"President Barack Obama has signed a death knell for the Bill of Rights."

[Bluenorthwest]

162. I wonder if it would shock you, Sid to know that Greens were part of the coallition with

which we here in Oregon won delegates for the President? Some of them went under the name 'Green Dogs' and they worked and the whole thing. CA went to Clinton. We went for the President, my precinct in the 90% range. Without the Greens, who knows?
When the Obamas were in town, they went to get ice cream (no surprise there) and we all saw the woman we made First Lady spot a guy in a Green Party tee shirt and head directly to him, hand out and smile on her face. She did well that day, it was her instinct to reach out. I really liked that. Why? I'm in the entertainment industry, and in my life, for decades, the people I can persuade to mark ballots for Democrats who are not already doing so are ALWAYS to the left, they are Greens if they are anything. To win their support is how I win more for our Party. In 2000 it was hell on ice to do so. In 04, such things were fantasias. In 08, the OFA really knew how and what to do, and it was easier than any election in my adult life to win the Greens and the Jaded, those who think it is a futile thing, and so often do not participate.
In 2010, when much of the country ordered a cuppa the wrong Tea, and many areas saw low Democratic turn out, we here elected Democrats again, and our turn out was a record for midterms. So. Is it good to win elections, again and again? Was Mrs O wrong to speak kindly to a Green?
I see many people who snark and hark and bluster, yet when I ask them how they did in 2010, they fall oddly silent. So those who lose elections do not get my ear in terms of style and form. We win. There is nothing we need to change. Those in States that elect the GOP, they need to change. And if 'snark and remark' is not winning for them, I suggest they start trying new things.
Reality is this: we need to get more ballots marked for Democrats in all districts, in all contests. To do that, some will need persuasion, and some will in fact ask campaigners to address the concerns of the ACLU or Human Rights Watch. They can, they will, and around here, lots of people are members of those organizations, many more follow and respect them. None of them know ANY DU poster, they do not care if this OP annoys you, or if someone's links annoy others.
Any so called Democrat who does not seek first last and only to learn how to persuade others to join us for elections is not doing their only duty. I imagine some in this thread knocking on doors or placing phone calls. If a citizen has qualms regrading these issues, I wonder if some are prepared with anything other than a one line comment or wise crack. I wonder if they are ready to face those questions and answer them in the respectful, complete ways that are required in electioneering.
Most of my precinct, most of my city, and much of my district will know of and hold questions regarding all that is addressed in this OP. Many of them will already hold the nose or just mark the X. Some will need persuasion. I can persuade them, frequently, often, and in large groups at times. I say it is our goal to persuade others to elect Democrats, and I say that our own jollies and desire to crack wise are often counter to that goal.
Lots of DUers look as those of us who win and make progress and whine that we are not cheering enough. Sorry, we are winded from all that winning, all those Democrats we get into office who then listen to us. We are not wandering unrepresented, we did not put GOP candidates in office. Many districts did. Many States did.
So you know....if you want to see us win, us Democrats, I recommend honed skills and great humility. I 'unrec' snarking and sarcastic comments toward any issue any potential Democrat might speak. Any issue they see as important IS important if we want that ballot for our own candidates.
A thread like this could teach people how to address the issues. Or they could instead simply crack wise and look cool to their social circles. I'd rather win elections than get laughs or look cool. I suggest others should do the same. I'm sick of the Tea and GOP they elect using those sarcastic and strident methods.
Of course, soon the OFA people will get the nastiness in check. It is not helpful to our goals in election season.
Walking my districts since age 8, Sid. So coming after those who know what they are doing with piles of snark is an interesting choice, although not one I see as leading us to any form of majority.
What if you walk a precinct, and 80% of the homes sound like the OP here? That's my reality. This is not Atlanta. I see too many in this thread who hear counter points and whine rather than address the actual points. It is superior to address the points. It is the way to win.
I'm not willing to see a repeat of 2010 just to indulge the needs of a segment of people who do the sarcasm and claim it is 'for the President'. It is not for him. It is not for the Party. It is done for personal jollies. Snark is not persuasion. Politics is persuasion. The President, he's nice to all comers. So is his wife. She reaches out to Greens, while some spit on the ground at the mention of them, 'for the President'. They reach out, the 'supporters' spit on the ground. Whose method wins? Which method is the method of the President?