The Bet -- Updated

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Monday April 26, 2010 · 12:44 PM PDT

2010/04/26 · 12:44

Folks, we've devolved into more meta about the President's recent appeal to turn out the vote in 2010. And I suppose that is OK, for what it is worth, but I wanted to comment on the actual substance of the President's message.

For years, those of us involved with progressive causes, and in particular, progressive Democratic political strategy, have been confounded by the traditional field program we have gotten out of the DNC and state parties when it comes to non-Presidential elections. Indeed, as Jim Hightower pointed out about the 1994 electoral disaster, had state parties spent event 1/10th of the money on GOTV for getting more Ds that voted in Presidential years than non-Presidential ones to come to the polls, we'd never have suffered big losses like when did in '94.

And that's what makes the President's strategy so refreshing and intriguing. It's a bet he's making with us...and we need to double down on it.

wmtriallawyer

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Thursday April 08, 2010 · 2:00 PM PDT

2010/04/08 · 14:00

Meteor Blades had a good diary up earlier today about the meta-storm that went on the last few days. Set out some new rules. Called for a clean slate. Like I say, good stuff.

Looking at just a few threads and diaries, the clean slate may have lasted a few hours. C'est la vie. I'm trying to stay clean and sober on the meta as well, but let me just make one simple observation and suggestion. Not a rule, not an attempt to quash dissent, nothing like that. But I do think there is a simple solution to all of this.

The beauty of the First Amendment is not only free speech, but you can pick and choose what you want to read. Like the saying goes, if you are really offended by something, change the channel.

wmtriallawyer

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Tuesday April 06, 2010 · 7:10 PM PDT

2010/04/06 · 19:10

then call me a sinner.

Simply put, while I've been fighting the battle for civility and reality on this blog for a long time (most recently in a diary from last December), I cannot agree with the central premise of the current top recommended diary that somehow, these tactics being used for a political purpose are done in a one-sided battle defending the Democratic Party and the President.

I'm all in for civility. Always have been. But the premise that only one side is being uncivil is one I cannot stomach.

wmtriallawyer

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Friday March 26, 2010 · 2:03 PM PDT

2010/03/26 · 14:03

I'm done.

Absolutely, 100% done.

Part of my job as a Democratic activist is to try to persuade voters to vote for my party and my candidates. But on this health care issue, I'm just not going to do it for those that buy the wingnut lies and are wilfully ignorant of the facts.

Why? Because if you bother to even entertain this crap, you're not voting my way anyway. It's that simple.

In the face of concern many have about how we will craft our message in 2010 in the face of a Republican attack machine, my answer is simple: give people the truth. Find OUR voters. And get them to the polls.

wmtriallawyer

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Wednesday February 24, 2010 · 11:02 AM PST

2010/02/24 · 11:02

I'm probably as populist as they come, in a lot of ways. I cut my teeth in politics working for "America's #1 Progressive Populist", Jim Hightower. But when populism dives into hyperbole, it's a dangerous, combustible mix.

This diary has set me off down this road (in particular, the claim that "everyone in the government is bought"), but I've seen this kind of rhetoric before on this blog and elsewhere. People get mad at their government -- and rightfully so -- but then make wild claims against all government employees, including members of our civil service, and it stirs up the pot some more.

And we've got to be better than stirring the pot in the name of populist outrage, because if we don't, we will become indistinguishable from the right wing crazies out there.

wmtriallawyer

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Wednesday February 03, 2010 · 6:54 AM PST

2010/02/03 · 06:54

Remember all the hubbub those on the right had about Christmas underwear bomber Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab? That treating him like a criminal and having the FBI interrogate him was the wrong thing to do? That if we gave him the same rights as criminals (like in that pesky document called the Constitution) it would send the wrong message? That we wouldn't get any intelligence? That he should be shipped off to Gitmo or some other undisclosed location never to be heard from again?

Yeah. Not so much.

wmtriallawyer

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Thursday January 14, 2010 · 5:42 PM PST

2010/01/14 · 17:42

OK, I'm not usually big on a. response diaries or b. short diaries, but something is amiss here.

I'm speaking of this rec listed diary.

Premise of said diary is that Rep. John Shadegg, conservative Republican extraordinaire, is warning Democrats that Hey! He's with the progressives because the health care bill sucks!

And therefore, backlash will ensue in 2010.

There is something waaay fishy here, though...

wmtriallawyer

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Tuesday December 22, 2009 · 8:34 AM PST

2009/12/22 · 08:34

I've never met her, though been in the same room with her. Same goes with Markos. And quite a few (but not all) of the front pagers.

And yet, I wish each of them peace and good wishes for the New Year.

I think it may be time to stop obsessing about personality in the wake of a raw debate on health care, don't you think? Perhaps time to take a deep breath?

The holiday season is upon us, and regardless of your religious beliefs -- or lack thereof -- the approaching new year is always a universal time for reflection and commitment to making the coming year better than the last one.

wmtriallawyer

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Thursday December 17, 2009 · 8:34 AM PST

2009/12/17 · 08:34

Before proceeding to read this diary, do me a favor. Google the following phrase: "health care mandate unconstitutional." I'll wait...

OK. Notice anything about what came up as links? If you were paying attention, you'll notice the Federalist Society, the Heritage Foundation, are other like-minded conservative organizations pushing the talking point that the mandate in the health care bill is somehow unconstitutional.

Why do I bring this up? Because that argument is now being promoted in the progressive blogosphere after what appears to be the death of a public option in the Senate bill. I've seen it posted several times here, even seen prominent Federalist Society links posted with approval.

The problem is...the argument is dead wrong.

wmtriallawyer

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Friday December 11, 2009 · 7:33 AM PST

2009/12/11 · 07:33

This diary has been ruminating in my head for the past several weeks, but I wasn't able to actually write it until now. Don't ask me why...sometimes you aren't ready until the muse actually strikes. This is a collection of cobbled together thoughts based on observations of the netroots and Democratic activists off the blogosphere grid. It will have a lot of meta, some policy and tactical discussion, and a healthy dose of personal perspective. I'm not sure there is an overriding theme, point, purpose, or the like, other than it struck me to write it, and taking my time out of an incredibly busy day to do so. So take it for what you will.

wmtriallawyer

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Thursday November 05, 2009 · 11:12 AM PST

2009/11/05 · 11:12

As all of you, I'm appalled at the poster being featured in the front page diary at this moment. It portrays victims of the Dachau concentration camp, and equates them with "national socialized" health care. More appalling, several elected Republican officials were on hand to stir up these troops of Teabaggers, birthers and the like.

Perhaps these Republicans, and the folks at that rally, should become more in touch with concept of cognitive dissonance, defined as the "uncomfortable feeling caused by two contradictory ideas simultaneously."

My general impression is that none of the folks there would have that uncomfortable feeling. Here's why.

wmtriallawyer

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Wednesday November 04, 2009 · 7:47 AM PST

2009/11/04 · 07:47

Hi all,

Just wanted to use my diary today to promote an event that I happen to be hosting for Judd Legum. As many of you may know, Judd is running for Delegate in Maryland in District 30. You may also know that Judd is a fellow blogger, and founder of Think Progress.

Anyway, Judd is doing a yeoman's job in getting ready to mount a competitive campaign for Delegate in District 30, and here's your chance to help him out.

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The Bet -- Updated

Change the Channel

If Defending My Party and President is a Sin...

I'm Done Trying to Convince the Willfully Ignorant

The Combustible Mix of Populism and Hyperbole

Oh noes! Treating a Terrorist Like a Criminal Actually Works

Huh?

I Don't Know Jane Hamsher.

Debate the Mandate, But Don't Call it Unconstitutional

Lost Opportunities and Lost Friends

Cognitive Dissonance

Calling all Marylanders...Fundraiser for Judd Legum November 14th