The future of the Democrats

[Macpherson]

A parallel to the GOP thread.

There is still a lot of work to be done if they want to maintain power. Senate seats come back up in 2010. If they go too far left, I think they lose control.

I honestly think they need to look at Pelosi and Reid. They don't seem to be on the same page as Obama in message or vibe. I don't think many moderates and centrist tend to like either of them. They haven't shown great leadership in the past two years.

[markalot]

The dems will eventually self destruct just as the republicans have, and then the repubs will self destruct, etc.

I agree with you about congress, Pelosi and Reid are defensive products created from republican rule, and they aren't (or don't appear to be) on the same page as Obama.

[rocketman70]

Yeah-Pelosi and Reid have got to go. No doubt.

I'm sure there will be a shuffling of bodies.

[Fourthisto]

There is still a lot of work to be done if they want to maintain power. Senate seats come back up in 2010. If they go too far left, I think they lose control.If our cyclical history has any say, It'll probably even out a little next time around, and then after that swing more to the right, and then back to even keel, and then back left.

Just strap in and enjoy the ride! Oh, and please remain seated.

I honestly think they need to look at Pelosi and Reid. They don't seem to be on the same page as Obama in message or vibe. I don't think many moderates and centrist tend to like either of them. They haven't shown great leadership in the past two years.I think I hear you knocking, and I think you're going in.

[jneale]

Hillary will become a force.

[Fourthisto]

Hillary will become a disturbance in the force.Tell your sister...... you were riiiiiiiight......

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v435/Fourthisto/anakin3.jpg

[jneale]

Tell your sister...... you were riiiiiiiight......

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v435/Fourthisto/anakin3.jpg

something like that, but in a pantsuit.

[Duemellon]

Hillary will become a force.An annoying thorn in the side of the admnistration-elect as she tries to take a contrarian stance from day-one to make sure she appeals to more right-wing people.

Yah, she's a strategist, but not nice nor professionally loyal.

[the happy prole]

Yeah-Pelosi and Reid have got to go. No doubt.

I'm sure there will be a shuffling of bodies.

Doubt it. The President has no impact on the leadership committee in Congress. Pelosi and Reid got their positions through the inside, and the people and alliances that got them there remain in place. The new first-termers won't have any say in things whatsoever.

A few years down the road when Rahm Emanuel consolidates his grip on power (and trust me, he's a force to be reckoned with) and the Shulers and Webb's from last election start throwing their weight around is when you might see some change.

Will the Democrats make it that far before imploding a la the Republicans? Don't know.

[the happy prole]

Hilary got McCain'ed. And like McCain, I think she's smart enough not to undercut her own base. Notice how after 2000 McCain became kind of useless and mostly just sat around somewhat toe-ing the line and secretly plotting for 2008? Same thing.

She did what was asked and played nice with Obama after losing, and the Dems know they somewhat owe her. And the PUMA's out there show she still has some clout. If nothing else, Clinton's a survivor and she knows when she has to get along and when to call her shot. If you undercut Obama, you end up making the country go conservative which doesn't help you.

Hardcore conservatives hate Clinton. And they've had twelve years to let that hate fester; it's not going anywhere. I don't care how far right she wants to go, there will always be a Palin or some other conservative with the same views who isn't her.

Her best chance is a successful Obama Presidency-- maybe two terms even-- and she'll use that momentum to sweep in in 2016. McCain had to do the same thing, it was just unfortunate he had to hitch his star to such an incompetent wagon. Clinton will position herself as a moderate, and she'll do a few things to keep her name out there but she's not going to make any major waves.

[drougan]

I think there's some friction inherent in the relationship between congress and the president, and I think that's a good thing. Conservatives out there look at Obama, Reid, and Pelosi and they see a team, but I think democrats are more likely to recognize the differences and admit that there's bound to be infighting among them. There always is with the Dems, that's why there so fun. There would never have been allowed a Clinton v Obama in the GOP.

I would look more toward Hillary to become a power force in the senate and likely ignore the executive branch altogether. This is assuming she doesn't opt for a cabinet role. Sec State, maybe? Probably not.

[markalot]

"The country must be governed from the middle," Pelosi, a California Democrat, said Wednesday. "You have to bring people together to reach consensus on solutions that are sustainable and acceptable to the American people."

Did you see this quote from Pelosi this afternoon?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081105/ap_on_el_ge/congress_rdp_12

[akip]

"The country must be governed from the middle," Pelosi, a California Democrat, said Wednesday. "You have to bring people together to reach consensus on solutions that are sustainable and acceptable to the American people."

Did you see this quote from Pelosi this afternoon?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081105/ap_on_el_ge/congress_rdp_12

you beat me to it.

the dems are looking to 2010. they don't want to blow it.

[epeolatry]

Hilary got McCain'ed......

Her best chance is a successful Obama Presidency-- maybe two terms even-- and she'll use that momentum to sweep in in 2016. McCain had to do the same thing, it was just unfortunate he had to hitch his star to such an incompetent wagon. Clinton will position herself as a moderate, and she'll do a few things to keep her name out there but she's not going to make any major waves.

Hillary will be almost 70 by then.

[akip]

hillary will get some powerhouse position in the senate, head of a committee.

[Jumpman]

hillary will get some powerhouse position in the senate, head of a committee.

Or Secretary of State maybe??? Maybe not. I'm curious to see who Obama will pick though. You're right, her skills would probably be put to best use in the legislature-she's a master at going across the aisle from what I understand, and that will be a key to whatever the agenda is to be.

[akip]

she loves all that senate wonky stuff. it's her natural position.

[akip]

she's a master at going across the aisle from what I understand, and that will be a key to whatever the agenda is to be.

but yeah---she's very respected in the senate, on both sides of the aisle, 'cause she works extremely hard, gets into that damn detail. she'll be invaluable, especially considering her positions on most issues are very close to obama's.

[the happy prole]

Hillary will be almost 70 by then.

Yep, that's why I said she got McCain'ed. McCain had to run as an old man, too.

I agree with Hilary preferring the Senate over a cabinet position. It's more her style.

[Buzzstein]

Yep, that's why I said she got McCain'ed. McCain had to run as an old man, too.

I agree with Hilary preferring the Senate over a cabinet position. It's more her style.

Whoa. Hilary is a man??

Well I guess we already knew she had balls.