16. What if they're keeping a better Democrat from holding the seat?
If a Republican were holding the seat they would face opposition from a Democrat in every election. If the seat were occupied by a Republican we would at least have a chance of replacing a bad Republican with a good Democrat. Instead, we have a conservative Democrat holding onto a seat that could be occupied by a liberal. The only way to take a step up is in the primary.
10. What makes them think they are "safe" even then?
GOP voters are notorious in lock-stepping with the party, which means voting against the HCR will not save a campaigning Democrat in their eyes. They'll vote against him for simply being a Democrat.
11. there's some time between now and Nov and if there are positive
outcomes from this bill and if employment numbers improve voters may overlook the Democrat label as they have in the past. A lot of what-ifs but such is the human condition.
It's a politically stupid vote to take in any district. It won't win over Republicans. It will make Democrats feel discouraged and stay home.
It isn't enough to have a Democratic majority. We need a majority that will actually pass a progressive agenda. We'll be better off getting rid of these cowards. They're taking up seats that could be held by real Democrats.
We may love this reform.. but it's obvious that 1/2 of the country does not. If we have a Dem in a state that is 80% against this bill, asking them to vote for it would be political suicide. Better to keep them in their seats then a far-right freak who will stop everything. At least this way we get some Yah's out of them.
And, many waited till the very end to see if they could vote nay or not. It's a numbers game.. having 240 doesn't get it any more passed then 216. Better to keep more Dems jobs if ya ask me.
13. That may well be true. But it causes me to wonder why Kucinich was not allowed the same
Edited on Sun Mar-21-10 10:25 PM by laughingliberal
prerogative. Why was it a progressive whose district apparently likes him was not allowed the same political cover to vote against the bill from the left? Just asking.
The Republicans in those districts will still vote Republican. The Democrats will be fed up and stay home. The American public support health care. It wasn't risky to vote yes.
Congressmen live by fear. We need to make the afraid of voting too conservative by defeating them in primaries.
If we keep forgiving conservative Democrats we give them permission to screw the party again and again. Having a Democratic majority isn't enough. We need a majority who will vote on our side when it really matters.
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