Well said, Molly. It is suicide to get behind Hillary in '08, she will never get elected. The Democratic Party needs to start being winners, and not just in elections, but in arguments. We're tired of Lieberman and Clinton and some of the other careerists who never take a stand. The country wants the Bushies out, it's up to the Dems to sweep the place clean. Witness our rolling over and playing dead on Alito. Frist called him "the democrats' worst nightmare" --- and still Californian senators (California!!!) refuse to consider a filibuster. What's wrong? We need people with passion and commitment and brains running our party, not, as you said< Bush Lite. Who will save our pathetic little party?

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It is with deepest appreciation that I thank Molly Ivins for telling the Democrat Party what they need to hear and heed. They have shown incredible weakness in the face of extreme adversity. My goodness, they sound like Neville Chamberlain. Let's all send them umbrellas! How can they expect to be considered the loyal opposition, when they are seemingly unable to oppose, with any fortitude, corruption, a war based on lies, illegal spying, extremist judges, and the list goes on and on. The rich get richer, the middle class is losing ground daily, and the poor are forgotten, left to drowned. This country has become a nightmare under the far-right Bush administration and a far-right dominated Congress. We need men and women of courage and conviction to step up to the plate and oppose the destruction of Democracy in THIS country. The Dems cower and whimper in a corner, fearful of offending the powers-that-be, even apologizing to them! I'm with Molly. I wouldnt vote for Hillary Clinton if she personally begged me to do so. She and Evan Bayh and all the self-serving 'centrists' can take their phoney-baloney and stuff it. They are too entrenched with the corporate fat-cats to stick their necks out and champion the truth. They would do well to listen to Molly and try a bit of her spit and fire, instead of wringing their fish-cold hands and straddling the fence.

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Hillory Dillory Dock
Clinton watched the clock
As the bombs rained down
In Washington Town
She Waiting out the clock

Standing on the sidelines
Cheering for the Troops
Avoiding any Blow Back
She stands committed

As
The Media waits
With Bated Breath
Reviling in the
Stench of death
For someone else to
Annihilate.

Swift Gloats
Attack Dog
Fauxtian
Borg
Rovian
Politics.

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You're right on the mark, Molly. Impeach Bush, wipe the slate clean, and introduce an independent candidate for the presidency of this country. The Democrats hold no hope for our country as the Republicans take us down a slippery path of self-destruction. We need a movement on the streets to bring attention to the lies of both parties.

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MOLLY is as on target as it gets!What was the name of the Big Dog in the Senate who lost his job to a fascist hack from Dakota because he was living in the "Clinton Past"? Why didn't the DNC fight over the Gore thing in 2000, with the then PRESIDENT CLINTON leading the way? And on, and on, and ON! Again I say TO HELL WITH THE BELTWAY GANG OF MEALLY MOUTH LETS MAKE A DEALERS, and for sure NO MORE CLINTONS, ZEN MILLERS, BIDENS, LIEBERMAN,etc.!

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another reason-- perhaps more fundamental- for not supporting HRC:

for better or worse, the right spent millions over many years to paint HRC as an evil person... talk radios all over the Midwest, West and South assailed her nightly for years, and still do. she is despised by millions of people, and uninformed as they may be, they vote).

is it wise for a party that has failed to win for over a decade nominate a candidate that could never carry the South and has an embedded base of detractors in the millions, including a significant % of progressive democrats?

the GOP would love to see HRC as the Democratic candidate.

--Allan

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...read and understood James Kroeger's The Republican Nemesis. They think being "centrist" is the whole thing, but they just don't understand what the Republicans have been doing to us. We can't let them get away with it any longer.

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If the democrats are stupid enough to give Hillary Clinton the nomination next year, they deserve everything that happens to them. She should not even be renominated for her senate seat this year - how's THAT for moxie? As Ronald Reagan once said - for entirely different reasons, trust me on this one - "I didn't desert the democratic party. They deserted me"

The final straw for me with respect to Mrs. Clinton was her utterly shameless, transparent pandering to the right-wing by supporting a flag burning amendment. As any 1st semester consitutional student will tell you, you amend the constitution by increasing freedom, not limiting it. That's why prohibition was such an insanely bad idea. If Hillary is not smart enough to figure this out, she shouldn't be representing us here in New York state, let alone as President of the United States.

The democrats better wake the fuck up if they know what's good for them.

Tom Degan
Goshen, NY
tomdegan@frontiernet.net

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To bring back a term from my generation - Right on Molly!

We do have someone who fits the bill, but the rest of the cowardly Dems are afraid of him. His name is Howard Dean.

He showed passion in the face of a defeat and they called him crazy. He said the war was wrong from the beginning and they shyed away from him. "Oh no - we don't know that man. He has nothing to do with us." Even though they named him head of the DNC (to get him out of the way) - they still pretend not to know him when he speaks out.

Draft Dean in '08!

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Yes, Molly!! I signed on to start a Hillary campaign where I live. Then I noticed her hubby being trotted out every time Bush got in trouble. I couldn't help but be concerned about the BushClinton hurricane katrina effort, etc. Urging citizens to pick up where they didn't bother to go. And I thought "what kind of democrat would come to the aide of Bush, in (one of) his lowest, most vile moments"? Apparently, the same people who pushed Kerry, who basically handed the presidency over to Bush. Using silence. But, I blame the democrats, too. And, I don't understand them allowing the media to talk them into abandoning Dean. I know, he committed the horrible crime of getting passionate about his beliefs. So the dem's backed up Kerry who wasn't passionate enough. Then ended up with a pres. who's committed true horrors. I think the whole Clinton group is a bunch of greedy republicans in Democratic clothing, and unless we stop allowing the media to encourage us to abandon various candidates, we'll just have the Republican's vs. the Republican's. -Chandra

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A. Vote for whom you support, not for someone you think somebody else might vote for in order to defeat Republicans. John Kerry won the Iowa caucus, just as Shannon O'Brien won the Massachusetts nomination for governor over Robert Reich, not because he spoke to the heart of Iowans but because Iowans thought other people would vote for him. The result was a candidate that many Democrats and Independents across America had a hard time accepting as a presidential choice.

B. Jeanette Rankin voted against World War because she felt she owed it to women. Hillary Clinton supported giving authority for Iraq to Bush because she wanted to protect presidential authority as a practice. Rodham Clinton needs to remember why she had so much support from Democrats. It was because she wanted universal healthcare. It was because she was more liberal than her husband. By moving away from the issues and positions that drew interest from many Americans, she has transformed herself into a politician that is unappealing to many Democrats and Independents. More importantly, loyal Republicans are going to vote for Republicans, just as loyal Democrats will vote for Democrats, regardless of how many Republican positions Rodham Clinton accepts as her own.

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I'm very happy to see someone of the stature of Molly Ivins point out the fallacies of the Democrat Party.

Some of us knew 30 years ago that unless someone took the reigns of power and guided it away from the mean spirited, counter-productive fascists in both Parties, we would end up fighting for our very lives.

Some of us knew 10 years ago it was over for the Democrats. Bill Clinton, perhaps the best Republican President we've ever had, was doing everything he thought he could get away with for the corporatocracy. He set the stage for PNAC's take over.

Some of us knew six years ago that our worst fears had been realized: That the Demorats had completely sold out since Al Gore stood there like a whipped puppy and let the Republican arm of the corporatocracy run over the Democrats.

And some of us knew to get involved with the Green Party and start building.

Inspite of some "Progressives" turning tail and running, the Greens are still alive and refusing to serve the corporate masters. Greens are the revolution. The Democrats are done.

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Molly Ivins,
Well stated summary of the landscape and fantastic wisdom! There have been voices of reason saying it since Eugene McCarthy -- the democrats do not represent the soul of America! The Party has always practiced exclusionism to the demise of democracy. Witness Chicago 1968!

The people who put the ball into play, unfortunately, were the repubrats. The good news is that those southern dixiecrats, who were national conservatives anyway, deserted the party and showed their true colors. However, some still remain in other guises to undermine our freedoms.

The democrats have only tweaked the system, not pumped new lifeblood into it. To change means not only campaign reform, but also local state and ward reform.

So, who will fill the vacuum? There are third parties already established in all 50 states. We need a call for a national convention to unite all 3rd parties to form a mature and united front to make any change in the present political economy. Some labor unions are ahead of the politicians. Let's get them involved.

The only clear voice standing in WDC is Rep. Conyers of Michigan and no one is campaigning on his behalf for President for some of the same old reasons! He can't get elected because he's Black. Divide and conquer cannot be the order of the day. As you say, we need truth, courage, and perserverance, not skin tone and gender.

Let's do it. Who will make the call?

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Hillary Clinton is Nevil Chamberiain in skirts.

You can sign away your freedom with the stroke of a pen, but it takes blood to win it back.

When the chips are down, will she behave like a true American, or will she quisling it? Judging by the patterns of her behavior till now, I suspect the latter. Five years of George Bush have shown the Democratic Party "leadership" to be a balloon tiger, deflating completely every time a Republican Boss puts a lit cigar to their rumps.

Unfortunately, there is no time to start up a new party, so we must try replacement therapy. The crucial fight will therefore be in the primaries. Oh, if only young, vibrant, people with fresh ideals and fighting guts and can be induced to run against these quivering jellyfish who are presently our stable of collaborating, opportunistic Democratic incumbents, wretched beings whose only beliefs and political stance are determined by the results of the latest polls, maybe then can we still save our nation from this enroaching fascisim!

As a veteran of World War 2, who joined the American Veteran's Committee (http://www.usmm.net/avc-mast45.html) right after my discharge from the USAAF, I feel betrayed by this 60's generation of grown up flower children.

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Someone already mentioned that there was a guy in 2004 who was telling it like it is --- Howard Dean! Let's let him out of the closet and tell him to get busy doing what he knows is right.

Then, don't forget, there was another guy in 2004 who never wavered for one second on saying what the Democrats really need to be saying and doing -- his name was Dennis Kucinich -- remember him?

Of course, all of us so-called Democrats didn't think either one of these guys was worth carrying into the White House.

Maybe it's time we started to think again -- huh?

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Thank you for that article. It's about time someone reminded us of Hillary's fence sitting, pandering, business as usual politics.

I would like to point out, however, that there is an issue of greater significance to all Democrats looming in our near future. The mid-term elections. This is the year! Right now, not two years from now. Even if we won the presidency back in '08, we couldn't effect any noticeable change if the Congress remains under Republican control. Conversely, were we to loose the Presidential election again, their new man would be hobbled by our House and Senate.

No more Roberts' or Alito's, no more tax cuts for the rich, none of it.

Think of what a change that would bring about in the current White House. The arrogance, secrecy and lies would dry up over night!

So get out there and vote. Vote in local elections. Vote for Dog Catcher and School Janitor. Our government works by representation at the state and local level, not by representation at the Federal Executive level. We can do much more to stop Bush, and future Republicans like him, by voting in mid-term elections.

We only need a handful of seats. If we can take back the House, for instance, we take back control of the Treasury. They can make any laws they want, but we would decide if those laws got funded or not. Likewise, if we won control of the Senate alone, we'd have control over the major legislative body in Congress. Of course, if we could take them both, as well as everything else, we'd almost certainly win the '08 battle, anyway.

Well, that's my sermon for the day,

Peace Out.

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Hillary has not become a centrist, she is still a liberal at heart. Her cloak that she wears these days is simply a calculated move to show herself as a leader who can represent the multitude of the masses, not just the base. I am confident that if she was elected she would revert, in many ways, to the Hillary of 1993 who so boldly stepped into the first lady role. Now, that doesn't mean we should support her, just that she is playing a role to do what she thinks needs to be done. Enter Molly...

We don't need someone who is completely calculating at every juncture, as Molly points out. We need a true leader to step up. Someone with courage and vision, someone who still brings their own ideas to the table. The polls show that a candidate who is a true progressive would do well, given that they get their message out in the right way. How difficult is it for the Feingolds and Deans of the world to take notice of this and develop an effective strategy? My guess is not too difficult, and I have faith that someone will emerge to take the true lead fo this party. We'll see soon enough... 2006 will be a very telling year.

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I cast my vote for Molly Ivins!

It has been with deep disappointment that I have sat around waiting for the Dems to drop the hammer on the self-serving antics of the GOP!

Each day, new revelations give rise to my thinking "Ah hah, now we're going to see some action!" But, that day passes without the slightest unanimous whimper from the Democratic leadership.

Investigations should be flying all over the place about election frauds, 9/11 and WMD intelligence inadequacies, HALIBURTON'S no-bid contracts in Iraq and New Orleans, Congressional malfeasance; and, the list continues to grow.

How much more ammunition do the Dems need before they will get off the fence and take a stand? If there was ever a time for a third political party, that time is NOW!

"Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel"... and the Dems continue to let the GOP hide in and use that refuge as a shield and a weapon against Democracy.

If the Democrats aren't careful, they're going to fool around and see another Bush-ite take the election in 2008.

THANK YOU MOLLY!

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Thank you, Molly I, for your comments about democratic leadership, lack of same, desperate need for same - and now I KNOW I am in good company in being anti Hillary - she is AWFUL and a disgrace to herself, the party and the country.
Are there no Independents out there ready & willing to offer inspired leadership, to articulate what so many of us crave in orer to save this beset country from fascism?

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molly is right on as usual!
Last year, during the democratic presidential campaign, i lucked into a chance to shake the hand of John Edwards during a fundraising visit to my hometown.
As he made his way to me, i looked him square in the eye, smiled, shook his hand firmly and excitedly blurted, "Give 'em HELL, John!" He chuckled. But i was SERIOUS! Immediately, a reporter from Newsweek, ran over to ask me if i thought the Dems were not fighting hard enough.
My friend next to me jumped in and said, "No they're not!" and elaborated what many of us feel. I agreed.
To my disgust, as the weeks followed, i watched Senator Kerry decline to respond when "Bubba Dub" baited him with obserdities like, "I am the environmental President." during the last two debates. That comment and many more like it were PERFECT opportunities to hang the beast out to dry! But no. Our candidates chose to bite their tongue rather than risk being momentarily politically incorrect during!

If the Dems really want to play to the middle, they could take off the satin gloves and really get some real debate going. Nobody, especially the millions of middle and working-class stiffs of this beleagured nation, supports a mealy-mouthed, politically correct, dispassionate coward! The time is ripe for candidates that can INSPIRE folks to get off their sofas, turn off CSI and do something to make the change we all so desperately crave!

I speak from nothing but real experience. I was the one of poor slobs that spent most of my free time volunteering to canvass my city for'04 races. Unless I lucked out and visited a home of a hard line democrat, I had very little success convincing the regular folk to line up behind my candidates. They identified with the phony, "good ol boy" persona first, then made the dangerous decision to support him later.
It takes great COURAGE to SPEAK OUT aginst overt LIES, when you know that doing so may result in a moment of unpopularity. However, folks really, really respect you when you make the difficult decision to do so. If what you're saying is the real TRUTH, the people will get behind you. But, it has to be simple enough for the masses to identify with. Most folks I encountered didn't really know much beyond the political infommercials that flooded the prime-time breaks. Why? Because to them, that was the most entertaining part of the campaign. How sad.

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Give 'em hell Molly!
It's beyond me why someone (Dem, Repub, Ind.) can't stand up and take control of the issues. Where's are backbone!?! Al Gore gave an interesting speech
on Martin Luther King Day. He called on congress as a whole to stand up to this president. When he debated Bush during his run at the presidency his command of the issues was obvious. If not for his heavy sighing we may have had a different outcome. Which brings me to part of the problem.
Until this president Americans seemed not to be interested in looking beyond the sound bites. George Bush "The every mans man." He came off as someone we could understand, a man who loved baseball, Nascar, and mountain biking. Foreign policy, working with congress, an understanding of the world and how it works, all nonsense, leave that for the politicians. Bush understands me and what I need.
Now, after 5 years with Bush at the wheel where are we? We live in a divided world with more hate and mistrust directed at the US than I've ever seen in my lifetime. I'm hopeful, however, that with all the info out on this president our country will begin to take an interest in something other than video games and Super bowl weekend. Perhaps the legacy of George Bush will be how he taught a nation to take back its government.
PS. If George and the NSA are listening good for you. I'f you'd like to talk give me a call. There's more where this came from.

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I read recently that the democratic party is governed by a central group who represent the wishes of Isreal. Just watch Joe Leiberman and observe his support of the Iraq attack and ongoing occupation and is now supporting another attack on Iran. Look who the neocons in the administration are. Most have ties to Isreal and many of the Republican and Democrats have duel citizenship in America and Israel. Are both parties controlled by the Israeli's? Why did we allow the Mossad's, Isreal's CIA, who were dancing and cheering while filming the Twin Towers emplosion on 9/11, return to Isreal?
Vote all the democrats and republicans out of office because it is obvious none of them represent the citizens of the United States. Corrupt scum, the lot of them.

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Molly Ivins is RIGHT ON! This has needed to be said so badly and she has said it so well. If the people of New York want Hillary for a Senator, fine. But for national leadership and Democratic Party realization of what the majority of citizens want for change, progress and constructive solutions to problems, we need Howard Dean, John Conyers, Molly Ivins, and the other inspiring, daring and creative folks. 'Got Guts?' Turn to the Black Caucus, progressive leadership, independent thinkers who seek solutions and not labels. Once and for all, let's drop the lame-ass 'me too', Demi-Pubs like Hillary ---a discredit to her ovaries! There are far, far better women speaking out in the political arena. Let's give _them_ media coverage and back them for progressive change! Thanks, Molly! -from a woman vet and lover of courage.

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if the people of Bolivia can do it, why can't we?

we have much better communications and more dollars to throw towards creative and electable candidates who will fiannly do sane things like cut defense spending, fund life enhancing projects versus projects which support a well connected chosen few.

Mike Bloomberg ran as a republican because it takes too much time and money to get on the ballot as an independent candidate.

labels don't matter. If there 's no republican or democrat running in a district, someone should run on a platform of putting people first. Call it reform to make it sound good, but the key is to take advantage of a political system filled with seigneurial rights which protect the status quo.

Dems are already the whigs but they just don't know it. must the rest of us be dragged down with Nancy, HRC, Harry and Chuckie Schumer?

must we wait five hundred years to claim our government?

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Hey Molly! Couldn't agree more. One thing though. Would it be useful to devote some good investigative attention to how the Party got into the sorry state it seems to be in? Maybe touching on some of William Greider's points in Who Will Tell the People? Like maybe there really is no organization that could be called a democratic-party-of-the-people? Like maybe its just the DLC (puppets of the ruling class?) and journalists? Nobody else really in the game? Which would mean that yelling at the DLC won't do much good. Its gonna require a whole different approach. Any chance you might be willing to comment on this?

Somehow, it seems to me that merely expressing passion, rage, great hype just distract us that much more, when what we really need is to strategize. Your article is a great beginning. Can you take the next step?

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It is time for a new approach. We the voters must face the truth. We have plenty of evidence but refuse to connect the dots and reveal the harsh, painful truth. Neither the Democratic party nor the Republicans represent the people. Our votes only decide which party will do the will of the rich and powerful.

Ending the war, reforming campaign funding, providing health care, and every issue that Ms. Ivins and the majority of voters want, will not happen. Hillary won't save us and neither will any other "Democrat". The reason is that both parties are owned by the corporatocracy. The Democrats will not do anything that will cross the agenda of the rich and powerful establishment

We have to save ourselves. We have to tell both parties that we will no longer play their game of good cop/bad cop. We will no longer vote for the lesser evil. We will not vote for a candidate who does not support the views that we, the majority, dictate.

A third party is not the answer. We don't have time to build an organization. We must take control before the 2006 election, We need a massive grassroots movement that says to both parties, "our way or the highway."
It can be done. If each voter writes to the national and state party campaign headquarteres of both, parties and tells them his/her most important issue and tells them that he/she will not vote for any candidate who does not support this issue. And tell them that if neither party supporsts his/her issue he/she will cast a protest vote for "Honest Abe".

The Lincoln Initiative web page provides sample letters that you can tailor to your own issue and the addresses of the campaign headquarters. The Lincoln Initiative is a non-partisan movement, not an orgnization. There are no leaders, no contributions, no registration, no meetings, no marches, no hassle. Fight the revolution from the comfort of your own home. Click on join up

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Nov. 2005 Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb of Christmas Church in Bethlehem wrote

"Your comment that the Wall “is not against the Palestinian people… [it] is against terrorists” is deeply offensive in its ignorance and glossy portrayal of the effects of Israeli policy in the West Bank...the Wall is affecting the daily life of every Palestinian person, not only in our town but throughout the West Bank. The Wall is less about security than it is about colonizing land and controlling its indigenous population. It is designed to allow maximum expansion for Israeli settlements (which are unequivocally illegal under international law) and minimal space for Palestinian towns and villages to grow or even draw their livelihood. The Wall is limiting Bethlehem to an area of about 6 square miles, while the settlements which surround us continue to expand on stolen Palestinian land. After taking such a courageous standpoint in 1998, why are you suddenly abandoning international law, the consensus of the international community, Christian notions of justice and reconciliation, and the American values of freedom and dignity which you have sworn to uphold?
...while you had Bethlehem in the background of the publicity photos, you had certain of your constituents in New York in the forefront of your mind...you will be singing “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” [and have ]declared your support for transforming our “little town” into a big, open-air prison, leaving no green space for our children to play or our olive trees to grow."

more on WAWA:
http://www.wearewideawake.org

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Molly does it again. I completely agree; the wuss Hilary Clinton should NOT be the Democratic nominee in '08, unless the blowhards currently "running" (and I use the word loosely) have it as their goal to permanently destroy the party. Hilary represents all that's bad about our current culture; fence straddling, offending no-one by never taking a definitive stand for or against anything, unless it's to stop the non-occurances of flag burning. She would however offend every conservative, or those leaning toward conservatism, and they'd come out in droves to vote for her opponent, although I believe there are more of us than "them". Hopefully, the good folks of New York (I'm a native NYer) will come to their senses, and select an independent candidate to represent them in the Senate, post-'06, so Hilary becomes a part of history.

As a Democratic Party Precinct Chair, I will resign from the party, and will not support our nominee if it's Hilary. Just being Bill Clinton's wife won't cut it! We need demonstated leadership, such as that displayed by Wes Clark.

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Why didn't she vote against the war? I just don't get it. The public wants change.
What are they thinking?

And why did we get a greeting from bin laden this week to the jest of the press?

These people are so out of touch and some are really goofy, like emanuel. he's an embarassment to IL.

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I'm with you. Either they are completely out of touch with their constituents are they have been bought, like the GOP. Looks like third party for me this time, though I never though I would hear myself say that !

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THANK YOU MOLLY!!!
Hillary's candidacy is promoted by republicans.
The 'new' Al Gore could do it for us. Check him out!

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Having once lived in Jerusalem, I am in complete agreement with Rehab! There is no question that teh US and the Sharon govt have agitated the situation and have essentially increased Palestinian interest in aggression.

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Thank you for your honesty, Molly.

I've been struggling with making the decision you made seem so much common sense. While I, like many American women, would love almost nothing more than to see a woman in the oval office, I can't support Senator Clinton. I can't support her on principle.

I just don't think she wants the same things I do--or enough of them in any case.

Thanks again,
Katherine Brengle

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THANK YOU MOLLY!!!
Hillary's candidacy is promoted by republicans.
The 'reborn' Al Gore could do it for us. Check him out!

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So I would hold my nose and vote for Hilary. What Molly is even more right about in my opinion is the need for Dems to jump hard on the issue of Congressional reform. ESPECIALLY - as she says "Do it all, go long, go for public campaign financing for Congress" UNTIL we insist on public financing of elections the big money will talk loudest in choosing our leaders. Will this happen before pigs fly? I wonder

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the iraq ordeal, the US establishment , Inc dems have been incredibly weakkkkkk.
She even visited the troops!
you alternet people for want of a better word have been betrayed.
As far as I am concerned, anyone going to war on this is a moron.
None of that shit about supporting troops.
I personally went to jail for refusing to go with troops in 71..
I was drafted OK but I took my chances.
No Dems / sorry only a few have dared cjallenged this stupid notion that being VS the war was unpatriotic.
What a load of shit!
And Clinton is danmgerous as she plays politics rather than truth.
Hope noone gives her the time of day.
But your politics are so complex...
She is no fool so is playing to the Center....
Is there a straight public figure left in America?

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Thanks Molly, for saying what needs to be said.

Why is it that Hillary and company are working so hard to win over that segment of the electorate that will never, ever, ever vote Democratic? Are they in the grips of some form of insanity?

I am tempted to believe that they are courting the people who control the voting machines, to keep their little piece of the pie by not actually challenging the Bush apparatus.

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That is all

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ITS THE ECONOMY STUPID! As Will Rodgers once noted during the roaring twenties ,workers think themselves capitalists with stock in one hand and work in the other. Alternate political programs won't work until there is a drastic reduction in the working stiffs life. But do not despair VERY BAD economic times are just around the corner and seismic shifts in the Democaratic party are already underway. Hillary and Kennedy aren't worth a farthing with their slick countenances and absurd posturing. Viva the revolution!

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Lowell Weicker, former Governor of Connecticut, has suggested that he may come out of political retirement and run for office. Before everyone starts laughing, please remember that it was Weicker who forced a showdown with the Connecticut legislature to make them pare down the budget while he was in office. As an Independent, he didn't have to side with either party, and he showed everyone the kind of nonsense and machinations which go on, behind the scenes, during budget negotiations. It was a real eye opener, and it showed how real reform can take place when, at least, one person in the equation doesn't anything to anyone.

And, once again, Bush is not going to be impeached for anything. Given the requirements of the process and the loaded quality of the Houses of Congress, it's just not going to happen. I don't know why so many otherwise intelligent people keep bringing it up. For good or ill, "W" is ours for another three years. Let's just hope our country survives his Administration.

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But we still have to aim for the democrats to regain control of Congress and the White House. The best scenario would be for an independent to gain enough of a head of steam to carry a majority instead of skewing a two-party system.

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Following my own advice, I just captured a copy of Molly's article (which is a cogent summation of what REAL rank-and-file Democrats have been saying for years!). I'm e-mailing it, AND MAILING IT, to my Congressman AND both my Senators!!! They are SUPPOSED to be Democrats, but you wouldn't know it. I've had enough. Either they shape up, or I'm out'a this DEM-wit party! I might as well throw away my vote (again!) for some Nader, then help to elect Republican (Reptilian) "lite" wimp-weasels!!!!!!!

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No strong leaders in the dems party. WHat dems need is a strong leader who has a positive message. Face it people do not like to vote for doom and gloom. Furthermore most folks are not going to vote ffor a liberal. They just arent.... the reasons are plenty... I certainly have mine..... I am just giving my observations

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Yes, Molly, you are correct. So many of the Dems have lost sight of what we are. I am a life long Democrat and, personally, I like Hillary. But on some important issues I
really cannot support her as a candidate, either. We need someone who can blow them out of the water and take control of our run-away government and rich-man policies.
Thank you for putting it on the line and, as always, for your
great writings. Tony

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BRAVO to Molly once again--her succinct summation clarified to me why each time Hillary is mentioned, I get a sick feeling. Perhaps it is time for a new party--a Progressive Democrat Party that would truly represent the progressive American voice. Perhaps the reason the Dems did NOT win on 04 wasn't just tinkering with voting machines, but espousing a light verson of GOP. CNN can't beat FOX at being FOX, neither can this current Democrat party beat the Republicans at being a GOP.

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We won't have to worry about voting for Hillary because by the time the election rolls around Alito will have ruled with the majority of the Supremes that the Unitary Presidency is Constitutional; the bird flu will be upon us; the National Guard will be enforcing a national quarantine; and the elections will be postponed.
Meanwhile Americans will be concerned about who will become the newest "American Idol" or "Survivor" and not notice or care; the media will talk about it for a couple of days then move on to more important things like who will become the newest "American Idol" or "Survivor"; and the Democrats will be saying, "We do not like this - but I guess we need to do it."
Or Hillary will run and Conde will beat her.

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We can hope they'll listen to Molly. The only thing she left out was that the Dems need to do the all out fight against Alito: fillibuster. We're tired of gutless, spineless, cojones/ovarios-less Democrats. We want people who will fight for us and Hillary won't. I'm tired of the press, those corporate whores, telling the American people, especially the Democrats who they think can win. It's about who we want, not the Press. So Hillary loses on both counts: We don't want her and she can't win. If the Democrats nominate her, I won't vote for her. As evidenced by the posts here today, I'm not the only one. But they don't listen to us. We're just the good troups who'll do what they're told. Not anymore. Maybe they'll hear Molly. They'd better or they'll waste the best chance to regain power for the American people for probably another 25 years.

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Yes, yes, yes, a thousand times yes!!!!!!!!

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I LIKE your politics! You sound like every Democrat SHOULD sound. Would you consider running for office? ;-)

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I came of age in the 60's. As the decade unfolded, revolution of many kinds was fomenting all across the social and political landscape and the promise of a better future brought hope to our souls. Then King got killed, Bobby Kennedy usurped McCarthy's politics and he got killed, dog-eared old Hubert Humphrey got the Democratic nomination, Nixon won the election and all the promise of the decade became little more than an empty memory with all the political progress that had been made placed in the hands of someone who only wanted to smother it.

Then so much scandal developed in the Republican Party that a peanut farmer from Georgia could have beaten them, so that's who the Democrats nominated, and he did. A decent enough fellow, but far too naive to function effectively on the world stage as Chief Executive of the most powerful nation.

I could go on, but most of us have lived through the balance of history that took place between then and now and, despite divergent views of what really happened, agree that we're in pretty much a shithole today. (unless you have your head so far up your butt that a shithole looks normal)

Now what? Well, support Democrats, where they're the only alternative to Republicans (at least they'll cause gridlock and stifle the agenda of the frat punk from Crawford) and Greens and independents, where they are available. I've lived long enough now to be convinced that government is not the answer (but you damned sure shouldn't elect people who claim it's evil cuz all they'll do is prove it). WE'RE the answer (shit, it always comes down to personal responsibility, doesn't it), but government can be an effective tool for us to use in making things at least better than they are.

How could things be better? A federally managed health care delivery system, a minimum wage that allows those who work to live with a modicum of human dignity, rational public election financing, sufficient military preparedness for national security but an end to military adventurism abroad, policies that promote conservation of natural resources and inovative solutions to energy needs, personal reproductive choice with responsibility and on and on... In short, the complete opposite of everything this administration stands for and does.

Support and vote for candidates of any stripe who will promote change for the better (or at the very least stoppage of Bush's insanity).

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This nation is losing the middle classes and the working classes are becoming the lower classes and the lower classes
--those without healthcare, without money for any after- school programs for the kids, without hope that their kids will ever do any better than them financially, beaten down by credit debt from which they will never escape and which narrows their options even further--are slipping into full disenfranchisement. Every move this Republican administration has made has fueled this downward spiral, but Democrats were at the very least complicit at every juncture. It is not "the economy, stupid", but it is the money, the greed. Half of our political and monied aristocracy doesn't get it and the other half doesn't care. Hillary hasn't listened carefully enough to Eleanor, whom she claims to admire: she doesn't get it and I don't care.

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. . .that the Democrats in Washington will never find courage, because it will mean biting the corporate hand that feeds them. I'm convinced that all of Washington is on the take, on the corporate payrolls, and that they no longer care about polls and surveys and public opinion – they don't give a s**t about us, because we can't pay 'em enough to care. . . .

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Not that I'm a fan of her in any way but even our former Senator Tom Daschle would top her off anyday, not that he'd stand any better a chance of winning the White House than most Democrats, but I seriously doubt that at the end of the day, she'll really jump into this deep well and blow it.

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Let's get organized why don't we if there are so many in league with Molly Ivins' declaration who's just about given up on the Democratic party. Why can't we make this a believable party of progressives who'll stand for no less than truth & justice from our corrupted government NOW; not just when the time comes to vote them out of office?! We should be writing our congressmen/women telling them we want no less from them than more of the same crap!
From: The War Prayer by Mark Twain
(*After a pause.*) "Ye have prayed it; if ye still desire it, speak! The messenger of the Most High waits!"

It was believed afterward that the man was a lunatic, because there was no sense in what he said.

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Those that understand that the Fasciste have taken over the government and those that "just want to continue the 'show'"!

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I nominate Molly for President! I mean , who else has the guts to tell it like it really is. If Molly declines, I would back the Democrat who hires her as their campaign manager!

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No really. All the American Progressives seem to be finnaly waking up to how useless the Dems are. What angers me is how sooo many sites, and pundits stabbed at Nader last election. Notably, Alternet, and the Nation not only didn't endorse him, but insinuated he was selfish for running. Seems you like need someone like him (with values) now. Or kuccinich.

Why am I raising this? Not that I think its going to happen or even that he'd win. I just think these progressive sites owe him an apology for stabbing him hard in 2004. All of a sudden it seems like you need a third party.

Hanes

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Molly's list of agenda items includes just about everything the majority of Americans want that progressives should stand for.

One omission, however, is critical: every poll I have ever seen over the last ten years, at least, says that the majority of Americans approve of Roe v. Wade and want to keep it!

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For years I have been quoting Harry Truman who siad "if you run a Republican against a Republican the Republican wins every time" to those who are afraid to act like Democrats. Molly is right. If the Dems don't wake up this time and find a Democratic LEADER (not HRC) to run I'll gladly support a third party.

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Molly, will you run in 2008? It's either you or Cynthia McKinney!
The current crop of "leaders" has nothing to reccomend!
They should all in fact, hyphenate their last names to add "Chamberlain" in honor of Neville Chamberlain of 1938 infamy.

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Molly Ivins is one of the best minds we have. Her article on Hillary was brilliantly on point and I have nothing to add to it. However, much of the reaction to it, while complimentary, is scattered over the landscape and fraught with danger for our movement.

The reaction can be broadly characterized as follows:
1. Dems are as bad as Repubs.
2. They're all corrupt.
3. Let's support, or form another party.
4. Let's frighten them by refusing to vote. (Lincoln Option).

I agree that for the most part the Dems support the same corporate plutocracy supported by the Repubs. However, there's an important philosophical difference. Repubs are philosophically an extension the feudal divine right of kings. You're downtrodden because you deserve it (by diving decree?) and so screw you. The Dems at least feel we should provide assistance to the downtrodden (most of us) and that Wealth has a duty to help those without it.

They ARE all corrupt because our electoral system has become corrupted. Money is needed to finance political careers and with that need corruption follows. Also, to seek a political career one must have a need for power and that in itself (despite any good intentions) will ultimately corrupt the seeker.

As for starting, or joining a third party, while that idea have appeal, it is a long term proposition and doesn't meet the short term need that the US is about to go completely Fascist, if Bush & Company aren't stopped.

The Lincoln option doesn't work because the Right's idea all along is to make voting irrelevant. The powers that be couldn't care less if noone votes (which will never happen)since it would have no effect on their power.

We must ensure our country doesn't take the final steps into fascism, being pushed by Bush, or it's immaterial. The majority of Americans understand viscerrally that they're being screwed, they need to be galvinized with a clear message of opposition

We need to move the Dems left, with a populist (non corporate globalistl) agenda, aimed at the middle & salaried class. Our candidate needs authenticity and should disdain advice by Dem hired guns, who get paid while candidates lose.

Long term let's look at another party, or even go Green, but we've got to ensure there will be the possibility of a long term, right now that's not a certainty.

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Molly, even though I an not an American, I fundamentally agree with all you say. Unfortunately, you have overlooked the biggest hurdle of all.

Which is this: America is no longer a democracy! Under George Dubya, it has completed its transformation into a true Plutocracy - government of the rich, by the rich, for the rich.

(If you doubt that, caste your eyes back just a few weeks to the obscene spectacle of Congress cutting back on social services to the poor to the tune of $40 billion. This $40 billion is to pay, of course for, Iraq, New Orleans (the better parts) and the tax cuts to the wealthy.)

So comprehensive has been the take-over that you cannot even trust your own voting machines. (Suggestion: Start a campaign called 'Prove the voting machines are right' and under that banner, set up a parallel paper-based voting system. Urge all voters to vote twice, once officially and once on paper. Then we'll see how honest the machines really are.)

Trying to build a third party under the American system is madness. You only end up undermining your own cause, as Ralph Nader did to Al Gore in 2000. (Which is why you need Aussie-style preferential voting ... I believe you call it instant run-off voting - it is more honest than the current, dare I say it, primitive winner-take-all system you currently employ.)

So get out there, and fight for reform in your electoral system, and within the Democrats.

And I will continue to do the same within the Australian Labor Party (which, I am sad to say, is in a very similar position to the Democrats, right down to making the mistake of attempting to be, as Molly so deliciously put it, Republican Lite.)

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The only positive thing that could come from HRC as a presidential candidate is that it would be an historic occasion for our country: the first time a major political party put forth a female for President.

The GOP would love to have the Donkeys try this, because they would counter with a ticket like:

Pres: John McCain, VP: Condi Rice.

In one fell swoop, they can neuter our "progressive" stance, and then do us one better by including a "minority" on their ticket, (although as all Dave Chapelle fans know, Condi Rice and Colin Powell are now both officially white.) As much as I loathe Condi and pray for her to get her teeth fixed, I see her on the GOP ticket as a magic bullet that will pry women voters and minority voters away from the party that (claims to) loves 'em. All our progressive talk will be seen for what it is: just talk, when the traditionally oppressed peoples of this country can tick off the box marked "Republican" and see something happen that's never been done in this country: the whites are not in total control.

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I have been returning every Democrat's official mail solicitations and responding negatively to Dem phone solicitation calls since the last election with the same message - NO MORE. I am no longer going to support the party of my parents and myself. The party has lost focus.
I held my nose and voted for John Kerry, probably a fine Senator, but NOT the man to win the trust nor the full support of the middle and lower classes of the country which are being brutalized under Bush.
I would never vote for Hilary Clinton for President and have said so since she ran for Senator in NY. She has only reinforced my opposition since her NY election.

Why don't the Kucinich's and the Murtha's, their supporters and the other brave outspoken critics gather together and form a new party to include disenfranchised people like me? Give us a candidate to believe in and support?(Like Molly.) Find a candidate that has the moxie to shake up government and take the heat and beat the Republicans at their game.
Surely there is someone "bigger than life" who is ranting somewhere and gathering a base. Help our country. Find that person!

I'm no longer a Democrat! But where do I go from here?

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I agree that Senator Clinton is a poor choice for the Democratic Nomination. I would vote for McCain before I would vote for her. I do, however, think Democrats once again have a Midwestern Senator with the guts to stand up for Liberty, Justice and the common citizen in these United States - Russ Feingold.

Can he get elected? Only if he gets more votes that the Republican (or the Supreme Court selects him). But that doesn't matter. We have to stop choosing candidates based primarily on whether they can be elected. That is what has weakened, but not yet killed, the Democratic Party.

But look at what Senator Feingold has to say at www.feingold.senate.gov

He was the only US Senator to vote "no" to the Patriot Act. Even though he agreed with several provisions he had the forsight to see that it had the potential to endanger our liberties. He was the ONLY U.S. Senator with guts enough to stand up for his beliefs during that difficult time.

Read up on him - www.feingold.senate.gov - Don't write him off. I think he is the real deal!

Hillary, with all due respect I recommend you go have lunch with Newt. . .

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That's because the Democtrats and Republicans are the same party. Our only hope really is to support a new/third party with backbone.

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we found her and she is rIght here.... a gutsy, intelligent FEMALE leader from, of all places, texas... with a sharp sense of humor and TWO ESSENTIAL QUALITIES absent in our current government leadership : COURAGE AND A BRAIN !!!

RIN, MOLLY, WE NEED YOU TO

CARLA JANSON M.D.
BALTIMORE, MD

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Hillary has made herself about as useful as one of her neighbor senators from Connectacut, both of them have turned their backs on the DNC and become rogues. I welcome compromise as a political tool missing in our government, but not outright submission.

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Molly, you go girl! And while we're cleaning the slate, Howard Dean needs to hit the road, too. We all need to look around and promote candidates who will LEAD, who will maintain moral integrity in the face of incredible pressure to sell out or bow out (how about Kucinich or Sharpton?) I haven't left the Democratic Party yet, but sometimes I get discouraged in the face of the entrenched brotherhood of corporate trough slopping slate of candidates. - I encourage EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY WOMEN, to Sieze the Day - Carpe Diem. Get out and do something.

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President Clinton's last minute pardon of Marc Rich was the end of my loyalty to the Dems. That simple act betrayed the faith many had in the Democrats, and reinforced the notion that the Dems are feeding at same trough as the Repubs, compromising their values and obligations for the almighty dollar.
Clinton's new buddy status with the Bush's (father and son) further reveals his cowardly, greedy obeisance to the hands that feed him.
Hilary is cast from the same mold. She has shown no leadership whatever on the issues which are screaming for leadership - the environment, the war, the rightwing takeover of America. More and more people need to speak out against Hilary (and Joe Lieberman) to reduce their preminent status and encourage new talent to come to the fore.
There are many bright young minds in America who need the path cleared of obstacles like Hilary so they can be encouraged to rise to prominence.
I will never vote for Hilary. She stands for business as usual, and is showing her cowardice every day she remains silent to outrages of the Bush Administration.

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Agreed that we need a strong third-party challenger in '08.

Of course, the Democrats will whine that the Repugnicans will win, and they'll frequently evoke Ralph Nader in 2000.

When the Dems do this, we need to tell them: Well, if you don't want the Repugnicans to win, then join us!

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It seems to me that Progressives are divided into groups who compete with each other. Somehow, Progressives have to unify in order to become a viable movement.

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I hate to rain on your parade but it's OVER. We are well on ourway to becoming a banana republic. The icing on the GOP cake is the conglomeration of the mass media into fewer and fewer hands, assuring the dumbing-down of the majority of Americans. If it isn't the trash on prime time TV, it's the Blitzers, O'Reillys, Limbaughs, Coulters, etc. The print media publishes inane articles by columnists with a right-wing agenda in the name of "fairness and balance." A free and unfettered press that holds the lying politicians accountable is long gone.

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Thank God someone has finally said what I've been screaming at my TV for months. The press is in love with the idea of Hillary as the Democratic candidate because it would be historic to cover the first female Presidential candidate. However, for those of us more concerned whith whom will actually BE President Hillary would clearly be a disaster. First, I do not think she could ever win the primaries. Too many people in the middle of the country know that there is a solid 35-40% of the country that HATES her. These people would do ANYTHING to make sure she is not President - that doesn't translate into "electability" to me. Furthermore, everything that Molly says about her is dead on. She has the worst wishy/washy-ness of Bill with none of his charisma.

At the beginning of the 2004 election season the prospective Democratic candidates wrote letters to the members of "move on.org" outlining why they would be the best candidate. Howard Dean's was excellent, voicing all the frustrations that so many Democrats were feeling. John Kerry's was a disaster. Despite our being hip deep in the already obviously disasterous Iraq war he spoke only of the Supreme Court! So Dean surged ahead and the well-liked Kerry fell like a stone. Then the "powers that be" told us that Dean could not be elected, but Kerry could, so we changed our votes and sucked it up for Kerry. GEE, that worked out well! I for one will not be fooled again. If these "pragmatic people who want to see Democrats win elections" don't shut up, we may never win an election again.

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What else is there to say??? "We the people" haven't owned either party in quite a while. It's partly our fault, too... those who are content with "bread and circuses" don't deserve democracy.

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After reading all the previous posts I have very little to add
except to say: RIGHT ON MOLLY.
I was a Dem. for forty years. I stood strongly without anyone
moving me from my beliefs that the Dems. were the only way to go. After Clinton's first term and I realized how things
work in Washington I new that I needed to leave The Party
and become Independent. When will the Dems. regain their
genitals??

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Oh thank god SOMEONE is finally putting into print what many of us are thinking. And just between me and you, folks, Hillary's own constituents are no longer as supportive of her "Republican Lite" stances and fan-dancing around the edges of issues. We're falling away in droves.

There is a very strong Democratic candidate opposing her here in NY, Jonathan Tasini, who isn't afraid to speak out on issues or take a stand that's unpopular with the current white house policies, nor is he likely to try to support actions and policies which his constituents clearly don't agree with - as Ms. Clinton does in her efforts to stay in good with the guys in power..

Stay tuned, folks!

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You're exactly right, Molly. We've had two elections stolen from us, but we haven't been knocked off the moral high ground. We own the moral high ground, and we must own the reform movement.

During 2004, Greens, Liberals, Independents and even some Libertarians rushed to the side of the Democrats. If the Democrats try to be Republican-lite, they will drive away the passion and strength of the progressives.

On the other hand, they have a golden opportunity right now to increase their numbers exponentially by simply embracing the progressives, who are again looking for somewhere to be.

Failing that, they will give rise to a third party, built on truly American, democratic values that will take years to gain enough numbers to be of consequence, and the Democratic party will be history.

At least Bush knew who his base was; I don't think the Democrats recognize their base.

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Go for it girl!!!

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Dunno if someone else has said it but her points are exactly what I've been saying on my blog for months. Why the Democrats act scared when the American people agree with them I really don't know. Either it's chronic fear, political paralysis, they have skeletons in their own closets, or perhaps it's the political miscalculation of the era, but for goodness sake, as Molly says, if it's the first one-and I believe it is-you know you're a decent bunch, call them on it when they question your patriotism. The American people know who the patriots are here and Monkey Boy and Richard B. Cheney are not among them.

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With a minimum of words, Molly has captured exactly what has become the demise of the Democratic party as well as the United States itself. We have all been lulled into an apathetic people influenced by the high-tech take over of our otherwise rational thought process. Video games dominate our youths spare time as well as that of young adults. Lack of intellectual provocation is evidenced in supermarket and discount stores where the checkout lines are dominated by tabloid magazines, entertainment rags, and publications aimed at the lowest intelligent being are displayed in checkout lines. No where is there to be found mind challenging news magazines such as Newsweek, Time, U. S. new and World Report to mention a few. We have become a nation that idolizes rock “stars” and sports personalities as opposed to those who are responsible for the governing processes of this country.

This apathy fuels the arrogance of the neo-con dominated Republican party. They stop at nothing to impose their will on a populace that could care less. With the help of their Democrat colleagues, they have systematically destroyed the underlying basis of this country’s fundamental liberties. Until we start electing reputable representatives to run our government we will remain mired in this Republican cesspool.

In the 60’s the Republican party had a lesser representation in government than the Democratic party has today. However, they stayed the course of their fundamental ultra conservative principles. They purged the “middle of the road” members of their party. They infiltrated the airways with lies and propaganda branding liberals and the Democrats as weak kneed and immoral.

In order for the Democrats to regain control of government they must stay the course of fundamental liberalism and common decency. They must convince this country that conservative policies are leading this country to disaster. They must build a strong central core of individuals who will stand firm on liberal principles. They must purge those elements of the Democratic party who are “Republican” wolves disguised as Democrats. In essence, the Democrats have to prove themselves again to the U. S. people that they are the ones who can restore integrity and decency to our government.

As Molly says, Hillary will not save us; however, the likes of Howard Dean, Al Gore, and others like them can.

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Current dem leaders seem to think it's about politics. It's way more serious than that. Politics are a means. The goal is the future. Americans want one. A good one. With good health, a healthy planet, foreigners with full bellies and a future of their own who don't want to kill us. It's not too difficult--it's just not politics. It's for real.

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If a majority of Americans support liberal causes, then why did they re-elect Bush in 2004 and send even more Republicans to Congress?

Two reasons: first, even if they care about outsourcing and national health insurance, on election day 2004 a majority cared even more about terrorism, and on that issue they had been brainwashed to favor Bush and Cheney.

Second, if all those liberals exist, where are they? California, New York, and Massachusetts, where a majority of voters can be described as progressive, can't produce 270 electoral votes. Because we don't elect our presidents by popular vote, and electoral votes are winner-take-all, the liberal minorities in the red states might as well stay home on election day, because their votes don't count for squat. Look at Florida in 2000--even if Bush did get only 537 more popular votes, in the electoral vote count he won Florida in a landslide.

Since the Constitution is not going to be amended to abolish the Electoral College or institute the kind of proportional representation that got Lani Guinier ridiculed as the "quota queen," we may have to wait until enough voters realize that their way of life is threatened more by the oligarchs than by the terrorists. By then, of course, the United States will be a Third World country.

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We pay taxes, federal, state and local, to build good roads. They take us to school and business, to shopping and to our neighbors. Nobody wants bad roads.

Aren't good , fair elections as important to us as good roads? If so, isn't it past time we considered paying for them the same way we pay for roads?

Under the current system, months will be spent with the candidate not meeting a single voter, knocking on a single door, discussing a single issue, giving a single speech. Instead, they are meeting with friends, business associates, local businesses, unions, PACs and special interest groups begging for money.

We have created a system where candidates for election are more beholden to the contributors than to the voters. The results are neither good elections nor good government.
Not good elections, because candidates are forced to spend time they should be spending communicating with voters about their issues and concerns instead fundraising.
Not good government, because once elected, the cycle starts all over again, on the phone raising money for the next campaign.

It's time to institute public campaign financing, stop the begging, and make the voters once again the most important people for someone running for public office.

A candidate for office, upon meeting a qualification standard by gathering signatures on petitions or gaining the nomination of his or her party, would receive campaign funds based on the population of his district, state or in the case of the Presidency the nation. This amount should be set at a percentage of the average cost of campaigns for that office and indexed for inflation.

There is a natural suspicion among Americans toward any proposal that might increase the taxes we pay. We demand value for the money we provide for governance. This is right and proper and a requirement for the maintenance of good government.

So some may say, "Why pay new taxes for something that people seem willing to pay for themselves?" The answer is simple, "Because if we want the people's representatives to truly represent all the people, then all the people should provide the means for their selection."

It is past time that we once again make the voters the most important people in the lives of our representatives. Government "of the people, by the people and for the people" demands nothing less.

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Molly Ivins states the reasons why Hillary should not become a presidential candidate. Her politics concerning the war in Iraq are the first and most obvious case for distrust. Looking at Hillary's constituency, the reasons for her politics towards the Middle East become rather obvious. However, Molly follows the politically correct taboo not to talk about these. As long as the political discourse is tainted by lies and suppression of truth on both the Republican and Democratic side, does it really matter who we put in charge?

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I believe Molly represents the feelings and fears of many of us who are proud to be long standing liberal progressives. Bullies are never beaten by those who cower or worse try to emulate them. Bullies are brought down when victims and by- standers join forces, stand up and shout: NO MORE, THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE BEHVIOR, WE DO NOT DO THIS HERE!
Ask any grade schooler and they will tell you. The Democrats and Independents who aspire to national leadership better take notes....

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I say HOLLY IVINS FOR PRESIDENT!!

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Molly Ivins for president. Sorry, I lapsed into the repub party there for a second.

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I think that maybe the man we are looking for exists quite near to McCarthy's Minnesota. He is the only man to vote against the Patriot Act (a true act of courage ). Check out the man from Wisconsin.

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"Democracy is just a word when the people are starving."

"I won't trade humanity for patriotism."

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Molly Ivins would make a good candidate BUT writers don't run in US. Actors DO. How 'bout Genna Davis! Mensa Society- Incredible- almost Olympic -archer. A real Commanding presence?? -6 feet tall!

Dr. Rick Lippin

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GORE/DEAN IN 08. RE-BORN GORE IS "HOT" POST MLK BIRTHDAY SPEECH. THESE TWO GUYS HAVE GOT THE GOODS! THIS TICKET IS A WINNER! FEEDBACK WELCOME

Dr. Rick Lippin

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I know its late, but the Hillary machine is rolling. I hear an infrastructure is being quietly assembled nationally.

Hillary will probably be a corpoate darling drawing major backing from moneyed interests who see her as being safe just in case the Republican candidate bombs. She will go along to get along just like her husband.

For this reason, her candidacy will prompt progressives to stay home or vote Green. At the same time, she repulses culture war conservatives because she is a successful, assertive ("uppity") woman. She will promote culture war issues to prove her worth as a Democrat while avoiding offending the money people. This will ofend cultural conservatives the way Gays in the military did a decade ago. She will alienate the left and the right. Her landslide defeat will be historic.

The left has a major opportunity if it can establish viable positions on the issues of making the economy work for all and the government represent all. This opportunity will be lost if Hillary is nominated, perhaps for a very, very, very long time.

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As much as I'd like to see a woman President, the prospect of President Hillary makes me want to puke. We're facing a string of crises--Iraq, global warming, huge national debt, millions without healthcare, failing schools, millions in poverty, etc., etc., etc.

Trying to accommodate the Republicans--who are largely responsible for creating or at least exacerbating all of these problems--is suicide. What these "Republican lite" Dems don't seem to understand yet is that winning elections means getting votes, not (necessarily) getting gigantic sums of money from the same corporate scumbags who fund the Republicans.

There's a large (and growing) constituency for THE TRUTH! If only some of those cowardly, mushy-mouthed faux-Democrats would speak it!

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After reading the posts in response to Molly Ivans clear and direct message; I think the Democratic Party had better start to listen.

They have been setting themselves up for yet another fall. We ought to be clear about this.... And if they go to the middle and miss this chance to take back their political lives; than we all should clearly start a new party - What?

"THE PROGRESSIVE PARTY OF AMERICA"? Any other ideas?

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I agree with many of the posts. Bush should have been impeached in his first term.
Hillary is not the right choice in 2008, but let me point out that under Bill Clinton, the economy was better than ever before in the history of the US.
Again, historically speaking, George W. Bush is the worst we have ever had. He has been a disaster for all aspects of our civilization: the economy, ecology, human rights, jobs, you name it. He is a brain damaged, alcoholic megolomaniac, and stupid as well. He has failed at everything in his life, including the presidency. Without his family connections, he would be just another drunk.
The bottom line, however, is this: what makes any of you think the Dems are any better? Everyone thinks of this country as a two-party system, which is totally false. The Dems have, in the long run, the same goal, Global Domination.
The only answer, since we do not in fact elect the president by popular vote, is to get rid of all congressional incumbents, making it perfectly clear that We The People have had enough of their corruption, lies, and Constitutional violations.
Bush and Cheney MUST be impeached for their war crimes and treason.
We MUST elect local officials, state governors and reps that will demand state sovereignty as guaranteed in the Constitution. We MUST have local sheriffs willing to protect us from federal abuses.
Politics as usual will not save us. Forget about voting straight party tickets, forget about presidential popularity contests, and vote where it counts, local and state.
Please read the Constitution for yourself, and understand the jurisdiction and authority of the federal government as intended by the founding fathers. Original intent is the key.

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Ms. Ivins wrote: "...when a country is desperate for leadership." This concerns Ms. Ivins lack of enthusiasm for Sen. Clinton. I'll agree pretty much 100%, except that's not what I see. I'm far more cynical than what Ms. Ivins sees when she looks at the US people. I see an entire populace hooked on oil & its products, like SUVs and McNuggets & their bastards. The country is NOT desperate for leadership. It is fat, self-centered & lazy. If one person could embody this screwed-up populace, it would look like Dick Cheney. And that "national persona" acts on an ethos reflective of him & his values, rather than desperate.

It should be desperate. It ain't. So hand me another 12-pack, more dope, and fill up the Hummer.

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The more a majority of Americans look to sane solutions to the miserable conditions caused and exacerbated by the high priests of Bush bullshit, the closer the party gets to coronating this awful senator from N.Y. who has no beliefs and is a crashing, crashing bore. What the hell is going on? Molly, you're beautiful!

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Nop hillary will not save you at all, Al Gore will and he is only choice for Democrats.

http://www.electgore2008.com

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I sent this to Hillary.....

You better win this fight or go home. No tomorrow. If Rove sees you weak, he'll backstab you and clean your clock. You've lived off tax dollars for over 20 years. Its time to payback. Get off the Republican "PLANTATION". If you can't defeat Alito, resign, go home and get a real job. Rove laughs at you. Smack him down. And fix those crooked voting machines before the election.
DEFEAT LYIN' ALITO!!!

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I heard Molly's words this a.m. which said out loud what I, though a life long Dem and a 57 year old woman, felt in my heart. Now I too can say it: Hillary is not the answer. President Clinton's progressive agenda was effective and led to gains for all the people. But his personal life was far from ideal and, fair or not, Hillary was a part of that picture. She is weighted down by Bill's baggage. Privileged to serve as one of the country's 100 Senators--a position she would probably not have obtained on her own without the political clout earned by her husband's unique political genius, she needs to focus on serving the Dems well in that elite post. She didn't divorce Bill but the Senate seat is a huge default settlement and she should be grateful for it and do right by the Dems from that lofty perch.

We Dems need to get creative in finding a new voice or put on the Rocky music and get Gore on the treadmill. I watched his entire speech on MLK day. (He could stand to lose a few pounds). But he flexed his political muscle just enough in the mainly non-partisan message to renew my hope for 2008.

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GORE'S ON FIRE! :)

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article on my blog about a week ago and I'm glad that someone in the MSM sees her the way that we do. That she's a centrist, self-serving politician who's doing whatever she can to get re-elected for a couple more years before she makes her push for the Presidency.

I wonder how the people of New York will feel about that, knowing that she'll abandon them in two years for an even bigger brass ring?

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article on my blog about a week ago and I'm glad that someone in the MSM sees her the way that we do. That she's a centrist, self-serving politician who's doing whatever she can to get re-elected for a couple more years before she makes her push for the Presidency.

I wonder how the people of New York will feel about that, knowing that she'll abandon them in two years for an even bigger brass ring?

JP
http://jurassicpork.blogspot.com

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When voting becomes a choice between the ‘Lesser of Two Evils’, then there is no real choice.

We are screwed.

None Of The Above in ’08!

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Every single thought I've had regarding the party I used to claim proudly as my own, written with the usual Molly Ivins panache. You always give me a little flicker of hope that there is intelligent life in the universe and often a giggle to go with it....Thanks!

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Why be a democrat at all? Why be a republican? Seems the meanings behind those titles have been changing over time (who can best use the media to re-write history?). What would the pollsters do if everyone they asked simply claimed independance? No party lines to get caught up in, only individuals to vote for. Candidates would HAVE to take stands on their own. This may help to eliminate huge slush fundraising machines for parties and make voters study a bit more before assigning votes. How to redistrict? What would a partyless national convention (oxymoron) be like? 1 vote for 1 woman or man - and let's get back to rotating through the job of politics more frequently, so everyone gets a chance!

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Unless you are optimistic and can offer up some solutions instead of only tearing down YOU ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM

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I have to make three qualifiers about Hillary:
To be fair, whether it is pro or con, but Hillary should be judged on her and not by her husband, Bill. What has Hillary done and not done as a Senator.

A fundemental mistake that I have seen some people make on women in leadership positions. Please elminate sex when trying to judge, rationalize or think that being someone has a greater insight into Hillary's behavior and believes because she is a woman. Judge her as a senator and as a American.

Last is NO ONE has any insite on her "real beliefs", go strickly by her behaviors and actions as a Senator. Eliminate any references to anything in her personal life, which are irrelevant before becoming a Senator.

This is how I look at Hillary Clinton:

This is what I have observed about Hillary from studying her actions from Word Wide Media (India and England especially), Alternative U.S. media and the regular U.S. media mean the large Corporate propaganda media.

I feel that Hillary with her Anti-American, Anti-American Family, Anti-Ethics, Pro-Machiavellian record has shown her true colors. Just another Anti-American, valueless, selfish lowlife, power and money hungry politician who will do everything and anything to achieve her personal goals and have no individual philosophy of right or wrong other than the green of money and power.

She has personally been active in promoting off-shoring which not only is destroying America's middle class, allowing Mutli-
National's to evade any taxation, created mass stealing of personal information, indentity theft and has greatly widened the gap between the haves and have-nots in this country, but is also alowing the exploitation of forign workers.
She has promoted the insane Corporate occupation of Iraq for the most illogical and inane reasons.
She has been part of the embarresment of the Democratic party into what looks like an extention of the Republican party. There IS NO "loyal opposition. There Democrats seems to be like a "deer with the headlights on".

Jon

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I've been doing as some others have been doing the past few years -- every time I get a plea from the Dems for my 'support' -- i.e., money -- I take the postage paid envelope and send them back a choice piece of my mind.


Here is the word we need to emphasize: INTEGRITY. INTEGRITY. INTEGRITY.


It is what we have in very few politicians of either the Democratic or the Republican party. Let alone all their corporate sponsors and the fawning dogs of the press.


There are exceptions, and we need to hone our skills at discerning which ones are not only SAYING what we want to hear, but have the brains/backbone/balls to stand against the tide and ACT on what they say.


We will recognize a real leader when we see someone who actually has thought deeply and genuinely cares about our problems, who is realistically concerned about the ever-increasing menace of fascism, who speaks out against it and points it out to others, and who willingly works to defeat it and to restore our democracy, our civil liberties and respect for our Constitution. Someone who acknowledges that the war on Iraq is a gross obscenity and that the trillions of dollars we have blown on so-called 'defense spending' for the last several decades would have been better spent on making the lot of the people better -- people everywhere. That is OUR money they have been throwing down that rathole -- and they can't even account for it!


We are never going to get a real leader until we know what one looks and sounds and thinks and acts like. We have been so immersed in cotton-candy Fantasyland for so long, many of us have never learned how to think critically. We have allowed this current situation to happen because we were 'too busy' with all kinds of other things -- playing with our increasing pile of 'toys', entertaining ourselves with TV, radio, videos, music, etc., to participate in our democracy. That's all it takes to lose it. Sure, there's a legitimate place in every life for some R&R, but if we want to live in a democracy, we have to make some time to stay informed and to participate in it. The body politic, like Nature, abhors a vacuum.

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It would support a Gore/Kerry ticket for the next presidential election. Both of these guys deserve their due. Gore for 8 years, then Kerry/Clinton (or some other rising star for vice-pres) for the next 8 years. That would give Hillary 16 more years of experience in public office before she can or should even begin to think of the presidency. I never disliked her, but she is not right for the presidency right now. She needs to earn her stripes. Bill, however, would probably make an excellent First Man. He just seems to have the personality to set the standard for other men to fill the role. I don't think his ego would suffer at all and he would probably have a good time.

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If the best we can do is write a letter to some politician saying "if you don't vote for the things I want, I won't vote for you" has about as much an affect as spitting in the wind. Voting for a write in "Honest Abe" does exactly what? Going along that line - what message has been sent by all those who do not vote? If anyone thinks the political machine is going to change they are sadly mistaken as there are forces here beyond one person one vote.

We definitely need a change from both republican and democratic parties but that is very unlikely to occur. Unfortunately there are only two (2) (II) choices the American voter has. Candidates have been selected and paid for well before being presented to the voters. We witness an idiotic display of cheering morons at both parties flag waving, balloon cascading conventions. Yes there are good people out there like Molly but they are are like a candle in the wind.

Unfortunately the majority of Americans are content and would rather spend their time watching and having a Super Bowl party.

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It's going to happen...how big it becomes is up to you. The disenfranchised progressive democrats tired of constanlt making consessions with moderates and conservative who keep sliding the debate to the right.

I can't be a Democrat anymore. They have been pushed too far right by Bush and the conservatives. With all three branches of goverment falling to Neocon control the best strategy to shake the party free of conservatives is to split.

I don't care how long it takes or if people think I am a wacko looney...I am laying the intial groundwork for a new party.

So if anyone wants to start a dialog and work to actually convincing progressive democrats that it is time to leave check in at Initial Blog

In a week or so I will have a site at the domain Progressivedemocratparty.org with forums to begin creating the organizational structure.

There it will start. So if you are about doing and not just wishing and talking then lets get to work.

We have a few decades to of work to turn the nation back on course to a future that we all dream of.

To establish a progressive vision for America we first have to break free of the moderate and conservative influences of the Democratic party. Yes...the right will win. They will continue to win until we can achive a unified party that has consistent and shared values that FRAMES the issues. We have to take this nation into a future of a post oil dependent society.

We all share this vision and we all know that the direction that the moderates and conservatives are pushing us we will not get there.

Many many people are sharing the same ideas over and over again...peace, universal healthcare, renewable energy, local economics, reduced military spending, corporate responsibility, election reform, campaign finance reform, fair taxation, marriage equity...all these and many other issues we deeply care about and as long as we are part of a idelogically divided party they will never be fully realized to our vision.

I know there are people who wish to build a new future for this country. To work at building coalitions with the greens, independants and all others that share our progressive values.

If we organize and lead we will be stronger

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Molly --
I have tremendous affection and admiration for you, going back to when I heard you speak at a Maryland ACLU tribute to Mac Mathias. I agree that HRC is not the answer, but not because she's a "centrist" (whatever the heck that means), but because she'll lose. The history of American politics in the last third of the 20th century will make no mention of President McCarthy (nor President Stevenson for that matter). As inspirational as Gene McCarthy was, his 21st century disciples first need to be partof a winning team. Then they can begin to move America toward sanity and social justice. The commenters on this page are consigning themselves to another generation of loss and idealistic disappointment. Give me an electable Democrat who will at least be receptive to progressive policies, rather than another Republican who fears debate and slams the door shut on compromise.

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http://burl.fergcorp.com/c-span/0936a

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FINALLY--someone who stands up and shouts! Jesus I'm sick to death of the pantywaist fence-sitters and pandering pussies who continue to ignore me and millions like me.
Where IS our leader? I know he/she isn't in the Republican Party and I surely don't see him/her in the Dem Party.....
I cry for my country, fume over her political raping and gnash my teeth over her slow, agonizing death.....

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