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Wyoming Republicans Attack, Say Democrats Are All Wet

CitizenSugar — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 11:00:35 -0700

Were you a Republican in Wyoming yesterday? If you were, had $5 in your pocket, and happened to be swinging by the Jackalope Days festival in Douglas, you'd have had a chance to tell a Democrat go soak his head - literally.

The local Democratic Party hosted a "Dunk a Democrat" booth to raise money for the party - $5 bucks buys 6 balls and a chance to slam a donkey into the drink. Though it might seem like an exercise in self-loathing, with a 4-to-1 ratio of Republicans to Democrats, it means the soggy Ds are laughing all the way to the bank.

The dunking booth is the Democratic party's biggest fundraiser of the year - they're hoping to double the $400 they pulled in last year. The head of the Wyoming Democratic Party had this to say about the brave souls facing the firing squad, "it's a commitment. It's a sacrifice. It's one of those things that needs to be done if we're serious about this election." If Dunking a Dem isn't your style, the Jackalope Days also feature pig wrestling, wiener dog races, and a monster-truck mud bog. I've already got my ticket for next year.

Is trying to drown a Dem for cash a slam-dunk idea - or troubling partisan warfare?

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Does the Long Primary Help the Democrats?

LibertySugar — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:45:15 -0700

Like many others, I have wondered whether this long and unpleasant primary means that Democrats have a death wish. By attacking each other, Democrats would somehow find a way to let the political capital provided by George W. Bush and overall citizen dissatisfaction slip through their fingers. But, recently I started changing my thinking.

An unprecedented number of people are showing up to vote in the Democratic primaries. Both campaigns are developing ground teams and campaign infrastructures in the late-voting states that are being neglected by the Republicans. Whoever wins will have a message which has withstood significant assault. Plus - huge upsets by Democratic House candidates in Louisiana and Mississippi special elections signal that the Democratic message is resonating with Americans.

Of course, whether or not this protracted internecine battle has actually been a net plus for the Democrats remains to be seen. Do you think Democratic voters are still excited about their prospects in the fall, or has too bright a light been shown on the nominee's flaws? Do you buy the polls that say Democrats will defect to McCain if their candidate loses?

Will the Democrats benefit from a contentious primary campaign come November?

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Say What?

TresSugar — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 10:51:50 -0700

"I have decided to run for re-election in 2010 in the Democratic primary. I am ready, willing and anxious to take on all comers and have my candidacy for re-election determined in a general election. Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right. Last year, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania changed their registration to become Democrats. I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans."

-Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter announced today that he's switching parties. This will give the Democrats a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, assuming Al Franken is eventually seated as Minnesota's senator. President Obama called Specter to say the Democrats "are thrilled to have you."

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Will the Democrats Sweep Congress in November?

LibertySugar — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:00:35 -0700

Democrats are licking their lips in anticipation of a big score this November, and I'm not talking about the White House. Election experts report that under the current circumstances, the Democrats will significantly increase their majority in Congress.

Record primary voter turnout, and epic fund raising, demonstrates Democratic momentum. In the House, 29 Republicans plan to retire, while only six Democrats are stepping down this year. The fact that so many senior Republicans are saying goodbye, signals a lack of confidence that their party will regain the majority. Plus, many of the Republican retirees come from swing districts, giving the Dems even better chances.

Many Democrats worry that the bitter battle between Obama and Clinton may make it difficult for the party to take advantage of low GOP approval ratings. But Mark Markos Moulitsas of Daily Kos thinks there is a silver lining in the blue battle. He wrote in Newsweek: "The frenzied organizing around the country has proved a catalyst for dramatic party building in states that had been Democratically dormant."

Do you think the Democrats are going to give the Republicans an election spanking this November?
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Do You Ever Feel Like a "Closet" Democrat or Republican?

CitizenSugar — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:30:17 -0800

Republican Congressman Anh "Joseph" Cao represents a very Democratic district in Louisiana. Last night, he joked that he might be a "closet Democrat" despite his official party affiliation. He also said that parties shouldn't define lawmakers since "we are basically servants of the citizens of the United States."

Cao's statement about being a secret member of the opposition party got me thinking - how often do people's party identification and actual political views clash?

Living in San Francisco many people I know identify as Democrats, since "Republican" has been a bad word here, especially over the last eight years. Still, I have some "democratic" friends who hold pretty conservative views. Maybe they're just to afraid to admit they're actually Republicans. On the other hand, I know some "liberal" adverse individuals who actually support gay marriage, abortion rights, and maybe even some government action to help the economy.

Do you ever feel like if you followed your head, and not your heart, you'd probably switch party affiliation?

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Check This: Little Democrats Books

LibertySugar — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 06:00:07 -0800

Most of you were against using children as political billboards, but what about introducing kids to partisan politics using colorful childrens books? The "Little Democrat" books use, what the author calls, plain and nonjudgmental language to depict "the Democratic principles of fairness, tolerance, peace, equality, and concern for the well-being of others." Author Jeremy Zilber hopes his books will inspire a new generation to be involved and informed.

Here are some example pages:

"Democrats make sure we all are safe, just like mommy does."
"Democrats make sure we all share our toys, just like mommy does."

"Sometimes the Earth feels a little sick. Democrats make it feel better again."

I think it's important to learn about social and political issues at a young age. If parents can send children to religious schools, what's so different about sharing passionate political beliefs?

Do you think that the "Little Democrat" books are simply sharing, or does it sound more like brainwashing?

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Democrats Strongly Support a Woman's Choice to Keep Baby

LibertySugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:15:13 -0700

The 2008 Democratic platform has some new, pro-life-friendly language. The party's 54-page platform, set to be approved in Denver, will have a special section devoted to motherhood. The Democratic Party will make it clear that it "strongly backs a woman's decision to carry a pregnancy to term."

The Democrats don't believe the party's position on abortion has to fall squarely into one camp. The newly-framed abortion stance will be increasingly inclusive: abortion should be legal, but there should also be more programs for expectant mothers who want to keep their babies. A pastor, who identifies as an undecided pro-life Republican, helped the Democrats come up with the platform. He explained the significance like this:

Voters that this will win over are those that are looking for an excuse to vote for Obama.They just needed one signal that, if I vote for him, more babies can be saved than if we keep wrangling over whether Roe v. Wade is going to be overturned.

Meanwhile, John McCain has alarmed his base by suggesting he would pick a pro-choice VP. Do you think the Democrat's new platform makes room for Americans who oppose abortion, but want to support Obama for other reasons?

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Check This: Do the Democrats Have a Death Wish?

LibertySugar — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 15:00:02 -0700

This morning I saw the latest Gallup poll showing Hillary Clinton leading Barack Obama 49 to 42 percent among national Democratic voters. This got me thinking - what is going on with the Dems?!

Even people inside Hillary Clinton's campaign acknowledge that there is no way she can win more pledged delegates, and it is nearly impossible for her to secure a popular-vote victory. So, the only way she can win is if the superdelegates decide that they know best, and effectively take the nomination from Barack Obama.

The people over at the Politico, argue that journalists "have become partners with the Clinton campaign in pretending the contest is closer than it really is." This narrative seems to be working with the polled voters, who apparently think Clinton still has a realistic, and responsible, chance. To see how I really feel, read more.

This has nothing to do with who I'm voting for, but can Hillary really see this working out? Another poll just showed that one in five Democrats will defect to McCain if their candidate doesn't win the nomination. That's Democrats, not independents! The primary season may be driving a dangerous wedge through the party. Al Gore, where are you?!

Am I overreacting here? Perhaps this is how the system is designed to work, and once the Democratic candidates are tested, the winner will come out stronger. Perhaps, the superdelegates do consider other important factors that will help the Democrats win. I just don't buy it. What about you?

Executive Producer Mark Squier Gives DNC a 9 Out of 10

LibertySugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 10:00:00 -0700

The Democratic National Convention, and the Obama-bump that followed, may seem far in the past, but the event will surely live on in history. I got a chance to ask a few questions to Mark Squier, an executive producer of the extremely successful (and fun) Democratic National Convention. When he's not coordinating massive political pageantry, Mark masters smaller-scale political messaging. He has produced ads for numerous members of Congress and governors, and acts as a strategic adviser to many more politicians. Now that the dust of both conventions has settled, take a behind-the-scenes look at the DNC with Mark!

On a scale of 1 to 10 how happy are you with how the DNC turned out?
10 being the highest - a 9. Nothing is ever perfect but this was close. When you consider we had a late primary so we didn't get guidance from a nominee until June - and we had two venues. We didn't have a major malfunction. You have to be happy with the way it turned out. And a shout out to everyone who worked at the Denver convention - the team that was put together was outstanding and it was easy to look good when you had such a committed and hardworking team in your corner. Oh - and not to mention Barack Obama - an incredible candidate to work with in every way.

How do you explain viewership that beat even the Olympics Opening Ceremony?
Americans are worried - it's human nature - they know things are on the wrong track; the wars, the economy, gas prices, health care costs, high unemployment, the national debt, the mortgage crisis. Voters feel these things every day and they know that this election is critically important to getting our nation back on track - so they watch.

To find out if Mark would have done something differently if Hillary Clinton would have won the nomination, how he kept the convention from looking like C-Span, what he thought of the RNC, and if there were any close calls with disaster, read more.

How do you keep the convention from looking like C-Span?
By using the best of all technologies. Television is a great amplifier of communications but it is not interactive. The Internet and all the new technology tools are great for making people feel connected - but it can't compete with the visual spectacle of Thursday night at Invesco field with 80,000 people on television. Using them both - TV to entice and the new technologies to connect - we think really helped get voters to be more involved and take a stake in electing their office holders and their democracy.

You began working on the convention before the Democrats chose Barack Obama. How did the message, or your approach, change once he became the presumptive nominee?
Not a lot. Change has been the message and theme really since Democrats were elected to the majorities in the House and Senate in 2006. In fact, you can see that McCain himself has now gone from arguing experience to trying to be an agent of change with his pick of Governor Palin for VP. Voters are angry - they think the country is off on the wrong track - they want change.

What was the closest call with disaster backstage that the viewers at home had no idea about?
Not telling - but there were a couple.

How do you think the RNC went?
Well. The Palin pick for VP created a lot of curiosity and that drives viewership.

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Day Two: The Democratic Party Unites With Hillary's Big Speech

CitizenSugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 20:11:01 -0700

Dressed in radiant orange, Hillary Clinton, runner-up in the historic Democratic primary, owner of those 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling, brought down the house. The vibe in the air, in the city, and in the arena was one of unadulterated excitement.

Excitement that the candidate who made it so far in the race was here to lend her formidable prowess to the candidate to be, pride over what she accomplished, respect for how she did it, and a little bit of ownership over the memories. Regardless of who voted for whom, in Denver tonight, Democrats came together.

Hillary Clinton, long accused of splintering the party during the agonizing months of the campaign, successfully made the Democrats whole. With signs waving in the stands with "Unity" on one side, and "Obama" on the other, Hillary made even those who aren't Democrats proud to be part of the country that made her candidacy possible. The mood is ebullient and electric, weepy and thrilled. To some tonight, Hillary Clinton just became the new Bill. But that's just what I think - what about you?

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