Posted on 11/04/2004 1:33:32 AM PST by kattracks
WASHINGTON - The day after getting their heads handed to them again in national elections, furious Democrats on Capitol Hill were pointing fingers at their own leaders and vowing war with Republicans.Several top Democratic aides blamed House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California and national party Chairman Terry McAuliffe for failing to win back the White House or either chamber of Congress.
Instead, they lost ground in both houses and their Senate leader, Tom Daschle, was knocked off.
Angry Democrats also dismissed any suggestion of a truce with GOP lawmakers.
"We'll be throwing a lot of grenades," said one senior Democratic aide in the Senate. "With only 45 members, there'll be times when we can't filibuster, and we'll have to shine the spotlight on their outrageousness."
Despite calls for unity following the bitter election results, Democrats were incensed yesterday over remarks by GOP leaders anxious to push President Bush's conservative programs in his second term.
House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) said in a statement that Americans must heal differences, but added he'll work with Bush and Senate leaders "to enact our common sense agenda."
White House press secretary Scott McClellan made a point to mention that Bush called several freshman senators, and, speaking about his agenda, told one, "Now is the time to get it done."
"If Republicans ... try to enact a radical right-wing agenda, they'll be met with opposition every step of the way," warned a top Democratic operative in the Senate.
An explosive issue could be Senate confirmation hearings if Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist steps down from the high court because of his cancer, or if Attorney General John Ashcroft is replaced, as is widely expected.
A nomination fight with Bush and Senate Republicans is "likely to seriously poison any aura of good will up here," said the influential operative.
In the House, where Republicans improved their majority by two seats, a senior adviser to House Democrats - who described the caucus' mood as "suicidal" - criticized Pelosi for not taking a page from GOP ex-House Speaker Newt Gingrich's playbook and playing hardball this year.
"Nancy looks bad," said the adviser. "The only way to win this place is to burn it down."
Several of the Democratic sources said party boss McAuliffe should resign immediately, despite his plan to leave next year.
"McAuliffe is out - not a question," said one senior House aide.
A top Democratic operative in the Senate said it was time for a change at party headquarters.
"I can't imagine he'd be allowed to stick around, much less to try and further the ambitions of Sen. Hillary Clinton," said the top operative. "Nobody's going to allow that to happen."
But other Democrats defended McAuliffe, who sources say has raised an eye-popping $400 million since 2003.
"By any reasonable measure, Chairman McAuliffe succeeded at his two tasks: raising money and getting out the vote," said DNC spokesman Jano Cabrera.
Originally published on November 4, 2004
The Dems are in shambles. They might not win the house back for another 30 years!
And his third task -- assure a Kerry defeat to clear the way for Hillary! 2008.
Why not 50 years?
The dems are paying severely by picking Pelosi, an *obvious* incompetent. So now they're going to vow war and all that.. Good luck guys, you're so far down you're basically off the map totally.
They're feeding amongst themselves in pure desperation now.
It's like Rush was saying, even when they lose, they still act like they are running the show.
Oh, yeah. There's a newsflash. :)
Are there any Democrats in the Senate who could break ranks?? What a blow it would be if we could pick off a Bayh, Nelson, or Baucus.
It is fun to watch them self-destruct. That shows Americans what they are made of and that pushes them further and further out of the mainstream.
The Dims want a fight with *us* after this latest debacle for their marginalized, scummy little Party? Well, to quote their latest presidential candidate to go down to defeat: BRING IT ON.
I simply can't wipe the smile off of my face right now...
They're in meltdown mode. The Democrats are disconnected from the reality a MAJORITY of the American people have REJECTED them and their policies. They have no right to be incensed about anything.
I honestly hope they keep this up along with the media. If they think they are in a bad mood now wait until the next election. If they don't want play nice we can work on getting the 60 we need to shut them the hell up.
I double dare these Dems to take on Hillary
It would make for great enterainment
The Republicans are blessed with the gift of an inept political opposition.
Oh sure let them keep associating with the Clintons and McAwful. They'll be guaranteed more "successes" like the ones in the last three election cycles. The Democrats have a bright future!
SFS
With his track record, I say he gets started on the hillary 2008 campaign asap!
They need an attitude adjustment. Liberals think they're entitled. Someone needs to show the children the adults are still very much in charge.
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