No matter what had happened last night, it would have only proved what the same people you are trying to address here wanted it to prove.

We won? It proves that things are working and we should stop catering to those who want "purity"!!!

We lost? It proves that those who want "purity" are destroying the party by staying home!!!!

This place really depresses me sometimes.

instead of gossip and personalities.

" I hate Bernie, I hate Perez". Fucking gossip.

Kim Kardashian vs Taylor Swift. Stupid and counterproductive. It's all bullshit.

Every DU'er agrees on policy goals. Some disagree on implementation and how to get there. Pretending our minor differences are major is garbage.

Get a clue from Periello and Northam. Periello worked his ass off to get Northam elected. He didn't throw idiotic shade, he didn't obsess over personality, he fucking knows we're all on the same side.

but I wasn't salivating over anything yesterday. I did my duty as I've done for the past 35 years and voted straight dem ticket and got a bunch of folks elected in my blue state of NJ. There hasn't been a single election year, major or minor where that hasn't been the case.

I'm happy about every single win. Everyone involved did a great job and yes we should all be happy because as you said we agree on policy goals and our differences are minor.

But there's been just as many if not more crowing posts about "See!!!! We were right!!!" from the status quo side of things as there have been anyone else. As great as these wins are, the only really surprising wins were the more local offices and a lot of groundbreaking stuff there. Which are great starting points but need to be replicated and flow upward to a national level. The biggest victories yesterday were great but not exactly the "OMG HOLY SHIT THE REVOLUTION IS NOW!!!!!" victories. Northam winning a purple state that Hillary won and that has previously and recently had Dem governors and Murphy winning in NJ, a blue state to succeed the least popular politician in the country are great but hardly harbingers of anything either way.

The point is that nothing that came out of yesterday is symbolic of a resounding national message either way no matter whether you're in favor of the shaking things up message or the "stay the course" message. We need to keep things going.

national message. https://www.democratic-underground.com/1017465689

IMHO every DU'er wants the party to be stronger, stand up for working people no one is arguing for stagnation.

I haven't heard anybody at DU seriously say "Stay the course!"

The only folks I've seen use that phrase are constructing strawmen to beat up on other DU'ers.

I admit to being drunk last night, hence all the f-bombs, lol. But I'm sober now and I still will make the same point:

Time for DU to stop arguing about "personalities", focus on policies and how we are going to make our goals reality.

The only nitpick I personally make is that here in my home state we didn't go with someone bolder than Murphy.

I get that in red states we need to pick and choose our battles and aren't going to be able to run firebrand liberals. But in NJ we could have run a slice of moldy bread and if it had a D after it's name it would have beat Christie's Lt. Governer. So in a place like deep blue New Jersey, in a climate where it was a Democratic slam dunk no matter what, we ran a safe, moderate, middle aged white guy with Wall Street ties. I've got nothing against Murphy and I hope he does a great job and is very successful. But I think we need to focus on deepening our bench and taking some chances when we can. And if we have to hear how we need to be "safe" when a seat or a race is potentially risky then I'd like us to be a little more daring and bold when it's an absolute gimmie.

Thanks for the reply.

The OP is encouraging us to stay fresh, stay innovative, and keep winning.

C'mon people now.

And that shows "the course" that claims that we have to dismiss "identity politics" in order to win these people over to take back the house and senate is sure not worth "staying."


White men voted for Gillespie over Northam by 63% to 36%. White women voted for Gillespie by 51% to 48%.

We still won, because of voters of color weren't fooled or taken in by those who thought Northam "didn't earn their vote."

Time to remember and respect who our damn base really is.

That's "the course" that was revealed.

We know who we are and we know what we must do. And we will continue to do it. Fool me once...shame on you...fool me twice
...it won't happen. It only takes us one time.

And btw, Planned Parenthood had a serious impact on races across the country.

Get out.

... as far as I know. Best I can tell, they don't have a very good track record. I think they'd be better of to realize that the politics and issues that are popular in Vermont don't always go over very well in Peoria.

But those that they didn't endorse went on to win the elections. Even when OR dug in their heels and refused to move to help the Democrats win those elections.

I think that "the course" may be different than they think.

Apparently, we don't need them to win

So they and DFA can stay out of our way.

Tired of hearing about Roosevelt too...sure he saved this country and I admire him but it was almost 100 years ago...let's not live in the past. Obama saved this country too. We need to be our own saviors.

Know what you're saying about Roosevelt but I will always admire him and there are a lot of seniors who would be eating cat food if it wasn't for him and SS, though there still are too many impoverishe

helped include them years later...I think Johnson was underrated. I have always doubt JFK would have done civil rights or would have been able to force it through as Johnson did...and of course Medicaid has save many lives too.

However, I think JFK’s heart was in the right place but it would’ve been harder for him to get it done as he didn’t have the connection/history with the Senate that Johnson did. Also, let’s face it, Johnson was willing to play very rough to get what he wanted.

I think Kennedy's heart was in the right place too.

The guy refused to communicate with local Democrats and our revolution had to give him financial support. I hope that he changes his behavior in the Delegates.

despite the fact takes numerous years of preparation, laying groundwork, building infrastructure, forming alliances, and establishing a record? And this is precisely why political parties exist — to maintain that groundwork so that it need not be rebuilt from scratch every election cycle? And the beneficiary of that extensive work is typically someone who has spent significant time and effort investing in it?

Imagine.

He was a guy around middle aged, forget his name.

who won his election is Lee Carter. His biography on the Our Revolution website says:

"Lee is a 5-year Veteran of the Marine Corps, and an IT professional who specialized in repairing and maintaining machines used to treat cancer patients. In line with his lifetime of service, he is an active member of his local Democratic party in Manassas, and spends his free time as a community organizer and activist in the areas of affordable housing and worker’s compensation."

It didn't work.

I think many of us were a bit worried about it. It backfired on them and will send them to an existence of obscurity. Their donations have been drying up for years and they rely more on their base of wealthy donors these days.

They got trounced:

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2017/11/07/down-wire-john-cranley-yvette-simpson-fight-citys-top-job/841760001/

The good news just keeps on coming in! (But, sadly... there's a certain element here that will never be happy and which looks for the dark side of every bit of good news. It's so pervasive that it's almost as though they're HOPING for the worst possible outcome. I just don't get it.)

charge which would almost certainly mean horrible losses...convinced some were excited with the opportunity to stick it to those of us who support the party. but, it didn't happen. There is definitely disappointment in some quarters.

Down ballot as I have seen many OR posts on FB promoting them and GOTV overall.

Nor did Nina endorse any of three Democratic women I worked for locally. Our local DNC flipped a solidly red major county yesterday.

None of our candidates rated Nina's seal of approval; nor did they need it to win.

A fact our resident binary-thinking ideologues will continue to ignore.

Sorry to disrupt your meme, but there are many chapters in Illinois.

However, there is more to discussion than that.

This so-called progressive group actually attacked Northam http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/358557-dfa-announces-end-of-direct-aid-for-northam-in-va-gubernatorial-race Who is this group? I have not heard of it before this attack on Northam

But after reading the article you posted, I'll be sure to avoid them. It's time to start calling these people "regressive groups" because it seems like they can always find at least one issue to denounce a liberal candidate on and thus stymie any real movement forward.

sure it's the same group, but they used to be headed up by Howard Dean's brother.

None of this "rigged" garbage from Periello, he knew that he and Northam are on the same side.

Appreciate the hell out of him, tiring of those that pretend their is some kind of 'huge chasm" between us.

1) I never defended what Bernie said in that speech, so please don't throw it in MY face: I supported the guy in the past, but I've never been a "'bro".
2) I have never at any point argued that we should take the side of white people against people of color-if I believed that, I wouldn't have campaigned for Jesse Jackson twice, donated to David Dinkins' campaign, and thrown my support to Obama on the second fan-out in '08.
3) What I have argued for is simply adding a stronger economic justice position(we don't even have to use those two words if they are an issue)to the antioppression, antiracist, pro-choice position that all of us on the progressive side have always agreed on.

We don't have to choose between economic justice and a commitment to fighting social oppression. We can fight for both without slighting anyone's concerns. Call it "Justice for the Many".

I think it would be interesting because, I hadn’t noticed any new revolutionary changes myself.

... "age reducing" and "wrinkle erasing" face lotions. It's all BS. But the more you pay, the more you're CONVINCED that it must be doing something! And then, after you've invested SO MUCH money in the BS potion that's supposed to cure EVERYTHING (including puffiness and frown lines) most people are too embarrassed to admit they were snookered and taken-in by false promises.

That's why I only use CeraVe... jumbo size from Costco. It works much better than the micro-jars from Macy's.

It’s only olive oil and bees wax, but it makes a nice moisturizer for any part of the body. The packaging is very coy however, claims to be an ancient recipe and a favorite of Hollywood actors or something. It does NOT promise to get rid of wrinkles and I appreciate it for that alone.

So, while it hints at being more than it is, it doesn’t actually lie about it.

My dermatologist recommended CeraVe as a "all over" moisturizer (especially feet and elbows) and at my age... on my budget... it's really worthwhile. I get the small bottle of CeraVe AM (with sunscreen) from CVS or Walgreens.

I don't mind paying full retail since I'm already saving a ton at Costco.

I'm always amazed at how many GULLIBLE people there are who'll believe every commercial that promises them the moon and beyond. But, that's what VANITY gets ya.

Hey! Thanks for letting me know about the Egyptian Magic. Is it heavily perfumed? (I tend to like lightly scented or completely unscented lotions.) I might give it a try.

It’s also no big deal, a bit greasy, but absorbs Well

And yeah. I’m not a cynic, exactly, but I like evidence ya know? Action is always better than words

Damn you!

The placebo effect just disappeared....

... but for such a small amount, it's not worth it. I suppose if someone has MONEY TO BURN then they may like the way it feels on their skin, but for the most part it's just an attractive jar without much substance.

Oh! By the way, my dermatologist also recommended AmLactin Alpha-Hydroxy Therapy Cerapeutic Restoring Body Lotion but it's been difficult to find locally, so I ordered some from Amazon.

It's like a religious belief. Even if you know the first ingredient is water, you want to believe. You know the photos in the ads are airbrushed, but those poreless faces of beautiful women -- they use the cream, you use the cream, you can be part of the beautifulness. Buy the cream, miracles can happen! A new you! Don't listen to the naysayers who insist something from the drugstore is good enough, no, you must have THIS exact brand of overpriced face cream. You get brainwashed at the cosmetics counter in the department store.

That's all that can be said!

... supposedly.

Voters are frustrated, and sometimes frustration leads to bad choices, like voting for Trump in hopes that his silly slogans would turn out to be plans.

But it is not enough to run on a platform of simple rejection of the other party. One must also offer a credible alternative to the failed policies of the GOP.

My Democratic Representative is socially liberal except for the issue of abortion. He is anti-abortion, and anti abortion funding. Would you embrace that as a national position?

I guess...

but what happened was an organized and energetic populace decided to come out and vote. And that energy must be focused also on 2018. We all know that non-Presidential elections generally have a lower turn out which benefits the GOP. This was just the first turn in a horserace that will reach midpoint in 2018 and the finish in 2020.

Personally I feel likely Democratic voters will turn out in larger numbers than normal, but I am not betting on that happening.

I'm so grateful for DU's hide feature.

Again? That trick never works.

...

You genius Boris.

I know Natasha.

Or as Keynes said "When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir?"

Don't care how. Don't care why.
Anything to contain the POS maggot bitch in
The white house.

And it's an odd coincidence how people can be spurred to political action when, you know, real motherfucking NAZIS are partying in our backyard...

You also can't understate the impact of McAuliffe restoring the right to vote for former felons (other southern states are you paying attention?)

Oh, and we also switched back to paper ballots...

And it isn't always about perfect vs evil, but about good vs shitstorm.

Something voters of color realized a long time ago, and some "progressives" didn't get about their preferences in 2016.

and this is a big win but not a vote for staying the course.

Where's the aspirin...

I recommend several shots, then call me when you sober up. Whatever you do betsuni....do not, I repeat do not eat the worm.

More of a commercial. Showed happy attractive people drinking big bowls of Tequila crowded with citrus slices, how it's made -- handsome men loading plants into a machine, squeezing the shreds. By the end all I wanted to do was run out and buy some!

I would love all of the above!

1). Dems win when we get out the vote, and from what I read much of the win in Virginia should be credited to an incredible local grassroots campaign. Realistically, that’s the biggest impact most of us on this board can have by getting involved in local Democratic Party efforts. We are the party and in our actions locally we breath life into the party.

2). Catering candidates to their local community was certainly a win last night. We saw wins at the local level, particularly in VA, many thought were impossible. Those wins happened because of having candidates on the ballots that match up with their community values.

That being said, I think #1 was the bigger issue. How else do you explain some of the inexplicable wins?

It does no good to critique the national party from a distance. Only in becoming active at our local levels can most of us have tangible impact. I’m inspired to do more, I hope others are as well.

It’s the truth as I see it...

What this Cali native knows about the Virginia electorate is small and general in nature. That's why I wasn't at all upset at Northam's stance on sanctuary cities.

Politicians are answerable to their constituents, first and foremost.

Uff da!

I am confused. We still have super delegates. Tom Perez was President Obama's choice to be head of the DNC. Exactly what has changed inside the party? I am not aware of any major changes.

... like what's been described has actually happened. It sounds more like a wishful fantasy to me... but I'm always open to hearing or reading any factual evidence that supports the claims being put forth.