The most important thing to do is impeach bush, via willing congresspeople or state legislators, and have the nation prepped for Carter to finish the term. Despite however many of the 79 theses ass-wipe recommendations bush decides to heed, within the next 6 mths Iraq will fully implode. There is nothing the US can do to stop it. And US troops, concentrated in large bases, will be sitting ducks. Bush will want to go all in. Lots more troops. When this happens, an articulate, prepared impeachment choice needs to be on the ground. The only way to get a successful impeachment in risky war setting is to have a clear alternative. Carter is that.

I suggest a little time spent on Scenario Option Development Planning. This one, whether we like it or not IS a scenario, and like others we might not prefer, we can be influential (successful) in ALL scenarios if we plan ahead.

We were good in 2006. It will be different in 2008. Expect the unexpected.

WE would in a minute jump on board.

ADam Friedman
Traveling Light

Here’s my $.02:

1. Stay true to first principles.

2. Stay Congressional.

3. Support 2007 candidates in special elections called to replace criminals and pedophile-enablers.

4. Build an infrastructure for 2008.

5a. Make a decision about whether to go Presidential. My suggestion: stick to our knitting in Congressional races.

5b. Allow BA and FDL to become a forum for wide-ranging views of Presidential hopefuls, maintaining strict neutrality in order for all Democratic progressives and liberals to voice our approval and opprobrium of those in the race.

You’ll notice that my proposed Congressional focus leaves me out of the direct fun; I doubt there’ll be a primary challenge to my Congresswoman. But I believe there’s lots of room for BlueAmerica to grow in other enticing Congressional races. Special elections in 2007 could very well include primary challenges to our 2006 candidates who might be swamped by DCCC poachers (e.g., IL-14).

Think global; act local; be agnostic on the Presidential.

Oh, and:

Troops
Home
NOW

What TeddySF said. Exactly that. I’d rather see the netroots raise the bar for President, put all of them through their paces, let the process handle it.

The effect this site can have on grassroots challengers like my guy Roth (CA-45) really makes a difference. We did lose, but we scared Bono silly in the process, and that never happened here before.

1. Stay true to first principles. ETHICS reform and some existing legislation must go. Bankruptcy, tax breaks, get minimum wage and negotiated medicines, balance the budget.

2. Stay Congressional. We have some great candidates who deserve to be elected this time around.

3. Support 2007 candidates to replace criminals and pedophile-enablers.

4. Build an infrastructure for 2008.

5a. …My suggestion: stick to our knitting in Congressional races.

5b. Allow BA and FDL to become a forum for wide-ranging views of Presidential hopefuls, maintaining strict neutrality in order for all Democratic progressives and liberals to voice our approval and opprobrium of those in the race.

I like the idea of musical commercials, Have you had enough? was terrific, and perhaps it’s time to encourage more unionizing?

I think the best strategy for 2007 is to attempt to empower the Democratic Progressive Caucus in Congress by raising funds for a PAC under the control of the caucus — with, of course, the understanding that it would be used to support expansion of the progressive caucus in 2008 (this, of course, includes supporting endangered progressives — people like Jerry McNerny are gonna need our help in 2008, because you KNOW the GOP is gonna target his district). The Rahms and Steny’s derive their power because of their ability to write checks — consequently, lots of congresscritters find themselves “owing” Rahm and Steny’s corporate masters and their DLC approved agenda.

Atrocities like the bankruptcy bill passed because there were a lot of potential “no” votes that voted “yes” because they feared facing credible GOP challengers without support from the DCCC. Potential progressives in Congress need to know that there is a source of money for those who vote their consciences…. that they need not sell their souls to Rahm and his cronies to stay in congress.

Hi Pontificator!

Are you the same pontificator from DKos? If so, sorry if I was a jerk on the Blog Awards diary I posted. I was pretty aggressive in stomping on negativity and came down like an ass on your snark comment for it. I did however recommend the diary you did shortly thereafter about Foley’s IM’s from years ago being covered up.

Hi Nate!

The same

I totally missed your comment, or if I saw it, I don’t even remember it! I don’t take those things so seriously, so don’t worry about it!

Jon aka pontificator

Thanks Jon.

DKos can be a bit of a barracks room mentality in its lively arguments and spiteful comments so on the rare occasions I post a diary there, I tend to hang around to aggressively combat nay-sayers and jerks and I didn’t catch your comment for the snark it was before smacking down on the send key.

Hi Pontificator!

Are you the same pontificator from DKos? If so, sorry if I was a jerk on the Blog Awards diary I posted. I was pretty aggressive in stomping on negativity and came down like an ass on your snark comment for it. I did however recommend the diary you did shortly thereafter about Foley’s IM’s from years ago being covered up.

Hi Nate!

The same

I totally missed your comment, or if I saw it, I don’t even remember it! I don’t take those things so seriously, so don’t worry about it!

Jon aka pontificator

How about getting involved in recruiting candidates? Is there any way to act like a baseball scout going to high schools to look for the best fastballers and power hitters? Perhaps you could fund people to monitor State legislature or even City council hearings and see who has strong progressive values and good charisma, and we can work on recruiting them for House runs?

Anyway, just a thought. And, of course, I really admire what you guys did in the ‘06 cycle. You make a huge difference.

-pontificator

Hi Pontificator!

Are you the same pontificator from DKos? If so, sorry if I was a jerk on the Blog Awards diary I posted. I was pretty aggressive in stomping on negativity and came down like an ass on your snark comment for it. I did however recommend the diary you did shortly thereafter about Foley’s IM’s from years ago being covered up.

Oilfieldguy @ 22

In other words, will Blue America remain primarily a funding tool, or can it try to displace the DC consultants as best as possible?

I thought that one of our most wonderful accomplishments– even beyond raising money– was to help Larry Kissell work out that cheap gasoline media event that put his campaign on the map. That’s the kind of thing the DCCC should be doing, instead of wrecking independent-minded challengers’ campaigns.

HOWIE!

Good to see you. Still in S. America? Thanks for checking in!

Anyway, just a thought. And, of course, I really admire what you guys did in the ‘06 cycle. You make a huge difference.

-pontificator