There are too many who will not accept their own role in this defeat.

[TheBigotBasher]

Should we have even conceded?

52 - 48%. Less than 0.1% for the Libertarian candidate.
A 43% turn out in Boston?

This was a get out the vote defeat, the results however should clearly tell the Democratic Leadership that they need to smack down hard on Democratic Senators blackmailing the Party. Divided Parties do not win elections.

Have fist fights in the Democratic caucus in the House and Senate. Kick the hell out of each other. Once an agreed position is reached - do not publicly give the Republicans a rope to hang the Democratic Party with. The Republicans hung themselves in 2006 and 2008.

Stupak should be punished for what he did. A last minute blackmail going aganst the long held agreed position of the Democratic Party. There are anti-choice members of the Democratic congress, the Party position is however pro choice.

Nelson is now getting voter backlash for what he did. The Party should beat him round the head as well.

Nelson et-al cost the Democratic Party this seat.

Reid also did by giving in to their blackmail.

Let it be a lesson to them. Also it should be a lesson to those on DU but they will not take it.

They spent ages fighting the Democratic Party. If all of those eeyores had gone out and helped the Democratic Party instead of posting on here about the horrid result, there would have been no defeat. Now the message is the Party has gone too far left with Obama.

1994. Rinse. Repeat.

[sandnsea]

1. This I agree 100% with

But I'd also say that the Democratic women should not have tried to slip full abortion coverage into this bill and they really did.

Regardless, you're right on the money. Have your knock-down drag-outs in chambers or the basement of the Marriott, but when it's done, it's done. Unity is imperative. It's necessary to take out the lies of the right. One half the party can't do it alone, no matter which half it is.

[Kaleva]

2. It's either Stupak or a Republican

He is second Dem to represent my district since the mid-1930's. The other Democrat won in 1964 and lost his re-election bid in 1966. Stupak has voted the Party line over 90% of the time. He usually gets over 60% of the vote and often over 70% of the vote in the more liberal counties in his district. His position on abortion is well known and hasn't changed since he first won back in 1992.

[TheBigotBasher]

3. The Party needs some discipline

It has been so long out of real Government, it has forgotten how to govern.

Last minute amendments, backed by the other side should not be foisted on a flagship bill. That was one torpedo to the hull.

Every "blue dog" Senator being allowed their own axe at the bill was another. Te bribe to the so called fiscally Conservative Senator for Nebraska was another.

We have taken a year to pass a bill with super majorities in both houses. Not everyone follows politics as closely a people here - what does that look like to the public?

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

4. Party discipline shouldn't be THIS needed.

There will always be stragglers - that's just the nature of the beast. Further, without blue dogs, we don't get a chance to be in control, as there are more red states than blue ones. The problem is that Republicans are entirely unwilling to do their part to govern responsibly. Their uniform opposition is literally unprecedented.