January 3, 2007
To My Fellow Democrats: It's Time To Stop The Politics of Personal Destruction (Lanny Davis)
For more than 30 years this country has developed a habitual scandal culture that feeds on "gotcha" politics and aims not at defeating the political opposition but destroying it - not at saying political adversaries are right or wrong but at declaring them to be good or evil. The result is more and more Americans, fed up and part of a growing angry center, are saying, to borrow Howard Beale's line in Network¸ we are mad as Hell and we're not going to take it anymore.
The bitter legacy of the 1960s and Watergate materialized over the last three decades of the twentieth century into a scandal machine that has progressively generated a level of viciousness and personal destructive power unlike anything seen in America before. And the hypocrisy is shared by the left and the right, by Democrats as well as Republicans. All partisans on both sides, if we can be honest with each other for just a moment, share this much in common: sanctimony when it is the other guy getting the heat, outrage when it is your guy getting the heat; and enough hypocrisy to spread around the evenly across the spectrum in both parties.
There are no clean hands here, certainly not mine.
Since the 1970s, the scandal machine has been truly different, not just in degree but in kind. The Democrats invented the constitutional monster, the Independent Counsel, and then in the 1980s proceeded to use and misuse it to investigate the Reagan and Bush Administrations and too often to allow the criminalization of political differences. Then in the 1990s, it was "gotcha" time, as the Republicans took over both houses of Congress and proceeded to do the same thing against the Clinton Administration.
Not that there wasn't legitimate cause at times for investigations or criminal conduct at times. But the difference, especially in the 1990s, was the combined power of four new elements of scandal machinery that had never existed all at once before: the invention of the 24/7 cable news cycle; the power of the Internet and the misinformation echo chamber of Google and other search engines; the independent counsel, with unlimited budget and unaccountable power in search of a crime; and the final evolution of hyper-partisanship and vitriol leading voices of hate and food fight politics to dominate the body politic. Unfortunately, with the dawn of the twenty-first century, these weapons of mass political destruction, these haters and food fighters on the left and the right seeking the next cycle of "gotcha," did not stop after 9/11, but have continued through the Bush years and up to the present.
Now the question is, which party leaders, if any, have the political courage and political will to seize the moment, rise above this vicious partisanship, and say: Enough? The American people are disgusted, angry, and are saying to both political parties, "a pox on both your houses." Who will be out in front of this angry center in America today? Who will focus on solving problems that people really care about - homeland security in the war against terror, energy independence, paying our massive debts, stopping earmarks and Washington political corruption and reforming the system from top to bottom? Which leader from which party will bring the left and the right together to join a broad center focused on solving problems rather than destroying the opposition?
Perhaps, just perhaps, the people in the angry center will raise their voices so loudly, and they will be so numerous, that they will give one or both of the 2008 presidential nominees of both parties the courage to step up. One or both might just be able to ask us all, partisans on all sides, to sit back and think about what is best for the country and how we can end the suffering and frustration of the scandal, "gotcha" political culture. They might just lead us, convince us - left, right , and center, liberals and conservatives - to take a "time out" from partisanship, even if it is just a brief one-presidential term, to allow our nation to unite in common purpose for the common good in a broad "Grand Coalition" government to solve our problems at home and defeat the terrorist enemy abroad. If they provide that leadership and we as a nation can re-discover our common purpose and a willingness to sacrifice for the public good, then beyond a reasonable doubt we can experience the vision of Thomas Macaulay in "Horatius at the Bridge":
Then none was for a party -
Then all were for the state;
Then the great man helped the poor,
And the poor man loved the great;
Then the lands were fairly portioned!
Then the spoils were fairly sold:
The Romans were like brothers
In the brave days of old.
58 Comments
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The blog looks great!
Comment by Lana — January 3, 2007 @ 2:41 pm
Right…. the time for partisanship is over.
Ha.
When will you learn that unilateral disarmament is a dumb, dumb idea?
The Democrats *are* the party of the center.
Comment by Brad Johnson — January 3, 2007 @ 2:43 pm
Mr. Davis:
The Unity Party has been in the process of forming since ealry last year. I suggest you do some research to understand who we are and why we have formed to answer your question on who will be out front to lead our country out of the mess the present two party system has brought upon us.
In short it will not be a individual, it will be a Party
of both Liberals and Conservatives who agree on one thing, Washington D.C. is broken.
Comment by David Hamlin — January 3, 2007 @ 2:45 pm
Cogent and refreshing. So far the sound-bites do not portend well for the country. If the Democrats show they can run the America without ruining its character, they deserve to stay in office. If they can't, I can hardly wait for the next federal election.
Comment by Charles George — January 3, 2007 @ 2:53 pm
Excuse me??? Your lumping felony crimes, crimes against humanity, lying to the American people to aggressively invade a foreign nation, kill, maim or displace millions of its UNARMED CIVILIAN POPULATION, all for profits and perpetual war to feed the corporate pigs at the trough, the breaking of the laws of this nation with intend and written signing statements so stating, the destruction piece meal of the Constitution adn Bill of Rights, the death of Habeas corpus, the overturning of the posse comitatus law, the militarization and federalization of our local law enforcement, and you want to compare that to "Politics of Personal Destruction??"
Not a friggen chance buddy. I expected that from the repubs cause I see them as machiavellian, but not you and hte dems. I saw the dems as reaffirming the good that is of this nation including but not limited to:
1. The absolute commitment to the rule of law.
2. Accountability for violations of both local, federal and international law breaking.
3. Standing for principle instead of political expediency, which makes you no less machiavellian if you don't.
4. The anger from the center of which I am a part is at the core of the very things I have listed in 1-3. You don't address them, then all bets are off for us out here too.
We will assume we are on our own and act accordingly. We will redevelop as sense of community among ourselves, follow our own laws, not vote ever again in your so called system but only in our own and so forth.
Your right, its bad right now and getting worse and from what I just read from you right now, its worse than I ever thought. I will give up on the system entirely as will millions of us. You all are useless when it comes to something truly important for the nations well being.
Your suppose to be leaders and right now I don't see any at all. Maybe its us. We have elected you and you reflect us and we are the problem and need to fix ourselves before its too late if it isn't already too late. Rome is burning.
Comment by Prophit — January 3, 2007 @ 2:58 pm
Dang it, I was hoping that you would name names, that you had obtained a commitment from someone to step up. I'd like to see someone do that, as well.
While I would like to see a Democrat be that person, I believe that it is more likely to be McCain or Giuliani. Mainly because the Repub caricaturizing machine is more finely tuned. And now that McCain has regained some of his intra-party cred, it is about time for him to move back to the "Straight Talk" gambit.
Comment by azpaull — January 3, 2007 @ 3:23 pm
I would hope that all involved with federal power would again work toward the good of the country. However, I believe there is too much water over the dam. I have spoken to a half dozen staffers who believed my idea was ‘excellent,’ ‘needed’ and yet would never recommend their boss push it. “That type of idea is for the folks on the other side of the aisle to put out, not us” reflects the partisan politics which accomplishes nothing.
Courage in this town is in an inverse proportion to partisanship. And the country suffers.
Comment by Howard J. Wooldridge — January 3, 2007 @ 3:41 pm
I am so glad to see the new blog up.
Comment by Doug Eldritch — January 3, 2007 @ 3:44 pm
Thanks Jeff,
Taken care of.
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2007/01/03/publiceye/entry2327345.shtml#ccmm
Comment by Doug Eldritch — January 3, 2007 @ 4:13 pm
recorded by Secret Service Agent J.D. Bell and Patrick Fitzgerald now too.
Comment by Doug Eldritch — January 3, 2007 @ 4:14 pm
Great blog! But overly simplistic post … well beyond the point of unproductive navel gazing.
People aren't turning away from politics and public service. They voted in astronomical numbers in 2004, then again for a mid-term in 2006. Turnout is through the roof.
What people ARE frustrated with is lack of conviction and sincerity from their leaders - a deficit found much more often in the pious faux center that says that standing up and fighting for an idea you think is right (and what you were perhaps elected on) … is somehow wrong. Or impolite.
The REAL center wants inspired, thoughtful leadership. Like Kennedy. Or Reagan. Leadership that articulates a clear path for our country, and proposes solutions to issues that maybe not everyone wants to hear.
To silence these voices of progress and change in the name of centrism is cowardly, and wrong. And that is what this post seems to do.
Comment by Steve — January 3, 2007 @ 5:34 pm
Dear Dear Lanny, why am I not surprised by your comments? Where were you with those comments when the Dem's were exhibiting their hateful speech? Where were you with those oh so "let't get along" words when the left, Dem's, libs were not the majority?? AW, now we should all get along. You know we really should but I didn't hear one word from you until now. ANd now we have dear Ms. Nancy wanting to get along and be so ethical, you folks are a hoot. If you weren't so two faced and it wasn't so serious, I would call you a bunch of keystone cops. Give me a break and I am a Democrat. Been one for more years that you can count. Daling you are funny.
Comment by laura — January 4, 2007 @ 12:50 am
oy. vey.
our government has been co-opted by every big money interest imaginable, our president misled us into the worst strategic disaster in memory, our entire country is leveraged by foreign creditors and the defense industry, the president has subverted the constitutional will of congress…and you're worried about this crap. my fellow democrats, who gives a rat's patoot what this schlameel gobbles on about.
Comment by moe — January 4, 2007 @ 8:05 am
Danny is a Dem? What a shock!
Comment by Danny is a Dem? — January 4, 2007 @ 8:08 am
Your basic premise seems to be that the American voter's main complaint is the "politics of personal destruction", and that changing to being polite to the Republicans should be the Democrats' priority. I disagree. American's first issue is Iraq. Democrats must oppose escalation, demand accountability of the money spent, and require pay as you go to apply to that war. American's next issues(as a group)involve the failure of Republican economic policies such as the minimum wage, tax policies that shifted tax obligations from the wealthy to the middle class and to our children, and lack of affordable health insurance. Democrats can address many smaller parts of these economic problems. Take care of these issues,and the voters will not care about campaign tactics.
Comment by Albert K. Lawler — January 4, 2007 @ 8:13 am
I think the key for the 110th Congress is to, first, establish credibility by passing the key legislation, and conduct the sorely needed oversight.
Comment by Matt — January 4, 2007 @ 8:21 am
I DON'T HAVE ANY ARGUMENTS ABOUT THE BLOG, HOWEVER, I THINK THIS SHOULD NOT IMPEAD US, THE DEMS, FROM OVERSIGHT BOTH PRESENT, FUTURE, AND PAST. WE HAVE SUFFERED TOO MUCH TO JUST LIVE AND LET LIVE.
Comment by john laster — January 4, 2007 @ 8:31 am
The country is angry-angry we're still in Iraq. T
The idea that Dems should play nice (while we're all wondering where we're going and why we're in a handbasket) maybe works in the beltway, but out here in America it seems naive.
Comment by BlueMan — January 4, 2007 @ 8:36 am
How ironic. Mr. Davis who dumpster dived and found random quotes on the internet and used them to smear Lamont, is now Holy Lanny who is telling us not to smear people.
The second irony is that someone who understands so little about blogs is now writing one?
Comment by Ned Lamont — January 4, 2007 @ 8:36 am
I take your point about your hands being dirty.
Comment by Irving — January 4, 2007 @ 8:48 am
The American people are not saying "a pox on both your houses". Really–were you in the country last November? They said "a pox on YOUR house", which, for the past six years, has been a Republican House (and Senate, and White House, and Supreme Court.)
Who's been saying that their opponents "aid and comfort" our enemies in war? Republican President George W. Bush. Who's been saying that electing their policital opponents will result in "more terrorist attacks"? Republican Vice President Richard Cheney.
In 100% seriousness I invite you to provide similar examples of repeated, high-level, widely-reported quotes from the other side of the aisle. (Incidentally, any quotes referring to actual criminal activity taken up by the judicial system don't count.) If you find you can't, I think you will have learned something.
Given the seriousness of the subject, the responsibility to address it accurately, and the widespread availability of evidence to the contrary, it's entirely possible this is the stupidest thing I've ever read, and I spent a lot of years as a college professor reading extremely bad student essays. In fairness, your grammar is much better.
Comment by Andrew Foland — January 4, 2007 @ 8:56 am
"The Angry Center"?–get a freaking life. The "center" of american politics is a large majority of people who dont have enough free time to figure out the extent to which their pockets are being raped by the republicans. Your quest to equate minor demmocratic with major republican abuses is the most self destructive thing I can think of.
Comment by sonandar — January 4, 2007 @ 9:00 am
I don't remember DC Pundits calling for civility when Tom Delay was running roughshod over the House rules and ethics…holding votes in the middle of the night…refusing to consider any bill that was introduced by a Democrat. No, their was conspicuous silence from the Pundit class then. I also seem to remember, it was the Pundits (and the MSM) who told us that Al Gore was "goofy"…spreading the untrue meme that he said he invented the internet while all the time ignoring GW Bush's serious defects and in fact pushing his candidacy as a "regular guy who you'd like to have a beer with"
You followed up by telling us all to back Bush's insane invasion of Iraq and continued to do so until it was so bad that even the Pundits took notice.
So you will excuse me it I take everything the Pundits say with a grain of salt since they have been consistently wrong for the past 12 years.
Bush has committed serious crimes. I for one will be horrified if the Democratic Congress does not hold hearings and start holding some people accountable. I believe that is what this past election was all about. The people clearly spoke, and they were not speaking for civility or politics as usual, they were speaking for "accountability"
You may or may not have noticed that the "Press" is held in even lower regard than those in Congress. There is a very good reason for that and one you and your cohorts should take to heart.
You mention the "center"! Well the center has been push to the right over the last 12 years by the Republicans, big business and the Pundits. The "center" as you call it is a lot more to the left than you realize.
Lastly, if you are looking for a 2008 candidate who is principled, competent, can bring this country together and start to repair our international standing, look no further that Wes Clark.
He is not part of the fetid incestuous soup that is inside the beltway group think. He is an outsider whom the country will trust to do the right thing because he does not say things or make decisions for political expedience nor does he owe favors. He would have the welfare of the country writ large…..and get us out of Iraq with some dignity. The men and women in uniform deserve no less after being used and abused by this administration.
Comment by tell the truth — January 4, 2007 @ 9:15 am
It's nice to finally see a Democrat like Mr. Davis own up to the fact that Democrats are the ones who started the whole politics of personal destruction. What happened under Watergate was a disgrace — a popular president brought down by a partisan witch hunt. American politics have never been the same. Not to mention the millions of Cambodians who died as a result.
Comment by DougJ — January 4, 2007 @ 9:25 am
The voice of the reasonable middle is here. ( see Revelations: 15,16 )
Comment by Bruce Wilson — January 4, 2007 @ 9:28 am
Boo-hoo! The GOP spent twelve years practicing the politics of personal destruction, shutting out the minority and avoiding the people's business at all cost.
We are now going to do the people's business and, only when necessary, work with that corrupt party.
We don't, however, have to make them partners or be nice about it.
How come Lanny never asked the GOP to form a "grand coalition"? Because the corporate media types who sign his fat paychecks wouldn't like it.
Lanny Davis is part of the right wing corporate media and one of the people we are trying to fight in order to restore DEMOCRACY in this country.
Comment by howie — January 4, 2007 @ 9:32 am
3,000 people are dead, and we're worrying that Democrats and
Republicans are too mean to each other. Christ almighty, try to figure out your priorities.
Comment by jfaberuiuc — January 4, 2007 @ 9:36 am
Oh, please, just STFU already. No party can unilaterally say "Enough!" The Democratic Party has shouted "Enough!" MANY, MANY, MANY times now. Has that shut up Rush Limbaugh? Has it made one iota of a difference to Bill O'Reilly and Fox News?? Of course not.
The Democrats can't stop the Right from being what they are –> immoral smear artists who peddle in lies, fear and intimidation. The Democrats can't just disengage from the Right's taunts… that doesn't work and only leaves the public feeling that Democrats don't stick up for themselves.
BULLSHIT!! What do you call this last election?? Did the American people say 'a pox on the house of the Democrats'?? NO!! We won. As Cheney might say, "Bigtime!"
You are full of shit. The Democratic party can start being nice and civil just as soon as the Republicans start behaving like decent human beings. Until then, we should give as good as we get.
Comment by Myrtle Parker — January 4, 2007 @ 9:38 am
You are no Democrat Mr. Davis. Aren't you a member of the Connecticut for Lieberman party?
Comment by Kalex — January 4, 2007 @ 9:50 am
Apparently, only positive comments allowed.
And so tiny!
Comment by BlueMan — January 4, 2007 @ 10:03 am
What planet are you living on? Republicans have been calling us traitors, asking for us to be deported, executed, etc, and yet you have the nerve to ask us to stop it? Jesus H. christ, get a clue. Until the republican party gets rid of their most extreme elements, this is how its going to be. And don't even compare their extremists to ours, we don't call for executions.
Comment by jambro — January 4, 2007 @ 10:12 am
Your moral equivalency between the two parties leads you to posit a false problem and an erroneous conclusion.
There is no comparison between the legitimate use of the independent council to investigate the Watergate burglary and the illigitimate use of the independent council to investigate the 43rd President of the USA.
There is no comparison between the treatment of candidate Bush by the press and the treatment of candidate Gore. There is no comparison between the language used by Republican congressmen to describe liberals and the language used by Democratic congressmen to describe conservatives.
In short one part of the political spectrum has been at War with other. But it does not mean that the other has behaved or mirrored the actions of that one part - The Republican Party of the United States of America and its supporters in the conservative movement.
Evil is as evil does. Don't airbrush the truth to make a nice story.
Democrats will behave as their conscience dictates to fulfill the duty of their office and to fulfill their program for the American people. If Republicans wish to act in a bi-partizan manner they are free to do so, but they must climb out of the extremist tree first. Considering that they are still taking marching orders from K. Rove I find that extremely unlikely. Don't be gullible.
Comment by Northern Observer — January 4, 2007 @ 10:15 am
You're asking for universal disarmament.
Comment by Steve High — January 4, 2007 @ 10:16 am
why is it your whining BEGINS on the day of a Democratic congress? where was your bellyaching when the Republicans were cornholing the country?
feh…
retire…
Comment by Hubris Sonic — January 4, 2007 @ 10:18 am
As far as the "politics of personal destruction" aspect, I don't know who the Democrats had to equal Nixon, Lee Atwater, or Rove. Where is the Dem Limbaugh, or Hannity? And I guess investigating Iran-Contra was just as petty as Whitewater. This isn't a close call. You've lost all sense of perspective or you're a Republican now.
Comment by Marvin Toler — January 4, 2007 @ 10:21 am
"It’s Time To Stop The Politics of Personal Destruction"
Rather pander to the religious right, correct Lanny? Remember Terry Schaivo Lanny? remember stabbing the party in the back on that one Lanny?
dear Lanny, go away.
Comment by Hubris Sonic — January 4, 2007 @ 10:23 am
oh Lanny, please. Spare us the phony outrage. Let's not forget who initiated the PoPD and who thrives on it: Republicans.
Comment by Flamethrower — January 4, 2007 @ 10:37 am
Yes, now that Democrats have just a shred of power, we have to respect the minority party and all be polite and proper.
Unilateral disarmement before those who declare that "bipartisanship is date rape" is a great plan!
Comment by Dan — January 4, 2007 @ 10:42 am
"who will focus on solving problems that people really care about - homeland security in the war against terror, energy independence, paying our massive debts, stopping earmarks and Washington political corruption and reforming the system from top to bottom?"
Sounds oddly tlike the democratic agenda that has massive support from the american people. This is the agenda that the Republican party would not addrss during the past 6 years of self-aggrandizing socially divisive "leadership".
I dont get why a post like yours is addrssed equally to both parties. REAL conservatives like Sam Brownback or Mike Crapo have a role to play. The corporatist money grubbers dont. And dont try and say its a balanced corruption. There are a few limited Ds but the Bob Neys/ Tom Delays/ et al really are the ones corrsive to our countries well-being.
Comment by Kurt Holzer — January 4, 2007 @ 10:47 am
This posting really does a disservice to the Democrats. One really cannot equate the Democrats' legitimate, if sometimes overzealous, investigations of corruption in the 1980s with the politics of personal destruction practiced by the Republicans since 1994. As Bill Clinton, John Kerry, and Max Cleland can all attest too, the Repbulicans have been shameless in their efforts to tear Democrats down, while Democrats have predominantly stuck to challenging Republicans on the basis of the issues and policy disagreements. To suggest that Democrats are equally to blame for the level of incivility in DC is simply inaccurate and, therefore, makes it significantly more difficult to address the problem.
Comment by Shannon Fisk — January 4, 2007 @ 10:53 am
Someone at MyDD said tey posted the following, and I don't see it. It certainly bears repeating:
Right…. the time for partisanship is over.
Ha.
When will you learn that unilateral disarmament is a dumb, dumb idea?
The Democrats are the party of the center.
Comment by jfaberuiuc — January 4, 2007 @ 11:13 am
OK Mom! No more fighting! Promise.
Sheesh. Where were all you 'angry center' folks when the Republicans were in power dragging things so far to the right? Oh, Democrats have power now, everyone should just play nice and not repair any damage that's been done. What's going to happen when Republicans are back in power? I'll guess you'll be back with your nose in the corner, or elsewhere for that matter.
Comment by ChrisOwens — January 4, 2007 @ 11:20 am
What a bizarre post.
If the American people were really saying "A pox on both their houses," then wouldn't the voting totals in the 2006 mid-terms have been more or less equal? Instead, the Democrats won decisively, and the Republicans were repudiated.
Personally, if vicious partisanship is what it takes to restore Constitutional government from the depredations of the criminal Republican regime — theory of the unitary executivce, signing statements, illegal warrantless surveillance, destruction of habeas corpus, prison camps, and only today opening our mail — then bring it on, say I.
I realize that the kind of people-powered politics this task will require leaves little room for The Aristocrats of the Beltway — the pundits, the high-priced consultants, the cocktail wienie chompers — but then your business model really isn't my problem, is it?
Good luck with your blog, though. I love the Macaulay quote. Ah, the good old days….
Nothing personal about any of that, eh?
Comment by lambert strether — January 4, 2007 @ 11:30 am
Ugh.
It wasn't Democrats calling Republicans traitors or terrorist sympathizers or "Blame-America-Firsters." It wasn't Democrats suggesting that another attack on America was a foregone conclusion if the other party was elected. Democrats also tend to aim their epithets at politicians, not the ordinary people who voted for them, which can't really be said for Republicans.
The left can be just as shrill and obnoxious as the right but it wasn't "the politics of personal destruction" that brought down the GOP, but rather sloth, greed, and unmitigated hypocrisy. Outing the Chair of the Missing and Exploited Children's caucus as a pedophile and making him the public face of his party isn't personal destruction, it's the chickens coming home to roost.
Lanny, every time you rear your head in any media it's to wag your finger at the Democrats. How appropriate that your picture appears underneath Dick Morris on the siderail.
Comment by Brendan — January 4, 2007 @ 11:42 am
Please give some examples of hyper-partisanship from the left comparable to the impeachment of Clinton, or the exclusion of Democrats from debate in the House. You are writing generalities.
Comment by whomever1 — January 4, 2007 @ 12:00 pm
You're out of your mind. I guess Iran-Contra was no big deal, just selling a few arms to Iran to fund right-wing death squads, right?
The politics of personal destruction is a one-party disease, Mr. Davis, something which is obvious to all but the somnambulant. (Hint: it's not the Democrats!)
You're like a beaten wife mewling, "But he's sorry! He'll change, he told me! from her bloody, puffy lips.
Comment by Rachel — January 4, 2007 @ 12:07 pm
Was Jesus overturning the moneychangers' tables in the temple employing the politics of personal destruction??
Comment by Howard Dean — January 4, 2007 @ 12:31 pm
Why do those who parrot GOP talking points insist on calling themselves Democrats? Why do those who lobby for the largest companies in America think that anyone believes they represent mainstream Democratic opinion?
Please crawl back into your hole, Mr. Davis, and allow the real Democrats to do the business of America.
Comment by Kenneth Fair — January 4, 2007 @ 12:41 pm
I believe that "the politics of personal destruction" is a better name for what has become of our political culture. That one's political views have, especially in the last six years, become some kind of societal arbiter of one's own personal worth to the country or to humanity as a whole.
This is a natural by-product of seeking power for power's sake.
But power has it's uses and using it judiciously to return the republic back to the rule of law is by no means playing "gotcha!"
The left and the Democrats (the centrist wing of the left) have long been accused of being "anti-American" merely for calling for our elected officials to be held to the same standard as the rest of us. To call for the slowing of this process in the hope of regaining some forward momentum on social issues is to doom both causes.
Comment by ERic — January 4, 2007 @ 1:13 pm
George,
The Democrats are not running the country. That would be the self-admitted and dubiously-cured alcoholic president, a proven liar.
And why would you worry about the Democrats ruining the country's character? Do you mean Clinton's famous screwing around? Most Republican men I know say that's the first good thing they've heard about him.
Comment by Steve High — January 4, 2007 @ 1:16 pm
This is a joke. Lanny Davis shows his true colors ad a pro Lieberbman "Bush kiss" kind of guy in this post. Normally it would be considered poor taste to stand on single issue inside the new progessive movement. However, on the issue of this war, and his support of a Senator who continually threatens to change parties and supports a Bush escalation of the war… Lenny is not going to score any points with those of us who united to elect progressive candidates.
This election was about doing what is right. The Republicans put the foxes in charge of every hen house, and stole our money. They ruined our image in the world,and continually bashed Democrats. Lieberman and Lenny were a huge party to that. This new "we won, surrender" tactic Lanny advocates in this post here is complete BS. The people want a positive agenda and for us to get out of Iraq. The Republicans do not stand for any of that. Lanny is an enabler. Don't fall for Lanny's foolish, appeaser rhetoric.
Comment by PTC — January 4, 2007 @ 1:32 pm
There has been a dramatic reconfiguration of executive power in the last few years, done in secret. Now is not the time of weak-kneed bipartisanship. Now is the time to clear the air, clean up the mess and fix what's gone wrong in the last six years - politically, economically and in foreign policy. Then, we can settle down into happy bipartisanship.
From what we already know, Bush looks a lot more like a Nixon than a Clinton. I'm happy to leave politicians' personal lives alone, but corruption and ineptitude need to be exposed not covered up.
Comment by glassonion — January 4, 2007 @ 1:50 pm
I disagree with your premise of somehow this being a prevalent problem within just the democratic party. The American people don't want warm fuzzy-wuzzy bipartisanship. They want a funnctional government. Government is to have levels of partisanship and bipartisanship. Every issue can't be decided in a bipartisan manner, nor should it be.
For example, a woman's right over her body is an issue that has many sides. We should not deny the issue, or overlook it, just for the sake of looking bipartisan.
(This is the same Laney Davis that picked one blog entry, from one blogger, on one particular day, from DailyKos.com and tried to insinuate that ALL of DailyKos was anti-Semitic in an op-ed(and subsequently went on Bill O'Reilly's show after pinning that op-ed). He never bother reading the comments on the blog entry which condemn the blogger who wrote that particular blog entry. Laney went on Al Franken's show at a later date, and Al made reference to that same point. Laney eventually conceded that he had not read the comment tree that is common on all blogs. Besides anti-Israel does NOT equal anti-Semitic. I do believe that the Jewish people are God's chosen but that does not mean the Jewish people are sin-free)
Comment by Morel — January 4, 2007 @ 3:36 pm
I must say to some of the posters that I think it is in poor taste to attack Lanny Davis on his own blog.
Now if you want to say that George Bush was a drunken frat boy who basically deserted from the U.S. Air Force because he couldn't pass a drug test, who sponged off his parents until he was 40 and who now, it appears, also connived somehow to get an MBA without writing a thesis, I would say that is fair comment.
To the issue of partisanship, can anyone recall a former president's being the object of contempt, smears, and lies by the incoming Administration.
The GOP has lost but is totally unrepentant. Partisanship is the remedy the Republicans have chosen and I propose to give them as much as they can handle.
I want to hear apologies to Bill Clinton. I want Bush, as every former president as done, to consult with him. But Bush, the slimeball, couldn't even bring himself to be polite the dead Gerald Ford, so it's unlikely that we'll see bipartisanship from either him or Rove.
I want to see the GOP paid back until they squeal and express remorse. I want to see something other than universal party-line votes from them.
Then we can talk about bipartisanship.
Comment by Steve High — January 4, 2007 @ 4:33 pm
everything you need to know about the establishment media is embodied in this post: lack of logic and relentless republican spin.
lanny, babe, take your friend joe LIEberman and go away. i ask this in a bipartisan manner.
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Comment by korin — February 7, 2007 @ 7:13 pm
You have to blame the drug companies who tell doctors to dispense drug as if they were candy so that the drug company can make more money. WBR LeoP
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