I can’t even comment.
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I can’t even comment.
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Conservative Libertarian | ||||
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The first question I always like to ask progressives when I’m traveling around Tennessee is, “Why so blue, Blue?”
Is it because you feel as if you’re fighting an uphill battle against that right-wing crazy everyday? Is it because you wonder how people can lie like they do and get away with it? Is it because when you tell your friends and neighbors you’re a Democrat/progressive/liberal they begin to back away slowly? Is it those two little words, “10th Amendment,” that some elected officials seem to be rallying around as if it were 1790 instead of 2010?
Yes, yes and yes, they say. Well, I counter, “What Would Rachel Do (WWRD)?”
She would tell you to first stop believing the lies you are being told.
You, she would say, are not in the Minority. Your values, she would say, are the values that matter to most Tennesseans. Your priorities, she would say, are the priorities that will make Tennessee a better place.
Progressive values & priorities, she would repeat, are the values & priorities of the people of Tennessee.
Seriously. Who in Tennessee doesn’t want broad prosperity, a better future for all, an effective government, and mutual personal responsibility?
If you need more proof, look no further than the Gallup poll last August that showed that Tennessee Democrats have an 8% advantage among registered voters (47% vs. 39%). And there’s no telling how many unregistered Democrats/progressives or “leaning Republicans” there are waiting to be awakened to the truth about progressive values and priorities.
Another indication that Democratic and progressive candidates would be on the winning path if they ignored the social issues used to divide us (and that in reality only appeal to about 20-25% of the electorate) and instead concentrated on what unites all Tennesseans – jobs, education, etc.. – is the latest MTSU poll which states unequivocally that the number one concern of Tennesseans is the economy.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Up next, We’re Right, They’re Wrong Lesson 2: Frame Club.
And truer words than these were never spoken.
“No more,” indeed.
Aunt B says “No More:”
Since it’s more important for the old guard to be gloating jackasses than to do actual Democratic outreach, they have completely missed the shift among some previously neutral or enthusiastic young people towards the TNDP. But because I am already an asshole, I will tell you straight up. Old guard, there’s some coalition building you could do with your young people, if you’d put down the “Oh my god, those idiots and their love for Chip Forrester. How can we run them out of the party this week?” People have come away from this year with the impression that there’s no support for candidates in small races, no support for people who aren’t in the “right” districts. If that’s not also your strategy, you might could find some new allies.
Newscoma says,”No More:”
So here is my take on what happened. Liberal Tennessee bloggers took an ass-kicking for being passionate. Our message of unity for the party was minimized. And there were rumors that the attacks came from members of my own party although I have no proof of that. I have to tell you, I was really shocked and I hope that’s not true.
…
Let’s just say I had to take a break about what’s going on in this state’s party politics. The sad thing I’ve seen is that it’s almost like a frat keg party these days though and everyone who’s blasting back a bad draft beer isn’t anticipating the hangover their going to have tomorrow morning.
Because that’s what’s going to happen if we keep this up come election time.
We have to get it together, campers. So, some of us are taking our concerns offline which honestly, in some ways, means we are probably getting more done than fighting trolls. We shouldn’t feel that we have to do that though.
And there are new fresh faces and blogs out there that want to be a part of the big picture. I feel like, at times, I lost my line of vision on that. We need them.
And THEY haven’t taken their eyes off the prize. So make them welcome. I’m saying that to everyone. The TNDP and the folks who hate the TNDP right now who are still democrats. The mission should be about the principles of the party and not the personalities.
Steve Ross says “No More:”
Anyone who thinks the issue with Democratic Institutions in Tennessee, from the TNDP down to the lowliest of lowly county parties falls on the shoulders of one man or woman is trying to deflect blame from someone who probably REALLY deserves it, that someone either being them, or someone they support. The truth of the matter is that they all have issues that have been around longer than I’ve been paying attention.
I could go on and on about all the crap that shoulda, coulda, woulda, but I’d just be rehashing posts from last November through February, so if you want to know what’s wrong, go back to those posts and apply it to just about everything that has a “Democratic” anything to it in this state, including myself.
In all seriousness, there have been some baby steps in the right direction, but from the TNDP and the Caucus organizations down to the county parties it’s just not happening fast enough.
Heck. Even Kleinheider says, “No More:” (Wait. What?! – Ed.)
But these voters, unlike their tea party activist manipulators, don’t give a damn about Edmund Burke, Ludwig Von Mises or Ayn Rand. They
want jobs and a government that makes sense to them — that’s it. As long as Democratic candidates don’t explicitly agitate their culturally conservative sensibilities and can deflect the appeals Republicans make on those hot-button social issues, these voters can be won over with economic arguments.
No more. No more. No more.
You think you can scare away Tennessee’s new breed of progressives? Go ahead, try. Sling your best mud and your best lies, you cowards. While you hide behind your anonymous troll pseudonyms, we’ll all be here (well, except for Kleinheider – he’s just right) out in the open working for the values, principles, and policy directions important to all Tennesseans and not just a select few.
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