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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsGrayson’s ‘Just War' of Words proves he's got something to say
Last edited Sun May 31, 2015, 09:13 AM - Edit history (1)
Click here for Phillippi response and update --> http://thefloridasqueeze.com/2015/05/30/graysons-just-war-of-words-proves-hes-got-something-to-say/comment-page-1/#comment-37030
GRAYSONS JUST WAR OF WORDS PROVES HES GOT SOMETHING TO SAY
Clutch your pearls and hover over your favorite fainting couch. Its primary season, so if you dont already have one, heres a link to DIY your own Fainting Couch and Toddler Bed. Build yours this weekend, because with 17 months until the election this baby is apt to see some action.
Check out this couch fainter of an email circulated by (FL Governor hopeful) Nan Richs former Data Director Sean Phillippi. In the email that that some are calling spam, Phillippi says hes a proud member of the Progressive Caucus, and launches into a "concerned Democrat" tirade against Alan Grayson, the presumed primary impediment to lifelong Republican Patrick Murphys entitled bid for Marco Rubios open Senate seat. It's published here at the Squeeze at Phillippi's request.
You have to wonder whether people who know Phillippi knew theyd be targeted for unsolicited messaging on behalf of conserva-Dem Patrick Murphy from the progressive Governor Nan Richs former Data Director. In one email chain shared with me, a lucky recipient of this bonus messaging complains that he didnt sign-up for Murphy campaign propaganda. Phillippi responded in part by saying he knows Murphy very well because he "worked with him since he first started running for office in early 2011, which raises the uncomfortable question of whether the Murphy campaign asked for access to Nan Rich's supporter database.
And this isnt Phillippis first swipe at Grayson. A previous attack piece featured the bizarre claim that Grayson couldnt win African American votes in a statewide race. Now Phillippi would like you to believe that Grayson presents a threat to the entire Democratic Party. The apocalyptic prophecy states that in a fractious primary Alan Graysons language is too colorful, and his divorce so overly divorce-y, that should he run for Senate hed be a serious anchor to Democrats nationwide in 2016, and cause grief for our Presidential nominee at the top of the ticket. It might be worth the eye-rolling to be in on this spam list for pure entertainment, because really where else are your going get this level of political forecasting and unwitting satire?
My all-time favorite among these nuggets of apocalyptica might be the complaints about Graysons comparison of the Tea Party to the KKK, referring to the fringe-right Tea Party as the home of bigotry and discrimination in America today, just as the KKK was for an earlier generation.
Here's a fuller context of Grayson's comparison: ....when the President visited my home of Orlando, Tea Party protesters shouted Kenyan Go Home,....[with] posters saying Obamas Plan: White Slavery, Imam Obama Wants to Ban Pork and The Zoo Has An African Lion, and the White House Has a Lyin African."
That sort of over-the-top racist rhetoric had been heating up for months before Grayson called it out. When was anyone going to put their foot down? This rhetoric has an inherent subtext of violence. In whose reality is it appropriate to let that stand unchallenged? Are we all supposed to just take it and wait for shots to ring out? How is that a liberal Democrat calling out thinly veiled dogwhistles rooted in a history of racial contempt and real violence for being exactly what they are is intemperate, while the racist bile itself is apparently to written off as some kind of "boys will be boys" tomfoolery and let go?
Grayson continued: Members of the Tea Party have circulated countless altered pictures depicting President Obama and the First Lady as monkeys. Tea Party members also called my fellow Member of Congress, civil rights hero John Lewis, a n***ger, and Rep. Barney Frank a faggot....Tea Party Members of Congress have referred to Hispanics as wetbacks, and having cantaloupe-sized calves from picking fruit...there is overwhelming evidence that the Tea Party is the home of bigotry and discrimination in America today, just as the KKK was for an earlier generation. If the hood fits, wear it.
The ugly language may be uncomfortable to hear, but the ugliness didn't come from Grayson pointing it out -- he was simply one of the few willing to do so. Since when do Democrats merit attack from "consultants" within our own party for frankly confronting the worst behavior of our opponents? Isn't that what we ask our "representatives" to do on our behalf?
Another famous Alan Grayson quote that DLC campaign consultant types would like you to feel guilty for is his famous Die Quickly comment on the floor of the House when he was fighting so hard for the Affordable Care Act. This full quote read: The Republicans health care plan for America: Dont get sick. ...But..If you get sick, America, the Republican health care plan is this: "Die quickly."
People like Charlene Dill would tell you how true this if she were still alive. She died quickly from having no health insurance, because the Republicans in Florida would rather that a young mother die from easily treatable illnesses than to provide insurance and see them get better. Again, this is simply a true statement.
Its statements like these are part of the Just War of Words that Alan Grayson has fought on our behalf, which has made him the national brand he is. Hes the very definition of a bold progressive, and thats exactly the problem for these whos-paying-me-this-month-types.
Phillippi wants to complain about Grayson brandishing a sharpened metaphor? Why not instead attack the Tea Partiers for their racism, or the Republicans for obstructing healthcare and letting Floridians die in the process? Apparently we should all join in killing the messenger, lest Republicans be offended when their quite genuinely atrocious policies and tactics are pointed out publicly.
Alan Grayson didnt create the ugliness in the Republican agenda hes working to reveal what's already there so that we might, at last, do something about it. Thats apparently something recent Republican Patrick Murphy's supporters find distasteful and indecorous.
But the young former data director circulating nasty anti-Grayson email really isnt the problem here. Hes doing it on behalf of bigger, bluer dogs up at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, who share interests and consultants with Patrick Murphy. Theyre petrified that a real firebrand liberal like Alan Grayson is in the primary because hell win it. Their dystopian view is that a Democratically-controlled Senate with a formidable progressive caucus would be much more difficult to steer toward Wall Street-friendly interests than the New Democrat Coalition are accustomed to ply on cheap dates with their conservadem puppies.
And there is a bigger picture in play. When the Big Blue Dogs refer to a fractious primary they likely also have in mind the Bernie Sanders vs Hillary Clinton primary. Sanders presents a stark contrast from the bank-funded, corporate-friendly stance of Clinton, and that is apparently sufficiently threatening to the status quo to get Wall Street and its many surrogates lashing out early. If Grayson can succeed despite ruffling the smooth feathers of the financial elite, maybe Sanders can as well. Cue those pearls getting ground to dust in a thousand wealthy, sweaty fists.
"Centrism," as that term is tossed around today, isnt a middle between Republicans and Democrats. Its literally a "third way" that gives primacy to business interests and then says, "See, they're doing better now -- youll be back in shape in no time." It's just another way of selling trickle down economics and Charlene Dill healthcare. Weve spent 30 years trying to make neoliberalism work, and it just hasn't done the job, either in terms of results or success at the polls. The voters have already moved on from the illusion that we can bow to monied interests in exchange for slightly softer social policy and somehow come out ahead.
The consultant class needs us to believe that their losing strategy and tactics arent the problem. Instead its our dang liberal ideology holding us all back. To be clear, that ideology is the value system that says if you work hard and play by the rules you won't wind up living on the streets. That if youre disabled, or a senior, or too sick to work, that the safety net you relied on your whole life will still be there when you need it. It's the value system that says big business should pay their fair share and not leave our country in ruins, and that says economic and political inequality is morally wrong. Centrists hate this talk because it gets in the way of a good back-room deal.
Instead of trying to paper over the literal worldwide social and economic destruction that catering to monied interests has wrought, from which we have yet to even recover, and complaining worriedly about the "tone" of angry Democrats and the middle class, perhaps our helpful "consultants," with their access to data, might actually do some analysis of what has gone wrong, instead of doubling down on "kinder, gentler" conservatism that delivered the legacy of the Bush years still damaging us today.
Grayson is one of the few bold Democrats in Washington like Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders who refuses big donor money in order to fight the Just War of Words.
They might use sharpened metaphors, colorful language, and (gasp!) a raised eyebrow here and there on our behalf against the armies of corporate lobbyists poised to clear the last few scraps from the table.
These are not the people causing the downfall of the party. The ones youre looking for are the ones who cant win an elections because they keep running conservadems like Charlie Crist and Patrick Murphy.
trumad
(41,692 posts)Trust me---the usual characters will pop in this thread and spout their usual bullshit about Grayson.
nashville_brook
(20,958 posts)IdaBriggs
(10,559 posts)for press releases. This is a discussion forum, and I expect posters to DISCUSS. Maybe the press release stuff (with links that all go to fund raising pages which pisses me off when I want to investigate allegations that look like they have supporting links) belongs in its own forum?
His issues with his partner (not wife, since she wasn't divorced when they "married" don't concern me; fraud and lies should not be rewarded, and the fact she wasn't honest about the situation/tried to blackmail her soon-to-be-ex with false abuse charges (disputed by actual video and the testimony of her oldest child) tells me a lot about her character. Of course, "like attracts like" and he is a fighter, too, so having him on our side makes me happy.
nashville_brook
(20,958 posts)like, his staff can't make him stop writing his own stuff.
it would be awesome to do an open thread like we did a few years ago.
i think now, what he has time for is writing his essays and distributing them.
IdaBriggs
(10,559 posts)nashville_brook
(20,958 posts)i'll say tho -- his are the only fundraising emails that i actually read.
rpannier
(24,338 posts)told us with so much confidence how Crist was going to beat Scott easily
How'd that go again?
naoya6161
(147 posts)That was the Governor election, not a Senate election. This one takes place during a presidential year. Very different things.
There's no guarantee Grayson will do better than Murphy. In fact, history suggests he will do worse.
DirkGently
(12,151 posts)They're completely freaked out at the thought he might run for Rubio's seat. It's kind of funny watching them swarm all over Grayson threads belching out the same lines about, "But Grayson said this and Grayson said that. He's too meaaaaan"
They never mention Murphy's policies, of course, because they are terrible and will move exactly no one to the polls. Electing warmed-over Republicans is a failed strategy. Maybe in Kansas or somewhere you can get away running someone who thinks Social Security needs to be "restructured," or that Benghazi needs to be "investigated," but it's not going to fly in a purple state like Florida.
I love watching the Murphy people freak out though.
naoya6161
(147 posts)Just so you know, not everyone in Florida is like you. Grayson's already a proven loser based on 2010 results... He actually did weaker than the moderate candidate.
Issues are almost never the sole defining thing of a campaign. If they were, we wouldn't have the Tea Party!
DirkGently
(12,151 posts)Pretty hard to write off the whole "issues" "thing." People are pree--ety into them.
But yeah. I really think some of the Murphy people are wigging. Maybe not many. But some of them ... a lot!
naoya6161
(147 posts)A candidate can stand right on all the issues but will fail to impress the general public if his campaign is no good.
nashville_brook
(20,958 posts)so, the poster was actually spot-on. The fact that this comes in a Presidential year only counts MORE in Grayson's favor b/c presidential years bring out party ticket voters.
While there's no guarantees in anything, the history most certainly does suggest a Grayson Democrat than a Crist-Dem any day of the week. The history of the last 17 of 18 races run in Florida ALL point to losing Centrists.
The history of the last 2 Dem Governor (statewide) candidates shows that Centrists simply can't push one of these guys into the winner's circle.
It's the definition of insanity to keep doing the same thing and expecting different results.
naoya6161
(147 posts)There's one very simple explanation as to why 2014 and 2016 aren't the same. Hint: president.
nashville_brook
(20,958 posts)naoya6161
(147 posts)Last edited Sun May 31, 2015, 10:27 PM - Edit history (1)
Once again, you're showing me that you're not exactly an informed voter... If you can't answer a simple question, don't expect me to take you seriously.
Like I said, simple difference between 2014 and 2016. It's easy when you think about it.
djean111
(14,255 posts)Hilarious how some screech that Liz Warren was a Republican ONLY 20 YEARS AGO!!!!!!
Patrick Murphy was a Republican LESS THAN 5 FUCKING YEARS AGO!!!!! He only switched so he could run against Allan West. He had no crisis of conscience or awaking or whatever. He just had a LOT of MONEY. I consider that Patrick Murphy and all of his buddies in that New Democratic Coalition are really just Republicans who stole some "D" jerseys. No votes or support for any of them. Ever.
http://newdemocratcoalition-kind.house.gov/ - sounds, really, sort of like Americans for Prosperity (of the Koch brothers). Loves them some triangulation and compromise - which, it seems, really just accomplishes GOP, neo-liberal, and Third way goals. I told them to take me off of any of the statewide lists.
nashville_brook
(20,958 posts)most people tune out of FL politics, i think b/c FL politics are some of the most cynical you'll encounter. the fact that he didn't have a change a heart matters. it's a posture, a business deal.
i have a theory about our cynicism -- it's b/c our politicians tend to be the most corrupt. We ranked #1 for the most convicted public officials 1998-2007.
Rhiannon12866
(206,000 posts)He's the congressman who speaks for me. I worked for my own Congressional candidates, but it just keeps getting worse - in the last election my district voted in a Paul Ryan protégée - so I'm grateful that Congressman Grayson is still there and still speaking out!
nashville_brook
(20,958 posts)and he changed the way i thought about participating politically, with my money. i used to give to the national and state party. now i give directly to candidates and my DEC.
Rhiannon12866
(206,000 posts)I made GOTV calls and went door-to-door for the Democratic candidate in my district, but Alan Grayson was the first candidate I actually contributed to - this president was the second - and I continue to do so, makes me feel like I have a voice.
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)Rhiannon12866
(206,000 posts)DirkGently
(12,151 posts)Grayson has. The fact he's infamous among among Republicans is a bonus!
TrumanTown
(15 posts)Wall Street Suck Up Chuck Schumer Is Running This Smear Campaign On Alan Grayson B/C He will take the Fight to Wall Street and Patrick Murphy will be on His Knees For Wall Street http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2015/05/schumer-plants-his-contemptible-lies-to.html
nashville_brook
(20,958 posts)Down With Tyranny is such a treasure, as is Howie Klein. Here's from the article:
Several weeks ago, a highly placed source within Patrick Murphy's campaign bragged that Chuck Schumer would drive Alan Grayson out of the Florida Senate primary by unleashing a barrage of opposition research about his business dealings. Schumer, easily the sleaziest Democrat in the Senate -- who is desperate to please Wall Street banksters by delivering the open Florida seat to Murphy -- twisted a perfectly innocent SEC filing into a smoking gun of corruption. He then hired Queen Helena's p.r. assistant to find a pathetic "journalist" willing to run it up the flag pole and get the tongues wagging. Schumer did well in planting his bullshit bombshell with lazy would-be muck-raker Adam Smith from the Tampa Bay Times, who was eager to make the story about himself.
Schumer's opposition research isn't focusing on Ron DeSantis, Don Gaetz, Carlos Lopez-Cantera, David Jolly, George LeMieux or any other Republican looking to replace Marco Rubio in the Senate. With Patrick Murphy's deputy chief of staff now the Deputy Political Director of the DSCC, Schumer and his irrelevant handmaiden, Jon Tester, are taking aim against progressive icon Alan Grayson. Adam Smith has been unable to contain himself and has spread their poisonous lies far and wide.
- See more at: http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2015/05/schumer-plants-his-contemptible-lies-to.html#sthash.98VA4m9G.dpuf
ALSO, check out this Majority Report interview with John Nichols from The Nation on forging a way forward. this is really resonating as i've been thinking thru some of this Third Way obstructionism.
http://majority.fm/2015/05/21/521-john-nichols-bernie-sanders-wants-debt-free-college-now-the-conspiracy-that-wont-die/
naoya6161
(147 posts)Like quite a few people actually.
nashville_brook
(20,958 posts)yowza.
naoya6161
(147 posts)First moderate Democrats and now Republicans? You're going to have trouble reaching outside your comfort zone.
nashville_brook
(20,958 posts)But, if you feel the need to support Republicans in their efforts...go right ahead.
naoya6161
(147 posts)You're free to believe otherwise, but... Doesn't change the fact that I know he'll be the best possible Senator from Florida.
nashville_brook
(20,958 posts)naoya6161
(147 posts)nashville_brook
(20,958 posts)naoya6161
(147 posts)You can hate on us Murphy supporters if you'd like... It means absolutely nothing to me.
SamKnause
(13,110 posts)Thank you for posting.
I respect Representative Alan Grayson.
I admire Representative Alan Grayson.
I trust his political decisions and support his bills.
He has earned all of these.
I can count on one hand the politicians that I can say that about.
I so appreciate outspoken Progressives and Socialists.
blackspade
(10,056 posts)K&R!
bbgrunt
(5,281 posts)cali
(114,904 posts)I support and work to get progressives elected. Never mind that some making snide comments about those of us don't think much of Grayson, are ardent supporters of the centrist hawk, Hillary Clinton.
I think Grayson is as phony as a $3 dollar bill and had no self control at all.
heaven05
(18,124 posts)Last edited Sun May 31, 2015, 11:12 AM - Edit history (1)
a long time ago, I called the tea party just what it is, a party of nazis and amerikkkan racists and was slammed, on here, for that. I'm not technically proficient enough to find that post, but over the years since then, I'm right, they. the slammers, were blind to facts. The repubthugs love this party saying and DOING what they can't openly do or be, racists. I don't like the Libertarians either, they are exclusive and dismissive of a certain type of liberal and progressive thought that is inclusive of all who reside in this society. May the tea party stay on the fire too long, boil away and end up as a dried spot in the bottom of the pan, never to be again......I hope
heaven05
(18,124 posts)for whomever gets the nod?
nashville_brook
(20,958 posts)cali
(114,904 posts)heaven05
(18,124 posts)I just can't be so absolutist in the swirl called politics in this country. But, you're entitled.
nashville_brook
(20,958 posts)b/c i see them as looking to build a strong *policy* team. Grayson would bring that.
cali
(114,904 posts)would choose him. He's a loose cannon. He comes off as a bully. He has personal crap. He's a white male and so are both of them. He couldn't help in Florida.
nashville_brook
(20,958 posts)POTUS wants to use the seat. there's plenty of different valid ways to see the usefulness for those two from a policy standpoint.
naoya6161
(147 posts)You never see Biden say things like "Die quickly" or making headlines with his stupid statements.
nashville_brook
(20,958 posts)naoya6161
(147 posts)Tells me he'll have trouble reaching outside his bubble.
nashville_brook
(20,958 posts)pointing up the urgency of the fact that people are literally dying without healthcare. In Florida alone, 6 people DIE every DAY because they are denied healthcare.
but you think the language is what's offensive? am i right?
naoya6161
(147 posts)And dont have as many foot in the mouth moments.
NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)Dont call me Shirley
(10,998 posts)"People like Charlene Dill would tell you how true this if she were still alive. She died quickly from having no health insurance, because the Republicans in Florida would rather that a young mother die from easily treatable illnesses than to provide insurance and see them get better. Again, this is simply a true statement. "
Those rich and "powerful" attacking Grayson are trying to squash his message. He speaks truth those who believe they have power.
Real power is within one's own ability to control one's own self, not those practicing control over others.
nashville_brook
(20,958 posts)a centrist sellout like Patrick Murphy won't stand a chance.
Dont call me Shirley
(10,998 posts)HURRY UP AND DIE ALREADY!
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)cali
(114,904 posts)I just think he's phony and lacking any self-control. And I don't think he's honest. I was right about JE- and I'm not talking about his infidelity- and boy did I get a lot of shit for that. I think I'm right about Grayson too.
onecaliberal
(32,894 posts)Politicians. They are no less entrenched than the other side of the isle. People like Grayson are in it for public service, Murphy is a republican, vote for him get the same corporate bull we've been getting. Democrats had better beware, our voters are not lemmings like republican voters.
nashville_brook
(20,958 posts)so it's yet to be entrenched! put a REAL Dem in there and they'll never get to put their logos on it.
naoya6161
(147 posts)Bradical79
(4,490 posts)If he was running on a bullshit family values platform, or hosting a radio program giving relationship advice, sure lets talk about his nasty divorce all year. Otherwise, it's tabloid level gossiping. You're voting for him to cast votes in congress.
naoya6161
(147 posts)You may not be bothered by it, but there's no guarantee the general voting population will be the same.
DirkGently
(12,151 posts)- Murphy thinks Social Security needs to be "re-structured" to cut benefits, and only promises to keep "present beneficiaries' benefits the same." His "bi-partisan" efforts to "get our fiscal house in order" on the backs of retirees and disabled people is his "signature policy."
- Murphy supports the Keystone Pipeline
- Murphy signed off on the "Benghazi Gate" hearings lunacy the Republicans started.
Possibly this is because Murphy was a Republican until a short a while ago.
That's what rubs "voters" the wrong way.
I'll take Grayson's outspokenness over crypto-Republicanism every time. Most Dems will too.
Want to know the truth? People have already decided that they're not going to support Grayson over Murphy based on everything in the news over the past week.
Believe me when I say Grayson has way more baggage than Murphy. There's a reason the CFG is targeting Murphy...
nashville_brook
(20,958 posts)naoya6161
(147 posts)Kingofalldems
(38,475 posts)He's too much of a Democrat I guess.
RandySF
(59,221 posts)Ghost in the Machine
(14,912 posts)I'm a Southerner, but I know quite a few people from NY and NJ and I love their "fuck you... and if you don't like it, fuck you even harder" attitude. I have the same attitude, but mine is from Miami. It seems that Alan Grayson has the NY *and* FL version of this down perfectly. He can speak for me any time.
Peace,
Ghost
nashville_brook
(20,958 posts)i grew up in FL (space coast) and lived in TN for 20 years. the NY/FL attitude is a *thing* and it he does have it down perfectly.