The beautiful thing about primaries is how they clarify people, players and priorities.
Lest there be any confusion about the incumbent protection racket for Bush Dogs, here's today's statement from Pelosi's office, justifying her fundraiser for Maryland Corruptocrat Al Wynn:
Pelosi's spokesman Brendan Daly is unfazed. "He's an incumbent. That's what we do," he told me when I asked him about Pelosi's appearance for Wynn. "We help our incumbents."
Jane wrote about our inclusion in a progressive coalition to raise $100,000 for progressive stalwart and Blue America Favorite Donna Edwards yesterday, and in an email today to past supporters, she and Matt Stoller said:
In 2007, we gave the newly elected Democratic Congress the opportunity to end the war Iraq, and move our country forward at home.
They have failed.
So we'll just keep working to elect more and *better* Democrats.
Help us reach our goal of $100,000 for Donna's campaign.
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Uh huh.
Hi Pach.
Pach!
I’m in for Donna! Met her at Take Back America and was blown away … we need this woman fighting for us!
Chipped in $50.00 for the Donna Cause yesterday.
And we are voters, who can support primary challenges. That’s what WE do.
Yo official Washington: pay attention. Donna-tions: I’m in.
and why are we heading over to actBlue?
Because that’s what we do.
Hi Pach!
Gave yesterday. How much is she up to?
egregious @ 6
Ding!!! Nancy is countering the voters who believe that the people who they vote for should do their freaking jobs!! Unbelievable.
egregious @ 6
Oh, Egreg!!! What a hoot. Nice smackdown on Nancy “We’re leaders; you are just advocates” Pelosi.
When I got Jane’s email about that, that was exactly my thought. Once you’re an incumbent, you get the party’s support automatically.
Why would the leadership take a chance on backing a challenger, when they know incumbents win, what, 85% of the time?
Besides, they’ve worked with him, they know him!
/s
tejanarusa @ 11
They’ve already had cocktails and horses’ ovaries with him or something, and he’s a fun party guy on the cocktail party circuit in DC….honestly, that is what DC is ultimately all about.
The official Pelosi statement is what we on the left will be fighting within our own party if we don’t nominate a non DLC presidential candidate.
Speaker Pelosi’s thinking (or lack there of) is about as encouraging as the fundie hive mind and subsequent collapse of the Republican party.
Ashamed to say that woman is from California. What the hell ever happened to cleaning up the corruption? How is it possible to continue to be disillusioned by these bastards? Damn-it!
Eureka Springs @ 13
Makes me want to clutch my pearls…
Raised on Blue America:
donors - 342 $’s - $7,175
Raised across ActBlue:
donors - 3,437 $’s -143,055
Just for the record, I had budgeted X amount for Donna’s campaign, but this just Made Me Angry. So I am in for a much more substantial donna-tion.
LS @ 15
I started chewing pearls months ago. /s
“if they were poor, and they were sleeping on my sidewalk, they’d be arrested for loitering, but because they have ‘impeach Bush’ across their chest, it’s the First Amendment.”
Nancy Pelosi, 10/10/07
I gave Donna Edwards $10.00. You should too.
What is it that Nancy doesn’t understand about keeping our house clean?
Jefferson should have been expelled from D caucus. Wynn (and any other Demo-klepto-crats) should be opposed by the PARTY in the primary.
It’s not like this is rocket science or something…
BC
egregious @ 17
It’s ok, Egreg - I sent Donna love-note too.
Hey Speaker Pelosi, I gave a Benjamin to Donna Edwards!
OT - Um, I’m a little afraid to ask, but some comment posts are hoping Jane is well — did something happen while I was away from the tubes today? After she and Matt sent their kick-ass email?
I don’t think Nancy is too smart. I used to think she had some secret, super-duper plan to explain her lack of action…but now…I think she’s out to lunch (literally). She needs to be voted out of Congress as a total embarrassment and failure.
this is exactly why i don’t believe the house leadership when they blame the
bush dogsblue dogs for their (the leadership’s) inability to do the right thing.no doubt the bush dogs are a big problem. but they are being used as an excuse by the leadership.
AZ Matt @ 16
Thank you.
Dayum. Those are some nice numbers.
Jane had surgery today.
Uhmmm…short note to Nancy dear:
Hate to be the one to break this to you sweetheart, but knee-jerk support for incumbents is not what a person of integrity and principles does.
In case you were never taught this, here’s the rule:
Support the best candidate for the job! Incumbency is not a part of the candidate qualification process.
Nancy, you might want to think this one over again. Yes, I said think. Can we teach you how to do that too?
i am very grateful to Donna Edwards and others who are willing to take up the challenge to be the change we need.
tejanarusa @ 23
I don’t think so. We just want Jane to recover quickly. We miss her voice after all.
Made my donna-tion. Elect more, better democrats.
That’s what we NEED to do.
Remember the old days when we all were excited about the first female Speaker of the House? And her position in line to be Presidency?
Fond memories. Squashed.
TexBetsy @ 27
Planned, not emergency surgery, just to be clear.
Toby Wollin @ 10
Actually, WE are the leaders, they are just our employees. And it’s time we exerted our power.
TexBetsy @ 27
Thanks, Betsy. I’m sorry to hear that; will add my thoughts and prayers to the rest.
Hey Pach, how’s it goin’, eh ?
Any updates on Jane ?
Mad Dogs @ 28
Sadly, I think she has to support Wynn, lest Steny wrestle away the speaker’s chair. It’s not meant to excuse her though.
Seamus D @ 32
Oh, thanks. Whew. That was kind of what I was thinking….
Okay, back to our regularly scheduled snark…
I offer a sad wager that the phrase, “We impeached them and tried them for breaking our laws…That’s what we do” won’t come as easily to such glib tongues in future.
Pelosi spokesperson: “He’s an incumbent. That’s what we do,” he told me when I asked him about Pelosi’s appearance for Wynn. “We help our incumbents.”
No, that’s not what you’re supposed to do. The party leadership is supposed to stay the fuck out of the primaries.
darkblack @ 38
damn commie
Good thoughts and prayers going out to Jane.
Bugger off, Nancy. I gave to Donna today, too. :P
EPU:
Tend your own incumbency homefires, Brendan and Nancy, while you worry about Al Wynn. There’s also a wind blowing your way, threatening your own incumbency, and her name is Cindy Sheehan.
Seamus D @ 32
And relatively minor surgery compared with the past. We expect Jane to be back in fighting trim very soon.
(((((Jane—our General)))))
Joe Klein’s conscience @ 36
There is no excuse for this miserable failure as Speaker and as a human being.
We really need to send her back to SF so she can clean up her sidewalk and pull weeds in her garden.
The nation cannot afford her ‘brand’ of leadership.
TexBetsy @ 40
Ah, dear Texas - If only you knew how indoctrinated I was from an early age to the utter annihilation of the Sino-Soviet complex…
;>)
TexBetsy @ 42
“He’s an incumbent. That’s what we do” just validates my inclination not to be very bloody impressed.
Riesz Fischer @ 39
Thank you. If I was a swearing kind of a person, that is exactly what I would say.
OT- I wonder if Colbert will be gunning for the Dems tonite, considering they turned down his Dem application in SC!
Mad Dogs @ 28
Nancy grew up a political brat in Baltimore and is obviously suffering from invincible arrogance right up there with DiFi and Bar Boxer. Feisty but not particularly bright, IMHO.
I’m in tomorrow when I get paid.
Her spokesman reminds me of the crap the establishment were saying about supporting HoJob Liberman.
Her reason, and the title of the post sound pretty shallow, but maybe that’s a good thing: maybe her support is that shallow.
I’m not holding my breath, though. Congressional democrats are pretty far off my reservation right now.
There was an odd clip on Hardball today of Pelosi saying that if someone called her in a poll on the phone and asked how the Congress was doing she would answer that they hadn’t done much.
It reminded me of Condi’s recent statement about how she would have insisted on greater oversight of private security contractors in Iraq as if she wasn’t precisely the one who could have and should have insisted on it.
Pelosi is the one who can control what comes up in the House and how it is dealt with. She has used this power to facilitate the Republicans and the White House on Iraq and FISA. And of course, she has taken impeachment off the table which in her case has meant taking impeachment investigations off the table as well.
No one is saying that she and the Democrats can win these fights but there is every reason to fight them. She hasn’t tried to. Instead as the post above says, she would rather help obstructionist Democrats win re-election so that they can vote with the Republicans.
Just made my Donna-tion, with a tip to ActBlue.
newspaperbrat @ 50
Exactly right! She is from “old school” politics…the game…
We are not in Kansas anymore, and she seems completely oblivious to the reality of the seriousness of what we are facing…
It boggles the mind…but not her mind, apparently…she’s “playing” with some scary people, and she is the wrong person at this crucial time in history to deal with them…just wrong. That’s all I can come up with to explain her bizarre behavior…unless she’s been threatened or blackmailed, but I don’t think that is the case. Her behavior is endangering the future of the nation.
TeddySanFran @ 43
With all due respect, I cannot see Sheehan as a credible threat to anyone in a primary. Hopefully we can find some other more serious primary challenger against Pelosi. Although, TSF, you’re in that district and I’m not, so you could better tell us what the general reaction on the part of the relevant voters seems to be on Sheehan’s candidacy.
peanutbutter @ 56
I absolutely agree. We need someone with not just character but also experience.
Hugh @ 53
Exactly! She fails by not wielding her Gavel, that We the People put in her hand! 8-(
peanutbutter @ 56
I’m just guessing, but I think the more the cabal cracks down on us, the more people will turn towards the likes of Sheehan and away from the pearl clutcher, cocktail party crew. Losing your kid has a way of snapping you back to the reality of the situation at hand sometimes…albeit, not always.
Considering that whoever wins this primary will win the general (unless Al pulls an RGJoe and runs on the Maryland for Wynn ticket) wouldn’t Nancy Pelosi rather have a non-obstructionist Democrat in the seat?
It’s a blue district of working people who favor impeaching the President. What other districts are like that, but represented by Bush-enabling Democrats? Oh, California’s Eighth District!
i really must say i don’t know anything about Nancy and all this stuff but Spitzer is bitch slapping cris mathews all over the place on hard ball. watch it and consider what the MSM has been doing all day.
peanutbutter @ 56
Cindy is not running in the primary. She is running in the general election as an independent. In a district that voted 70-30 one year ago to direct our congressional representatives to impeach Bush and Cheney.
Pelosi is seriously out of step with her constituency. Whether Sheehan is the person to tap into that dissatisfaction remains to be seen.
I just gave Real Democrat Donna a contribution because, well, that’s what I do!
Hugh @ 53
also some really stupid iran bills, and just last week h.r.1955 (wtf?)
*sigh* Every quiz I’ve taken, Dennis is my man… I swear I’m not a lentil-stirring DFH, and, I’ve never seen an UFO…! *g*
TeddySanFran @ 60
not if those obstructionist democrats serve a purpose.
Rube Cretin @ 61
I’ve been out most of the day - what have the MSM been doing? Britney-watching? Dissing someone’s haircut? Or just, maybe, nothing at all…
CTuttle @ 65
So everything you have ever seen in the nighttime sky you were able to identify?
What surprises me with the quiz results is how far below HC Edwards falls in my results. Like you, the Kman always hits the top of my results.
selise @ 64
That is spooky, Selise! True BS, and speaking of manure, Ammonium Nitrate is basically Chicken Sh*t…
Ummm…
“By Aram Roston
Investigative producer
NBC News
updated 54 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - Federal agents are investigating allegations that the Blackwater USA security firm illegally exported dozens of firearms sound suppressors — commonly known as silencers — to Iraq and other countries for use by company operatives, sources close to the investigation tell NBC News.”
http://dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/11/1/125327/978
“Hersh said U.S. special forces and intelligence operatives have been conducting a lot of “very aggressive” activities inside Iran on the border of Iraq.”
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/.....long-iran/
OT..I know…should have been on the other thread…I know..but, but…
I don’t want to say it, but I’m awonderin’…silencers and all…just sayin’
Eureka Springs @ 68
Heh, I don’t doubt their presence, I just haven’t seen any, sober that is… Edwards does rank near the bottom for me too!
ok, I don’t have a link, heard it on rachael maddow
blackhawk has a commercial and add campaign where they claim the resources to handle “any” catastrophy, including security, rebuilding
let me tell you something;
there is NO reason for them to start that add campaign unless they are trying to set the stage for something they know are pretty certain is comming
they don’t want to be comsidered the enemy when the streats are patrolled by them
this is gettin scarier and scarier
Pach- thanks for this. Pelosi’s support of Wynn needs to be hit hard and often. Donna Edwards is the best of the best.
Earlier this eve, I was searching for online videos re: Edwards and Wynn.
I found a long video (16 mins) from google from a 2006 debate Sponsored by NAACP- Edwards v. Wynn. I just ripped it and made into a file I can edit.
What is totally striking about that video is Steny Hoyer’s responses (he is at long table in front). I watched his body language through the video. He gave only a polite golf clap to Donna at one point. Otherwise, he was totally on board for Wynn, including applauding Wynn’s final statement, and leaning back in disgust at Donna’s final statement.
Short story: I just isn’t Pelosi.
CTuttle @ 69
some of the stuff they are doing in the house is driving me nuts. and i’ve only be paying semi-attention to iran and fisa. what would i be thinking if i were capable of following more?
serious fuckery in the house… most of it seems to be flying under the radar, with far more attention being given to the senate (which probably makes sense - but just because we’re not paying attention, that doesn’t mean bad shit isn’t happening).
Joe Klein’s conscience @ 36
I don`t think she has much choice but to support incumbants - or at least not undermine them - Imagine trying to hold a caucus together when the leader is actively supporting challengers to sitting members.
OMG. Britney spears says “You know” more often than Hillary.
Actually, that’s unfair. I’ve noticed that she’s really worked on it (sent her 2 emails on the subject), and she says it much less often.
Had same influence on W. A couple of months after 9/11, I sent him an email saying that he had a vocabulary of 12 words, and evil doers were 2 (or 1 depending on your editor). He stopped saying evil doers shortly thereafter.
However, I could not get him to abandon nucular in favor of nuclear.
Oh shizzola…Pakistan…not Iran.
Where’s Condi? Where’s Butto? Butto is in Dubai. Condi is somewhere in the M.E.
I want term limits so we don’t have to deal with all the crap about re elections.
There are plenty of talented people who would gladly serve one term in the congress and move on.
Incumbency only breeds nepotism and stupid things like supporting old friends despite better challengers. Lamont anyone?
One term and bye bye. please
And public finance for all elections. please
Siun is upstairs!
selise @ 74
Fortunately, the SJC and Leahy have some spine… I’d still give some aloha to Waxman and Conyers…! *g*
Valley Girl @ 73
but i expected hoyer to want to stab us in the back… somehow a feeling of betrayal makes it worse. and also probably because, until recently, there’s been a lot of pelosi defenders in the blogosphere. more frustrating.
CTuttle @ 80
conyers was part of the leadership that blocked holt’s fisa bill while attempting to rush through the fucked up fisa “restore act”
waxman won’t let sibel edmonds testify, as he is reported to have promised.
and they’re two of the better ones. but that doesn’t mean they are playing games and fucking with us.
About Cindy,
Watch out for Bob Mulholland
He’s going to have some very special assignments. I don’t know what he’s going to pull but he’s going to pull something
For those not in Cali, think of him as the Karl Rove of the CDP (California Democratic Party)
And yes she’s running as Decline to State (Independent)
TeddySanFran @ 60
And this is what makes me believe that Nancy’s office didn’t think through the obvious stupidity of their statement.
Nancy dear, you keep telling us you don’t have enought folks on your side, so get some!
selise @ 82
selise, don’t know if you’re still around but she’s going to f*** the State Secrets Privilege and start talking
http://www.bradblog.com/?p=5197
http://mparent7777-2.blogspot......story.html
1,645 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND..
Citizen Pachacutec and the Firepup Freedom Fighters:
OK folks, let’s have a little love fer the Norseman, I been shakin’ the tree and yellin’ my lungs out that the fix was put in in 1994 and the best we ken hope for is that the Clintonistas represent a corporatist faction that is split from the rulin’ oil and bankin’ oligarchy. The leadership of the Democratic Party has had as it’s top priority gettin’ Mrs. Clinton elected and our military presence cemented in Iraq.
“But Mr. Norske”, you might ask, “what about all the social and economic issues that identify Democrats and the Democratic party like freedom of choice, affirmative action and equality of opportunity, national health care, Social Security and freedom of speech and assembly? Don’t the elected leadership of the Democratic Party and Mrs. Clinton and the DLC corporatists support those issues?”
Well, the leadin’ group advancin’ abortion rights (NARL) is in the tank with Pelosi and Clinton, Obama and Clinton are shakin’ their bag a tricks again on “fixing Social Security”, the Democratic leadership in the Senate continues to enable antebellum pro-slavery judges to appointment to the federal bench and of course there is Iraq…
It’s time to call ‘em all out, Pelosi-Clinton-Reid-Obama et al are nuthin’ but corporatist stooges, only a presidential candidate that is disarticulated from the corporate donor base and not obligated by political history to the current leadership can save the Democratic Party from itself. Edwards has the heart but not the political strength, that leaves Al Gore.
Al Gore…where are ya when we need ya??!!
KEEP THE FAITH AND PASS THE FUCKIN’ AMMUNITION BEFORE THEY GET THE BABIES IN THEIR CRIBS!!
Mad Dogs @ 84
I’m not sure any statement from Pelosi’s office would have been a winner, given that she is doing a fundraiser for Wynn.
DWT links:
http://downwithtyranny.blogspo.....-bush.html
http://downwithtyranny.blogspo.....worse.html
john in sacramento @ 85
yeah, i saw that. but she needs a big media outlet that will agree to air her interview unedited.
fingers crossed, but i’m not confident.
and it really pisses me off that she can’t be doing this with waxman (either via a hearing or an interview with oversight committee staff) - because they could give her limited immunity (so she couldn’t be charged with a crime for speaking).
as it is, she is risking a great deal - unnecessarily if waxman would do his job.
Is it any wonder why there hasn’t been any real accountability for the Bush crime family under this this democratically “controlled” congress?
Is it any wonder why this congress has been running like a car with four flat tires?
$15 to Donna, another $5 to the PAC.
Reminder for SoCal firepups.
Meet-up this Saturday, November 3rd.
Wahoo’s Fish Tacos
1862 Placentia Avenue
Costa Mesa
Noon
Get well card to sign for Jane.
Hugh @ 53
I believe in the tooth fairy. But, it would be entirely possible to impeach Bush et al within one month if the dems decided to do it. Better yet, if they decided not to do it, criminal charges could be sought after the elections. GeorgeCo has got to be scared shitless. They know that they are criminals in every sense of the word, and for the worst crimes possible.
LS @ 55
Can we have Debbie Wasserman-Schultz in charge, please? Or Henry?
peanutbutter @ 56
Agreed. Sheehan is not the answer.
Loo Hoo. @ 94
well, at the moment is pelosi and sheehan.
if you can get someone better to run, then great! but i’ve given up counting on ponies to magically appear.
SanderO @ 78
Woops. We would have lost Russ Feingold and Harry Waxman if term limits were in place. We need our good guys.
Loo Hoo. @ 96
i’m with you.