MyDD :: The Democratic leadership never learns

The Democratic leadership never learns

by Caro, Mon Sep 25, 2006 at 03:14:06 PM EST

Rahm Emanuel told us that Tammy Duckworth was more "electable" than Christine Cegelis because of Duckworth's service in Iraq, and her sacrifice. I said at the time that Republicans always attack candidates on their strength. They've been doing it for years, but the Democratic leadership still hasn't caught on.

From Talking Points Memo:

GOP candidate Roskam accuses Democratic opponent Duckworth of wanting to 'cut and run' in Iraq.

Duckworth, a double amputee, lost both legs while serving in Iraq.

Carolyn Kay
MakeThemAccountable.com

Tags: 2006 election, dirty tricks, strategy, Republicans, Tammy Duckworth, Christine Cegelis (all tags)

Permalink :: 10 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: The Democratic leadership never learns (3.00 / 1)

Ummm...I think using the phrase "cut and run" against Tammy Duckworth is going to backfire, bigtime.

by Hesiod Theogeny on Mon Sep 25, 2006 at 04:09:43 PM EST

Re: The Democratic leadership never learns (none / 0)

Linking triple amputee vet Max Cleland to bin Laden in 2002 didn't backfire. The fact is, being a disabled vet will get you sympathy, but not votes.

The trouble with Cleland was that he tried to be too Republican and didn't motivate Democrats to turn out for him. And now Duckworth is making the same mistake.

With Democrats Lieberman goes for the jugular. With Republicans he goes for the lips.

by Sitkah on Mon Sep 25, 2006 at 04:17:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Democratic leadership never learns (3.00 / 1)

The difference is that Duckworth actually lost her limbs while fighting IN Iraq.

Had Max Cleland been accused of "cutting and running" from Vietnam, the attack would have been laughed out of the state of Georgia.

The two situations are not comparable.

And, I seem to recall that the reason many people were rooting for Cegelis was precisely because she was MORE against the war than Tammy Duckworth.

So explain to me how accusing Cegelis of wanting to "cut ad run" from Iraq would have been better for us?

by Hesiod Theogeny on Mon Sep 25, 2006 at 08:54:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Democratic leadership never learns (none / 0)

I don't use the term "cut and run". As far as I know, only Republican propagandists do.

Cegalis would have been a better candidate because she almost won last time against an incumbent, and frankly, she's a better Democrat who would have motivated Democratic voters more than Emanuel's choice.

With Democrats Lieberman goes for the jugular. With Republicans he goes for the lips.

by Sitkah on Mon Sep 25, 2006 at 09:21:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Democratic leadership never learns (none / 0)

Too many ordinary Democrats need to catch on to the fact that too many of their DC leaders are not only corrupted by K Street cash, but also corrupted by DLC political stupidity.

With Democrats Lieberman goes for the jugular. With Republicans he goes for the lips.

by Sitkah on Mon Sep 25, 2006 at 04:11:15 PM EST

Re: The Democratic leadership never learns (none / 0)

Tammy Duckworth is the WRONG politician to be making your stand on, pal. Everything I've read about her is admirable. Sje's exactly the kind of person we need more of in Congress.

There's plenty of establishment hacks you can pick on that would advance your argument better than using Tammy Duckworth as a symbol of your ire.

by Hesiod Theogeny on Mon Sep 25, 2006 at 08:56:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Democratic leadership never learns (none / 0)

Actually, I didn't choose Duckworth to be the topic of this diary. Take it up with the diarist.

And you're seemingly the only one of us two with ire. I pointed out that being an amputee hero isn't enough if you don't campaign so as to turn out your own party's voters. It's a simple fact that you'll just have to live with.

With Democrats Lieberman goes for the jugular. With Republicans he goes for the lips.

by Sitkah on Mon Sep 25, 2006 at 09:18:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Democratic leadership never learns (none / 0)

What did Cigalis ever win?

And sure is easy to be tough in a diary on a blog.

Eh, Caro?

Tammy has run a great campaign and I will proudly be working for her this weekend.

Didn't the great Cigalis lose to Duckworth?

Do you know how to read?

by skeeters on Mon Sep 25, 2006 at 10:58:57 PM EST

Re: The Democratic leadership never learns (none / 0)

Max Cleland lost because he was too much the gentleman in 2002. I cannot remember a single negative ad he ran against Chambliss that year, despite ample opportunities. Also, then Gov. Roy Barnes (D) had alienated rural Georgia with the flag change, alientated teachers with his education reform, and alienated environmentalists with plans for a super-highway around Atlanta's northern exurbs. None of that helped. Finally, 2002 was a Republican year all around, period.

None of this applies in the Duckworth/Roskam race. Duckworth is not giving Roskam a free pass, Gov. Bagojevich will be reelected easily, and 2006 will be a Democratic year.

Take out the trash. Down with Saxby Chambliss!

by CLLGADEM on Tue Sep 26, 2006 at 05:52:52 AM EST

Re: The Democratic leadership never learns (none / 0)

And I don't see Duckworth hitting back, either. It's a prescription for loss.

Thanks, DLC. Thanks, Rahm. Thanks, Chicago political machine. Another good job.

Carolyn Kay
MakeThemAccountable.com

by Caro on Tue Sep 26, 2006 at 09:16:21 AM EST
[ Parent ]

You are not logged in.

In order to post a comment, you must be logged in. If you have a member account, please log in to comment.

If not, you can make an account right here. It's quick and free.