Comments on: FDL Book Salon Welcomes Representative Robert Wexler: Fire-Breathing Liberal: How I Learned to Survive (and Thrive) in the Contact Sport of Congress http://firedoglake.com/2008/06/29/fdl-book-salon-welcomes-representative-robert-wexler-fire-breathing-liberal-how-i-learned-to-survive-and-thrive-in-the-contact-sport-of-congress/ Firedoglake weblog Fri, 27 Nov 2009 04:07:37 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: lduvall http://firedoglake.com/2008/06/29/fdl-book-salon-welcomes-representative-robert-wexler-fire-breathing-liberal-how-i-learned-to-survive-and-thrive-in-the-contact-sport-of-congress/#comment-1520934 lduvall Mon, 30 Jun 2008 09:42:17 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/06/29/fdl-book-salon-welcomes-representative-robert-wexler-fire-breathing-liberal-how-i-learned-to-survive-and-thrive-in-the-contact-sport-of-congress/#comment-1520934 <p>What???</p> <p>“Perhaps it’s because Congressional Democrats don’t understand why they won in 2006 and why they are heading for victory again in 2008.”</p> <p>I have news for you. The democrats may have picked up a nominal majority - but bush and the republicans won! They got a bunch of enabling democrats in office that roll over on command. There are a few principled democrats who try to bring about change, try to promote accountability, but the vast majority are republican enablers. The democratic “leadership” is too milquetoast to even require that there be an actual (gasp, dare I say the word?) filibuster by the republicans when they threaten one - the threat is made and the “leadership” rolls over. </p> <p>Hopefully there will be a lot more democrats in the house and senate following the next election. But, I would rather have a few less if we can get some democrats with some backbone!</p> What???

“Perhaps it’s because Congressional Democrats don’t understand why they won in 2006 and why they are heading for victory again in 2008.”

I have news for you. The democrats may have picked up a nominal majority – but bush and the republicans won! They got a bunch of enabling democrats in office that roll over on command. There are a few principled democrats who try to bring about change, try to promote accountability, but the vast majority are republican enablers. The democratic “leadership” is too milquetoast to even require that there be an actual (gasp, dare I say the word?) filibuster by the republicans when they threaten one – the threat is made and the “leadership” rolls over.

Hopefully there will be a lot more democrats in the house and senate following the next election. But, I would rather have a few less if we can get some democrats with some backbone!

]]> By: peony http://firedoglake.com/2008/06/29/fdl-book-salon-welcomes-representative-robert-wexler-fire-breathing-liberal-how-i-learned-to-survive-and-thrive-in-the-contact-sport-of-congress/#comment-1520559 peony Mon, 30 Jun 2008 03:49:03 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/06/29/fdl-book-salon-welcomes-representative-robert-wexler-fire-breathing-liberal-how-i-learned-to-survive-and-thrive-in-the-contact-sport-of-congress/#comment-1520559 <p>Sander, when I use the word “threat” I am talking about from the point of view of the people running our government. My recent comments are an attempt to articulate two very different mind sets and try to respond to the frustration I’m hearing in some of the commenters. After reading Wexler’s responses to questions about Iran, I suspect the reason why we find his answers unsatisfying is that he shares the mind set of probably every member of Congress, that Iran is a threat to our power and dominance in the Middle East. His language, even though he talks about diplomacy and not military action, is still adversarial. We have a different mindset and very different desires and goals for our country and its place in the world.</p> <p>As far as “getting over American exceptionalism,” sadly I think it will take an economic collapse or some national calamity for this getting over to happen.</p> Sander, when I use the word “threat” I am talking about from the point of view of the people running our government. My recent comments are an attempt to articulate two very different mind sets and try to respond to the frustration I’m hearing in some of the commenters. After reading Wexler’s responses to questions about Iran, I suspect the reason why we find his answers unsatisfying is that he shares the mind set of probably every member of Congress, that Iran is a threat to our power and dominance in the Middle East. His language, even though he talks about diplomacy and not military action, is still adversarial. We have a different mindset and very different desires and goals for our country and its place in the world.

As far as “getting over American exceptionalism,” sadly I think it will take an economic collapse or some national calamity for this getting over to happen.

]]> By: SunnyNobility http://firedoglake.com/2008/06/29/fdl-book-salon-welcomes-representative-robert-wexler-fire-breathing-liberal-how-i-learned-to-survive-and-thrive-in-the-contact-sport-of-congress/#comment-1520421 SunnyNobility Mon, 30 Jun 2008 02:25:42 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/06/29/fdl-book-salon-welcomes-representative-robert-wexler-fire-breathing-liberal-how-i-learned-to-survive-and-thrive-in-the-contact-sport-of-congress/#comment-1520421 <p>Yes, and voters deeply disgusted with the status quo. Appears Rham’s colleagues buy into his arrogant self-aggrandizement. Makes one wonder…</p> Yes, and voters deeply disgusted with the status quo. Appears Rham’s colleagues buy into his arrogant self-aggrandizement. Makes one wonder…

]]> By: bobschacht http://firedoglake.com/2008/06/29/fdl-book-salon-welcomes-representative-robert-wexler-fire-breathing-liberal-how-i-learned-to-survive-and-thrive-in-the-contact-sport-of-congress/#comment-1520399 bobschacht Mon, 30 Jun 2008 01:54:08 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/06/29/fdl-book-salon-welcomes-representative-robert-wexler-fire-breathing-liberal-how-i-learned-to-survive-and-thrive-in-the-contact-sport-of-congress/#comment-1520399 <p>“Why you may not agree politically with Reps. Hoyer and Emanuel - they were vital in our efforts to take back the house. Rahm put together an unprecedented DCCC operation that put the financial resources in the right places and allowed us to win back the majority.”</p> <p>Is this really true? I thought it was Dean’s 50 State strategy, that Emanuel fought tooth and nail before the election, and then tried to take credit for after the election.</p> <p>Bob in HI</p> “Why you may not agree politically with Reps. Hoyer and Emanuel – they were vital in our efforts to take back the house. Rahm put together an unprecedented DCCC operation that put the financial resources in the right places and allowed us to win back the majority.”

Is this really true? I thought it was Dean’s 50 State strategy, that Emanuel fought tooth and nail before the election, and then tried to take credit for after the election.

Bob in HI

]]> By: SanderO http://firedoglake.com/2008/06/29/fdl-book-salon-welcomes-representative-robert-wexler-fire-breathing-liberal-how-i-learned-to-survive-and-thrive-in-the-contact-sport-of-congress/#comment-1520370 SanderO Mon, 30 Jun 2008 01:19:23 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/06/29/fdl-book-salon-welcomes-representative-robert-wexler-fire-breathing-liberal-how-i-learned-to-survive-and-thrive-in-the-contact-sport-of-congress/#comment-1520370 <p>Americans especially those in congress need to get over the idea of American Exceptionalism, that we are god’s’ give to the planet and can do no wrong and we have a right to interfere in the affairs of other nations.</p> <p>The CIA especially as an extension of the executive branch has been meddling in other nations for almost 6 decades. This has to stop.</p> <p>We have plenty of domestic problems to focus on and the rest of the world can take care of themselves… especially if we let them.</p> Americans especially those in congress need to get over the idea of American Exceptionalism, that we are god’s’ give to the planet and can do no wrong and we have a right to interfere in the affairs of other nations.

The CIA especially as an extension of the executive branch has been meddling in other nations for almost 6 decades. This has to stop.

We have plenty of domestic problems to focus on and the rest of the world can take care of themselves… especially if we let them.

]]> By: SanderO http://firedoglake.com/2008/06/29/fdl-book-salon-welcomes-representative-robert-wexler-fire-breathing-liberal-how-i-learned-to-survive-and-thrive-in-the-contact-sport-of-congress/#comment-1520367 SanderO Mon, 30 Jun 2008 01:15:46 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/06/29/fdl-book-salon-welcomes-representative-robert-wexler-fire-breathing-liberal-how-i-learned-to-survive-and-thrive-in-the-contact-sport-of-congress/#comment-1520367 <p>The fact of the matter is that no nation is actually a “threat” to this country. While some could withhold a resource such as oil they would only do that if they felt they were threatened and it was their only option. The US has demonstrated that it considers OIL OUR strategic interest even if it lies inside and underground in another nation.</p> <p>Only the US seeks to control and dominate other nations with threats of bombing and attack.</p> <p>I don’t feel threatened by Iran, Iraq, the Taliban or even Al Qaeda. If we don’t like what they are doing, ignore them, get out of their countries and mind our own business. </p> <p>We will not be attacked by Iran… EVER.</p> The fact of the matter is that no nation is actually a “threat” to this country. While some could withhold a resource such as oil they would only do that if they felt they were threatened and it was their only option. The US has demonstrated that it considers OIL OUR strategic interest even if it lies inside and underground in another nation.

Only the US seeks to control and dominate other nations with threats of bombing and attack.

I don’t feel threatened by Iran, Iraq, the Taliban or even Al Qaeda. If we don’t like what they are doing, ignore them, get out of their countries and mind our own business.

We will not be attacked by Iran… EVER.

]]> By: RevBev http://firedoglake.com/2008/06/29/fdl-book-salon-welcomes-representative-robert-wexler-fire-breathing-liberal-how-i-learned-to-survive-and-thrive-in-the-contact-sport-of-congress/#comment-1520366 RevBev Mon, 30 Jun 2008 01:15:33 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/06/29/fdl-book-salon-welcomes-representative-robert-wexler-fire-breathing-liberal-how-i-learned-to-survive-and-thrive-in-the-contact-sport-of-congress/#comment-1520366 <p>I am glad you are having this part of the discussion. I thought his answers about Iran were very vague and unsatisfactory…he ignored the topic as long as he could IMO. I certainly understand his case for Obama, and he made it clearly. Not so much of the Iran story. Very disappointing, I thought…as we muddle along at a faster pace, I guess.</p> I am glad you are having this part of the discussion. I thought his answers about Iran were very vague and unsatisfactory…he ignored the topic as long as he could IMO. I certainly understand his case for Obama, and he made it clearly. Not so much of the Iran story. Very disappointing, I thought…as we muddle along at a faster pace, I guess.

]]> By: peony http://firedoglake.com/2008/06/29/fdl-book-salon-welcomes-representative-robert-wexler-fire-breathing-liberal-how-i-learned-to-survive-and-thrive-in-the-contact-sport-of-congress/#comment-1520336 peony Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:41:30 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/06/29/fdl-book-salon-welcomes-representative-robert-wexler-fire-breathing-liberal-how-i-learned-to-survive-and-thrive-in-the-contact-sport-of-congress/#comment-1520336 <p>This is a national security strategy that I can support and which would truly advance the peace and security of the United States, imho. That would be “change I can believe in.” It sounds to me from Wexler’s responses that along with probably all his colleagues in the House, Senate, as well as present and past administrations, he supports U.S. power and control in the region and world wide. So, he also sees Iran as a threat. He and his colleagues only differ from the Republicans in the ways and means to deal with the threat.</p> This is a national security strategy that I can support and which would truly advance the peace and security of the United States, imho. That would be “change I can believe in.” It sounds to me from Wexler’s responses that along with probably all his colleagues in the House, Senate, as well as present and past administrations, he supports U.S. power and control in the region and world wide. So, he also sees Iran as a threat. He and his colleagues only differ from the Republicans in the ways and means to deal with the threat.

]]> By: Audrey http://firedoglake.com/2008/06/29/fdl-book-salon-welcomes-representative-robert-wexler-fire-breathing-liberal-how-i-learned-to-survive-and-thrive-in-the-contact-sport-of-congress/#comment-1520304 Audrey Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:18:35 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/06/29/fdl-book-salon-welcomes-representative-robert-wexler-fire-breathing-liberal-how-i-learned-to-survive-and-thrive-in-the-contact-sport-of-congress/#comment-1520304 <p>Similar I think, but not the same. He did have to have the UN inspectors go in first and he was supposed to let them finish looking before taking action, but we all know how well that worked out. He did have to find a “coalition of the willing” to go into Iraq, but good luck with that. He’s so squandered our ability to coerce that I don’t know if he could do the same today.</p> <p>Bush will find a way to get his way and what didn’t work to stop him before might work now. I don’t know. But I can also understand the need to try to prevent him getting his way somehow. Per Wexler: Legislation to stop him is in the works (as is impeachment). It’s a hard fight.</p> Similar I think, but not the same. He did have to have the UN inspectors go in first and he was supposed to let them finish looking before taking action, but we all know how well that worked out. He did have to find a “coalition of the willing” to go into Iraq, but good luck with that. He’s so squandered our ability to coerce that I don’t know if he could do the same today.

Bush will find a way to get his way and what didn’t work to stop him before might work now. I don’t know. But I can also understand the need to try to prevent him getting his way somehow. Per Wexler: Legislation to stop him is in the works (as is impeachment). It’s a hard fight.

]]> By: libbyliberal http://firedoglake.com/2008/06/29/fdl-book-salon-welcomes-representative-robert-wexler-fire-breathing-liberal-how-i-learned-to-survive-and-thrive-in-the-contact-sport-of-congress/#comment-1520303 libbyliberal Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:15:54 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/06/29/fdl-book-salon-welcomes-representative-robert-wexler-fire-breathing-liberal-how-i-learned-to-survive-and-thrive-in-the-contact-sport-of-congress/#comment-1520303 <p>You did great! I was so impressed with the session. He met up with some fire-breathers himself and about time. And skipped over some significant questioning. I think you are right. Citizenry giving these guys a cake walk. Citizens may not respect Congress, but not monitoring very closely. No help from MSM for sure, or the WRONG help. Will check out his book for sure.</p> You did great! I was so impressed with the session. He met up with some fire-breathers himself and about time. And skipped over some significant questioning. I think you are right. Citizenry giving these guys a cake walk. Citizens may not respect Congress, but not monitoring very closely. No help from MSM for sure, or the WRONG help. Will check out his book for sure.

]]>