee. The Senator of Illiois is not eligible to hold that office. No Excuses. The Hullabaloo Shin Dig is wearing out my pony go-go boots.
Going Forward; i type badly.
LadyBoomer NYC
Excellent post. Way to root out one of the nests.
I remember DFA when it first started up. I almost joined but at the time something didn’t feel right to me.
I am totally committed to the plan.
A. Clinton
B. McCain
Lee12 — You’re welcome. I am really interested as to what specifically didn’t feel right to you? Did you go to in-person meetings? Do tell!
It may not matter much since it appears everyone is in bed with everyone else, but I understood that Dean’s brother is the force behind DFA.
Yep – Jim Dean
why do they have to keep lying? What is so hard about the fact that his big crowds also get entertainment. It’s like they believe hardly would show for just him.
Barack is an academic, we need to have two Barack shows, one with and one without extra entertainment, and find out for sure. Until then the newspapers should be required to question what the audience came for.
I am just biding my time. Paybacks are a bitch and there are plenty comin’ for Obama, Dean, Pelosi and all the others who treated us and Hillary like shit. Then they can have the party they hijacked and we’ll begin a new one.
I miss Evelyn Pringle. I hope to hear from her soon. Wondering what Peter Fitzpatrick is up to this summer.
We should have an Olympic Ad Package for that new Fall tv Show.
Just say NO to watching people swim this August.
Rise Madame President Rise.
Howard Dean is a socialist and Obama is not called the most liberal left leaning democrat in the US senate for nothing. Under Howard Dean the DNC begin to groom Obama early on. Howard Dean has not lost the contest he set out to win yet, and that is to seat the first American socialist party ever that will govern the United States of America. The President of PEC (Party of European Socialists) did not praise and thank Howard Dean (in 2007) for nothing when he said Howard Dean had introduced the Progressive Parties (Socialist Parties) to a new form of campaigning through the internet. Dean was their (the PEC) Keynote Speaker in 2006. If Dean has no commonality with the PEC, then he would have no reason or desire to speak at the Socialist conventions, just as Obama would obviously have a commonality with the TUCC else he would not have sat and enjoyed those anti-American sermons for 20 years. Howard Dean and Obama are what each have been searching for.
Americans have two choices.
Socialism or Freedom to choose.
We cannot have both.
Beg to disagree. I am a left-wing liberal, and believe me, Obama is not one. He is RIGHT of Clinton. He’s masquerading as left, right and center simultaneously, but all he cares about is Barack Obama.
Impartial DNC. The time for a new party is now. Real Americans need a Real party. I will not be a part of the new method of choosing a winner in advance. This is the Manchurian Candidate.
Maybe DFA meant DFA = Debacle For Anointed
or DFA = Dean for America
now we know why obama voted for fisa! he will build a domestic netbot security apparatus run by his trolls to “keep us in line” monitoring our every move! dean was an omama mole from the start! the fix was in! hillary was robbed! this is our last chance to stop this national socialist “president for life” obommunist putch! an internal nat’l security army!?! the guys with the bowties, nation of islam will be the first shock troops into the fray on the streets while the netbot obama “dfa” trolls rat us out for not being sufficiently pc. “re education camps are sure to follow! country first! hillary or mcain ‘08!!! now!
Plus he is not in a position to fulfill providing the new paperwork and proof of docs mandated by the FEC. He cannot ride on his fantastic yellow brick road at this junction. It’s GO all over again.
BURLINGTON, VT (PRWEB) May 15, 2004 –Today, Governor Howard Dean and his grassroots organization, Democracy for America, announced Dean’s Dozen – twelve diverse candidates that represent the spirit of grassroots democracy.
Barack Obama for United States Senate from Illinois. In the race to regain control of the U.S. Senate, Democrats have few better chances to pick up a seat than in Illinois. DFA volunteers all over Illinois helped Obama win his primary, now they are helping him win the general. Governor Dean will be on the trail with Barack soon.
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/5/prweb126123.htm
josgirl — Oh, that reference is great. Thank you.
Oh, LadyBoomer, I have more.
http://www.politicalsushi.com/Articles/HowardDeanStartsDemocracyforAmerica.html
Howard Dean Starts Democracy for America
June 20, 2004
Inspired by the presidential campaign of Howard Dean, Democracy for America (DFA) is a political action committee dedicated to supporting fiscally conservative, socially progressive candidates at all levels of government — from school board to the presidency. DFA fights against the influence of the far right-wing and their radical, divisive policies and the selfish special interests that for too long have dominated our politics.
By recruiting and encouraging progressive candidates to run for office at every level, DFA will help take this country back one political race at a time. We assist candidates in finding the resources to run a successful campaign by providing funds and training volunteers and staff for these races. By partnering with like-minded organizations, harnessing the power of the Internet, Democrats throughout the country will get elected not only this November, but for years to come.
Every two weeks, Gov. Dean and DFA will endorse twelve candidates that are working hard to take our country back — The Dean Dozen. On behalf of the candidates, DFA reaches out to our supporters to inform them about these individuals. Many of our enthusiastic supporters have already expressed interest in financially supporting and volunteering for candidates Dean endorses. DFA will also financially support these candidates too. These will be tough races and not everyone on the Dean Dozen may win. However, they will all spread the message that in order to change America, progressives must compete.
DFA has a long-term goal that looks past November 2004. This organization will rebuild the Democratic Party from the bottom up — it will take time, but we must start building a base now for the future, just like the Republicans did 40 years ago.
One of the dozen is:
That is exacly what we needed here in Florida. An Obamabot computer expert who is the Florida Supervisor of Elections.
Get ready for some nasty stuff.
200,000 . . . or 20,000? Obama’s Crowd in Berlin
http://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/blog/blog.aspx?id=2492
20,000
plus couple of warm-up bands with a free hot dog and something to wet your whistle.e
Back in the day when the Flyers won back to back 73-74 and the Pope came to Philly 10/2/79 and Yes came to JFK Stadium (6/76) while we waited for Peter Frampton to come out – and the Bicentennial Summer ‘76 … you get the feeling of numbers in a crowd. Your intuition takes over.
200,000 M A
Thanks for the info! Keep it circulating. Us real Democrats need to stick to our convictions! Dean, Pelosi, Brazille and all the others that committed treason will go down all the way! I hope all of this explodes in their faces! HA! HA! HA! How Dare Them!
this was a great write.
it angers me very much.
there can be no quarter in this at all.
this is a fight to the death. there is no compromise anymore.
###damn these people.
they created this shit, and they will reap the bitter fruits of their endeavor.
stick it in them PUMAs.
the time is ours.
oh yea
Where did the money come from for DFA?
George Soros???
Hillary could clean up this mess if nominated and elected. Barring that a huge defeat in November would lead to a house cleaning.
it’s a must!
I am going to start of by saying that I am a Canadian Conservative who has been following this election very closely. Having said that, I am going to clarify a few points right away so as to not have to refute any ignorant comments later on.
First of all, yes I and my fellow countrymen know we cannot vote in your election. However, what Americans must understand is that what happens in your county inadvertently affects our country as well. This is the reason that we have opinions on your politics.
Secondly, you must understand that Canadian Conservatism is much different than American. Though we tend to share the same ‘core’ values of our American Con Cousins (less gov., tax breaks, pro-life (I am as entitled to my opinion as anyone else), family values, etc), most of us are anti-war, anti-gun (except for the sole purpose of hunting), anti-involvement in other countries foreign policies, and pro-universal health care.
Now for the purpose of my post.
I see a lot on here about the forming of a third party. I have to tell you that I think it would be the worst thing that you could do (from a Democrat point of view). Canada has a three party system. And I can tell you that our third party, the NDP (New Democratic Party), doesn’t have a snowballs chance in hell of ever running this country. The only purpose that the third party serves is to keep the Liberal Party of Canada from completely destroying our great country year after year. See, Liberal vote tends to split between the two parties. A few years ago, we actually had a FOUR party system (the Cons and Reform). Same thing was happening and this was the main reason we had Liberal Rule for 13 years. The two right parties merged and we finally have a Con gov (albeit a minority one). I do not know if your electoral system allows for minority government or not. Many Canadians actually prefer a minority government as it forces all sides to actually work together to get anything done.
The formation of a third Democrat type party in your country would have the same effect. Split and strategic voting election after election, similar to what many Democrats are facing in this election. The only thing a third Democrat party would do in America’s case is ensure Republican victory year after year.
Just something to think about.
I want to close by saying that I hope and pray that Obama does not get elected as your president. I feel he would be not only the worst thing to happen to your country in a very long time, but to mine as well.
Cheers…
Italy has up to 20 parties at any given time; each is totally corrupt. Fat cats pay each other off and the one with the most money and muscle wins.
We should look into a parliamentary system like the UK.
It would take a long time to build a true third party. We’ll see how much steam PUMA really has. We need to at least create enough of a threat so they’ll stop and listen to our issues.
Starting anew – is not unlike an entrepreneurial business venture. It will survive or it won’t.
I guess I should have clarified that we have more than 3 parties in Canada. To be honest, I don’t even know how many there are. What we have is 3 ‘official’ parties (well, 4 if you include the Bloc. But that is a Kebec only party and the rest of Canada cannot vote for them – yep, so much for democracy) that receive funding.
We too run a parliamentary system.
Please if I may ask, why would consider this over your current system?
HILLARY AND MCCAIN SHOULD MERGE
pcbedamned — Thank you for informing us. Very interesting. Your third party statement is why many of us have never voted for Nader, and why voters are still mad at him and his supporters about their effect on the 2000 elections in Florida.
Interesting points and it is cause for thought. Basically though, these apparatus are akin to termites, and they have infected the very foundation of our party. It would requite a total party purge to clean this up ~ when in fact, while we were thinking and doing other things, the Democratic Party was completely taken over, and a monstrous Chicago Machine and Corporate Brand are now competing for the hearts and minds, or just the freaking vote, of the American masses. The Media is complicit in this. For this and other reasons, I turned off the TV (well, let the men in the house take it over completely and totally) I am not going to let their paying Brands to inflict my mind with their warped conditioning. Our four year old in this household trots around saying “Barack Obama Brack Obama” when the ONLY, and I mean ONLY people discussed in this house are Hillary Clinton, and John McCain.
I couldn’t have said that any better, fellow Canadian.I’m also Canadian, with American relatives,and want to look out after there interests,as they’ve aged.
Clinton needs to win at the convention
the DFA and Net Roots Nation are both Deans’ concoction, now the fawning grounds for Pelosi and Gore.
BO may have voted for FISA bec. telecoms are setting us up for a ban on Net Neutrality. (This was a big issue that began in 03.) Aside from spying on us, they want to monetize every page on the Web – create tiered content levels – so they reap the profits and so we’re sure to remain low-information.
Fact that he did their bidding on FISA can only lead to more legislation favorable to telecoms.
~claudybl
It is a GOOGLEACRACY….afterall…Hmmmm
Federal Prison for Federal Crimes.
The dNC has a lot to answer for as we blog.
1984 george orwell obommunist dictatorship comin downthe pike! derail this nightmare now! a clinton! b mcain! country 1st!!!!!
this is why conspiracy theories are always wrong, they can’t be kept secret. From when I first wrote Howard back in October or November and said I’d suspended donating to the DNC because he wasn’t exercising any leadership in the primary and heard back squat, i suspected. later when I found out lots had done the same thing, my suspicions grew. How was it Barack had those 50-state ground operations in caucus states, ferrying their folks to the caucus sites, always a few loud Barack supporters taking charge, and Hillary didn’t know this was coming and that she had to do the same thing? And Barack hires Solis (is that the name) to insult us? And the very day of that infamous, give Barack delegate he didn’t win and a few that she did win day, he said what I’d asked him to, he came out against the sexist and nasty smears, a day late and a dollar short, and then, a one a two, we’re supposed to get over it. This had flim flam written all over it. Why didn’t they want Hillary, and so bad they’d go so far to keep her from getting the nomination. I supposed that it was her firing hacks plan, what with Dean being a hack, but now I bet the story has deeper legs, bet someone’s planning on a new and powerful job, dean, donna, nancy, as long as there isn’t a voice of reason with any power, skies the limit?
Here’s a pleasant thought…
HoBO is still not the Democratic nominee. 7/26/08
Why is that no news reports tell the American people also featured for a free concert and food for those who attend Obamas speech, and thank goodness the world does not select our President:and for the Obama campaign saying I thought McCain was going to run a clean race, what ever they just have their bloggers doing the dirty work,, keep up the great work Puma just say NODeal, his supporters cannot layout a bill that Obama hs not had a conviction to support , the man has no interity and they talk about McCain atleast he didnt say he would filabuster FISA and then vote Yes. We must hit him from all sides one two three four, from Fisa to No support of troops Acorn and his best judgement of all his friends of 20 yrs, who we all know now that Ayres and Obama run on the same ticket on education , Oh by the way did that speech to the Church about Black fathers in generial does that not remind you of Farahkhans march of million mens guideline to marching upon Washington, looks as if Farahkhan played a deep roll in addressing Obamas issue.
Why is Christmas always on December 25th?
Wey does the sun rise?
KooLusion Aid. mmm yummy
vi — That’s right, Obama even spun himself today about Germany, speaking to journalists of color at their Unity 08 Convention. He said, you can tell from what happened in Germany that people really want change — ummm, neglecting to mention the food, beer, and top music acts that preceded him! Anyone have the clip? Must have been about 10 minutes in. I didn’t see it online earlier, but perhaps it at CNN or YouTube now.
Rock story on No Quarter in this evening’s “All Smoke and Mirrors, Baby. . . ” by Rabble Rouser Rev. Amy.
The DNC head is chosen by party officials, not by rank-and-file voters.
I think Jim Dean (Howard’s brother) is the current chair.
I bet Hillary was well aware of all of this and why she not only ran for Dem nom, but did not quit when “they” were all screaming for her too, knowing the deck was stack against her from the beginning. I bet many of the DEm leaders that stuck with the Clintons did so knowing it was a fight for the Dem party and what the party has stood for.
BTW It’s almost funny if not sad, that they claim UHC a big cause, but backed the guy that gave us the harry and Loiuse type ads against it. Asses and it all stems from jealousy of the Clintons and the fact the Clintons listened to the people and not them
She tried to show us not tell us many, many times. They battered her behind the scenes and in public.
The tear that she shed in NH was her unguarded response to her own rude awakening. (”I don’t get it, either, basially).
Therein, lies the truth.
Down with DNC!
Down with DFA!
Down with Obama!
Down with Dean!
All at the same time!
I can hear the Dean Scream now.
Yesterday The Denver Group reported that Dean no longer runs the Democratic party. Obama runs it, and they are now having to find high profile Democratic officials to send the petitions to.
They were talking about this in reference to who they will send the petitions to.
He’s been running it. Mary Skelly couldn’t have outlined it better.
I am looking forward to Dean Remorse and plus I hope he gets a little time in jail when all is said and done.
You’d think Bill Clinton would have alot to say about something like that. Didn’t he do alot for the Democratic Party,when he became President. I still say he has some pull in this party, and his friends will back him.
The Chairman of the DFA is Howard Dean’s brother. WTF.
I’m on their mailing list, and I cast my vote for Hillary when they requested votes during the primary season for their endorsement. I was always baffled by their pushing Obama as so progressive; anyone who took a look at his skimpy plans could see he was the least progressive of all the candidates. BHO is a creation of Howard Dean. “people power”, YGTBK.
Yes, you should be ashamed, but my guess is that you are not…
Just a thought, when ENRON happened, they were on it; now with Bear Stearns, IndyMac, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac; they want to bail them out. Wonder how much money the corruptted ones received. NYT had a hit piece about mccain taking money on the surface, but the money throught the back door..wow
My thought is mainly, close friends of theirs work there, contributions, and investments. Why not go after them like ENRON…people lost jobs, pensions, and retirement accounts and not a peep… is it me or what?
What a mess!! My proud old Democratic Party is a mess. I saw lamebrain Obambi on tv today talking about foreign policy. What an empty-headed dweeb. He sounded so much like then-candidate Bush in 2000 with his talk of how the U.S. should have a ‘humble’ foreign policy.
Thank-you for this article.
I maintain that you can do all that grass roots organizing and caucus stealing, but the American voter will not vote for an empty suit.
Don’t be fooled into thinking they are omniscient or exist in huge masses. Think of all the left wingers disgusted over Obama’s FISA vote and flip-flops; all the people turned off by Rev. Wright, which came after the early primaries; and all the kool-aid kids with short attention spans. And think of how many people were surprised and amazed by Hillary’s strength, guts, and charm.
This can be turned around. And our biggest help comes from Obama himself.
SaraSee — You are right, I’m not ashamed of making the connection. In fact, I posted an article of similarities between Kids for Obama and Hitler Youth on June 22, 2008. I find Obama and the DNC’s tactics of getting inside people’s heads, especially deliberate influence of kids, eerily reminiscent.
http://ladyboomernyc.wordpress.com/2008/06/22/obamakids-not-just-for-grownups-anymore/
LadyBoomerNYC,
I too am a boomer from NYC, but it’s a shame that you feel the need to compare anyone to the Nazi’s. It is always a sign that the poster does not know what the heck they are speaking about.
If you don’t like a candidate, that’s understandable, but to make such horrific comparisons is unforgivable.
It’s a shameful post.
What, you don’t think indoctrination of impressionable minds by the authoritarian left hasn’t been seen before???
yeah.
if the lightning bolts fit on the lapels and the death’s head fits on the foraging cap, seems like you have to notice the similarities.
we have an obvious difference as to whether obama is coming more from the left or right.
SaraSee — My comparison, shameful, unforgivable? No. I don’t know what I’m talking about? Really. My post, and links that shows babies being trained to prefer and love Obama, drew parallels between early indoctrination of both kids for Obama and Hitler Youth — all were innocent but trained. Shameful and unforgivable would be Hitler and his minions who exterminated all but one of my maternal grandma’s extensive extended family: her. And how do YOU think young people become unintentionally swayed, their minds copped? They are carefully taught.
Seriously, you never heard of DFA until now? It’s been around since the end of the Dean campaign. Maybe I only know about it because I was a Deaniac (believe you me I have gotten over THAT) but I just assumed all Democrats knew about it.
Not sure if you are aware, but most psychologists now believe that Authoritarianism is a predominantly Right-Wing phenomenon. So if you want to speak about the subject of Authoritarian Governments, let us do so free of Obama. OR if you want to speak about Obama let us do so free of such inflammatory, derogatory and erroneous smears.
I understand not liking Obama, but what I don’t understand is using falsehoods and made up theories that don’t apply. It merely weakens your case.
LOLOL…indeed!! Good one.
Amen. I have NO idea where this “left-wing” trope comes from but it seems to come from people who just aren’t paying attention. Kucinich is a left-wing Democrat (which still would make him a centrist in any Western democracy). Obama is to the right on almost every position–he’s on the verge of selecting a far-right-wing Republican VP for heaven’s sake.
boy, you sure are fucking clueless.
here in philly, DFA has been a good force for organization. It provided volunteers that helped candidates like Patrick Murphy and Joe Sestak win in 2006.
Joe Sestak was a big HRC supporter, I wonder why they would support him if their entire purpose was to stop hillary clinton–even though the organization was formed way before it became apparent that clinton woudl run in 2008.
This is just another crazy rat fucker conspiracy theory.
Now, you are attacking an organization that is important in the revival of the democratic party after the loss in 2004.
somehow, you expect to win elections without organizing people, without training people in politics, and without building field operations.
I guess you think that bitching and moaning on blogs wins elections.
But, I guess you don’t really care about that sort of thing, since those of you that aren’t republicans are deluded sore losers that are putting your allegiance to a loser candidate above the democratic party and the country.
The Democratic Party has been dis-mantled, not reformed! The only “BASE” thats left is the one it’s sitting on. WIDE-LOAD ahead!