General Discussion

moriah

(8,312 posts)

135. You forget the events surrounding Arkansas sending only its second red Senator ever in 2010?

Sun Dec 7, 2014, 11:01 PM

Dec 2014

I lived here during that time. In this very conservative Bible-belt state, having a Senator with a 89% rating from the HRC and a 16% rating from the Christian Coalition, and a 0% from the National Right to Life Committee rocked, and I was proud. She had her issues and I wrote to her myself begging her not to take certain votes near the end, but I also knew how people around me felt about those issues and was aware my voice was probably drowned out among those here like who thought like the lady holding the sign that said "No Pubic Option".

People either took for granted that Arkansas's Democratic base would continue to send up blue senators, or decided that it didn't matter if we lost the seat in the feelings of victory after having a majority in all three branches, and sent a ton of money in to smear her during a vicious primary, damaging Blanche for the general election. Halter didn't win the primary, and couldn't have swung Arkansas anyway. John Boozman, her opponent and my representative at the time, was viciously pro-life, along with every way a teabagger conservative and all it entails. I knew absolutely I did not want him as my Senator. Republicans realized they could gain ground here after we decided to turn on our own, and used it to their advantage. Now the entire fucking state is red after Republicans decided it was worth spending real money here, including all of the people we're sending to Washington.

I continue voting Democrat, and I hope that it can change. Even if my state can not send up Dems like Elizabeth Warren, Pryor and Lincoln were far better than the two who will be answering my letters in January. It's all I can do. But when we eat our own in primary debates -- at the state level and elsewhere -- rather than trying for real discussion and comparison and contrast of beliefs and how we want the party to go, we're screwing up to the other party's advantage.

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How about we save the purity tests for blue states? [View all] DanTex Dec 2014 OP

How about we don't. When anyone chooses to run as a Democratic party candidate why don't Vincardog Dec 2014 #1

exactly. similar thing can be said about Republicans. alp227 Dec 2014 #48

+1 Jamaal510 Dec 2014 #148

if mark begich had run as a dem instead of a craven roguevalley Dec 2014 #116

You don't bring people around to the Democrats side all at once. People don't change their stripes Dustlawyer Dec 2014 #141

I used to say that regarding Arkansas. moriah Dec 2014 #2

I can understand Pryor loosing, he never stood for anything that wasn't run by a focus group LiberalArkie Dec 2014 #124

Yet Pryor took Tim Hutchinson out of office, a huge favor. moriah Dec 2014 #137

Pryor was dead in the water no matter he did (IMO) rpannier Dec 2014 #140

How about we try running actual liberal Democrats with actual STRONG backing of the... 99Forever Dec 2014 #3

And watch them LOSE LOSE LOSE south of the Mason Dixon. nt MADem Dec 2014 #20

Exactly! They just refuse to get it... eom BlueCaliDem Dec 2014 #79

It's never been done. So where are you getting this certainty from? We do know now sabrina 1 Dec 2014 #86

Landrieu lost because she was painted as "running from Obama." You know, that right winger MADem Dec 2014 #93

As opposed to what is happening now? pa28 Dec 2014 #147

Landrieu wasn't conservative, though. That's just a fact, no matter what a few people MADem Dec 2014 #149

I noticed your argument in another part of the thread involving industry bias. pa28 Dec 2014 #153

She's pro-choice. Shes pro-equality. She voted for the ACA. She's pro equal pay for equal work. MADem Dec 2014 #156

Her vote for the next SC justice was a primary reason I hoped she would win. pa28 Dec 2014 #157

Well, Warren sure tried it with Grimes in KY. It didn't get her over the top there, either. MADem Dec 2014 #158

She lost too! Union Scribe Dec 2014 #171

So now we're fucked for the next six years--heckuvajob. MADem Dec 2014 #175

I do recognizd the tricky balancing act of midterms JonLP24 Dec 2014 #196

Gene Taylor is now (formally) a Republican, so there's your answer! MADem Dec 2014 #198

They LOSE LOSE LOSE because they appear weak JonLP24 Dec 2014 #195

I think they're spending too much time telling people how they "ought" to think MADem Dec 2014 #199

I would rather skip purity tests altogether Kalidurga Dec 2014 #4

But what you are saying is that you have your standards but that anyone else's are negotiable. Bluenorthwest Dec 2014 #19

Well in a relationship there are deal breakers Kalidurga Dec 2014 #42

Boring MFrohike Dec 2014 #5

Landrieu did win multiple times before but I don't consider her a conservative JI7 Dec 2014 #11

She is and was MFrohike Dec 2014 #17

then so is Schumer who certainly is not going anywhere JI7 Dec 2014 #60

True MFrohike Dec 2014 #72

no. because republicans winning are fiscal conservatives JI7 Dec 2014 #77

Oh please--that's the "real defining line" -- because YOU say so? MADem Dec 2014 #102

But Landrieu was not a "conservative" Democrat. She was a liberal Democrat with MADem Dec 2014 #25

Hahaha MFrohike Dec 2014 #34

OK, we're gonna play a numbers game, are we? And go back seven years to do it? "Ha ha ha?" MADem Dec 2014 #87

She was pro choice and supported same sex marriage JI7 Dec 2014 #55

And she lost. do you think the democratic party should abandon those platforms, in order to win? Scootaloo Dec 2014 #75

no. I was giving an example of her liberal positions JI7 Dec 2014 #82

And you argue liberals lose in red states. Scootaloo Dec 2014 #99

I'm happy with someone like Landrieu JI7 Dec 2014 #107

Katrina was nine years ago, and Landrieu didn't lose in 2008. That thesis doesn't work Scootaloo Dec 2014 #114

landrieu lost some of the racist white voters who JI7 Dec 2014 #115

AND AgingAmerican Dec 2014 #117

That's what I'm trying to find out. They get very tight-lipped when you ask Scootaloo Dec 2014 #127

Maybe it would have helped if some of the people trashing her would have gotten out the vote for her MADem Dec 2014 #159

So you're saying.... AgingAmerican Dec 2014 #169

No, I'm saying what I said. nt MADem Dec 2014 #181

The poster is responding to the suggestion that Landrieu is some kind of closet Dem wingnut. MADem Dec 2014 #98

I wonder why also. Andy823 Dec 2014 #120

You forget the events surrounding Arkansas sending only its second red Senator ever in 2010? moriah Dec 2014 #135

it's mostly internet talk. look at feinstein in california JI7 Dec 2014 #6

Conservative Democrats don't win Senate elections in states like Louisiana either. pa28 Dec 2014 #7

She won three times. Can we stop pretending that this never happened? nt stevenleser Dec 2014 #45

I was stating fact. Not trying to pretend. n/t pa28 Dec 2014 #62

Your attempt to state fact failed. She won three times. nt stevenleser Dec 2014 #64

I never claimed that. pa28 Dec 2014 #70

You used the phrase "they don't win". That implies always. You were wrong. nt stevenleser Dec 2014 #71

I was talking in the present tense. So I hate to break it to you but you are wrong. pa28 Dec 2014 #97

Kinda makes donco Dec 2014 #8

So screw the democratic base in red states? B Calm Dec 2014 #9

Yup. 99Forever Dec 2014 #12

Sounds to me it's the "Far Left or Die" Wing that has spoken. Screw you, south! We can do it MADem Dec 2014 #40

Quite well put, MADem. +100. n/t moriah Dec 2014 #81

50 State Strategy!!... SidDithers Dec 2014 #91

Howard Dean agrees with ME, too--the worst Dem is better than the best Republican! MADem Dec 2014 #113

Probably treestar Dec 2014 #123

It's a pretty foolish thought if you ask me. Agschmid Dec 2014 #136

Amen. I'm amazed at the people on here who are their own enemies. nt okaawhatever Dec 2014 #160

I think some don't understand. MADem Dec 2014 #161

+100 nt okaawhatever Dec 2014 #162

What did we do that cost her the election? Union Scribe Dec 2014 #172

"You" stayed home, and some of "you" took to the internet to shit all over her on election day. MADem Dec 2014 #174

You've got crosstabs to show who 'stayed home'? Erich Bloodaxe BSN Dec 2014 #177

You don't have access to newspapers or a search engine, is that it? MADem Dec 2014 #183

This message was self-deleted by its author MADem Dec 2014 #182

The dem base in Louisiana voted for landrieu JI7 Dec 2014 #13

and how many stayed home? Also why has the democratic base in Louisiana B Calm Dec 2014 #21

katrina and she lost some of the racist white vote JI7 Dec 2014 #36

Stayed home?? They never made it home--they're living in Houston and scattered to the four winds MADem Dec 2014 #41

Is that the democratic base that chose to make waffles instead of voting for the Democrat in LA?..nt SidDithers Dec 2014 #16

They didn't see a democrat on the ticket for the senate! B Calm Dec 2014 #30

there were more liberal candidates in november JI7 Dec 2014 #66

The Republicans will be happy to treestar Dec 2014 #122

DU rec... SidDithers Dec 2014 #10

Post removed Post removed Dec 2014 #15

Ha! BrotherIvan Dec 2014 #27

Why was that hidden? neverforget Dec 2014 #188

Because Sid is all powerful BrotherIvan Dec 2014 #190

Are you kidding? And ruin the fact-free ire? MADem Dec 2014 #14

I think the right-wing efforts of trolling "from the left" have begun to pay off... SidDithers Dec 2014 #22

It's pretty obvious to me, too. The right wing is nothing if not relentless, and I think they've MADem Dec 2014 #44

Sad that more than a few here have succumbed to that not very sophisticated Jedi mind trick of a stevenleser Dec 2014 #47

Perfect... SidDithers Dec 2014 #56

So, how far to the right should the democratic party move? Scootaloo Dec 2014 #59

The liberal policy positions that Landrieu held are gone now. You got nothing in their place... SidDithers Dec 2014 #84

You're the one arguing that we must run conservatives and liberalism has no chance. Scootaloo Dec 2014 #95

No, I'm the one arguing that staying home and making waffles instead of voting in a run-off election SidDithers Dec 2014 #101

Actually the voters DID vote. Scootaloo Dec 2014 #106

I already answered your fucking question... SidDithers Dec 2014 #112

Would you have voted for her, Scootaloo?... SidDithers Dec 2014 #138

Lol! neverforget Dec 2014 #83

MADem, do you know why "RINO's" win statewide elections in Massachusetts? alp227 Dec 2014 #63

Because MA is a SEXIST STATE. MADem Dec 2014 #129

"liberals don't win senate elections in states like Louisiana" - neither does Mary Landrieu Scootaloo Dec 2014 #18

How do you explain her holding the seat--- BootinUp Dec 2014 #24

I don't know. Could be any number of things Scootaloo Dec 2014 #33

She won three times, I think. Against the odds. DanTex Dec 2014 #26

and she lost this time. You insist liberals can't win, so we shouldn't bother Scootaloo Dec 2014 #51

I don't think liberals can win in Louisiana. It's tough even for conservative Dems. DanTex Dec 2014 #61

What liberal policies and positions do you advocate abandoning in order to "win"? Scootaloo Dec 2014 #68

None. The exact opposite, in fact. DanTex Dec 2014 #78

Running more conservative candidates menas dumping more liberal positions Scootaloo Dec 2014 #89

Only in conservative states. In blue states, we should run liberals. DanTex Dec 2014 #96

So you'll abandon women and the environment. That's two things. What else? Scootaloo Dec 2014 #103

LOL. No. I wouldn't abandon anything. Like I've said many times. DanTex Dec 2014 #111

Convince you? Scootaloo Dec 2014 #125

Yes. Convince me that it's possible. I don't see it. At all. DanTex Dec 2014 #132

Against the crushing odds of Capt. Obvious Dec 2014 #168

I wonder if Huey Long would win in Louisiana nowadays. alp227 Dec 2014 #74

There are few Southern Dems from that era who wouldn't be Repigs today..... AverageJoe90 Dec 2014 #133

I question the fundamental premise RufusTFirefly Dec 2014 #23

I'm suggesting that people in Louisiana, on average are more conservative than people in say DanTex Dec 2014 #29

Which goal that I listed would not sit well with regular folks in Louisiana? n/t RufusTFirefly Dec 2014 #37

They'd agree with the goals. But not the policies that you and I think will achieve those goals. DanTex Dec 2014 #38

Democrats should run WITH these ideals not run AWAY from them RufusTFirefly Dec 2014 #46

The state that once elected Huey Long wouldn't vote for a Sanders? alp227 Dec 2014 #76

That was a long time ago. I'm talking about the present. DanTex Dec 2014 #80

No. How about we get dems that will actually fight for the dem positions and make the case for them on point Dec 2014 #28

I agree with the fighting, but I disagree that the Louisiana senate election is the right place for DanTex Dec 2014 #35

How do you know if we don't try? Apparently running a right winger as a democrat didn't work! B Calm Dec 2014 #43

Maybe if we run even FURTHER to the right, that will finally do the trick RufusTFirefly Dec 2014 #50

That's their message. Beam me up Scotty! B Calm Dec 2014 #69

It worked 3 times before this. Like I said, without wins by her and other conservative Dems in 2008 DanTex Dec 2014 #57

Like Wendy Davis! OilemFirchen Dec 2014 #108

You mean like New Jersey, where many wonderful local democratic politicians supported Christie? still_one Dec 2014 #31

And what conclusion do you think we should draw from that? nt stevenleser Dec 2014 #53

That we Democrats have a major problem, and it isn't just in the red states. When Lieberman a life still_one Dec 2014 #67

wow...didn't know this about schumer alp227 Dec 2014 #85

It sure is depressing still_one Dec 2014 #100

But shouldn't that have resulted in those dems losing JI7 Dec 2014 #121

MOAR RIGHT! BrotherIvan Dec 2014 #32

Landrieu wouldn't stand an ice cubes chance in hell onecaliberal Dec 2014 #39

And what does that suggest to you? That California and Louisiana have very different voters. nt stevenleser Dec 2014 #54

That's a big fat sack of duh! onecaliberal Dec 2014 #90

Obviously it's not a 'duh' because you still don't get it. First of all, Landrieu won three times. stevenleser Dec 2014 #109

People in LA saw her for the corporate puppet she is. onecaliberal Dec 2014 #142

And voted overwhelmingly for a bigger corporate puppet? Recursion Dec 2014 #154

Being a wolf in sheeps clothing was what turned people off. Spitfire of ATJ Dec 2014 #191

No. It takes a lot of gymnastics to argue that a state Recursion Dec 2014 #192

What's silly is pretending liberal ideas are unpopular. Spitfire of ATJ Dec 2014 #194

So with that type of logic the next Democratic Senator from Louisiana will have to be even more B Calm Dec 2014 #143

It suggests to me that we still have people believing Republicans,.... Spitfire of ATJ Dec 2014 #105

Nope, see my #109. nt stevenleser Dec 2014 #110

That's the same argument the DLC shoved at us with Bill Clinton.... Spitfire of ATJ Dec 2014 #119

Exactly! I'm done with corporate candidates and reps. onecaliberal Dec 2014 #144

They would tell you to hush up as they go to a fundraiser with Exxon/Mobil.... Spitfire of ATJ Dec 2014 #146

As far as I can judge sadoldgirl Dec 2014 #49

Yes, THANKS! elleng Dec 2014 #52

hey DonCoquixote Dec 2014 #58

That makes way too much sense for some here. nt stevenleser Dec 2014 #65

Really sad. . B Calm Dec 2014 #73

Just a thought aspirant Dec 2014 #88

And without her we would have had single payer. Spitfire of ATJ Dec 2014 #92

BINGO! B Calm Dec 2014 #150

You truly believe that? moriah Dec 2014 #152

Trouble using "the google"?... Spitfire of ATJ Dec 2014 #155

I later on, after I posted, saw her comments, but she was far from the only one.... moriah Dec 2014 #163

Keep in mind that ANY Dem that votes with a Republican is used for the "bipartisan" claim. Spitfire of ATJ Dec 2014 #164

Umm, no, without her we would have had nothing. DanTex Dec 2014 #166

Okay, that's funny calling her a liberal Dem from Louisiana. Spitfire of ATJ Dec 2014 #173

I didn't call her a liberal Dem. Go back and read it again. DanTex Dec 2014 #176

Oh sure, I feel SO much better having Landrieu killing single payer than a Republican. Spitfire of ATJ Dec 2014 #186

Do you understand that with a Republican there would have been no ACA at all? DanTex Dec 2014 #187

Do you understand that the big battle to get it passed was fought Dem on Dem because of her type? Spitfire of ATJ Dec 2014 #189

Yes. Of course. Now your turn. DanTex Dec 2014 #200

Uh huh, sure. It was less of a battle to get Olympia Snow than it was to get Landrieu.... Spitfire of ATJ Dec 2014 #201

Yeah, but bottom line, without 60 Dems, no Obamacare. DanTex Dec 2014 #202

So what you are saying is only a con artist can win in the South.... Spitfire of ATJ Dec 2014 #203

Well, I wouldn't put it in those words, but basically, yes. DanTex Dec 2014 #204

The demographics in the South have changed. The old white racists are dying off... Spitfire of ATJ Dec 2014 #205

Well, I hope you're right. DanTex Dec 2014 #206

Landrieu's campaign was "you can hardly tell I'm a Dem!": no "purity test" hampered her MisterP Dec 2014 #94

Ignorance or lazyness to get out and vote is vkkv Dec 2014 #104

What about the liberals in red states? Should the candidates ignore them? Tierra_y_Libertad Dec 2014 #118

I call BULLSHIT!! She won in 2008 on the back of Obama's popularity and high voter turnout for HIM LynneSin Dec 2014 #126

Really. Her state voted 40% for Obama, yet 52% for her. moriah Dec 2014 #151

She had a serious boost from Obama and the numbers do not lie LynneSin Dec 2014 #180

Running a a Republican Lite is a losing strategy, no matter what state you run for office TerrapinFlyer Dec 2014 #128

I understand your point, I think. AverageJoe90 Dec 2014 #130

How about we take this "purity test" bullshit and bury it? Maedhros Dec 2014 #131

She's been shown the damn door--and her replacement makes her look like Bernie Sanders crossed with MADem Dec 2014 #139

Who, exactly, is demanding a "purity test"?? Martin Eden Dec 2014 #134

The Republican war on voting should really have more focus JonLP24 Dec 2014 #197

How about we stop wasting time on bland people who STAND FOR NOTHING? Warpy Dec 2014 #145

We had a flawless liberal and progressive run for Governor in NJ in 2013 JustAnotherGen Dec 2014 #165

If only Landrieu wasn't primaried Capt. Obvious Dec 2014 #167

Primaries are now a 'purity test'? Erich Bloodaxe BSN Dec 2014 #179

Moderates can win in red states. Rex Dec 2014 #170

How about you run candidates that actually can appeal to voters? Erich Bloodaxe BSN Dec 2014 #178

Your name suggests... malokvale77 Dec 2014 #184

Purity or Reality? We have tried the DINO's way to victory in the south and it flopped! B Calm Dec 2014 #185

Well there isn't much I can do to directly help her JonLP24 Dec 2014 #193