At first,
When I see you cry
It makes me smile.
It makes me smile.
At worst,
I feel bad for a while,
But then I just smile,
I just smile...
(Lilly Allen, 'Smile')
(TRex Says: Ladies and Gentlemen, please give a big FDL welcome to pit bull pundit Cliff Schecter!)
Just when whiplash had begun to set in from the perpetual shaking of my head to-and-fro at the sight of each subsequent sign progressives have learned nothing from the Bush Years--a ray of light perhaps?
Before I get to that, I must admit to being quite perplexed at the continual lack of a killer instinct on our side, an unwillingness to go for the jugular that Republican-turned-fierce-Bush critic and astute poltiical analyst Kevin Phillips has described as a debilitating Democratic weakness.
I have often wondered what it will take to wake people on our side up? Keith Olbermann's ratings have seen a meteoric rise in the wake of his special comments. Bill Clinton's verbal backhand to Chris Wallace's overwrought cranium on the FoxNews Channel became the stuff of legend. Colbert at the White House Correspondents Dinner is still being watched non-stop on YouTube.
Yet, Democrats continue to fall flat on their collective face when encountering the GOP's Machiavellian maneuvering with this Iraq "escalation," or as Rep. Don Young likes to call it, "my second favorite plan for male enhancement" (Note: I can't find the source, but know I heard it somewhere). Furthermore, the Nevada division of the Party of Jefferson, apparently having learned nothing from the constant drumbeat of smears against its presidential candidates past and present, has awarded Fox the right to host a Democratic presidential debate in that key Western state. These are only two of many examples I could cite.
It's enough to make you want to just say bollocks to the whole thing, and go out on the town for a guaranteed good time with Dusty Foggo. But let's get back to that ray of hope. This week, we saw blogger and author Glenn Greenwald absolutely destroy misquoting, intellectual mud-bath Frank Gaffney on the radio, and something even more profound is going on in the grassroots.
An Iraq War veteran, Leonard Clark, is starting a petition drive in Arizona to recall Senator John McCain. Clark, who in a conversation with me said he was "compelled to do this" for his "comrades left behind," and used as "political props" by McCain, is a genuine man who in a different time would likely find himself in a very different place. But these are dangerous times, and he's willing to put it all on the line for the small chance he is able to deliver a Buster Douglas-to-Mike Tyson kind of blow to stop McCain's cynical manipulation of this war (while the recall would be non-binding, as McCain is a federal public servant, he signed a statement saying he would step down if a measure such as this passed).
Democrats, pay heed! We need more Gleen Greenwalds and Leonard Clarks in in our political system (Hint to progressive funders: Some more infrastructure to fund these kinds of people would, um, be nice). Furthermore, understand that if you speak with conviction and clarity, you do not need to lock yourself in the cultural box Democrats have largely lived in rhetorically since the Reagan years, afraid of exercising their larynx on "controversial" issues.
Conservatism has been dealt a deadly blow over the past few years. Progressivism has its opportunity. Don't sit idly and passively by while allowing the Leninist Right to win elections and debates by default, because we don't offer leadership and forcefully engage in politics.
Carpe diem Democrats! Or as Leonard Clark said in the end of an email to me: Long Live The Republic!
For more passionate Jeremiads on this and other subjects, go to cliffschecter.com.
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fitz
Welcome Cliff!!
It’s an FDL theory that Democrats have been powerless and beaten down so long they react like battered spouses.
Even some people at the Washington Post are getting braver.
I find it difficult to believe that article on the horrific conditions for wounded vets at Walter Reed would have gotten A plus page one treatment until recently.
The tides are turning.
Evening, everyone. Cliff should be along shortly.
I so apologize folks…Baby stuff. I am here!
egregious @ 3
I agree…I was actually shocked with the Post and their water carrying for Bush. Let’s hope it’s a trend!
T-Rex baby, you sure can pick those songs!
That FOX-hosting story has to be the stupidest Harry Reid move ever. All Democratic candidates should boycott that Nevada debate if FOX is involved. Isn’t Obama still cold-shouldering FOX Noise Channel after the madrassa libel? Is Reid dismissing Obama by arranging this? Funny it should happen simultaneously with Reid’s son joining Hillary’s campaign.
Hi Cliff! Hello theropod!
Cliff Schecter @ 5
Small items of business, or a live creature? :)
Cliff Schecter @ 7
Isn’t it great?!
I think I love that girl.
Welcome, Mr. Schecter, and thanks for being one of the few who will stand up on his hind legs and hit back.
I have no idea why the Dems are so terminally timid, but I almost gave up on the party when NO ONE of note stood up and called out the Swift Boat Veterans for “Truth” on the crap they were spewing.
They’re starting already on Barack Obama. I see push-back from the blogs, but not so much from the MSM, or the “powers that be” in the party.
It’s not really Mr. Obama’s job to deal with this shit, is it? If someone said dreadful things about me I would rely on my friends to set the facts out and get the story straight. Is this an unreasonable request?
TeddySanFran @ 8
Hi Teddy! I could not agree more! To reward that kind of behavior is just inane. It makes me want to scream…I mean did you see this morning (or hear about) Brit Hume questioning Murtha’s sanity…Ok, droopy…because when you say you see “signs” of improvements in Iraq I wonder if Rush Limbaugh has tapped you into his supply.
egregious @ 9
An actual living being that has relied on me to stay well for four months. It is quite scary. I used to break all my toys…
Looks like things could proceed downhill from our current President not talking with Iran; McCain won’t learn to pronounce the name of Iran’s President.
Shall we hold our breath waiting for more TradMed pickups on this astonishing display of ignorance?
TRex @ 10
I feel the love to my friend!
Marion in Savannah @ 11
I so agree. The party, its allies, its funders, etc. need to be getting Obama’s back. They must be ready with opposition research, go on offense, hit back hard, take no prisoners, etc. That goes for the Edwards blogger controversy too.
I draw a distinction between neocons and conservatives. For example true conservatives don’t believe in foreign adventures, deficit spending and that America should be the world’s policemen. And I think more than a few Democrats (my party) are not progressive. Of course realize I’m what might be referred to as a radical left-winger. A bit SDS’ish, if you please. ;0)
TeddySanFran @ 14
Ahh McCain. I do write a blog on his inanity (www.therealmccain.com) and also will be coming out with a book on him in the fall. He is as bad as Bush. An absolute sell out.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 17
Very true. McCain for example, was a tradional conservative in the 80s, before he flip flopped to the middel before he flip flopped to neocon embracing deficits over balanced budgets, foreign adventures of 50s Taft-style isolationism and government intervention into our private lives a la warrantless wiretapping as opposed to small government conservatism.
Senator Webb is speaking forcefully.
Democrats: more of this please.
egregious @ 20
Yes Webb, Tester, Feingold, Sherrod Brown, Durbin and a few others. It is not being perfect ideologically. It is about embracing basic Democratic principles and not backing down in the face of bs attacks from the right, but hitting them back twice as hard (Webb’s campaign against Allen was a perfect example of this).
Cliff, this is good. You should go on television or something :)
What kind of reaction do you get from your hard-edged debate?
Cliff Schecter @ 16
You bet. And twice on Sundays. (Actually, Edwards is the guy I’m looking at…) I think the ginned up “blogger controversy” is an indication of how unnerved they are by him.
egregious @ 22
Hee. They fold and cry like little girls.
egregious @ 22
The reaction on our side is great, if that is what you mean. People are obviously starving for those who will genuinely stand up to the pathetic bullies on the Right. And the secret is, they’re really not that scary if you face them.
I am trying to get something more regular on tv, but we’ll see. It ain’t easy in the corporate media for a progressive willing to take it to them.
I will be going on The Paula Zahn show this Thursday night, however, at 8-9PM EST. So check it out if you can.
I hope I answered your question, but if you were looking for somethign else by asking about “reaction” to my tv, just shoot another question.
Marion in Savannah @ 23
No doubt. Him and Obama. That is why they are trying to rough them up early. But I have to give our folks some credit on this front. Dems have been roughing up McCain and Romney, and now that Giuliani is in, look out…
We need a Schecter media institute. A boot camp for pundits.
Cliff Schecter @ 18
And an absolutely delicious site it is. I have used your site to great effect when discussing “St. McCain” with the folks I work with. Keep it up — it’s an invaluable tool for those of us down here in the red states.
Maybe OT, or maybe not!! but I just saw this, epu’d on previous thread:
BobbyG @ 109
TRex @ 27
Interesting you say that T-Rex. I am in talks with a pr firm to do media training for progressives in DC. Will let the blogosphere know if it works out.
I will be giving a quickie boot camp at Yearly Kos too.
egregious @ 20
Oh yes!!!
Valley Girl @ 29
Good point. I was hesitant to give the Wash Post too much credit. Now I understand why. They giveth and they taketh away.
Valley Girl @ 29
Both those pieces of swill has an eleventh hour Hail Mary quality to them. You could kind of constantly see the whites of their eyes, even though they were trying to sound soooo calm and reasonable.
Marion in Savannah @ 28
Thanks so much! We are about to spruce it up, add a blogger or two and I am cross-posting a weekly roundup at Crooks & Liars. So we WILL get the truth out there to progressives who still have not seen through his games (not to mention moderates).
TRex @ 24
Yeah, it’s kind of sad actually.
Time to go and feed Mr. Marion in Savannah. Thanks for kicking back, and please keep it up, Mr. Schecter. I’ll try to catch you on Paula Zahn’s show, but she does give me a bit of a rash… Maybe if I take Benadryl before the show I’ll be okay…
To quote TRex and El Gato Negro: ROWR!!!!
Marion in Savannah @ 36
If you are willing to sit through a rash to see me on the tube, now that is devotion!
The aura of fear surrounded the defense in the courtroom, as well, when they were trying to draw attention away from their poor case by crying about All the other people who didn’t get charged! No fair! It had an air of desperation. I know a little about desperation, it’s just a strange thing to see in professionals.
I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a citizen journalist in the courtroom.
Cliff Schecter @ 30
And, if you need a special consultant, might I suggest TRex?
Someone from Cali called me a progressive, progressive the other day. It was my daughter. The Princess. This girl knows how to throw my switch. Geesh, I love her. I wonder what she wants?
Valley Girl @ 39
Done and done. T-Rex is my kind of progressive. He understands that being nice is not the most important thing, stopping the bad guys is.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 40
They say that money isn’t everything, but it keeps the kids in touch. But in her case I’m sure it’s just love.
egregious @ 20
Actually, ironically, Sentator Webb is, in many ways, a true conservative. He reminds me of my home-state (Vermont) Senator Aiken.
One of the hallmarks of a true conservative is the fact they don’t think it is the government’s (or the neighbors) business as to what goes on in the private life of a private citizen.
Cliff Schecter @ 30
i’m signing up now.
TRex: In case you don’t have a Late Nite subject in mind yet, or would otherwise like to get medieval on the medievally-minded on behalf of the citizens of Georgia or rational humanity in general…Evolution memo prompts call for apology.
kathryn in MA @ 44
Excellent. We look forward to giving you your novelty fangs.
Cliff Schecter @ 30
Will you be wearing one of those cool smokey the bear hats and calling everyone maggots?
Well.
Cliff, you inspired me to blogpost over at Harry Reid’s site: WHY FOX? If y’all would like to head over there, read, and comment, I’d appreciate your thoughts. I think it’s absurd for Democrats to partner with FOX, and I’d like an explanation from the Majority Leader.
Being nice may not be the most important thing, but it is also important to recognize that there is an art to being rude. Rudeness is useless if the truth is lost amidst gratuitous insults. Which is my plea not to not fight, but to fight smarter and more humanely. And smart.
Woodhall Hollow @ 43
That is true in a sense, that Webb is “traditionally conservative” on privacy issues. But on economics, he is a true economic populist.
petedownunder @ 47
Thinking about what the proper garb will be right now. Certainly, I am open to suggestions :)
Cliff Schecter @ 50
So was Republican Senator Aiken. Which is why economic populism is so important to learn how to articulate.
petedownunder @ 42
;0)
Woodhall Hollow @ 49
I agree we need to be smart about it. But we cannot back down. You will not earn people’ respect when you come off as mealy-mouthed and weak.
TeddySanFran @ 48
I’m boggling. This is like signing up for a seder hosted by the Gestapo. What the hell is somebody smoking?
Here’s my dream ticket. Gore-Webb. Other combos are of course good.
Cliff- I find it hard to resist the temptation to say “I told you so, why didn’t you listen” to certain folks (friends? ex-friends more like it). I’d like to find a more productive response. Not sure what tho. Maybe: “and what are you going to do now?”. Any better suggestions?
I’ve gotten used to representing a minority view in this country. There will NEVER be a time that a majority of congress agrees with me on most issues- or where there is a president who does. It ain’t gonna happen- and if political courage is defined as “risking your political career to take a position that will resonate with ME- the politician will be defeated in the next election.
Still they can come a LOT closer than George and the Goopers have in the last six years- and I think they will.
Dems are going to think first about getting elected and getting re-elected- cause if that doesn’t happen- forget any wonderful things they might accomplish.
There’s a saying in my business (trial lawyer) that it’s better to be respected than liked. That goes double for politics. Our folks should stop kissing and start kicking.
I’m not too confident that the Democrats will do what needs to be done. But to be fair, we can draw conclusions until the moment of truth:
Wait for the next funding bill If the Dems continue funding the war, we know that they have failed us. We’ll need to continue ousting all politicians, of every party, who continue to support ongoing carnage in Iraq…and also those who subvert the Constitution.
EvilDrPuma @ 55
I don’t know, but whatever it is, too many Dems have been smoking it for too long.
Interesting you say that T-Rex. I am in talks with a pr firm to do media training for progressives in DC. Will let the blogosphere know if it works out.
I will be giving a quickie boot camp at Yearly Kos too.
*****
i’m signing up now.
*****
Excellent. We look forward to giving you your novelty fangs.
*****
Fangs, for the memories.
Allowing Faux to host a democratic debate is ridiculous. Is it too late to change that?
Cliff, I love seeing you knock the stuffing out of rightwingers arguments. If I can make to YearlyKos (doubtful at this point) I’m signing up for your boot camp.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 56
I would definitely dig that ticket. I am a fan of Kathleen Sebelius too, guv of Kansas, who has split the GOP in half there. Would be great VP material.
Valley Girl @ 57
It is hard to resist. But better would be to forcefully explain what Bush has done to our budget, constitution and institutions. And get them to see the light. Now if they are the types who can’t be convinced, who have mainlined the Kool Aid, then let em have it.
Regarding privacy and economic populism: I think it is a no-brainer. I encounter many people in my private life who want both self-determination and the right to a fair shake. What the right wing does so effectively is to play various underdog groups off against each other. But I believe that if one can make the case that we should all be allowed to live as we choose in our private lives while advocating the case that the government’s role is to make sure that the little-average guy-gal has a fair shake, then we can turn this around.
For example, the dicey issue of affirmative action. If one can tie that into the idea that children/young people from economically disadvantaged situations have a right to an excellent education, and an honorable livelihood, then perhaps we might find some common ground between urban african-americans, nascar dads and soccer moms.
Cliff Schecter @ 54
If the truth is on your side, then there can be no backing down. Which is to say that the Dems have GOT to begin to speak from the gut of the average American experience.
TRex @
27
Seconded.
It’s where these wars get fought. We’re still letting Bush get away with calling it a
*ucking“war.” It’s a $267,000,000/DAY “occupation.”No democrat should be allowed to talk about Iraq without including that sentence.
Per Ambassador Joe Wilson, Democrats should be attacking using the language of the military:
“What are the troop to task ratios?” “What are the force protection requirements?”
Put the effen’ WH on the defensive.
When they don’t use this kind of language, they sound like “surrender monkeys.” That won’t play well after the next terrorist attack, which is guaranteed by Bush’s occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan.
OT, Reagan routinely bludgeoned the United Nations over “nation building.” Democrats are allowing Bush to make “nation building” a *ucking military objective. A “military objective” is taking a hill or securing a beach head. When it absolutely, positively has to be destroyed by 10:30, call the Marines. Soldiers don’t do police work. Iraq needs a big *ucking police force and that requires speaking the language and understanding the culture. We have a Posse Comiatatus Act, that prohibits us from using the military to do in the US what Bush is asking them to do in Iraq. Democrats should mention that, because a lot of conservative Republicans really like Posse Comiatatus.
FWIW, here’s a summary of the Powell Doctrine of overwhelming force:
The questions posed by the Powell Doctrine, which should be answered affirmatively before military action, are:
1. Is a vital national security interest threatened?
2. Do we have a clear attainable objective?
3. Have the risks and costs been fully and frankly analyzed?
4. Have all other non-violent policy means been fully exhausted?
5. Is there a plausible exit strategy to avoid endless entanglement?
6. Have the consequences of our action been fully considered?
7. Is the action supported by the American people?
8. Do we have genuine broad international support?
Democrats ought to bring this up.
Cliff, a great honor to have you here at FDL.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 56
I’ve had my fill of Gore saying he’s not running. At this point if he is the nominee, the opponent will have to be Gingrich or worse, say Jeb, to get me to vote.
The real problem is that most “Democrats”–especially the young–have never seen a real Democrat in action. I live in Minnesota and knew Paul Wellstone pretty well. Wellstone stood up with farmers in a fight over high-voltage powerlines, actually got arrested while sitting in with bank employees, had to sue to get tenure at Carleton College, actually cast a vote in the Senate against the invasion of Iraq, and was a fantastic public speaker.
Now we have a guy who wants to replace him. He has made his living telling jokes, is a dismal public speaker, has no history of taking courageous public positions much less getting arrested. and supported the invasion of Iraq.
I knew Paul Wellstone. Paul Wellstone was a friend. And you, Mr. Franken are NO Paul Wellstone. I am old enough to remember when folks like you were called Republicans.
But try to explain THAT to anyone under about 45!
rwcole @ 58
Showing spine gets you elected. Tester called for the repeal of The Patriot Act, which made people say he was unelectable. They were wrong. Webb refused to oppose gay marriage. People said he was unelectable. They were wrong. Sherrod Brown said our free trade deals are crazy. Same story. Bernie Sanders describes himself as a Socialist.
I am a pragmatist. I am not saying there are not things that will make you lose. But much of the elite consensus is wrong, and people are often much closer to our positions than you would think. And they like to hear people with conviction speak to them.
petedownunder @ 59
Couldn’t have said it better!
Publicus @ 60
Amen
TheOtherWA @ 63
Great! Well, I hope you can make it. It will be fun. And thanks for the compliment! I appreciate it.
Woodhall Hollow @ 66
Absoutely correct.
Cliff Schecter @ 65
The sad thing tho, is that while it is easy to come up with “what Bush has done wrong” I find it is not so easy to come up with equally strong counterpoints as to “what the Dems have done right”. Any good sound bites on that issue?
Regarding reaching out to people on the right: Yes we had the correct answers years ago. It reminds me of the tombstone that says “But I had the right of way!”
We share common ground now, which is that our nation is in danger. We need to work together to set things right. Best to receive reforming wingers with open…er…wings. They are humiliated enough realizing how wrong they were, no need to pile on. Especially men for some reason, can’t handle shame.
[commercial break for a glass house, female resident]
John Casper @ 68
Thank you. I am honored to have been invited. And you are correct, we should be creaming them on the spending in Iraq instead of on our needs, in addition to the ridiculous war (in fairness some caught on to this in 2006).
techno @ 70
Franken: is there no one else? Start now to think of people who could be nominated.
Valley Girl @ 76
The first 100 hours we gave American workers the first raise in the minimum wage in what, a decade I think, we voted to implement the 9/11 Commission recs, we voted to expand stem-cell research.
Democrats are for shared prosperity, a strong and smart defense, the privacy of our citizens and pro-science. Just off the top of my head…may not be perfect.
There is a petition opposed to having FOX sponsor the Democratic Party debate in Nevada, if anyone would like to sign it.
You are absolutely correct. I didn’t mean to imply otherwise. The Dems have made great progress in increasing the likelihood that we will get the hech out of there. I failed to mention that adequately. Every day we stay, we weaken ourselves while making Iran and Russia more dominant in the region.
TeddySanFran @ 81
Everyone should jump on that. If enough people can sign the petition, maybe we can stop this thing. Like Republicans, Fox must be punished for bad behavior, or there is no incentive to not continue destroying Dems.
I just went and watched the smackdown between Cliff & Cleter again. Funny stuff!
I am from VT and knew Bernie when he was just getting started, and the Aiken (republican) vote has largely been transfered to Bernie. He is an excellent example of a politician who is able to articulate a populist viewpoint, and is not afraid of a fight. The guy is an honest scrapper…like Tester and Webb, not afraid to call it like it is.
In Bernie’s case, the naysayers always pointed to his socialist history (which btw–he has NEVER tried to hide or apologize for) as a reason why he was unelectable, but he has turned out to be a phenomenally popular politician, able to bridge the gap between a constituency which is by fairly equal measures quite conservative and liberal, giving new meaning to the word “progressive.”
John Casper @ 82
Absolutely correct!
TeddySanFran at 5:12 pm
Thanks TSF, I signed it.
Cliff- thanks for your “off the top of your head” answers. Those are great talking points. I see that it is important to speak to what Democrats are “for”, not just specific accomplishments. Tho the specific accomplishments you mention are great.
And, you’ve just prompted me to remember something else, tho I don’t remember the details. Something about House members “suddenly” having to work more hours in session? I can go “google” this, but if you immediately recall the specifics, perhaps you can add.
John Casper @ 87
Me too.
Hey Bulldog! Nice to see you over here, you weenie.
IMHO:
Strong message, consistency, spine, strong message REPEATED, no lulls, no waffling or backtracking, momentum, message repeated again, and more of us all over the media, stressing all of the above the way you do it…no fear.
There. Stick that in your book proposal and smoke it. : )
Like investing in alternative energy sources. That’s one of the reasons I’m interested in Richardson for ‘08, the guy knows more about energy than most of the candidates.
Bush and Cheney are oil men and look what we got-a war, unrest all over the middle east, higher oil prices, and huge tax breaks for oil companies. The country desperately needs someone to challenge Americans to do better. Assuming Gore doesn’t run, that is. ;)
Woodhall Hollow- I am a great admirer of Sanders. First time I learned about him was reading some interview (online) where he said Bushco. were not “conservatives” but right-wing extremists.
Valley Girl @ 87