( – promoted by JDRyan)

I’ve had enough of people (who purport to be liberal) who can look at an amazing, spontaneous, truly grassroots statewide movement that brings together Dems, Progs, Independents and even the more radical left, and only roll their eyes and see a pain in their ass that will complicate their schedules.

I’ve had enough of waiting for some real leaders who can take this energy and pull us together – even over disagreements – rather than ignore, scold or berate folks for not shutting up and letting them drive.

I’ve had enough of people whose support for any officeholder rises and falls on a single issue, or on whether or not that officeholder does things exactly the way you demand they should.

I’ve had enough of people who are more interested in sticking it to politicians they don’t like than to support them in helping people who need it.

I’ve had enough of attacking the wrong people (especially when those leading the attack, as it were, are merely using the opportunity to promote their own rumored political ambitions, such as this one and this one)

I’ve had enough of being told I just don’t understand why my concerns are irrelevant.

I’ve had enough of political leaders who are more concerned about placating a tiny percentage of the religious right than the majority of their own constituents.

I’ve had enough of dance halls. I’ve had enough of pills. I’ve had enough of street fights. I’ve seen my share… oh wait. Sorry. I got off track.

I hope everyone has been taking notes over the last few months. Next biennium we could all stand to make a better show of ourselves.

Edwards, Hillary, Obama. It’s just too damn early for this. A combination of Democratic eagerness for a rematch (where, it is to be hoped, the game won’t be rigged this time) combined with the surge of State Pride (and desire for campaign cash) have pushed the primary season ridiculously early.

New Donkey, the centrist Democrat blogger, posted on this subject about a week ago- and I think it’s worth a read.

cross-posted at Rip and Read

New Donkey writes:

This [the rush to nominate] … is simply crazy. February 5 is nine months before the general election, and roughly six months before the nominating conventions … It virtually guarantees that three factors: money, name ID, and success in the earliest states, especially Iowa,will determine the outcome. And it may well snuff any serious chance for the lower-tier candidates in both parties ….Most importantly, the emerging calendar will provide zero opportunity for second thoughts after the early rush has anointed nominees. It could be a very long spring, summer and autumn if a nominee commits some major blunder, or some disabling skeleton jumps out of a closet [emphasis added].

New Donkey goes on to say point out that this problem could be solved by having the Democratic National Committee take a leadership role to stop thmadnesses:

…what should happen before the next go-around, is a truly national approach. Whether it’s a lottery, or a carefully matched series of states around the country, or regional primaries, or just the kind of spread-out process that prevailed until recently, it could be imposed by the DNC through a combination of (a) strict rules against seating of delegates chosen outside the calendar guidelines, and (b) an aggressive effort to recruit all candidates in advance to support the decision, with ejection from DNC-sponsored debates, or if necessary, a ban on speaking opportunities at the Convention, being the stick.

But if we don’t get seriously angry about this abomination right now, we’re going to find ourselves in the same situation four and eight years from now.

Given the source (New Donkey is after all, usually butting heads with MyDD and Daily Kos), it’s possible that these ideas will be rejected by the netroots and others who will write off anything said by such folks as “Republican-Lite” rhetoric.

But…given the fact that HRClinton is the likely beneficiary this year of this insane process…I think it’s a conversation in which all should participate.