Oklahoma kiddo @ 15

I am beginning to suspect that I am smarter than the leaders of my party, the Democrats. Scaaaary. We are letting the Republicans burden us with the Middle East fireball that’s to come.

This is a common occurrence in the corporate world. The line workers in the field see things much more clearly than those HQ types who have built up political and byzantine power structures.

Great Wormtongue analogy too Eli. Perfect.

This begins to approach the problem. Going back to an old but true vein. There is only one party! Two groups vie for the Byzantine Control Structure.
Personally I believe Regan solidified the effect.

egregious @ 283

Morris,

Even if the piece goes 100% well there is a letdown.

Ever see Chariots of Fire, when the one guy wins the race and is despondant? “Leave him alone, he just won”

Yeah.
I’ve seen people (actually a friend) come off stage after an absolutely stunning and brilliant performance in front of 20,000 people who literally screamed for minutes in appreciation and look like he’s just witnessed a horrible accident. But, I guess after something like that anything would be a let down.

Experienced performers are usually more acutely aware of performance issues than most people who see their performance. Performers are often more acutely aware of mistakes, bad decisions, lines flubbed, opportunities missed, etc., than 95% of the people in their audience. This applies as much to the FDL livebloggers and politics.tv performers as to musicians on a stage. However, musicians or actors on a stage become more hyper-aware because they can SEE their audience*. Marcy, Jane, Christy and the others know in their minds that they have a big audience, but that’s not quite the same as seeing and hearing them. Nevertheless, it is not uncommon for performers to become hyper-aware, which usually means they’re on an adrenaline high– and you can only do that for so long before crashing.

Of course, it also depends on whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, and lots of other things, too. Heck, as a borderline introvert, just teaching a class with 200 people is enough to set me up for a crash afterwards.

Bob in HI

*Well, actually, performers often have bright stage lights shining right in their faces, which make it darn near impossible to see anyone in the audience, except maybe the front row. But you can hear them, and feel their energy.

Alison Stewart is way hotter than Keith Olberman.

Way.

I agree. Better eye candy. But can she do a smackdown like Keith? I doubt it.

Bob in HI

I’m proud to be a card-carrying idiot liberal.

You must get your facts straight. The Dems are opposing the war and 50 other issues with everything they can within the limits of their power. For instance John Conyers has been investigating the administration since its beginning. It is only until now that they can do anything. Plame will be on the stand next week for-crying-out-loud. Have you not notices the amount of investigation congress is doing now? That is their job; congressional oversight.

However the Dems have an uphill battle as their majority is fragile and the Democratic Party does not do lock step well. To expect them to is to not understand what it is to be a Democrat. They can’t just hold a simple up or down vote against the war because it will fail. Not just for now but for 08 as well. Congress is biggest power is to make bills but those bill can’t become law without the President’s signature. A majority is simply not enough. Understand?

So they have to take less direct routes. The Dems are not homogenous. Not all Dem were elected to stop the war despite what you think but for other reasons. There are conservative Dems and liberal Dems. Everyone has their own plan for how to stop the war. Laws are not changed by screaming loudly but by give and take and persuasion. The democratic leadership has to make bills that will be acceptable to as many Democrats as they can as well as some Republicans. This takes time. Time you are unwilling to give.

Also, how liberal is posting unflattering pictures of other people Eli?
-Dan

I am a liberal and I find this talk by Eli to be poison. Some times you have to have a little faith in your leaders that you elected. Did you read the article in The Hill about David Obey? The democrats are working hard but they are being hounded by both the Republicans and their own party base. Remember the Dems have been in power for two months. Let us have some peace from the criticism Eli. Breathing room is required to get the job done. We need to support them, not attack them. Don’t give up hope people. The home team might be behind but it is still the bottom of the first.
-Dan

I understand and sympathize with the sentiment, but they *must* oppose, and they have not. They were elected to oppose. If they do not oppose, they must be shamed into it. Or primaried.

There were all manner of awful bills and nominees they could and should have filibustered, and didn’t. If there’s a plan beyond “let the Republicans hang themselves”, I’m not seeing it.