On Saturday, I saw a very interesting piece by Cenk Uygur, whom I have admired, on FDL, “It’s Time for a Progressive Revolution,” in which he said:
If ever there was a time for primaries, it’s now! Almost every Democrat running for re-election should get a primary challenge. This is our best chance at a progressive revolution. You know who should run? Teachers, farmers, dentists, moms, small business owners, cops, butchers, bakers and candlestick-makers. And anyone else with a shred of integrity who actually cares about our democracy.
Normally, you need a boat load of cash to run against a member of Congress. Hence, you need special interests behind you. And hence, all of our members of Congress are sell-outs to special interests. Hence, only 8% of people want to re-elect them. But right now might be one of those moments in a democracy where the people stand up and roar. Right now, all you might need is to just not be an incumbent.
It was focused on the 2010 elections, while the Full Court Press is building for 2012 because of issues of resources and filing deadlines. But I was piqued by his saying, “Almost every Democrat running for re-election should get a primary challenge,” and I loved the broad sentiment, “You know who should run? Teachers, farmers, dentists, moms, small business owners, cops, butchers, bakers and candlestick-makers. And anyone else with a shred of integrity …” Seemed like there was the basis for some dialogue here.
So I posted the Full Court Press proposal on the Young Turks website. I was immediately met in the comments field with a cascade of viciousness. From KenTX:
I’m the REPUBLICAN who is kicking your ass, in your own liberal blogosphere.
We already control cable news, satellite radio, and the AM radio airwaves. Now we’re in your kitchen, cooking an omlet.
By the time 2012 gets here, there won’t be anything left of the Democrat Party…
