Free Republic

For months, Louisiana Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu's re-election campaign was based on one simple pitch: Elect me to a fourth term, and I'll chair the Senate Energy Committee, and that means money, money, money for Louisiana. Landrieu's case for re-election was all about clout. That was then. Now, as Landrieu heads to a Dec. 6 runoff with Republican challenger Rep. Bill Cassidy, Democrats have already lost control of the Senate — a reality that won't be affected by the outcome of the runoff. So while Landrieu still has a chance to win, one thing is absolutely certain: She will not...

It’s one of life’s little ironies that the political party most often screaming about “democracy!” is also the party least likely to care what the majority of citizens actually vote for. Tuesday’s election sent a clear message: We don’t like what the Democrats have been doing. What did Democrats hear? Well, one senior Democratic aide told Politico, “As a party, we need to change. [Voters] like our policies. All this leftie [talk], the country likes, but somehow the message about us as individual members of the conference isn’t breaking through.” Yes, people love the policies of the past six years....

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, announced Saturday that the party will conduct a full review of its poor performance in recent midterm elections. In a video posted to YouTube, Wasserman Schultz said Democrats need to examine why their party suffered significant losses this year, costing them control of the Senate, and in 2010, when they lost control of the House. At the same time, Democrats have fared well in presidential election years, winning the White House and making gains in both chambers in 2008 and 2012. “The electoral success we have when our presidential nominee...

When mentioning the most polarizing figure in the Democratic party outside of the president himself, that one person who creates a visceral reaction every time he or she speaks, one of the following contestants is invariably in the running for top prize: A) Eric Holder B) Susan Rice C) Charlie Rangel D) Debbie Wasserman Schultz But with Holder on the way out, Rice (thankfully) muted lately after a series of unintentionally comical Sunday talk show appearances, and Rangel stuck somewhere between stupid and 1866, first prize falls to the DNC Chairwoman — who may be forced to update her LinkedIn...

There are really two Democratic parties. One is the old corrupt party of thieves and crooks. Its politicians, black and white, are the products of political machines. They believe in absolutely nothing. They can go from being Dixiecrats to crying racism, from running on family values to pushing gay marriage and the War on Women. They will say absolutely anything to get elected. Cunning, but not bright, they are able campaigners. Reformers underestimate them at their own peril because they are determined to win at all costs. The other Democratic Party is progressive. Its members are radical leftists working within...

C'mon man! That's no way for a plucky VP like you to talk just two days before the elections! As a loyal member of the DNC email list, last night I received a message from Joe Biden that sounded decidedly down in the mouth; frankly fatalistic. Here's how Good Ol' Joe opened [emphasis added throughout]: "No matter what happens on Tuesday, I'm proud of you, Mark." "No matter what happens?" Not exactly a bold prediction of victory! Particularly when it was followed by this: "You've helped to keep us in this campaign." Just kept us in it? Don't you remember...

With projections of a GOP win growing daily, nervousness in Senate committee offices has turned to panic as an army of Democratic staffers braces to be fired, replaced by a Republican majority and their aides. The spoils of political war? Estimates are that 300-600 Democratic committee and personal staff jobs would be on the chopping block if the Republicans pull off the expected victory. “There will be a mass exodus of Senate Democrat staff from committees,” said one insider. And Republicans will get to hire hundreds more aides. A loss on Tuesday that keeps the Democrats in charge of the...

Democrats are telling voters that they had better head to the polls — or else. The New York State Democratic Committee is bullying people into voting next week with intimidating letters warning that it can easily find out which slackers fail to cast a ballot next Tuesday. “Who you vote for is your secret. But whether or not you vote is public record,” the letter says. “We will be reviewing voting records to determine whether you joined your neighbors who voted in 2014.” It ends with a line better suited to a mob movie than a major political party: “If...

Most African American youths believe President Barack Obama is a "deadbeat" leader, says Paul McKinley, a member of Voices of the Ex-Offender, a grassroots group of former inmates. "Every time they question the president about the black community, he's apologetic or embarrassed. Half of the time, I would say 97 percent of the time, he doesn't even want to say the black community exists," McKinley said Wednesday on "The Steve Malzberg Show" on Newsmax TV. "A lot of the young people are seeing this double standard that the president has." McKinley says black Americans have identified with the Democratic Party...

Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) said that with just six days until the midterm elections, Democrats are standing on their own, apart from President Obama. "As someone who is on the ballot myself in six days from now, I can tell you that any candidate wants to be able to stand on their own," Schultz told MSNBC on Wednesday. "That's what our candidates are doing. They're focused on the issues that matter to their constituents," she said, adding "of course we have a common agenda that really unites us all," citing jobs and the economy. Democrats are...

The Democratic field in 2016 has more than enough room for two women competing to be the nation’s first female president, according to liberal activists. They pour scorn on the notion that Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), or any other woman, ought to step aside if former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton launches a second quest for the White House. "The idea that you can't run because there's somebody else who looks like you running? Oh my God, what would all the white men do?" quipped Terry O'Neill, president of the National Organization for Women (NOW). "I think the argument that...

This is the week the political world, like the worm, begins to turn. The polls, the hunches, the guesses and the vibes that only junkies feel all say it’s a Republican year and Harry Reid will soon take a seat on the back bench. Some of the crucial races for control of the U.S. Senate are still tight, but if there’s any momentum — “the big Mo,” as George Bush the Elder once called it — propelling a Democratic candidate anywhere, it’s hard to find it.

The Talk Shows October 19th, 2014 Guests to be interviewed today on major television talk shows: FOX NEWS SUNDAY (Fox Network): Dr. Anthony Fauci, infectious disease chief at the National Institutes of Health; Reince Priebus, Republican National Committee chairman; Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., head of the Democratic National Committee; Tim Murphy, R-Pa.; and Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota.MEET THE PRESS (NBC): Fauci; Sens. Bob Casey, D-Pa., and Roy Blunt, R-Mo. FACE THE NATION (CBS): Fauci; Richard Umbdenstock, president and CEO of the American Hospital Association; Dr. Robert...

I’m pretty sure you’ve seen Lady M’s Vine video (note to self: redundant) by now, butt in case you just fell off a turnip truck, here it is again:Brought to you by the DNCHow on earth, you ask, did the turnip dance “turn up?” You’ll be shocked to hear it was all preplanned as part of one of our “#askthefirstlady” social media events. The question was asked in such a way (vapid, by some accounts) as to give Lady M a lead-in to her really cool rap and turnip dance. The intent, in case it was lost on you, was...

There is a noble-sounding attitude that many Americans hold regarding whom they vote for. "I vote for the candidate," they say. It sure sounds good. Voting for the best candidate, rather than the party, sounds as American as apple pie. But as the Democratic Party has become a doctrinaire left-wing party, this sentiment is no longer noble. It is actually foolish and dangerous. There was a time when there were terrific Democrats whom an independent and even a Republican could vote for. Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman was such an example. He was a liberal -- he believed in the good...

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson on Wednesday announced "more enhanced screening" for the estimated 150 travelers flying into the United States every day from West African countries where the deadly Ebola virus is spreading."The protocol is, first of all, our Customs personnel are very skilled at examining people, assessing people for a variety of reasons. And we're asking passengers to fill out a declaration about what symptoms do you have? Are you feeling ill? Where have you been for the last 21 days and where will you be for the next few days?"And, through a non-contact thermometer, we're going to...

Los Angelenos will have lots of time on the roads this afternoon to contemplate the midterm elections when President Obama flies in for one of those “Hollywood fundraisers” news outlets love to sniff at — especially this one, at the home of Gwyneth Paltrow. Gwyneth’s Brentwood neighborhood was festooned with Obama Drone non-fan posters in anticipation of the president’s visit — tickets to which raised $1K to $32K per head for the Democratic National Committee, depending on whether the ticket holder wanted to actually get dinner as well as a photo with Obama. Press already is reporting that Obama plans...

The radical, racist, and reactionary right is at it again! This time, they are stoking ugly, xenophobic, and nativist fears that Americans could contract the deadly ebola virus from African immigrants or visitors to the US! These fears are really just a smokescreen for those who hate African-Americans, Mexican-Americans, Muslims and other immigrant groups along with hating the LGBT. They have no basis in reality, and the accusation really proves how desperate racists are to find ANY and EVERY excuse possible for limiting immigration. What are these white hate mongers so afraid of? The truth is that racist white people...

.....Obama is coming to the city today to raise money for the Democratic party. The president is expected to arrive at JFK Airport around 1:30 p.m. From there he will head to Manhattan for two events involving the Democratic National Committee.

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) reaffirmed her commitment to stay on as Democratic National Committee chairwoman in the aftermath of reports suggesting the party is souring over her leadership. “I was elected to a four-year term, and I will serve as DNC chair till Jan. 21, 2017,” she said to the Sun Sentinel. ADVERTISEMENT A Politico article published last month said Wasserman Schultz is losing the support of prominent Democrats, including President Obama. It also said the White House debated replacing her as DNC chair, going as far as selecting a candidate before deciding against the change. The report came...