Thanks, Dr. Dean...better late than never. And here's what I fired off to what's-his-name:

You are an utter disgrace to the US Senate. You sir, are the coward who sides with a delusional president determined to ruin this great country to the detriment of the American people. Do the correct thing for a change and immediately apologize to Senator Feingold for your asinine comment!

Mr. Dean, thank you for these remarks as belated as they may be. Next question:

Where is the petition from the party to SUPPORT Russ Feingold?

Feingold is not a traitor. But too many of his Democratic colleagues are cowards. As a loyal Democrat I'm embarassed and ashamed at my party's lack of fortitude to support and Feingold and defend the Constitution. Shame on them all.

Intrepid Liberal Journal

Just as disappointing as the Republican response, which we would expect, is the utter lack of response by Feingold's fellow Democrats.

To paraphrase a comment from the President: you're either with the real Democrats or you might as well be a Republican.

I think continuing down the middle of the road may gain a few "undecideds" but will certainly lose a few true liberal supporters. I guess that's what the party is weighing: who matters most?

Demand that Allard apologize to Senator Feingold. Here is information.

And here is the petition.

UPDATE 3/15 8:40AM: almost 2,400 people have signed the petition in less than 24 hours.

Good. Far too tepid a response, but better than stonewalling, hedging, dodging - whatever you want to call it. Now find your courage and your outrage. We need our Democrat lawmakers to act as an opposition party, not as some sort of watered down, timid Bush Lite. Get up off your asses and support Feingold's censure. The follow through now, while the GOP is down, with cenure resolution after censure resolution on every dishonest, criminal thing this administration is done. you'll inspire passion in your fellow Democrats and push an already frightened and scandal-ridden and divided Republican Party. But if you hang back, if you prominent Dems such as Dean and Kerry and Clinton act wishy-washy and afraid to take action now, that's exactly how it will look, and you'll lose this moment of advantage.

If anyone is a traitor, it is the Republican Senator Wayne Allard of Colorado for employing Nazi techniques and arguments against his opponents. The Goebbels technique, named for the Nazi Minister of PRopaganda under Hitler, "is also known as argumentum ad nauseam, is the name given to a policy of repeating a lie until it is taken to be the truth." BUt then again, that just about summarizes everything that's come out of the mouths of Bush, Rove, McCLellan, Delay, and about 90% of the Republican party. Of course, the whimpy Democrats who refuse to stand up for their party and their constituients may not be Nazis, but they're the same folks who stood by idly and mutely watching their neighbors, friends, and coworkers hauled away to "work" camps.

If anyone is a traitor, it is the Republican Senator Wayne Allard of Colorado for employing Nazi techniques and arguments against his opponents. The Goebbels technique, named for the Nazi Minister of PRopaganda under Hitler, "is also known as argumentum ad nauseam, is the name given to a policy of repeating a lie until it is taken to be the truth." BUt then again, that just about summarizes everything that's come out of the mouths of Bush, Rove, McCLellan, Delay, and about 90% of the Republican party. Of course, the whimpy Democrats who refuse to stand up for their party and their constituients may not be Nazis, but they're the same folks who stood by idly and mutely watching their neighbors, friends, and coworkers hauled away to "work" camps.

If anyone's a traitor, it would be the cowardly democrats that refused to back Feingold (Here's looking at you Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi.) For cripe's sake, the President has a 36 PERCENT RATING, and they're wimping out? I just can't believe how spinless this party has become.

Glad someone at the Democratic Party finally did something. Figures it would be Howard. Thank you, Gov. Dean!

But more needs to be done. The feeling out here is that the Democratic Party is really letting us down right now. Please actively support Senator Feingold's bill to HOLD HEARINGS on censure.

What do we have to lose? The President is tanking in the polls and the Dems are perceived as ineffectual, gutless and without a plan. PLEASE quit playing into that.

Kind of hard to scream at Allard (I signed the petition anyway) because as soon as Feingold introduced the censure motion every democrat within twenty miles went into hiding and tried to act as though they had no idea of who this Feingold character is.

How cowardly can democrats be?

Are they really more concerned with what Rush Osamabinlimbaugh or Bullshiite O'reilly has to say?

As already stated, the president's numbers are barely above thiry percent! What will it take for the cowardly democrats to finally stand together?

Too much fear of saying anything that might offend someone, somewhere in the universe. ReThugs could care less and their numbers are worse than democrats.

Polls are showing more and more people believe democrats will do things better but democrats are to cowardly to actually do anything.

What a disgrace to the name of democrats everywhere.

Right out of both sides of Melhman's mouth.
Weakening our national security is their agenda. Is it yours? Sign the petition to tell the Democrat leaders to stop undermining the War on Terror with cheap political stunts.

We are a nation at war. Our President has no more basic responsibility than to protect the American people and fight terrorists who want to kill us. It's one thing if a lone Senator wants our government to look the other way when an Al Qaeda terrorist contacts a sleeper cell inside the United States. It's entirely another when Democrat minority leader Harry Reid commends Feingold's censure move for "bringing [the terrorist surveillance program] to the attention of the American people."

Dr. Dean,
Pretty piss weak response and tatic from your counterpart, don't you think?? Most Americans that are still walking around up right without dragging their knuckles on the ground, still have, fresh in their memory, President Bubbleboy, bewildered and stuttering, about the Dubai World Ports deal. Talk about weakening National Security.

But, we here, on the blog, shouldn't have to school the Democratic Party on tatical one upmanship or what a golden opportunity the party has when the enemy (that's the republican party for those yet to be enlightened) uses the National Security card.

Hey, here's a thought, how about someone capable of holding and voicing a coherent thought and facts, go eyeball to eyeball with Melhman and I don't know...talk about National Security issues and maybe mention the fact that President Tumbleweed was more than happy to sell our safety and security to the UAE. Maybe you could surprise him with the fact, that the real deal is, they, inspite of the outrage are still doing business with a company owned by Dubai, who is in charge of shipping and monitoring our military supplies to the middle east.

It's time to start kickin some ass Dr. Dean.

This censure motion is the perfect vehicle to rally the troops and the finger in the wind approach by a number of democrats, is nauseating.

Come ON, Democrats, get off the fence, get off your scared asses, and act as an opposition party. Find your courage and your outrage. We need our Democrat lawmakers to act as an opposition party, not as some sort of watered down, timid Bush Lite. Get up off your asses and support Feingold's censure. The follow through now, while the GOP is down, with cenure resolution after censure resolution on every dishonest, criminal thing this administration is done. you'll inspire passion in your fellow Democrats and push an already frightened and scandal-ridden and divided Republican Party. But if you hang back, if you prominent Dems such as Dean and Kerry and Clinton act wishy-washy and afraid to take action now, that's exactly how it will look, and you'll lose this moment of advantage.

YOUR CONSTITUENCY AND YOUR PARTY NEED YOU TO STOP HIDING!

There's no way I'm signing this petition. This has got to be a joke.

Wayne Allard called Russ Feingold a traitor. And our response? Ask him to stop.

"Please, Mr. Allard, stop hurting us."

Give me a break.

Try this:

Sen. Allard is the real traitor. He's too much of a partisan to acknowledge that our president broke the law. Sen. Allard lacks the integrity to stand up for the rule of law in this country. He is helping to erode our constitution by allowing this president to get away with criminal acts.

Russ Feingold is a hero with a long record of responsible and responsive service. His call for the censure of the president for repeatedly and brazenly breaking the law is entirely appropriate. If anything, it's not severe enough.

Where were all the Democrats when Senator Feingold introduced legislation to censure the President for breaking the law? They all ran for cover as if Feingold were the enemy. I say SHAME on the DEMOCRATS.

In the email I received askimg me to sign a petition against a Republican you ask me for money. Well I tell you what, when I see a few Democrats grow some balls, I'll send you some money. Somehow I don't think I'll be sending you a check anytime soon.

When constituents are outraged about something, we are told to contact our Congressional leaders. What are we supposed to do when those leaders take no position or don't support a fellow Democrat, in this case, Feingold, who is actually trying to do something? If the Republican majority in the Select Intelligence Committee have stamped out any hope of investigating Bush's illegal wiretapping and the Dems don't support Feingold, then the Dems are just as guilty of allowing Bush to get away with a crime. It makes me sick to my stomach.

Chairman Dean,

I read your letter carefully. You've made it clear how you feel about Sen. Allard and I agree.

You missed a golden opportunity to state how you feel about the censure of President Bush. As you can see from the numerous comments in this and other blogs, your silence on whether or not you support the censure is deafening.

Dr. Dean
Please, we look to you for the gutsy, tough Democratic response. What is this wishy washy response about?
Please, put up a petition, as you appear to be in the mood for petitions, to allow us to show our SUPPORT FOR FIENGOLD, not meekly beg some scuzzy Republican to say he is sorry for being a big meany.
Jeez, Dr. Dean, this just ain't like you.

Here is a suggestion to the DNC for a party slogan for the 2006 elections:

Our party is not a crappy as the Republicans' Is!

Boy, that will show 'em.

And it will be consistent with the current Beltway Dem thinking: do nothing but say the Republicans are crappy and then hope voters choose the less crappier of the two.

Wow. What a message.

When the Democrats in Congress and the Democratic Party as a whole start standing up for what is right, back Russ Feingold, and begin really trying to hold this President accountable is when I will send money to the DNC.

Someone please stop Russ Feingold!

Doesn't he realize that standing up to the President could actually help a democrat win back the White House?

Why isn't he listening to Hillary, John Kerry, Joe Liebermann or all the other democrats who campaign to the middle?

Doesn't he understand that standing up for what you believe in is not in the democratic playbook?

Isn't to be a democrat mean you have to triangulate every answer and take four sides of every issue?

What is wrong with him!!!

I was happy to sign the petition, but as I stated in an earlier post, you won't get any money from me until I see some back bone and courage in "my" party. It's sad that the leadership has to be reminded that it's time to fight the scum that has taken over our country. Quit worrying about hurt feelings.. quit being polite.. stand up and be counted or get out of the way!

Thank God for Howard Dean and Russ Feingold.

Why aren't the Democratics standing with Russ and doing what's right? You are calling the Republican's traitors? Is he the only one in the Democratic Party that sees that our civil liberties are being taken away right before our very eyes and will speak up for the American people.

Shame on you, Governor Dean, and the rest of the Democrat party who won't stand up for our Constitution!

The Democrats should all be on every media outlet screaming about Bush being censured! (After all, weren't the Republican's doing that with Bill Clinton - EVERY CHANCE THEY GOT???)

When are the rest of the Democrat Senators going to get a spine and support Senator Feingold? I just spoke with Senator Boxer's office this morning and fortunately they said that Senator Boxer will be publicly supporting Senator Feingold's censure resolution. We should be signing a petition to get the rest of our cowardly Democrat Senators to back Feingold!!!

How about some Dems growing some balls and backing up Senator Feingold? We need to all stand by him, and it looks like we are cowing down to the White House. We should have been prepared for an up & down vote right away.

I would be more appreciative if the petition went to the Senate Democrats who are treating Feingold like a leper because they’re too afraid of what the Sunday talk shows will say about them. A better name for it would be “We Support Russ.”

Why is every single posting on the DEMOCRATIC PARTY BLOG asking the democratic leaders to get ff their butts and do something, but all we get is this, better than nothing, letter from Dean calling for the republicans to stop attacking us.

Lame. totally lame. disgraced. This is what we as democrats are because of our leaders. utterly disgraced.

The enitre party should unabashedly support this resolution because even if every senator goes on tv right now to defend Russ Feingold from Republican attacks, all anyone has to ask is, "Well Senator/Congressman, do you support the resolution to censure the PResident?" And when they answer, "no, but the republicans should really stop calling us names...", the republicans will have even MORE fodder to throw at us for not being a unified party1!

DEMOCRATIC LEADERS!!

WAKE THE *$&@ UP!!!

Your Party constituency is telling you what to do!!

NOW DO IT!!

Shame on Senator Allard for calling Feingold a traitor? What about shame on all of our Democrat representatives for not supporting Feingold? The DNC better wake up and get a spine or watch their campaign contibutions diminish! I have no intention of supporting a bunch of pathetic cowards.

Thank you, Howard Dean, for rallying people against Republican critics of Russ Feingold. Like many other democrats on this blog, I am considering contributing to individual democrats rather than the Democratic party from now until I feel that the party as a whole is supporting Democratic values. Although I understand that on some issues there's room for dispute among Democrats, there can be no dispute about this administration's blatant violation of the law, and continuing contempt for the Constitution.

I am so ashamed of this party. Bush is breaking the law by spying without a warrent, the American people think Bush is wrong for spying without a warrent and yet the Democrats don't have the guts to say come out and say the obvious. When will you get the courage to speak the truth?

I'm naturally against Republicans attacking Sen. Feingold but it doesn't surprise me either... What does shock me are our Democratic Senators sitting on thier hands once again. I commend Dean - but throwing him into the frey as a lone gunman is chicken sh1t thing for our "leadership" to do...

I sent Senator Allard a letter which I would like to share with you. Below is the letter.

Senator Allard,
You are using a time honored Nazi technique to try and silence Senator Feingold, when you say that he has "time and time again sided with the terrorists."

As Goering (of the Third Reich) said (from his cell April 18th, 1946 during the Nuremburg Tribunals), " ... People can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country."

Isn't this exactly what you and George Bush and the Republicans are doing? This whole "you are either with us or you are with the terrorists thing" is eerily reminiscent of Nazi, Germany under Hitler and Goering.

This isn't about Senator Feingold and censure at all, is it? This is about a sick form of mind control over the American public.

Many people want to see George Bush not just censured but impeached and all the other Republican scandal makers removed from office, as well. There is a growing discontent in this country with government. Do you want to be taken down with them?

Look at this poll on msnbc.com. 86% of Americans want the President impeached. That is 86% of over 224,960 people as I write this.
86% want president impeached

Now take a look at this website. The people are outraged and are banding together to squelch what is going on in Washington.
Impeach Bush Coalition
Read the material here. Look at the coalition members. Read the archives listed in the lower left hand corner.

You should be ashamed of yourself for attacking Senator Feingold that way.

Ask yourself: Can I afford to lose the next election? Can I afford to risk the discontent of the voters, the displeasure of the populace?

Many people are not as ill informed about government as some in the Republican party would like to believe.

Just something to think about.

A concerned citizen:
Potencia Poder

Thanks to the inaction and total lack of support I am no longer interested in being affiliated with this party.
While it is sad that my reaction may possibly work for the Republicans, at this juncture I see no difference! You might as well vote for Lieberman (the DINO) and keep the status quo.
Better yet at all future elections people should not vote for the incumbant or the incumbant party.

In the mean time as a suggestion on how to cut gov't spending, send all the politicians and staff home. Stop their checks and make them go out in the job market and get a minimum wage job that they deserve. That way Bushco can use that statistic for the improved economy. This would have no effect on our government.

Dean - you are as spinless as the rest of them.
I didn't serve 10 years in the military so this country would be where it is today.

How are Sen. Allard's comments about Feingolds stance on issues questioning his patriotism but all the attacks accusing Bush of BEING a terrorist not???

You democrats are a party of double standards! You make unfounded accusations on your enemies day in and day out and then when they actually fire back you throw your arms up and point your fingers saying, "How dare you question us!!" If senator Allard should apologize then so should every Democrat in the senate for their immense disrespect and false accusations towards president Bush.

If your not willing to do that then just get over it and stop whining like a bunch of pansies. Stop acting like spoiled brats and learn to take at least as much as you dish out.

When was the last time you heard Bush complain about the onslaught of attacks on him. You haven't because he is a bigger man a better leader and gets more accomplished then all of the democratic leaders combined.

Instead of crying about everything why don't you focus on actually accomplishing something for your party followers.

Sheesh,

Thanks for enlisting us to fight you battles for you. Now take your fluffy glove's off sweety and USE YOUR KNUCKLES!

Here are my own comments to Senator Allard, whom I consider one of the many serious republican threats to our democracy (and DLC, please note; some of you may also qualify as obfuscators...do not impede Howard Dean. He knows what he is doing and he is doing a brilliant job. And I EXPECT OPEN SUPPORT FROM DEMOCRATS FOR SENATOR FEINGOLD. Thank you.):

Who do you think you are, Senator Allard, to attack Senator Feingold like that? Why don't you consider putting your country ahead of your party just this once, and apologize for your outburst? You are only giving creedence to the concept that today's republicans are the real enemies of the United States. We americans deserve better conduct from their senators than you have demonstrated.

I'd like to point out to those folks who are thrashing Chairman Dean that he is engaged in a DAILY fight with "moderate" and right-leaning Democratic party deadwoo, er I mean leadership for the control of our future's party. His main stated objective is and has been the rebuilding of our state party infrastructure. He has put all his time, energy, and resources to that essential end. Our productive and couragous chairman has been told, publically, by the party leadership (Reid and Pelosi) to shut up and sit down many a time since he took his post. How do you expect him, our lone grassroots wolf to do everything all by himself all the time? GIVE THE MAN SOME SLACK HERE! It's not Dean's fault that the Dem Senators are hiding from Russ Feingold. Aim your barbs where they belong, WITH EACH AND EVERY DEM SENATOR WHO HASN'T THROWN IN WITH BRAVE MR. FEINGOLD! Now do your job as free citizens (for the time being) and make some calls to your Senators!

http://contactcongress.blogspot.com/

Democrats! Take notice! Last night at a candidate's forum for our congressional district in northern Wisconsin, only one of the candidates showed spine and said he would stand with Feingold on the resolution. The result was the longest, loudest applause of the whole evening. The other two candidates decided to do the safe response. Enough is enough, indeed.

ChuckinWisconsin is right!
Boy, that will show 'em. And it will be consistent with the current Beltway Dem thinking: do nothing but say the Republicans are crappy and then hope voters choose the less crappier of the two.

ED HELMS ON THE DAILY SHOW last night made an excellent analogy about the DNC's current "working strategy" for 2006 [via Atrios]:

I got mugged the other day... and this bum was beating me with a bottle. And I said, you know what? I'm going to sit back and wait for him to accidentally hit himself with the bottle. Sure enough, he did! I mean, I was unconscious, but I think I won that battle.

Sound familiar?

==============================================

Wow - the posts are really showing how a lot of Democrats are feeling right now about Russ Feingold but more importantly, they are reflecting their outrage of the lack of leadership of the DNC and the Democrats in Congress.

Is anyone paying any attention to this outrage? Is anyone reading these posts from Dean's office to Reids? If they're not, this whole thing could really blow up and become the straw that broke the Democratic Party in half!

This lack of leadership makes me wonder if what I have done in getting involved is a mistake. Maybe I should just say the hell with it all.

Please get off the fence and fully support Russ Feingold and Censure!

Thanks CSColorado and Bravo Northwoods.

Two weeks ago I called my senator, Russ Feingold, and urged him to lead the call for the need to investigate illegal spying by Bush.

Today I received a letter back from his office. Here is an excerpt of what the Senator wrote:

"I believe, as do many constitutional scholars and other experts, that the President's authorization of the NSA to wiretap individuals without getting a court order under FISA violates the law. Not only does the President not have the authority to violate the laws that Congress passes, but also there are serious Fourth Amendment issues raised by the President's authorization of warrantless wiretaps inside the United States. As I'm sure you know, the Fourth Amendment provides the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. In a 1967 decision, Katz v. United States, the U. S. Supreme Court held that the protections of the Fourth Amendment extend to communications".Feingold is the leader and statesman this nation has been starving for.

We must not fail in our support of this great man.

You're right, VannaB (March 15, 2006 at 02:13 PM). The "daily fight" must be tiring and it would have taken extra effort to include a sentance or two about his personal support for the censure. It's not like anybody looks to him for direction or anything. Aaaaaaarrrrrrgh!

"Agree or disagree with his proposal"... Where is the outrage from our "leaders"? Every dem in office should be supporting Senator Feingold. Are they all afraid of being labeled angry? They SHOULD be angry! I am angry when I see how the mis-management of the Bush administration, with the help of the Rebublican congress, has damaged our nation. This administration must be held accountable for its illegal activities.

We're still in disbelief that the Beltway overdosers who are supposed to represent us are so afraid to back Feingold on this. If they get out here into the real world, they'd know for a FACT that we even think Feingold's censure is NOT enough.

Laws were broken, and this president, in all his hubris, thought he could get away with it.

He is. And our party is asleep at the wheel.

Feinstein, Lieberman, and many other so-called Democrats were quick to admonish Clinton for a far less dangerous indiscretion. Where are these people now - now that our very Constitution is being spit upon by this White House?

Sadly - they are scared.

We just don't know of what anymore.

Gov. Dean - DO SOMETHING to these "leaders." We called them. We pleaded with them. They're still afraid.

If they can't do what we elected them to do, maybe we should just fold the tents.

Judging by the comments so far I have to say that it's official: the Democrat Party sucks. :(

I sent the note to Sen. Allard but where is the Democratic support for Sen. Feingold?

Why do we not stand together when this President tells lies and BREAKS THE LAW?

Why do we not have a spine? Why do we leave our own people out to dry when someone takes a stand?

Why do we need to run everything through spineless strategists and a ton of focus groups before the Democratic takes any position?

Does the Democratic party no longer have any sense of what's right and wrong?

Where is the leadership? Where is the strategy?

We are asking people like Paul Hackett to not run and telling people like Feingold that if you do take a stand, your party will abandon you.

I am holding off on all donations to the Democratic party until more people standing up to this administration like Russ Feingold - I know this seems self defeating but we have to send a message to our own party!

Dr. Dean, I am so disappointed that this is the only thing the DNC is pushing in regards to Feingold's pursuit of censure.

I am a Democracy Bond holder because I believed that the party, with you at the helm, would finally develop a functioning spine, and the dead wood "triangulation" strategists, DLC types and Clintonistas would buy a clue and start acting like...liberals again. But, here we are, with Reid, Pelosi et al running for cover from the only senator in the Democratic party who has been making sense on the issue of the Iraq war, and on every other issue in opposition to the Bush administration. And now, Dr. Dean, here YOU are, with a distraction post so we can all fire off a "stern talking-to" for Rep. Allard and presumably not notice our own party caving in, YET AGAIN.

We need leadership. I signed on as a supporter because I expected that you would provide it. If you need us to unite against the "centrists" in the party, just say.the.word. Please, clean house! You know we've got your back!

I can't keep forking over my money every month to just keep up the status quo. Our party is in severe trouble when it can't even fight against a president with a LESS THAN 40% APPROVAL RATING.

Feingold for President in '08!

once again, the democrats are "asleep at the wheel"

lost in 2000, 2004, and now unless we unite with one voice, we WILL lose 2008.

dear dr. dean,
will you please kick the butts of our democratic leaders, get them to stick together and save us from losing again.

lack of FIRM leadership is to blame for our present democratic leadership crisis!

I hope Dean or someone else in our leadership is reading this thread and realizes the frustration the rank and file Democrats feel about the leaderships lack of a spine on ANYTHING!

I am sure if any of the Democratic 'strategists' have looked at this thread they have probably already sent it to a focus group and will know in about 2-4 weeks that we are ANGRY!

We've been called upon to demand an apology from the senator who went public and challenged Senator Feinstein's action. What is the point in asking for an insincere apology, from anyone for any reason?

I'd rather thank that senator for representing his party well. The more he, and others like him, show their lack of respect, logic, and knowledge of how this country should be run, the faster they might be replaced with politicians who actually care about right and wrong, and decent leadership.

Forget Allard, where are the Democrats?? This is a shameful display of spinelessness, ignorance, lack of political skills, and just plain old defending the Constitution.

What in the world are the Dems waiting for? This administration has broken the law, lied, attacked its enemies, shown its incompetence, and we have done nothing.

Wake up, Dems!! Stand for something!! The law has been broken by the president. He unapologetically admits it. The Republicans in charge refuse to do anything.

If now is not the time to have some principles and values and defend the Constitution, when is?

I'm ashamed of the Dems in the Senate at this point.

Posted by Kathy_in_Indiana on March 15, 2006 at 02:25 PM

Kathy don't give up! Looking at all the entries here I want to believe the same is happening in other blogs and our Senators are being called, swamped would be good. I have to believe that we all made a difference in the UAE issue and that the Dems in Congress will hear this as well. If they don't hear us then I guess we take to the streets as we did in the '60s until we we are truely heard!

The only reason creeps like Allard are able to say such things is that the Senate Democrats have left Feingold to twist in the wind. Screw Allard! COSPONSOR THE CENSURE RESOLUTION!!!

As a Coloradoan I am ashamed of Allard and I have called his office and expressed my displeasure. I let him know that he represented not only Colorado Republicans but also Colorado Democrats. I told his office that I agreed with Senator Feingold and I did not agree with the Bush Administration. I stated that in essence he is calling me a supporter of the terrorist and I demanded an apology since he works for me.

I also called the Democratic Senator Ken Salazar and asked that he support the censure motion and asked that he demand an apology from Allard. If I had the time I would call all the gutless Democrats who backed away from Feingold too.

I also responded to Governor Dean's letter this morning by stating that I am tired of this week Democratic Leadership that we have in Congress. I will not donate another dime until they start to stand up and fight, win or lose but at least fight. If that is not possible then the Democratic Party will not win back the House or Senate in 06 because people like me are tired of the same old crap.

I filled out the form to demand an apology from Senator Allard. It then directed me to donate money. Gov. Dean, are you clueless? You STILL have not stood up and supported Senator Feingold. You have yet to hold a press conference with your fellow "leaders" supporting censure. You and the rest of the Dems need to stand up FOR ONCE and get behind this.
When I see a unified Democratic stand against this illegal program I promise to donate money to the party, but not before.

I'd like to start out by applauding Senator Feingold for his censure resolution. It's sorely needed. And thank you to chairman Dean for calling out Senator Allard on what has to be one of the most disgusting bits of rhetoric I've seen come out of the Senate. There is one thing that I've seen many times on this blog that concerns me though. A lot of people seem to be blaming the DNC for the lack of support for Senator Feingold by his fellow senators. There are even threats of withholding contributions.

The problem with this is that the DNC doesn't control what individual senators do. The DNC doesn't even control senate campaigns. That's the job of the DSCC. If you want to voice your displeasure about the senators, write to them, withhold contributions to them and to the DSCC. Withholding contributions to the DNC when they are standing up and saying Senator Feingold is a patriot and is exercising his constitutional rights just seems counterproductive to me.

I've been giving the DNC money EVERY month for 3 years.

Get the Congressional Dems off their asses and support Feingold. To hell with this whiny-ass "stop being mean to Russ" crap!

I they don't find some balls, I'm cancelling my recurring donation. That simple.

I'm sick of bankrolling a bunch of spineless wonders!

Enough already! Forget the Republicans. How about the Dems standing up and supporting Sen. Feingold????? The Party has been running scared from Bush for 61/2 yrs. Now that one courageous senator has had the courage to stand up for what we all know is right, the national committee and it's chairman can't spearhead a body of support for him? If you guys (&gals) drop the ball this time and leave Feingold blowing in the wind, you are hopeless and you will never win another election.

"Bird flu" has invaded the Senate chambers. They are a bunch of "chickens" who "flu" from this issue. Many Americans favor impeachment, not censure. The Democrats should all be standing firm with Senator Feingold. No wonder the Republicans walk all over us. No wonder the American people view Democrats as weak. Where is our backbone? The Democrats have the best opportunity to take back Congress in 2006. Let's show America that Democrats are strong and will fight to uphold the Constitution.

What has Senator Allard got to do with this???
Where is a strong DEMOCRATIC response in support of Feingold, in support of censure, in support of IMPEACHMENT, for God's sakes.

Demanding Allard apologize is so unbelievably wussy. How much longer is my party going to play nice-nice when our very democracy is threatened???

I'm a PCO and let me tell you, at the caucusses last week folks were most upset by how our own party could be so lily-livered and ineffectual when the Republicans have left the barn door open and flapping from their corruption and ineptitude.

Don't squander this opportunity with political jockeying. What we need is a party with a BACKBONE. ONE concerted backbone. Not just Russ Feingold's backbone.

I have been posting ever since this blog started. There are a lot of new names in here who I've never seen before. I certainly hope that Tim has the ability to see if a poster is using more then one name. It would appear that this thread might have gotten slimmed. The the regulars, you might want to beware of this on this thread.

I feel as frustrated as others in the above postings. My opinion:
1) STOP wasting time posting on this site if you are under the assumption that it will to do any good and that someone/anyone at the DNC will even look at it, let alone act on it. Obviously, that isn't happening! It is worth just to communicate among other dems.
2) DO send emails, snail mail, phone calls to Reid, Pelosi, your local reps and senators. Let THEM know that you are "mad as hell and aren't going to take it anymore!" (to borrow a phrase).

I'm saddened by the milk-toast response of the DNC and the dems in office to almost every recent event in Washington. Bush got in and stayed in as he was (mistakenly) viewed as a strong leader. (Being arrogant to the point of brashness isn't being a leader). What part of the obvious need for strength in leadership by the American people is not getting through to the dem leadership? I just don't get it. The steps necessary to regain control of our country are very clear. There are many well qualified people with the intelligence, experience and willingness to work to make it happen. But I have yet to see or hear anything that looks like steps in the right direction. All I get from the DNC is 'send in more money'. For what? Show me the beef!

These comments are like gold to me! Our principled Democrats are a national treasure, and it's too bad none of them are "leaders" in our party.

Russ Feingold is a man of integrity who has always fulfilled his oath of office. How many in the Senate can say that? Even when I've disagreed with him, I've respected his obviously well-thought-out position.

The Party "leadership" apparently has no principles, no integrity, not even a tiny indication can be seen in public that the Democratic base is crying out against the injustice against Sen. Feingold and the people and laws of this country.

I will not contribute again until there is a change. I will not vote for any Democrat who will not stand up for principle and stand on the Democratic Platform. If that means the Republican Fascist Party becomes the ruling party of this country, what difference would it make? If I voted for a Democrat, would there be any change at all in the behavior of Lieberman, Clinton, Biden, Schumer, fill-in-the-blank. No, they would still be there, still "fulfilling their duties" as the Vichy did in France.

Can anyone give me a reason to vote for a Democrat anymore? Please! I really want a reason.

Dear Kathy_in_Indiana, I doubt that posters are using multiple names. I came to this blog for the first time a day or two ago because of my frustration with the Feingold Censure Resolution and its lack of support among Democrats. I imagine lots of others did also. I'm a lifelong Democrat and have no intention of giving up on them or defecting. However, I want them to do the right thing, and its unconscionable that they should let this issue go. If the Republicans can claim that every time anyone stands up for the Constitution, they are terrorists, and this tactic intimidates the Democrats so that the Constitution has no champions (or just two), what will happen to the Constitution?

No wonder the Republicans say we have no direction It is not a lack of direction it is a lack of leadership. What will it take to get our leaders to take a stance and back Sen. Feingold? What will it take to get our leaders to take a stance on anything important? Do they not see that we are being made fun of by comedians and Republican spin masters. GET SOME BALLS! Take A Stance. If you don't stand for something, then you stand for nothing!

Republicans were against Russ Feingold's censure motion ?!?! I'm shocked, SHOCKED I tell you.

So what's the Dems' excuse? Hmm?

"Oh no - they called him names. Oh no - make him apologize"

Childish.

I signed the petition, with reservations, as I think Dems should be taking every opportunity to be talking about the President's misconduct rather than playing defense to Allard's ridiculous claims about Feingold. We're calling more attention to his inane commentary when we should be putting the focus on the President's behavior - regardless of whether we support Feingold's censure initiative. Why for god's sake aren't the Democrats using Feingold's maneuver to talk about their concerns over the President's abuse of power? It's the perfect opportunity to get the message in the media, support or no support for censure.

Aside from that, there's a real basic problem with this email. Namely, the subject heading.

I wonder how many Democrats received this email message today, without having the time nor the inclination to open it and read it? Don't know, but pretty safe bet it's a lot. Now they could all possibly think the party line is 'Russ Feingold is a traitor."

Basic communication strategy. Don't use gimmicks as the email subject line - you're sending the wrong message, even mistakenly.

Sounds petty, but that's the kind of thing that just confuses people and hurts public perception. The Dems have been so unsupportive of Feingold that when I first read it I thought maybe that the party went berzerk and abandoned Feingold altogether.

Respectfully, Dr. Dean, can we please send a bit of a stronger, clearer message regarding how concerned Democrats are about the President's questionable conduct and our eroding civil liberties at home?

We need leadership.

The President and the Legislative body needs to tell us what violations if any the President and members of Congress and the Senate committed. Did they authorize illegal spying on citizens? We need to know. If democrats don't challenge this issue, it may suggest that certain leaders in our party are trying to hide the fact that may be party to the corrupt President's secret policies. Let's get rid of the trash, the anti-American constitution bending dogs.

Russ Feingold has done what needs we expect all of our politicians to do, he is questioning the powers of the executive branch. Oversight is missing, and has been missing for well over 5 yrs..

Who is challenging Republicans on issues of corruption, where is Obama? We are about to lose this issue to the Republicans, and they will pretend to be the party of reform.

Please get aggressive.

Kathy_in_Indiana - you may see some unfamiliar names today because some of us do not blog, but we lurk often.

FYI: Senator Kohl (D-WI) is NOT supporting Senator Feingold's resolution. We now have a Russ 2008 bumpersticker on our car and truck.

And these are the days that remind us why we give to candidates, not to the organizations.

The real traitors are those who have repeatedly disregarded the Constitution - Republicans and Democrats alike.

ANY Senator who does not uphold his/her oath of office to defend the Constitution is a traitor.

Where is the Democratic Party when a patriot stands up for the rule of law and the constititional rights of Americans ?????

M.I.A. that's where.

Spineless

Traitors

Call me disgusted

Whatever can be the excuse for this lack of support from fellow Democrats for Senator Feingold's motion??? I suspect that the reasoning is a pathetic "triangulation" scheme of some sort - true "strategery" at its incompetent worst!

My advice to the Democrats: drop the 90's style
triangulation. Stand for what's right. Mean something. Don't be afraid. People will respect you. And respect, even if some voters don't agree with you on all issues, leads to votes.

Ingegrity = votes.
Wimpishness = loss of support.

This is my first (and probably only) posting on this site. Received Howard Dean's e-mail and have just unsubscribed from the e-mail list. My comments were as follows:

"The inability of Senator Feingold's fellow Democrats to speak out in unequivocal support of his censure motion, for fear of how it will play with 'swing voters', has just created an additional swing voter, or more accurately 'non-supporter'. It demonstrates that these representatives are literally 'unprincipled' and unworthy of my time, energy or financial support.

It's tragic. This country desperately needs an effective opposition party, a role which should be both exciting and relatively easy due to the serial incompetence of this administration. Sadly the Democratic Party establishment is clearly not up to the job. .."

Hi everyone! I`ve finally gotten to this phase.I`m rather new to the computer world.I'm really loving the fire with the Feingold censure on the President.I`m another baffled Democrat who fails to see why we are not totally united about this!We`re talking the Constitution of the United States!This should be part of a strategy to build towards either unaccountability of a rebublican congress or the impeachment of the President.

I've never posted here before today. I came to look at the DNC website to see what the party has to say about the Feingold censure measure...and not even a mention of it on the home page. I had to find Dean's letter here in the blog section.

So yes, I'm sure many Democrats come to the site all the time. There just needs to be more here to keep them here. If you know what I man.

I am so terribly disappointed in my party. As a mid-50ish, lifelong Democrat, I don't think I've ever posted to one of these blogs before. Usually, I'm writing or calling my representatives, signing on-line petitions, and all the other things one does because of a sense of civic responsibility.

When Senator Feingold (my senator here is Wisconsin! Yay!) was the lone voice against the Patriot Act, I understood that all the other Democratic senators might be more cautious. When Senator Feingold began pushing for a date to withdraw from Iraq, again, I understood their caution. More recently, when the Patriot Act was patched with a bandaid, yet most Democrats in the Senate went along with it, I was deeply disappointed.

But now I am outraged, outraged beyond words, that the Democrats are not lining up behind Senator Feingold. I'm not talking about demanding an apology from the Colorado senator spouting his nonsense on Fox News. I'm talking about supporting - loudly and clearly - Senator Feingold on his censure motion. Where has the courage gone?

Governor Dean, please speak up unequivocally in support of censure! Democratic Senators and Congressional Representatives - you have never left this Democrat feeling so bleak.

This is my first posting on this blog and i'm happy to be here fellow dems,but i just wanna say i'm very disappointed at some of the responses from the posters going after dean. What he's doing is right.

The statement on feingold is exactly his role,keep the attention on how vile the republicans are while the senate democrats work out what strategy they want to take on the censor motion.

Dean is in a strategy position,not a policy-making position and he is playing it very smart not to openly advocate or denounce democratic policy.

It's not Dean's fault the dems are chicken,to me it's the DLC and the strategists. and by the way the senate says 44 democrats,no it's 20 real dems and 24 non dems.

So please everyone let's stop this infighting support dean sign the petition,go after allard and elect real serious democrats in 2006 cause if no one supports them,donates or even leaves this party,then rove and the DLC wins and you failed to help cause you refuse to stand up for democracy,the country and the rule of law.

Howard you're the best DNC chair we ever had and i'm proud of you keep up the good fight sir.

Great news! I just heard there is another Democrat with some courage. Senator Harkin of Iowa has decided to co-sponsor the bill. I sent him an email. I hope everyone here does.

where is the accountability of the democrats on the hill when they can't take a stand on the Feingold censure vote. i can't belive this is my party!

Governor Dean, please speak up unequivocally in support of censure! Democratic Senators and Congressional Representatives - you have never left this Democrat feeling so bleak.

*nodding my head in approval*

Vivian and many others who have come here today to voice your concerns,

Thank you for posting here and speaking out. There will be power in numbers and the base needs to let this Party know that they unhappy with the lack of support for Feingold.

Just take a look at what they have to say at Daily Kos

IF the democratic organization leaders DON'T READ THIS BLOG, then they are as blind as they can be. IF they haven't caught onto how we feel as American citizens, then they need to be thrown out of office.

I was once a democrat, but after the spinelessness of the last few years, last month I officially registered as an independent. I also stopped my monthly money as well.

Why should I support an organization that doesn't support me? They talk out of both sides of their mouths. I hate ReThug philosopy and beliefs with a passion, but at least they have a philosophy. Democrats have none.

None at all.

I have but one question on this topic.
Why in the hell docan't this party grow a pair
and back Fiengold up? Censure the bastard !
Bush's Poll numbers are in the lower 30s and all I hear are excuses.

( posted other places, but it bears repeating )

Illegal act? Check!

Unethical and unpopular President? Check!

Principled stand? Errrrr ... not so much.

There was a law to deal with procuring warrants for wiretapping.

pResident Bush found the law inconvenient, and chose to ignore it, even as he assured the American people that warrants were always being secured for wiretapping.

"Now, by the way, any time you hear the United States government talking about wiretap, it requires -- a wiretap requires a court order. Nothing has changed, by the way. When we're talking about chasing down terrorists, we're talking about getting a court order before we do so."

- pResident Bush, April 20, 2004

Bush later admitted that he ignored the law, and further stated he intended to continue ignoring it!

How much more simple could it be?

What the hell is wrong with the Dems? Get over having your feelings hurt, and take a stand on principle for a change. You may even grow to like it.

Thank God for Howard Dean? Are YOU kidding me? What has HOWARD done to help?

He took control of the party and throws stones from across the pond of inequity! He should hold ALL of his party to task for their beliefs! If HILLARY cannot support the cause, then support another candidate! If Reid cannot get online with fighting the good fight, then call him a coward and move on!!!

But DEAN lost me when he DID NOT come out in FULL SUPPORT for FEINGOLD!!! Instead he posts a USELESS petition that will get NO VISIBLE response for the dishonorable attacks against FEINGOLD, and the COWARDICE within his own party!!!

Thanks Gov. Dean, but NO THANKS!!! Instead of standing up, you are squatting behind the wall hoping that no one sees you!!! Unless you stand with GORE or FEINGOLD, then I see no reason to support this SORRY party that you support!!!

Democrats need to stand up with Russ Feingold and call for the censure of the President. It is shameful that our Senators don't have the guts to support this.

I've been lurking for years, but have finally had enough. I registered today just so I could comment and throw my support behind all the outrage expressed here today. I'm contacting my senators. They need to get with Senator Feingold and do it NOW!

The time is past when we had the luxury of considering the 'sensibilities' or 'social graces' of our actions. We can no longer hold back our anger at the level of incompetance this administration is at. Nor can we tolerate the distain and contempt Bush shows the majority of Americans that can't enjoy big lavish golf trips to Scotland or million-dollar business deals cemented with stolen money.

We deserve to be represented by people of honor, leaders that put aside their petty agendas and concentrate on the things that will allow us to prosper and thrive in a safe, clean world.

The status quo is viral, poisoned and infirm. It needs to be treated with fresh air, strength and a good dose of progressivism. Like a good medicine, our policies will bring about a 'cure' of America's malaise. Dick Cheney, George Bush and the rest of his gang of thieves care little for social graces with they attack us, we should show them the same consideration.

Are we being led by cowards? Is our leadership in Washington so out of touch with the street that, even with historically low numbers, Bush is unbeatable? Forty Two percent of Americans call the President incompetant. Who is the real incompetent though: Bush reaching new lows or an opposition that can't take him down?

There is a lot of other ways to work for accountability and answers to why everybody jumped in to a war worrying about looking patriotic after 91l...The problem is that you are all playing politics instead of supporting one movement and now waiting for elections since you know that the Republicans have really messed up and there is no reason to start a movement toward accountability. Afterall accountability will come knocking on your door too!

I am watching and so disgusted to say I am a Democrat. Russ Feingold is a brave patriot like that of our countries forefathers. He is not afraid to stand up and state his position. I wish the rest of the elected Democrats would do the same. If this continues every Democrat in office except Feingold will be voted out of office in November. I will vote for Feingold in 08. He is the only one speaking up.

I'm shocked Dean and the rest of the Dem's have stuck their head in the sand. Dean, you are supposed to be leading the party and should speak out more aggressively. We live in a Democracy and we are Democrats. We are for the people. Stand up and shout it!!! Let the U.S. citizens know you will not let this country become the laughing stock of the world. Gather the party and let them know their constituants are SICK and TIRED of them standing down. STAND UP! SPEAK OUT AGAINST THE REPUBLICANS! SETTLE ON A NEW DIRECTION AND COMMUNICATE IT! This is the time to set up the platform for 2008. Don't sit back and wait for the bashing to stop. TAKE CHARGE AND MAKE IT HAPPEN!!! If you saw Jack Cafferty's File this evening on CNN then you should know what the country is thinking of this party.

You are Democrats and you have to stop trying to be like Republicans.

TAKE OFF THE DAMN GLOVES :< !!!!

Senator Feingold has done the correct thing - He is not a Traitor. All the Repulcians and the Media that spread their Bull are the Traitors. The scary thing - I know people who belive that FoxNews is the only news media that tells the truth. WTF????

Democrats are not against Wire Tapping when done with in the Law. No matter how it is spun around, turned upside down - Bush Broke the Law.

I passed the point of simple disappointment in my government long ago. I'm sad and often outright embarassed by the vast majority of the people who 'represent' me.

Two years ago was the first time I thought much about a presidental election, it was the second one I was able to vote in. I watched all of the debates, and found them disappointing to pathetic. The candidates in the debate, while often inept, were not the problem.. simply the debates themselves were little more than a marketing show. Unfortunately, I doubt this will ever change in my lifetime.

On several occasions I watched Tony Blair justify and support himself before absolutely scathing and often justified attacks that questioned him during "question time" in parliment. In my country, I watch Scott McClellan lie to the press, refuse to answer questions, and state that he's already answered questions that he blatantly avoided. In my country, I get to see my politicians mewl pathetically and roll over when the president refuses to answer under oath. In my country, I get to see Bill Frist threaten oversight committee's with restructuring if they don't vote the way he wants. In my country, I get to watch the house and senate act like a bunch of gradeschool children bickering at a dodgeball competition.

I watch elected officials sit there without complaint when they are told time and again by people testifying to them that they won't answer any questions about the subject of the hearing, that they don't know or can't get that information, spout blatant lies, and all manner of other things.

I shake my head in wonder when I flip to cspan and see a politician crying about how not allowing them to accept free lunches from lobbyists is bad because it's expensive to eat in washington. Because unlike the rest of the people in this country, most of them making far less than the ~150,000$/year that those elected officials are making, it would be unfair to make them pay for their own lunches and dinners. Of course nobody wants to think about the thousands and millions of dollars donated to places beneficial to those government officials debating it.

I sigh at resistance to public oversight of things like house/congress ethics. People who work for a living don't get to decide for their friends when something is ethical or not.

I watch in horror every time members of my government chooses to employ the tactics of early nazi germany, and simply shake my head in shame at the pathetic crumbling reactions that come from it.

This time... it's a request for emails to ask for an appology. Maybe next time someone will pray to the flying spagetti monster and ask him if his all knowing tentacles can find an elected official with a spine who isn't corrupt.

The Dems. are as guilty as the Republicans
They know that they dropped the ball before and after 911 and will not step up against the word >>TERRORISTIranian American and have been getting called a terrorist since 1985 and know the power and pain of such a word. I just can't believe that the Democratic party would let this word control the agenda, path and future of this country.

I've been lurking for years, but have finally had enough.

Jazmac,

Your lurking days are over...we need to hear more of what you have to say. The base needs to speak.

Posted by RiseAmerica on March 15, 2006 at 09:03 PM

The problem affter 911 the Repulicans had the News Media in their pocket. And, they were also afraid of reprisal by Carl Rove.

Now it is starting to swing the other way. However it is not fast enough. And, still to many believe FoxNews Tells the Truth.

Accountability!? What does this mean. If you want to show someone how to take Accountbilty then you must do it yourself. Accountbility leads to Trust and Respect. Maybe if our Democratic Leaders took Accountability for their mistakes of not standing together and shaking up the political standard we would have a President in office.

If they don't start now we will have another Republican House and Senate in November and President in 08.

It's time to set ourselves apart as Russ Feingold has. This is the type of leadersip we need.

Tell us how you will change the direction.

It would appear that all the real Democrats are on this blog and maybe a handful in Washington. I sent a contribution directly to Sen. Feingold's website the day his censure motion hit the news. I have sent a contribution to Congressman Conyers. I support MoveOn and Democracy for America. I have sent money to the DNC on many occasions strictly because the request came from Dr. Dean. I will remain a registered Democrat long enough to vote against my dear Senator Lieberman in a primary. Beyond that I have no plans to support the DNC, the DSCC, or the DCCC until a vast majority of the national Democrats show some backbone and quit the political scheming and hedging. The middle does not not exist. Please solidify the progressive/liberal base and then go about educating the fickle swing voters so they see that the GOP is working against them. Sorry for rambling.

The Dems will regain control of at least one of the House's of Congress in November.

The problem - Bush and the mindless followers of the Dogmatic Party have messed up the Budget, Government, Deficit and Whatever else you can think of.

The Dems are going to need to correct this. We need an extremely strong front and message to combat the bull that the GOP will sling in the blame game.

Nimber One - Remove Bush and Cheney.

The Democratic party should not have to be dragged to support the censure. For the love of gonads, ignore beltway consultants and triangulators and just do what is right. The President broke the law. He has told us that he authorized electronic eavesdropping on Americans in America. FISA, a law written by the body asked to censure the President, is the law he broke.

He stood before the United Nations and dared them to defy his will and forever be banished to irrelevancy. And now we see yeehaw is not so much a swell foreign policy.

And now he proclaims that congress already is irrelevant. He is the final arbiter of National Security and domestic civil rights. All those in favor of the Bush agenda should oppose the censure. All those who still live in America should immediately and unapologetically endorse, vote for and co-author the censure as if it were the Bill of Rights, Constitution, Magna Carta and Ten Commandments rolled into one.

The problem is that the country has been at a 50/50 on everything and the Rep.cult or party has identified this and been taking advantage of the media to sell crap under the cover of a patriotic BS with the help of the word TERRORIS
FEAR works but Feingold is tired of BS and will now RISE who will rise with him?

Let's make a deal: don't ask me for any more monetary support until the Democratic Party demonstrates it deserves it. Christ, I could get more action out of one Republican than two dozen Democratic senators. How sad. What a let down. It's time to get your collective heads beyond the beltway and listen to what Democrats are saying - no, screaming, at the top of their lungs!

WTF

The problem is that the country has been at a 50/50 division on everything and the Rep.cult or party has identified this and been taking advantage of the media to sell crap under the cover of a patriotic BS with the help of the word TERRORIS when they need to tip the scale to their side.
FEAR works but Feingold is tired of BS and will now RISE who will rise with him?

Wow!! I got here rather late and out of 100 comments, I could count the ones opposed to the censure with one hand, while making a fist. Surely Dean has a tough spot here as a party builder when the constituency are rabid and the elected are mewling triangulators. As one poster noted, the ire needs to be directed at those who can actually vote on the censure measure. It has, and it will. Staffers are growing hoarse from taking calls and getting carpal tunnel from data entry. Folks, this is a full-court press. Force the Democrats to look strong in spite of themselves. For those elected officials looking for that all-important swing vote, Bush is polling, among independents, at 27 percent. Game on activists!

Also, when you call your Senator, always demand a written response. That forces them to actually take action so no overwhelmed staffer is tempted to brush aside your input.

Dr. Dean,
The Republican response was predictable and expected. The Democratic response is shameful.

Dr. Dean,
The Republican response was predictable and expected. Unfortunately the Democratic response was also predictable, expected and shameful. No one expected the Censure motion to pass but at at least Sen Fiengold had the courage to speak the truth. I don't have a party anymore

Dr. Dean,
The Republican response was predictable and expected. Unfortunately the Democratic response was also predictable, expected and shameful. No one expected the Censure motion to pass but at at least Sen Fiengold had the courage to speak the truth. I don't have a party anymore. Even though most of the country is dissatisfied with this Congress and this Administration, the Democrats are working hard to show that they are no different, so why vote?

My comments to Allard:

Russ Feingold is a patriot. You are a nationalist. Look that up in your Funk and Wagnalls. While you're at it, look up the word reactionary. Depending where you look, you might find a quotation from Benito Mussolini.

My comments to an e-mail from info@dscc.org, ostensibly from Hillary Clinton:

Why would I contribute to help elect more of the same right-wing Democrats who ignore party stalwarts like John Conyers and Russ Feingold???

I support Senator Russ Feingold with every fiber in my soul. Senator Feingold is a one the few members of Congress that honestly expresses and stands up for what he believes. The last 5 years have made me assumed to be American on many levels, but it is my greatest hope that this is going to change in November 2006. The main reason I don’t much care for the politics I see in our country today, is the men and women involved are small, petty and spiteful. I am not a vengeful man, but God, I pray the political payback that is coming to the extremist that now control the White House and Congress is not measured, but harsh and painful. I hate the rage that has been ignited in my soul by the evil that my country is responsible for: The Unjust War, the killing of innocence, the torture, the war on our liberties in the name of false security, the shear condescending arrogance and incompetence is just too much. The BUSHSHIT must end!

Thank You for that post Gov.Dean

Here's mines.I did it quick, so it's not as eloquent as I would have wanted it.

Russell D. Feingold is by far, the most non-partisan,intelligent and independent Senator in that Congress. He has demonstrated courage and leadership on a consistent basis throughout his career .He is passionate about addressing issues facing not just the people of Wisconsin or the Democratic Party, but the people of this great nation. I am appalled that your partisan ideology has caused you to lash out at Senator Russ Feingold in a blind jealous rage. You sir, have not only embarrassed your colleagues , you have embarrassed your Party and your President.

We already have "The Best Democracy Money Can Buy." I refuse to spend my hard-earned money on something as tasteless as Busch Lite. "My beer is Feingold, ..."

Since the Cuba Missile Crisis in 1962 there have been three men who stood for principle in the US Senate when all others lacked the courage to do so. These three U.S. Senators took it upon themselves to put their love of country, their self-repect, and their personal courage before personal ambitions,trappings of power,or political opportunism. All three clearly understood the consequences of their actions and the compelling necessity they confronted.

Senator Wayne Morse of Oregon and Senator Al Greuning were the only two Senators who voted against the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. They never regretted it. Only Senator Russ Feingold was willing to confront this outlaw administration with its crimes against the Constitution and violation of the rights of citizens. He is in much better company for it.

We are in desperate need of more like him. The Democratic Party needs to support those who defend our freedoms and act in behalf of a higher vision. The courage of our country is on trial and for too long has been found badly wanting.

Senator Feingold a traitor, not by a long shot. He is the first person I have seen that has stood up to the Traitors in the White House. We need more of this, if the Democrats are going to be taken seriously...

Thursday, March 16, 2006

To: All Democrats and People who are for change in the direction this country is going.

From: Darroll W. McKinney

Dear people,

I am sickened by the rhetoric I constantly hear on talk radio, and pro Republican TV News shows like, Every Fox news show, Scarborough Country, Hardball, the situation report with Tucker Carlson. There are many many times the number of PRO Republican news shows than there are Pro Democrat news shows. Anyone who watches enough TV, can see this trend. I think the reason is simple, they are pro bottom line. They care much more for their own bottom line than they care about the real news, or what is going on in our own country. As long as who ever is in power supports their bottom line, they are for that Administration and Party. This evening I saw Scarborough Country where a Republican Senator was asked about the true state of the country’s debt. His answer is the same all Republicans give. He said we need to educate the public, because they do not understand the true picture. That is the typical Republican answer, we are to stupid to understand the true nature of the issues.

I am sick of hearing I am to stupid to understand the real nature of things. That I need to be educated, or by some great leap, only Republicans can do the job because only they really understand things. I am sick of hearing Joe Scarborough saying, “we (republicans) can not get these issues through people thick sculls.” (Anyone who would criticize the republicans) Not all Democrats are so stupid, they must have everything explained to them as if we were all children. They keep saying the Democrats have nothing better to offer. Let me tell you what I think all people should be for.

1. Democrats are for telling the truth, ALL of the time.

2. Democrats are for Everyone not breaking the law.

3. We do not want to give clemency to illegal immigrants.

4. Taxes must go up, because the Republicans have gotten us into a war and will not declare victory. They have run the national debt up so far we may never get out from under it.

5. We must get out of Iraq and let the Iraqis take over their own country.

6. We do not want illegal taps on our phones, email, or snail mail.

7. We do not lie and say everything is fine, when everything is not fine.

8. We do not say to the American People you are to stupid to understand what is going on.

9. We do not want business ethics to be for excessive profits, no matter what.

10. We are for American jobs staying in America. Not going over seas.

11. We are for port security, no American security over the financial gains of others.

12. We are for the rich corporations and rich people, the elites among us to be asked to give up something for America before the poorest among us are asked to give up something for their country.

13. The way we have taxes now is backwards from what it should be. Now the richest among us are asked to give up something last. We have this Administration, and the Republican lead Congress asking the poor to give up things like lunch for poor kids, student loans, and the elderly giving up medications, and heat, so they can give tax breaks to the rich. As I said, the way they have set things up is backwards to the way it should be. We are asking the poor to give up these basic things, while the Corporations, and the richest people in the country are getting the biggest tax breaks in history. Anyone who has been hurt by this Administration, and Congress can tell you, things are BACKWARDS.

14. We are for people who have done wrong be held accountable for their actions, or their inactions.

15. We are for restraining the deficit and no wasteful spending. Like giving Halliburton no bid contracts.

16. We do not want to split up this country, we want to bring it together.

17. We want to go after terrorist where ever they are, and not wasting time in country’s we should not be in.

18. We are for securing our borders, especially our southern borders, to keep Americans safe.

19. We are for arresting the illegal immigrants who are already here and sending them back to where ever they come from. You do this by empowering the local and State police to make arrests for this federal crime.

I am sure I left out a lot of things, but this is a few of the areas where we should be number one. Areas this Administration has lead us in the wrong direction with no questions asked. We should be for an Attorney General who will go after crime, not spending their time defending things like torture, and keeping people from the judicial system. I hope all of the Democrats who read this will pay attention, and take notes, because all I see you all doing is letting things stand the way they are. No one, besides a few like Senator Feingold, are even questioning this Administration.

Sincerely,
Mr. & Mrs. Darroll W. McKinney
425 E. McKellips Road #37
Mesa, Arizona 85203-2542
Phone: (480) 464-8844
Dwolfaz@netzero.com

PS: Please, send this to all the people you know who care about what is left of our country. If you agree, please let me know by email... Thank You !!!

The president says he willfully violated the law of this land; yet our party does nothing.

DC Dems, send The People a real and principled message: support Russ Feingold and get behind CENSURE.

Then you can ask us again to sign your pointless political petition.

Feingold is a hero. I would vote for his presidency in a New York minute. Hear that Chuck & Hilllary?

AMAZING, ABSOLUTELY AMAZING !!!

The posters here who hold Howard Dean and the DNC responsible for their own, weak-balled Senators and Representatives! Do you honest-to-God think that Howard wields ANY power over the Clintons, Bidens, Schumers, Reids, Liebermans?????

Do you think if he maybe picks up the phone and calls each and every Senator or Rep and tells them to back Feingold, that they will say, "Oh, Ok" ?????

Do you Really think withholding money from DNC, which is right now being used to build the 50-State strategy, NOT HELPING ANY CANDIDATE, will show the Dem Senators and Representatives what you think?????

You people need to take your outrage and put it where it belongs ! Talk to your Senator and Representative youself! CALL them, or fax or email !

Contact the DLC, which is the Centrist group which is dividing this party!!!! Clinton and Lieberman and many others are all a part of this new effort to be a "New Democrat" which is to divest themselves of any spine, and ride that center lane!!!
http://www.dlc.org/cobrand/contact_us.cfm

Contact each Committee directly, and DEMAND that their organizations Unite Democrats in an effort to back Feingold, back the impeachment effort, get on the OFFENSE right now when we have the wind at our backs, and CHARGE!!!

info@dscc.org

dccc@dccc.org

Keep writing your letters to TV networks, newspapers, Senators and Representatives!

Howard Dean can not do this himself! YOU MUST support him and his efforts! I don't know what kind of letter you expected out of HIM , but his position keeps him from yah-hooing into a mike anymore, no matter how much you much want it!

NO MONEY YOU DONATE TO DNC IS GOING TO ANY CANDIDATES RIGHT NOW! IT IS BEING USED TO BUILD UP THIS PARTY, AND IF YOU DO NOT REALIZE THAT, THEN GO AND CHANGE YOUR PARTY AFFILIATION, KEEP YOUR WALLET CLOSED, AND DON'T CRY TO THIS BLOG ON NOVEMBER 7TH, 2006, WHEN THE REPUBLICANS KEEP ALL OF THEIR SEATS !!!!!!

Do not even look down the road to 2008 yet. It does not matter who will take that position, if we do not have a majority of congress behind them!

Put your mouths into ACTION!

Feingold for President!

I hope someone at DNC has the sense to checkin with the constituents. It seems pretty clear that we are asking, no begging, the Democrats in Congress to have some guts and quit trying so hard to fill the void of "Moderate Republicans". I keep asking the party to capitalize on the incompetence of the Bush regime, however, it is clear the Dems are equally incompetent and impotent. Thank you Russ Feingold for simply doing your job and acting on your responsibility regarding checks and balances and protecting the constitution. FEINGOLD IN 08!

p.s. DNC quit asking for money - why would we even consider donating when you aren't listening to us?
p.s.s. for all my rath and distaste for the righties, you got to hand it to them, at least they have the sense to be united, stand by each other, and hit the media outlets. Thanks to the cowards in the Democratic party - you can't even find a sentence about Feingold's censure motion in the newspaper this morning. Think about it - censoring this President witha 34% approval rating - and this is the Dems reaction - no mystery now why we are where we are; same thing happened when they voted for an illegal war. disgusting.

It is about time someone is willing to do what is right. I am very proud to be represented by Russ Feingold! What more does the Bush administration need to do to get the Democrats to stand up for what is right? I keep hearing how risky politically it is for them to stand up and oppose the administration. If this blog is in anyway representative of how the majority of democrats feel it is much more risky for them to do nothing. It makes my stomach turn to see the party turn against the one guy willing to do what is right. Dr. Dean thinks it is wrong for a republican to say Feingold sides with the terrorists but how the democratic party reacted was even worse.

In honor of Senator Feingold, we gave what we could. I'm afraid that most of the "investigative" committees have become nothing more than sham displays dominated by Republicans going through the motions; the acceptance of lies by witnesses not even sworn in; and the drawing of sham conclusions. The Bush administration has taken pains to classify information that is of no risk to the country in a security sense. Howewver, the act of classifying this information has hurt our country because it perpetuates and cloaks the criminal activities of the Bush administration -- just one more example of their abuse of power.

If we could trust these kangaroo committees to actually investigate serious abuses and take action to prevent further abuses, that would be great. Since that is not happening, I thank Russ Feingold for bringing this censure motion to the floor of the Senate, and getting the debate going among the people, if not within Congress, and for exposing what is happening in our government. Those who abuse truth and the power entrusted to them are the ones who are harming our country, not those who expose the lies and abuse.

This is nothing new. Republicans used this tactic throughout the last presidential election using hatchet guys to carve up anybody who criticizes Bush. They are all the same, that's what makes them Republicans because they all believe the same thing. What is disappointing is why our Washington DC Democrats won't do the same. When you don't answer back, the public believes it is true and you are labeled with that lie. When you are afraid as they must be, you loose respect from everybody. They simply do not believe in the people because when you make a stand and put something on the line, the people will rally around you and scoundrels like Bush can't touch you. Nobody can touch you, but you have to believe in the people and start somewhere.

Feingold's censure resolution is yet another example of the Democrats' bad timing. Here we are, with the GOP base crumbling a little bit because even they see what an idiot W is, and along comes this censure resolution. The only thing it's accomplished is a reenergizing of the GOP base. It gives conservatives another peripheral issue with which to divert attention from the real problems, and it makes the Dems look either too "left" or, if they don't go along, "cowardly."

It beats me that only 22 Democrat Senators have indicated support for Sen. Feingold's censure proposal. Bush has deliberately violated his oath of office. When are our elected representatives going to call for an end to the lying, cheating, and lawlessness of his administration? When are they going to represent their democratic base? I'm getting sick of waiting for them to demonstrate the courage of our convictions.

funny how when all the Republicans did for 8 years, was look for things to impeach or censure Clinton, no one thought they looked too 'right'. In fact, they got the American public to believe them !

Nothing got accomplished during those 8 years because the witch hunt never ended !

Now let's start our own Hunt and with a 33% approval rate, bring this &*#*&% sucker down!!!!!

Thank you chairman Dean! It was so nice to see another Democrat stand with Russ Feingold on this! If the Democrats really were cowering over this (I was away, so I still don't know), than that is a step backward for what our party has done in these 13 months. But guys, you have to admit, as bad as Bush is, this IS a pretty big step, and I sure as hell would understand if some Democrats would want to back away from this, b/c this has only been done a few times before and only ONCE was it successful, so even Progressive Democrats are sratching their heads and wondering if this is such a good idea!
Despite that fact, that does NOT give Allard or anyone permission to say that Feingold's siding w/ the terrorists, EVER!! And I too signed and put comments in that message to Allard!

So for all those that support(ed) Clinton or Edwards or Warner or Bayh, I say GIVE UP ON THEM!! THEY ARE WHAT'S GOING TO DEPRESS OUR BASE AND COST US THE PRESIDENCY IN 2008!!! So instead on supporting spinless Democrats, Support a REAL Democrat that HAS a spine and WILL take it to the Republicans now, in 2006, in 2008, everytime!

Feingold for President in '08!

BTW, how the HELL do you use the bold or italics on here? I saw a post that had boldface type and I wanna know how they did it!

Joe,

highlight whatever it is you want to italicize or Bold, then go up to those little boxes on top of the Comments, on the right hand side.

B= bold
I= italicize
U is underline,
the link is a link

> I just spoke with Senator Boxer's office this morning and
> fortunately they said that Senator Boxer will be publicly
> supporting Senator Feingold's censure resolution.

I would have been extremely surprised and disappointed to learn otherwise.

Ok, but where is the OFFICIAL support of Russ?

Let's get behind this as a PARTY.

If DEMS are Yellow, I am going GREEN!

Ok, but where is the OFFICIAL support of Russ?

Let's get behind this as a PARTY.

If DEMS are Yellow, I am going GREEN!

Posted by dononeworld on March 16, 2006 at 10:58 PM

Sorry, but the DEMS have missed this one...

No matter what they do now, it is a waste of time...

The DEMS NEED CLINTON (BILL not HILLARY)! They have no plan of action, and I HONESTLY thought DEAN had a plan...But alas, he is no better than the last guy who was running the show!

All you see from DEAN is a quote here, a quote there...Nothing of substance, and no clear plan of unity for what is needed to fix the problem...

It's like a boxing match and they are hoping the REPUBLICANS hurt their hands before they try to fight back. Notice how INEPT and COPWARDLY they are...

YOU ONLY hear from then when something comes out in the news! Why not HIGHLIGHT the votes, and go on CNN! Oh, that's right, because they are too afraid of galvanizing and unifying the Republicans again! Darn it! But, does anyone understand that those that are (supposedly) breaking from Bush are in an election year and are working to ensure they get re-elected? Damn, I think they forgot about that...

We will just have to wait, and endure another fiasco as they let opportunity after opportunity slip away...

Most of the posts here say what I am thinking. The real shame is not Senator Allard’s comments, but the Democratic Party’s inaction. No-one has stood behind Feingold. No-one. 46% of Americans support the censure and no-one stands behind Feingold. The Democratic party is setting itself up to lose again in 2008.

During an election, Democrats will act tough and be critical of the current administration. Yet, when push comes to shove, Democrats cower and justify their lack of resolve with arguments of political pragmatism. Democrats will complain about a Republican lead House and Senate. And yet, when given an opportunity to act, they fail to do so. The failures of the Democratic Party are not due to the successes of the Republican Party. The failures of the Democratic Party are of their own making.

All Democrats I talk to are fed up with the party. The comments on here confirm my experience. People are hungry for a voice of reason that will guide this country in the right direction again. The Democrats have been consistently unable to provide that kind of leadership. I am scared for the future.

Let me say it again: the Democrats are going to lose in 2008 if they don’t develop a backbone. Please don’t let me be right.

The spineless silence is further proof that our party is lost and out of touch. The Democratic Party is the proverbial ship without a captain and like other's comments it both disappoints and scares the hell outta me. When I heard the Senator was going to put forward a resolution for censure I naively expected to witness a historic moment of unity on the senate floor, but instead witnessed an embarrassing fizzle. I will never be able to fully express my shame at being a Democrat. When looking for the reasons for the State of Our Union we have no further to look than in the mirror. We are begging our Senators and Congressmen and women to please stand up.

Im glad your FINALLY publicly addressing this issue! Im sick of this republican m.o.!! They have been using it since Bush first ran!!

It is a JUVINILE and VERY IRRESPONSABLE accusation!! Is Sen Fiengold a standard of their profile of who a terrorist supporter is??!!
I SUPPORT Sen Fiengold 100%!!!(altho censure is NOT enough!hah)I dont want him to think that all democrats are a bunch of wuss'es that dont have his back!

And I just have to get this out there. Much to my dismay and DISGUST, once AGAIN' our elected Democrats arent rallying together and fighting the republicans on another 'MAJOR' issue!? We're talking about the Pres subverting' the constitution and implementing illegal' wiretapping' against random U.S. citizens', PEOPLE!! Am I the only one who thinks this is WAAAYYY worse than what Nixon or Clinton did????????

From what I learned in high school government class, this is the reason we have the right to bear arms!! The "guarantee" to be able to fight an out of control tyrannical gov. too restore the citizens power of self governing. All Fiengold wants to do is censure the guy!??? Whats the big deal about that? Is that asking too much?! Why didnt the Democrats have his back??!! I NEED to know why the democrats when given a golden opportunity once again dont strike!????

Its getting hard for me to sell the demo party cause of this constant WEAK' behavior of our elected representatives!! We gotta FIGHT back just as hard, often, loud, and strong!! Our ideas are just as IMPORTANT to us!,theres no excuse to not STAND UP,TOGETHER,LOUD AND STRONG! I understand that its all republican controlled, but So WHAT! At least stand up united and make a squak!! Dont make it anymore easier for them than it all ready is!
Get it TOGETHER Democrats!!

I sure hope the Democrat Party is reading this blog, because I'm fed up! I'm a 52 year old liberal woman who is sick of my party's leaders acting like scared bunnies! Grow a spine and show some conviction and courage, instead of whining to me about needing more money. I hear more and more people dissatisfied every day with both parties and maybe this is a good thing. Maybe now is the time for a new party that can abide by the Constitution.

The Dmocratic Party is afraid of looking liberal because of what happened to George McGovern. If the Republican Party had been afraid of looking conservative after what happened to Barry Goldwater, we wouldn't have fascists running the government now, picking up where Raygun left off.

And when are you going to send a petition to the Democratic leadership in the Senate urging them to support Feingold? The pusillanimity of the Democrats is agonizing. It's as if they think if they are just really nice and polite, people will like them better and vote for them. We need lions and they cower like sheep.

Who said the Democratic party should be strictly Liberal? We used to be a party of the people which included liberals, moderates, conservatives with a goal of better things for all our people with all of us getting part of the pie. That was the real difference between Democrats and Republicans. Republicans want big money coming back to them so they pander to those who would stick it to our people in order to get that money without caring anything about common people. That's the real difference. The liberal side our our party have tried to call all the shots and we have paid a heavy price for that. We are either Democrats or Republicans so the question is which one will your life be better under? We have to run people that can be elected nationwide no matter what they are. Who cares if they are liberal, moderate or conservative as long as they are Democrats. Only the crooks are keeping score and they are the ones that we need to worry about.

I shall post this again, for those that appear to have missed it!!!!!!!

AMAZING, ABSOLUTELY AMAZING !!!

The posters here who hold Howard Dean and the DNC responsible for their own, weak-balled Senators and Representatives! Do you honest-to-God think that Howard wields ANY power over the Clintons, Bidens, Schumers, Reids, Liebermans?????

Do you think if he maybe picks up the phone and calls each and every Senator or Rep and tells them to back Feingold, that they will say, "Oh, Ok" ?????

Do you Really think withholding money from DNC, which is right now being used to build the 50-State strategy, NOT HELPING ANY CANDIDATE, will show the Dem Senators and Representatives what you think?????

You people need to take your outrage and put it where it belongs ! Talk to your Senator and Representative youself! CALL them, or fax or email !

Contact the DLC, which is the Centrist group which is dividing this party!!!! Clinton and Lieberman and many others are all a part of this new effort to be a "New Democrat" which is to divest themselves of any spine, and ride that center lane!!!
http://www.dlc.org/cobrand/contact_us.cfm

Contact each Committee directly, and DEMAND that their organizations Unite Democrats in an effort to back Feingold, back the impeachment effort, get on the OFFENSE right now when we have the wind at our backs, and CHARGE!!!

info@dscc.org

dccc@dccc.org

Keep writing your letters to TV networks, newspapers, Senators and Representatives!

Howard Dean can not do this himself! YOU MUST support him and his efforts! I don't know what kind of letter you expected out of HIM , but his position keeps him from yah-hooing into a mike anymore, no matter how much you much want it!

NO MONEY YOU DONATE TO DNC IS GOING TO ANY CANDIDATES RIGHT NOW! IT IS BEING USED TO BUILD UP THIS PARTY, AND IF YOU DO NOT REALIZE THAT, THEN GO AND CHANGE YOUR PARTY AFFILIATION, KEEP YOUR WALLET CLOSED, AND DON'T CRY TO THIS BLOG ON NOVEMBER 7TH, 2006, WHEN THE REPUBLICANS KEEP ALL OF THEIR SEATS !!!!!!

Do not even look down the road to 2008 yet. It does not matter who will take that position, if we do not have a majority of congress behind them!

Put your mouths into ACTION!

I am sick to death of whinning, crying, bitching. DO SOMETHING!!!!!!!

There are many things that is missing in the Democratic Party, and I will show you just a few example; Our Senators and Congressmen lack the ability to fight for the poor and middle class Americans, they are not listening to what the people are trying to tell them, they have been cowering under their decks in our Capital and trying butter up to the opposite Party and in-turn have turn their backs to the people, they have forgotten who they are working for. I will give them credit for one thing and they are very good at it, and that is to beg for money [when you give money to the Democratic Party we expect to be represented for are donations] but in the last 6 years we have been giving to “beggars” of the Party.
I may be an old Jackass Democrat and I damn proud of it! The Jackass Democrats could kick ass if thing did not have the good of the American people at heart, but our new Democrats are more like a kitty cat that would rather set around and purr. It is about time to start kicking Asses and taking NAMES! Senator Russ Feingold is true Jackass Democrat and I’m damn proud of him for standing up for the American People!
Just maybe some of your fighting spirit well rub off on are deadbeat Democrats!

I am so angry at the gutless Democrats who refuse to show any courage on the war, the president, the censure, the scandals, almost anything that requires putting themselves out there for possible criticism. You must be so unaware of what's happening in the heartland.

I have refused to give any money the last 3 times I've been called. I'm from Ohio and am so angry about what happened to Hackett who ran when Sherrod Brown didn't want to then was stabbed in the back when Sherrod decided he did.

I'm fuming that no Democrat except Russ Feingold has the balls to take on the president when he's in the gutter with the poll numbers. No, you cannot just wait for him to self destruct. The voters aren't that smart where I live. They need someone to lead them to the answers.

I'm furious that with 110 scandals there is nothing being publicized on a regular basis to help the average American understand what's going on with Tom Delay, Abramov, Libby, and the rest of the disgusting rats in Washington.

When someone out there grows some balls (or ovaries in Hillary's case) I will gladly begin donating to the party again. Until then, I will just send my money to Russ Feingold who seems to be the ONLY senator with any courage, conviction, or character in the capital these days.

QUAKERS ARE NOT TERRORISTS!

TUG - We are the Party of Liberals! Being liberal is not a bad thing. You say - "The liberal side our our party have tried to call all the shots and we have paid a heavy price for that" Oh really? Which liberal are you speaking of? Are you taking about all those great liberals that stood up to Alito, or Roberts, or perhaps those that stood by Russ Feingold? Maybe you're defending all those DINO's that stood up against the Iraq War? Oh yea, you're talking about all those liberals that stood their ground when we were being spied on illegally. PLEASE tell me TUG, who are all of those liberals who are calling the shots?

Also you state - " We have to run people that can be elected nationwide no matter what they are. Who cares if they are liberal, moderate or conservative as long as they are Democrats" Well, I care. If you want to be a conservative, there's always the Republican Party. There's no need in electing a Democrat to office if he is going to side with the Republicans on every issue. We already have enough of those - Clintons, Bidens, Schumers, Reids, Liebermans.

You are the sort of Democrat that has run our Party into the groud. A true Democrat stands up for what is right and just and fair and lawful.

I'm sick and tired of our Democratic representatives backing down. They are running away from the party's long-held values toward some nebulous "acceptable" Republican lite center. And for what? A few votes? Get real. These days Republicans would rather slit their throats than vote for a Democrat. And until the Democrats show some sign of strength and purpose and the media is forced to acknowledge it, the Independents will look on them with disdain, too.

So it's time to get busy. And the first action is to give Russ Feingold their unconditional support...because he's right. George Bush has repeatedly thumbed his nose at our law and intends to continue doing what he wants unless he is forced to stop. Russ is doing his job in calling the president to account and defending our Constitutional rights. Contrary to some political consultant's take on it, Feingold's action is a brilliant strategy. Aside from doing the absolute right thing, he is forcing the Republicans to stand closer to their failing president just when they want very much to slither away from him, Iraq, the fiscal disaster, homeland non-security, etc. What more could you ask for than that? Our Democratic leadership should start paying attention to their base and fight the true patriotic fight of our time - the fight to stop our democracy from becoming a monarchy. George Bush likes to say "Bring it On." Well, take him at his word and BE AN OPPOSITION PARTY, NOT A DOOR MAT!!!

I am so glad I am not the only one. Reading your posts helped me realize there still is hope among the American people. Now we just have to convince our elected officials to listen. I went to the DLC website and posted a comment reflecting my disgust with them and asked them to look at this blog. YOU SHOULD TOO! I understand they are the leaders of the wishy washy wimpy democrats! See previous post about them and go to their website.
http://www.dlc.org/index.cfm
Somehow, we need to get our message across. Democrats stand up for what's right!

This republic is tired of spine less democrats, we need a strong iconoclast to define the new democratic party, Dean had the moral terpitude and gore could muster a new begining but they have to get mad incite the sisters of hope.............. anger and fear. We are msd and were not going to take it any more...................And if you cannot do it we will find a party that can , Bush has commited treason and reduced the executive branch to a laughable internationsl puppet show.Gonzalez is covering his tracks and no one in congress is stopping him, well one lone voice. Gore brought out some emotion in one of his speeches . How could you guys let carl rove anesthetize you. You need a sharp semanticist /linguist to get people involved. Is Hillary all you got?
she may rally the troops but she won't get elected and will devide the party again

I suspect focus-group results show that the a very large segment of Americans voters believe the President is right when he says that he needs the authority to spy on Americans, and so as not to offend this voting block, most Democrats are backing away from supporting Russ Feingold. In so doing, they are following rather than leading and giving the Republican administration another tool to wreck havoc on America. How do we make the DNC wake up to the realization that they need to put forth and support individuals that are willing to lead, and not just people that verbalize what they think people want to hear. If Democrats stood up as a group and clearly communicated to Americans why Feingold is right when he says Bush should be censored, we’d have a chance to peel away some of Bush’s support.

The situation really couldn’t be simpler; President Bush has been engaging in an unlawful act. Presidents can’t be allowed to go around the law. If the law is unworkable, the President needs to work to get it changed. I think all Americans are intelligent enough to understand the issue if it is presented succinctly. Avoiding the confrontation gives the Republicans a win.

I signed the petition. Now get out there and back Russ Feingold's resolution! "Agree or disagree?" - we need leadership, not waffling. The Bush Administration has two more years to give away the national treasury and shore up their neo-fascist agenda. Are Democrats going to stand up and be counted, or blend in with the scenery? I'm ready to join the empty envelope movement at this point. Prove me wrong!

I will be paying particular attention to how Democratic Senators vote on the censure issue. If I find they vote against censure, I will not donate any more of my time, money, or energy to the Democratic Party. I will vote and donate to an independent party. This is the most important vote in a loooong time. Thank you.