[ronaldasten]

Arlen Specter started his term as a Republican but it looks like he's easily going to win the Democratic primary while Blanche Lincoln basically held his own party's signature piece of legislation (which has been in the party's platform for over 20 years) hostage while he threw a temper tantrum trying to outlaw abortion. Where is the progressive sense of revenge? When are they going to grow a pair?

I mean, like the tea baggers, these primary challenges would likely result in some races being lost but also like the tea baggers I bet the remaining Democrats would suddenly get religion about listening to the party's base.

[detskpit]

Two Democratic representatives and one Democratic governor have decided not to run for reelection.

[SpeavaJap]

Because they wouldn't win.

[Misiotoagodia]

Because they wouldn't win.

yeah

[spamkillerf]

Blanche Lincoln basically held his own party's signature piece of legislation (which has been in the party's platform for over 20 years) hostage while he threw a temper tantrum trying to outlaw abortion.

If it makes you feel any better, Lincoln is likely going to loose her seat in part because of the vote made in support of Obama's health care reform.

Nelson's numbers aren't looking so hot now either but he's not up for reelection now.

[st01en_lox]

Does Oerdin really think Blanche Lincoln is a man? Her name is Blanche, for god's sake...

[Friend_Joe]

Lamont was successful, he just had the misfortune of running against an exceedingly disloyal Democrat who also happened to enjoy considerable GOP support in his liberal NE state. The GOP was also a joke.

Lincoln and Nelson wouldn't fair nearly as well in independent bids, I doubt they'd even attempt them should they lose their primaries.

[Abnorttrano]

The "right-wing" splintered because Bush made a disgrace of the country and the GOP. Perhaps if Obama bends over his lefty supporters a few more times, the Dems will spawn their own version of a tea bagger movement and have ideologically consistent challengers.

I would say the left doesn't have any platform as effective as the one the tea baggers use - namely, embracing the Founding Fathers of the United States.

Lefty Gaia worship tends to be the most powerful psychological driver of their belief, but that movement is falling apart in the US in the wake of Climategate and because of the economic costs involved in addressing the so-called climate change "crisis".

The left pushes its morality effectively with respect to certain issues (health care, etc.), but doesn't really have the spunk of a Tea Party movement which embraces the genuinely American ideals of great men like Washington and Jefferson.

[erepsysoulperj]

It's clear to me that the Dims are far more likely to tow the party line.

You don't get to call anyone else "dim," since you can't even get basic sayings like "toe the line" right.

[Katrinsitter]

EVERY group tries to tie itself to the founding fathers in this country, to add legitimacy. Hell, you capitalized the F's, Lotus.

We had the gang of 14.

That "we" being some Canadian group, I presume?

[!!Aaroncheg]

The Teabaggers aren't concerned about the powerful federal government. They didn't exist under Bush, after all. They're concerned about a black man being president.

[phsyalcvqh]

And Jefferson would be horrified that the cause of limited federal government was being co-opted by such ignorant, hateful morons.

[VeniHemealm]

People who use the word "Teabaggers" don't have a serious point by definition.

[amagmasia]

[kictainiSot]

You mean besides the one with a dozen half black kids?

[LindaSmithXV]

People don't form their views in an information vacuum. Were the founders alive today they would certainly be heavily influenced by their contemporary peers and political environment, and likely much less "racist".

George III reportedly called Washington the greatest man in the world after he turned down a US kingship.

For their time, the founders were the ****.

[MasTaBlau]

It'd actually be pretty fun to bring Jefferson forward in time and watch him flip out.

[suilusargaino]

I wonder what Jeffersons thoughts would be on mandates of health insurance purchases.

[DoterrFor]

Who cares what the founding fathers would think? We are the forgers of our own future.

[Niiinioa]

Because he wanted to limit the Constitution. Bill of Rights is, of course, an amendment.