The new power in the Democratic Party

is the internet grassroots -- the netroots.

Just look at the how much money has been raised for the special election for the seat to represent the 2nd District of Ohio -- a very Republican district -- for the campaign of Iraq War vet Paul Hackett, the Democratic nominee who has been subjected to a vicious "Swift Boat" campaign of lies by desperate Republicans:

http://www.actblue.com/list/hackett

Hackett's ActBlue page has raised nearly $350,000. That is an incredible amount of money -- an unprecedented amount. It shows that the grassroots can rise up as one and snuff out the advantage that Republicans have always had with their well-heeled corporate donors.

The DCCC has only recently figured out that this is a winnable race. But Hackett is going to win this seat and show the country that there is no seat that is unwinnable, that this is a 50-state campaign to take back our country -- to take back our Congress from the Cossacks who are pillaging it. The DCCC came to this conclusion after seeing the surge in support from the internet. They would have written off this race otherwise.

The special election is Tuesday. So, if you have a couple bucks, please consider contributing to Paul Hackett and the future of the Democratic Party.

and very smart. He will go far. :toast:

is that this only works if you can get the internet community fired up and that means NOT a DLC stooge.

forget..The Meteor(the Internet) was coming down to Earth to explode on the dinosaurs(the media). :)

and then the WHITE HOUSE, and then the COUNTRY -- just as Howard Dean outlined it. (Of course, that's assuming we solve the voting machine problem -- a damn big if at this point.)

Honest, forthright, smart, handsome, charismatic...but I got a negative feeling about him, and I hate that because I am really looking for "The Candidate". Can anyone explain this to me?

from what I understand. That might explain the icky feeling. :shrug: Some of them make me feel that way.

I saw him on Hardball and thought he was great. He handled Tweety's questions very well and showed a sense of humor while doing it.

I didn't get a negative feeling, but that's my opinion. :shrug:

against Tweety and he handled himself brilliantly. I can't really tell you why I got a negative feeling. I just did. I hope he proves me wrong.

Yes I like Paul Hackett a lot, and I respect Paul Hackett a lot, but
I also liked Dwight Eisenhower, who was the Republican president when
I was a kid. I am afraid of the Democratic Party morphing into what
used to be known as the Republican Party. I want Paul Hackett to win
but I want a Democratic Party that is the party of FDR and offers a real
progressive agenda in social programs.

carrying a gun, tried to make him seem like one of those guys who might go postal, Hackett was trying to retain his sense of humor while Matthews grilled him about his 'piece' but he seemed uncomfortable after awhile. Tweety also stepped all over Hackett's answer about 'what is a chickenhawk?' Hackett had started a really good response but before he could get out the last thought Matthews started along the ridiculous questioning about his packing heat. It just felt uncomfortable, it went on so long. I think Matthews was trying to paint him as some unstable Vet who might go off, and carry his weapon onto Capitol Hill, even implied he might not have a legally renewed license. Hackett held up well but you can see Chris Matthews was trying really hard to derail his answers and make him appear less sure of himself. I don't think it worked, but it might explain the negative feeling you got, it was coming from Matthews assinine questions rather than from Hackett IMHO.

It was like a look of intense ange, but Hackett was quite upbeat and pleasant, especially in comparison. I don't know if Hardball had been instructed to be especially hard on him or what (especially for his "chickenhawk" remark), but I thought it was one of his worst interviews. I wish he'd go on vacation again so David Gregory could be the guest host. Even better, I wish MSNBC would reverse their roles.

Anyway, I liked Hackett and hope to God he wins this thing!!

days, he was unflappable, got his points across despite Tweety's attempt to undermine him. They are so afraid of decent, honorable candidates because they know their people cannot possibly measure up. That's why they had to annihilate Kerry as viciously as they did, because they were most afraid of his hero, Vet status. How they pulled that off is still amazing to me. Hackett has a more recent history of being a hero, it's going to be harder to smear, especially when he stands by his own words, CHickenhawk and explains it clearly and doesn't back away from it. Please, please, please, let the best candidate win, Hackett.

and it was not what he said. I didn't even know who he was. I came into the room, TV was on Hardball, he was already on, and stopped to listen and find out who he was. Had a very negative feeling about him too. It must be body language or something like that because he's sending out negative vibes by giving the correct message to be elected for where he is running.

from getting the credit card out. I'm glad he's running and he sounds like a good guy. Seems a bit unclear on the purpose of the war. I guess he chooses to believe it was a liberation.

--I'd really like to know what he is going to do to make sure the vote count is fair. A special election like this is a great opportunity for a hand count overseen by representatives of each candidate.

impossible to steal.

Can you guarantee that for us!? :7 :7 :7

Have you donated yet?

to get the set-in-cement Democratic Party leadership to allow us a seat at the table for important policy-making decisions that will effect the direction of this Party? They will deny us as long as possible.

Anyone have any ideas?

While the internet has proven to be a great fundraising tool, you cannot achieve leadership positions using it. The key is to sieze power one local party at a time. It's helpful too if we can get as many progressives in leadership at district and state levels too.

That's how we're doing it in Michigan. Making good progress too.

Julie

but they do understand the power of money. We raise enough money we may finally get a seat at the table.






"I'd also like to say that whatever it is that Howard Dean knows, or whatever it is
that he eats for breakfast every morning, if I could give it to every other Democratic
office holder and would-be office holder, we would immediately become the majority
in the Congress and we would have about 35 governors."

- President Bill Clinton, Nov. 12, 1997