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
Excellent news for 2006! We could use more seats in the Senate.
I have just one word for this "top Democratic operative" in the Senate:
BRING-IT-ON!
If Kerry had won how anxious would the Republicans be to work with him?
I don't think a cushion of five is enough to start publically executing RINOs-but I do draw the line at the Scottish Lawyer becoming Judiciary chairman.
Chaffee is not a member of the Republican majority in the Senate by any stretch of the imagination, so if he defects it's no big deal. That would leave 54-46.
I wouldn't mind losing Arlen either, to 53-47-but I do draw the line at Snowe and Collins.
The big question is whether Snowe and Collins are willing to die on the barricade of baby-killing as a prerequisite for Supreme Court justices, and if they are, whether any Senate RATs will vote for a pro-life nominee.
I want four Scalias, but there is a risk, even in the new Senate, that such nominees could lose.
It is more important, although it chokes me to say it, that there are no more David Souters and Anthony Kennedys.
I hope the Republicans have learned about playing hardball. No veto of judge nominations by Senators from their home state, no padded membership numbers on committees. Try to pick off the few rational Rats in the house and senate who they can work with and consign the rest to the impotence of minority that they are.
Are we going to have to hang these under-the-radar bastards from lamp-posts before they "get it?"
BUMP to acting like the fiscally responsible party.
How about we pass that balanced budget amendment and the line item veto NOW?
I'll second that motion.
Outrageous comments!
Ping
"" the blacks"
That ought to be qualified. I know you are not a racist, but the statement appears to be that."
Ditto here, please. Thank you. Norski.
This stuff happens when one kicks a bee's nest.
Sounds good to me. Notice how none of these RATS are willing to identify themselves. Cowards all.
Love it..........
"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."
Right... McAwful might leave for a year or two, but I have no doubt it will be to organize things outside the spotlight. Doing things that one can't do as the leader of a political party, an frankly, I wouldn't put something completely illegal past him, such as arranging money laundering for foreign contributions. As long as there are Clintons, and as long as there is money and power to be had, they'll keep him on. McAwful is the "Clinton Bag-Man." And those bags are filled with money.
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.
There you go!
Mark
Holy Crow!
They still don't understand why Daschle lost.
They still don't get it that obstructionism, the politics of hate and personal ugliness, lack of civility is the reason they are being trashed.
"Just a thought, how about JC Watts for VP?"
I like it.
Bring it on you little pampered wimp....the Read States are on to you....and are watching,
If they keep doing the same thing that they did in the last three elections, they might not even be around in the next 30 years. :)
I don't think they will be around either. The far left won't let go of the party. It will fold and something a little more mainstream will form, and of course some kind of socialist third party.
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