home

Brazile vs. Begala on CNN: Brazile's Blowout

Update: Here's Donna's comment right before the fracas:
BRAZILE: Well, Lou, I have worked on a lot of Democratic campaigns, and I respect Paul. But, Paul, you're looking at the old coalition. A new Democratic coalition is younger. It is more urban, as well as suburban, and we don't have to just rely on white blue-collar voters and Hispanics. We need to look at the Democratic Party, expand the party, expand the base and not throw out the baby with the bathwater.

***

Here's the transcript of the big blowout tonight between Donna Brazile and Paul Begala, with Campbell Brown confronting Brazile about her Obama bias. (received by e-mail from CNN:)

It begins with comments by Alex Castellano, a Republican member of the panel.

More...

ALEX CASTELLANOS, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: I do think the Democrats have figured out -- Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama figured out how to take a landslide and turn it into a close race in the fall. And yes, there's some divisions.

Barack Obama was once a transformational, broad eaching candidate who went all the way across the spectrum. He was that in Iowa; he is that no more. I do warn Republicans, however, that, you know, doors that are closed can be opened again. I think we are -- John I think was heading in the right direction. Any political guy that looks at these numbers is going to see a Barack Obama who wants to be a much more optimistic American candidate in the fall, who is going to talk about family and values in the fall, and who is going to I think try to reach across that -- stick his finger -- Sister Soulja (ph) like -- in the Democratic bases' eye a couple of times, demonstrate some strength.

So yes, I think he can come back. But he has shut some doors on some voters that he had a few months ago that he does not have now.

CAMPBELL BROWN: OK. I've got to bring Paul Begala into this and get his take on what everyone has been saying, beating up your candidate.

Begala, we should mention to everyone again, is a Clinton supporter - Paul? .

PAUL BEGALA, CLINTON SUPPORTER, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Well, I think Alex makes an interesting allegation -- put it this way -- or point. He said that Obama is closing the door on those white, working-class voters. I don't think that's the case at all, although some of the commentary tonight kind of bothers me.

When people say things -- I love Donna and we go back 22 years. We've never been on different sides of an arguments in our entire lives. But if her point is that there's a new Democratic Party that somehow doesn't need or want white working-class people and Latinos, well count me out.

DONNA BRAZILE, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Paul, baby, I did not say that.

BEGALA: We cannot win with egg heads.

Let me finish my point. We cannot win with egg heads and African-Americans. OK, that is the Dukakis Coalition, which carried ten states and gave us four years of the first George Bush.

President Clinton -- reached across to get a whole lot of

Republicans and Independents to come. I think Senator Obama and Senator Clinton both have that capacity. They both have a unique ability -- well it's not unique if they both have it. They both have a remarkable ability to reach out to those working-class white folks and Latinos.

Senator Clinton has proven it; Barack has not yet, but he can. And I certainly hope he is not shutting the door on expanding the party.

BROWN: OK. Let -- egg heads and African-Americans? That's the new coalition?

BRAZILE: First of all, Paul, you didn't hear me right. Maybe I should come and cook you something because you've got a little hearing problem.

I was one of the first Democrats who were going to the white working-class neighborhoods, encouraging white Democrats not to forget their roots. I have drank more beers with "Joe Six Pack," "Jane Six Pack" and everybody else than most white Democrats that you're talking about.

In terms of Hispanics, you know Paul, I know the math. I know Colorado; I know Nevada; I know New Mexico. So that's not the issue.

I'm saying that we need to not divide and polarize the Democratic Party as if the Democratic Party will rely simply on white, blue collar male-- you insult every black blue collar Democrat by saying that.

So stop the divisions. Stop trying to split us into these groups, Paul, because you and I know both know we have been in more campaigns.

We know how Democrats win and to simply suggest that Hillary's coalition is better than Obama's, Obama's is better than Hillary's -- no. We have a big party, Paul.

BEGALA: That's right.

BRAZILE: Just don't divide me and tell me I cannot stand in Hillary's camp because I'm black, and I can't stand in Obama's camp because I'm female. Because I'm both.

BEGALA: That's -- Donna --

BRAZILE: And I'm wealthy so I might go with McCain and sit with Bill Bennett, Paul.

BENNETT: That's funny.

BRAZILE: Don't start with me, baby.

BEGALA: We're having a vigorous agreement then, Donna.

BRAZILE: A gentle --

BEGALA: Agreement then --

BRAZILE: Because we're not doing -- both --

BEGALA: My point is --

BROWN: Go ahead, Paul.

BEGALA: What worries me is this notion that somehow there's a -- and I hear this sometimes from some of my friends that are for Senator Obama -- that there is a new Democratic Party and we don't really need all those folks. And we're -- Donna is exactly right. The only way to win this in my party -- we're not the monochromatic Republican Party.

In the Democratic Party, the only way we win is to stitch together white folks and African-Americans and Latinos and Asians. And that's what President Clinton did twice. That's how he won two national elections. And I'm --

BRAZILE: And Paul, I was there with you. I was there.

(CROSSTALK)

BRAZILE: It's our party, Paul. Don't say my party. It's our party. Because it's time that we bring the party back together, Paul.

BROWN: But Donna, doesn't he have a point in that it is divided? He is going to have to reach into her coalition and bring some people over and she -- were she to get the nomination -- is going to have to reach into his and bring people over?

BRAZILE: When John McCain secured the Republican nomination, he had to do some homework and reaching out to the Bill Bennets. If Barack Obama secures the Democratic nomination, he will have to reach out to blue collar, white voters and neutralize Senator Clinton's advantage on the economy but --

BROWN: Why hasn't he been able do that yet?

BRAZILE: He has reached out and he's won -- do you think that Barack Obama would be leading in the pledged votes, the delegate votes, the money, if it was simply because somehow or another black people somehow or another became the majority?

Barack Obama has won the hearts and the minds of white voters, as well as blacks and Hispanics. I think -- he has to continue to do his homework and that's what he showed today in North Carolina, he must prove that in the races to come.

CASTELLANOS: He was a much broader reaching candidate when this process started. And now I think it's fair to ask: Would the people you that see in Barack Obama's life be the same people you see in his administration? Would you see Bill Ayers? Would there be people like Reverend Wright? The answer may be no, by the way.

BRAZILE: Alex now you -- that is so small, Alex. That's so small.

CASTELLANOS: No, but I'm saying that whether -- the answer may be no. But the question is certainly out there for a lot of voters.

(CROSSTALK)

BRAZILE: Will he take us to war on a lie and see all of our troops die on a lie? And not ask for forgiveness?

CASTELLANOS: With plane's crashing into a building --

BRAZILE: Come on, Alex. Don't do that.

CASTELLANOS: Planes crashed into a building. It was not a lie.

BRAZILE: You al want to make a superficial conversation, not a real, substantive conversation. Let's make it about substance and not do this.

BROWN: OK guys, you know what? Donna, let me -- OK --

BRAZILE: That's beneath you, Alex. You know better.

BROWN: All right, guys. Let many ask you something. Hold on, Paul. Hold on.

BEGALA: I want to defend --

BROWN: Hold on. I want to ask Donna something. Hold on. I want to ask Donna something because you have been on these panels time and time again with us as an undecided voter, and you sound very much --

BRAZILE: I'm not undecided.

BROWN: Uncommitted?

BRAZILE: I'm undeclared.

BROWN: Undeclared. There you go. Well it sounds very much -- Hey, no --

BRAZILE: Words matter.

BROWN: Words matter. It sounds very much to me tonight like you have made up your mind.

BRAZILE: No. It sounds like I am ready to unify my party. I'm ready to bring the party back together and I'm sick and tired of hearing people say my party, my party. This is the Democratic Party. We have stood through thick and thin and I'm sick of the divisions. That's all I'm saying.

I'm not saying that this is about -- I think Hillary is a fabulous candidate and she is doing a remarkable job in the closing days of this Campaign. But Barack Obama's also a great candidate and I respect John McCain's service. Now what does that make me?

BROWN: All right. Well, Paul -- Hold on, Alex. I want to go -- Paul was desperate to get a word in and I cut him off -- Paul?

BEGALA: Yes, I'm sorry to intrude with a fact. But Alex is raising something that I think is going to be a loser for his party. His party believes that they think that they can beat Barack Obama by attacking his former pastor, or some guy he used to live in the neighborhood with 30 years ago. I think it is all nonsense.

We have some empirical proof. In the Louisiana House race, it was last week, this is a district that has been solidly Republican for 34 years, that voted 55 percent for George W. Bush. This is not a swing district. And they went in there, the Republicans did, and they ran ads attacking Barack Obama and attacking Reverend Wright.

And you know what the Republicans did? They lost. So as a Democrat, I don't even support Barack in the primaries, but I would gladly support him in the general election. And if Alex thinks they can win this by attacking people other than Barack Obama, somebody he used to know, somebody he used to listen to preach, I think that's a loser strategy for the Republicans.

BROWN: OK, guys. Hold on. To be continued.

< Obama Congratulates Hillary for Her Win in Indiana | Indiana Results: Thread Three >
  • The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news

  • Contribute To TalkLeft


  • Display: Sort:
    I am disgusted and demoralized (5.00 / 6) (#4)
    by bjorn on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:21:46 PM EST
    even more than usual by Donna Brazile and CNN coverage in general this evening.  I am glad Lanny Davis has been holding some people accountable for the last half hour, but it is too little too late.  I will hold my nose and vote for Obama, but I will not give another dime to the DNC has long as Donna is associated with them in any way shape or form.  She needs to go.  She was a disgrace tonight.

    I really have to observe (5.00 / 2) (#8)
    by andgarden on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:23:28 PM EST
    that Castellanos went over the line, as I read this.

    Heh (5.00 / 2) (#20)
    by Steve M on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:29:01 PM EST
    At least when people like Bill Bennett make the Republican case, they try to sound objective and simply say that these are the arguments the Republicans will make, these are the things conservatives believe, etc.

    Sitting there and arguing like an Internet wingnut about how Obama might have Rev. Wright in the cabinet is just pathetic.  I'm surprised he didn't bring the Koran into it.

    Parent

    Alex realized that Obama won tonight (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by Salo on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:38:26 PM EST
    so expect to see the attacks on Obama come thick and fast.

    Primary is over folks.  

    Parent

    Probably, yeah (5.00 / 0) (#47)
    by andgarden on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:38:54 PM EST
    This Was Nothing for Him (none / 0) (#10)
    by BDB on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:24:40 PM EST
    He's one of the more offensive GOPers they have.  He's always trying to stir up racial crap.  He's a disgrace.

    Parent
    They've been doing this since Al Smith in (none / 0) (#16)
    by andgarden on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:27:00 PM EST
    the 1920s. That's I think the only time a Republican nominee won major parts of the south before the 1960s.

    Parent
    Someone should find quotes from the (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by MarkL on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:23:42 PM EST
    Obama team about how IN was a must win state, btw.

    Actually (5.00 / 5) (#14)
    by dissenter on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:26:00 PM EST
    If I was going for the throat, I would play Brazille's remarks over and over again and get 90% of Kentucky and WV to vote for Clinton.

    Parent
    I like that idea a lot. (5.00 / 3) (#17)
    by MarkL on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:28:11 PM EST
    no, just demand (5.00 / 4) (#44)
    by p lukasiak on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:38:01 PM EST
    that Brazile resign from the DNC

    the reasons dems lose is that people like Brazile have been saying that white working class voters aren't as important anymore for years.  But white working class voters are what put Bill Clinton over the top -- and put reagan and Bush into office.

    Parent

    And What Is With I Am Trying To Unify My (5.00 / 2) (#60)
    by PssttCmere08 on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:49:40 PM EST
    party....does that mean if you go her way then it can be unified, but not any other way.  Inquiring minds want to know.

    Parent
    It is mathematically possible (none / 0) (#11)
    by bjorn on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:25:20 PM EST
    for him to still win IN.

    Parent
    Links here (none / 0) (#54)
    by lambert on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:46:41 PM EST
    Corrente.

    First, he says a tiebreaker.

    Then, a few days later, he says it isn't. On a Sunday, too.

    Parent

    Quotes here (none / 0) (#68)
    by lambert on Tue May 06, 2008 at 10:06:05 PM EST
    http://www.correntewire.com/nc_in_primary_thread_2#tiebreaker

    Both the original statement, and the backtracking.

    Parent

    Thanks. (none / 0) (#70)
    by MarkL on Tue May 06, 2008 at 10:07:11 PM EST
    And if the nominee is Obama (5.00 / 3) (#12)
    by andgarden on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:25:21 PM EST
    I really hope that Begala's last statement is right. Because if he's wrong, he was right in the first place: we're looking at the Dukakis coalition.

    Dukakis is going to look great (5.00 / 1) (#23)
    by RalphB on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:30:37 PM EST
    compared to this one.


    Parent
    Obama is between Mondale and (5.00 / 0) (#25)
    by MarkL on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:32:00 PM EST
    McGovern in electability, IMNSHO

    Parent
    you mean a Dukakis coalition isn't the goal? (5.00 / 1) (#87)
    by moll on Wed May 07, 2008 at 02:20:40 AM EST
    I really hope that Begala's last statement is right. Because if he's wrong, he was right in the first place: we're looking at the Dukakis coalition.

    Presumably you will have all sorts of new Libertarian and Independent voters to make up for all the alienated, traumatized "formerly lifelong Dems" who will be fleeing en masse.

    That is the point of deliberately insulting and trashing and opposing the issues nearest and dearest to the working class, the old people, and women. Driving us out of the party is exactly what is going to attract all those Libertarians. Then we'll have two Republican parties instead of just one, and nobody at all to stand for the working man. It'll be great for rich people.

    Of course, it may not happen in time to save Obama - but as long as you get us out of the party, you win. Even if you lose. (Since what does Obama stand for, other than hating mainstream America?)

    Parent

    except Dukakis has more charisma. (none / 0) (#15)
    by MarkL on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:26:36 PM EST
    Well, at least we'll probably win (5.00 / 1) (#21)
    by andgarden on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:29:56 PM EST
    Indianapolis and Philly. Because, you know, that's where the election is really competitive. . .

    Parent
    ZING. (none / 0) (#22)
    by BrandingIron on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:30:17 PM EST
    Because belgian endive is so much (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by MarkL on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:31:05 PM EST
    sexier than arugula.

    Parent
    Man (5.00 / 9) (#13)
    by Steve M on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:25:56 PM EST
    What a pie fight!

    Begala was very gracious and he was also very right.  He has consistently been excellent on CNN not just at advocating for Hillary, but also at being an even-handed spokesman for the interests of the Democratic Party.  You don't see him being divisive like some of the Obama supporters.

    Some of the comments from Obama's campaign recently have been incredibly dismissive of white working-class voters as if we don't really care whether they vote Democratic or not.  That's bizarre.  I can't fathom any message other than that the Democratic Party is the natural party of the working class, period.

    Begala, to his credit, didn't pin any of that on Obama personally.  He said he thinks Obama is better than that and will be able to bring those voters into the coalition in the fall; whether he really believes that, I have no idea.  But the Obama campaign, if they really think they're going to win this nomination in the end, needs to be a lot more gracious towards the voters they hope to win over for the Fall.

    Begala is a loyal democrat (5.00 / 3) (#91)
    by TeresaInPa on Wed May 07, 2008 at 07:05:31 AM EST
    I have had my issues with him in the past, he and Carville both.  I am much more a DFA democrat than than a DLC type.  But I have to admit that both of them are more loyal and a bigger asset to the party than Brazille or Obama.  I don't think for a minute he believes that Obama can bring many of these voters back or win in November.  But he will try and convince himself so that he can try to help the party win.
    Clinton has also been much more of a loyal and careful democrat than Obama has been.  She has never destroyed him personally in her remarks where he has done it to her over and over.  She doesn't deserve the treatment she has gotten from him or his surrogates (Including Donna).

    Parent
    Here is the Obama Movement Moebius strip (5.00 / 4) (#26)
    by Edgar08 on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:32:03 PM EST
    Of logic right here in one glorious sentence:

    BRAZILE: No. It sounds like I am ready to unify my party.

    I'm ready to bring the party back together and I'm sick and tired of hearing people say my party, my party.

    She is sick and tired of people in her party saying it's their party.

    What a joke she is.

    A bad joke.  On the Democratic party.

    thank you for that, it is very (5.00 / 1) (#29)
    by bjorn on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:33:27 PM EST
    satisfying to see her projecting her own divisiveness onto to everyone else.

    Parent
    As a campaign strategy (5.00 / 0) (#55)
    by Edgar08 on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:46:54 PM EST
    Obama and Axlrod executed it to a T.

    Um.  Self-loathing is the future of OUR party.


    Parent

    And (5.00 / 0) (#71)
    by cal1942 on Tue May 06, 2008 at 10:08:14 PM EST
    a loser. A cog in the wheel of futility.

    Diss working people and it's not just over for the Democratic Party, it's over for the nation.

    How incredibly sad.

    Parent

    I like how (5.00 / 3) (#31)
    by Iphie on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:34:10 PM EST
    Donna called out Paul Begala for referring to the Democratic Party as "my party" and then turned around and did the exact same thing.

    And what is this thing she has about cooking? And how would cooking for Begala help his hearing?

    It was also the first time that I've heard someone on tv say that the people who were voting for Obama in the beginning are not the people who are voting for him now.

    CASTELLANOS: He was a much broader reaching candidate when this process started.
    Interesting that it's the Republican who broaches the most salient point, and that it is immediately ignored.

    Because it's too obvious. (5.00 / 0) (#49)
    by Salo on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:43:08 PM EST
    Obama's older coalition is a thing of the past.

    Parent
    Right (5.00 / 0) (#63)
    by Iphie on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:53:22 PM EST
    it is obvious. But Obama surrogates continually use the coalition that he had in the early states as evidence that he has no problems with large swaths of the population now. The obvious point should be used to counter Obama's argument whenever it's raised, but I don't hear that happening.

    Parent
    Didn't she (none / 0) (#72)
    by cal1942 on Tue May 06, 2008 at 10:10:43 PM EST
    write a book that had cooking references in the title?

    Parent
    Book Title = Cooking With Grease (none / 0) (#85)
    by MO Blue on Wed May 07, 2008 at 12:32:30 AM EST
    The best thing that could happen to the Democratic Party is if Donna Brazile never appeared in the media ever again.

    Parent
    Cooking (none / 0) (#89)
    by Dr Molly on Wed May 07, 2008 at 05:36:06 AM EST
    She use that to talk down to the guys on the panel that she disagrees with. It's weird. Whenever she disagrees with them, she starts calling them 'baby' and telling them she's going to come over and cook for them, and set them straight, etc. It always comes out weird and condescending. Strange puppy.

    Parent
    Oh god (5.00 / 1) (#32)
    by bjorn on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:34:13 PM EST
    now she is going off on Lanny Davis, someone get the hook for Donna.

    I was watching earlier and I heard Donna say (5.00 / 5) (#34)
    by zyx on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:34:37 PM EST
    "we don't need working-class (white) voters any more" and I have been wondering if my ears deceived me ever since I heard, or thought I heard that.  I guess if MY ears deceived me, Paul's did, too.  

    I see Obama getting the nomination.  I see McCain moving into the WH.  

    Oh, just BEFORE I heard Donna say that, she said "I've managed a few campaigns..." and I thought, why bring that up, Donna?  Have you SUCCESSFULLY managed any campaigns?

    I think Obama can win in November. (5.00 / 1) (#36)
    by OrangeFur on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:35:27 PM EST
    The Democratic tailwind is very strong this year.

    I just hope he knows what he's doing. While I don't like Obama and the way he's run his campaign, my real disappointment will be in not having Hillary as president.

    Quite frankly, I have much more confidence in her ability to turn the country around. Right now we need a manager/technocrat who can get into details and get things going again. I know she can do it. I have seen no evidence that Obama can.

    I'm alarmed (5.00 / 1) (#42)
    by Steve M on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:37:16 PM EST
    at how many people I am encountering who are inclined to vote Democratic this year, but simply don't find Obama an acceptable candidate.

    This is the way the damn Republicans always get us.  In this case I'm afraid it might be largely an own goal.

    Parent

    Maybe. (5.00 / 1) (#79)
    by OrangeFur on Tue May 06, 2008 at 10:43:39 PM EST
    I really have no way of knowing.

    I think we're lucky that it's McCain. In 2000, he would have been extremely strong. But I get the sense that he doesn't come across as understanding the economy or the plight of the working class any more than Obama. Then again, maybe he won't insult them quite as regularly as Obama does.

    To me, this matchup seems like Kerry vs. Dole. Someone has to win.

    Parent

    Phillip Neville Own Goals. (none / 0) (#59)
    by Salo on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:48:31 PM EST
    A sight to behold.

    Parent
    Republicans have nothing to do with this one (none / 0) (#88)
    by moll on Wed May 07, 2008 at 02:38:55 AM EST
    This is the way the damn Republicans always get us.

    No. The Republicans don't do this to us. It is entirely the Democratic party that does this to us.

    The Democratic party does not respect its majority. The elites think they're smarter and better and therefore eminently qualified to judge what ordinary Americans really need, and what they ought to think. The idea of conversation being two-way is just alien to them. They don't recognize the concept of feedback - they prefer to just blame the voters for not voting right.

    Parent

    Brazile was the reason I switched to Fox (5.00 / 3) (#39)
    by Militarytracy on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:36:56 PM EST
    Looks like Hillary is thinking about giving a speech anyhow.  Fox says that the Clinton campaign is beginning to get suspiscious about Lake Co and thinks holding up the count until midnight could be a political stunt.  Here comes Hillary.

    And She Is Saying She Will Be The Prez (5.00 / 0) (#65)
    by PssttCmere08 on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:55:44 PM EST
    of the entire U.S. and that FL and MI need their votes counted.

    Parent
    And She Is Saying She Will Be The Prez (none / 0) (#66)
    by PssttCmere08 on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:55:52 PM EST
    of the entire U.S. and that FL and MI need their votes counted.

    Parent
    WOW! this is beautiful! (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by Josey on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:37:00 PM EST
    another snapshot of the Obama ideology. Sounds similar to Rev. Wright.
    And Brazile's twisted explanations are just as twisted as Obama's and Obamabots'.
    I hope this goes viral!


    So I've been fired! (5.00 / 3) (#41)
    by mmc9431 on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:37:05 PM EST
    I heard Donna's statement and I also have heard the same from Axlerod. Being a blue collar middle age white suburbanite, my services are no longer required. I'm soooooooo 2006.

    Jesus, Mary and Joseph! (5.00 / 4) (#43)
    by Radiowalla on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:37:55 PM EST
    Quoting my late, beloved aunt who was a devout Catholic and a devout Democrat; I'm not sure in what order of importance.

    Tonight's jabberwocky on the cable news has made me realize that I am totally out of step with what the Democratic party has become.  If Donna Brazile is going to speak for the Democratic party, then you can count me out.

    Henceforth, I will devote my life to gin and yoga.

    It would take (none / 0) (#95)
    by oldpro on Wed May 07, 2008 at 01:05:03 PM EST
    quite a lot of gin to get me to do yoga.

    It's not impossible, mind you.  I love a good martini.

    Problem is, however, the obvious.  Once the mind cooperates, the body won't.

    Parent

    This whole, "we can get by with just African (5.00 / 1) (#53)
    by tigercourse on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:46:10 PM EST
    Americans, young people and upper class whites" mentality is a very big mistake. It's a coalition that will win the nomination every time (get ready for Jesse Jackson Jr) and lose the general election every time.

    Big Problem with Donna Baby (5.00 / 0) (#80)
    by Chimster on Tue May 06, 2008 at 10:49:03 PM EST
    Why hasn't anybody in the MSM called out Donna Brazille for stripping FLA of all of its delegates rather than half of them. I'm sure there's not one person to blame for the MI/FL situation. But if I were to take a guess, I'd say Donna Baby would be at the top of the list. My dislike for her is immense.

    It began before that (4.50 / 4) (#3)
    by joanneleon on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:21:31 PM EST
    Earlier, Brazile made a comment about how the Democratic party has changed.  She said that the party is now younger and more urban, and that the white working class vote is not as important anymore.

    Later, Begala called her out on it, and she lied about what she had said previously.  She started throwing her little temper tantrum, and denied that she had said it, and Begala backed down.  But the truth of the matter is, she did, indeed say what he thought she had said.

    You'll have to go back further in the transcript to hear Brazile making her original statement.

    we need to complain to CNN!! (none / 0) (#61)
    by Josey on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:51:07 PM EST
    the media continues concealing any info that would potentially damage Obama.

    btw - what are eggheads??

    Parent

    the "Creative Class" I believe (5.00 / 1) (#73)
    by nycstray on Tue May 06, 2008 at 10:11:13 PM EST
    Intellectuals (5.00 / 1) (#74)
    by cal1942 on Tue May 06, 2008 at 10:13:17 PM EST
    many of them are (5.00 / 2) (#90)
    by TeresaInPa on Wed May 07, 2008 at 06:47:54 AM EST
    people who have way more education than their IQ allows them to use effectively.

    Others are genuinly brilliant but often lack social skills, perception about other human beings or the ability to like or understand anyone that is not like them.  Obama falls in to both categories unfortunately.

    Parent

    I just updated with her first comments (none / 0) (#75)
    by Jeralyn on Tue May 06, 2008 at 10:26:11 PM EST
    done I just updated with it (none / 0) (#76)
    by Jeralyn on Tue May 06, 2008 at 10:26:59 PM EST
    see top of thread

    Parent
    I did not hear her say "just" (none / 0) (#83)
    by Cream City on Tue May 06, 2008 at 10:57:41 PM EST
    in this line: "We don't have to just rely on white blue-collar voters and Hispanics."  It changes meaning.  I will hope there is a video of it online.

    But it's just icing on the cake that Brazile, et al., cooked up tonight, as I watch Gary returns come in.  Reminds me of election 2000, watching the reversal on Florida.  This stinks, and I will have none of it -- I will not vote for a nominee who not only robs FL and MI of their votes but does this in IN, too.

    Parent

    What Did Brazile Say That Set Begala Off (none / 0) (#1)
    by BDB on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:20:20 PM EST
    I noticed that's not in the transcript.  It occurred before this section.

    Basically (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by dissenter on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:21:47 PM EST
    she said the democratic party no longer needed blue collar workers and hispanics. I don't have the exact quote.

    Parent
    In other words, the Democratic party (5.00 / 3) (#6)
    by MarkL on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:22:36 PM EST
    doesn't need to win anymore.

    Parent
    Apparently that nut case (none / 0) (#7)
    by dissenter on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:23:26 PM EST
    Thinks young people, AA and latte drinkers are the ticket to the presidency.

    Parent
    the rise in latte drinkers (5.00 / 0) (#37)
    by oldnorthstate on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:36:14 PM EST
    across America seems to be underappreciated by many.  

    Parent
    With The State Of The Economy, Soon Those (5.00 / 1) (#56)
    by PssttCmere08 on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:47:10 PM EST
    latte sippers will be drinking coffee from McDonalds; which, by the way, is pretty darn good.

    Parent
    Is There a Transcript of that Somewhere? (none / 0) (#18)
    by BDB on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:28:33 PM EST
    Probably (none / 0) (#27)
    by dissenter on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:32:11 PM EST
    I know someone in a earlier thread had it on Tivo.

    Parent
    But what Brazile said is the nut graf (none / 0) (#50)
    by lambert on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:43:30 PM EST
    And this transcript doesn't contain it.

    Houston, we have a problem!

    Parent

    I'm going to go off myself. (5.00 / 4) (#38)
    by Salo on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:36:30 PM EST
    Castellanos handed her her head.

    She's a tool.

    Her answer to 9/11 baiting and mentioning Ayers is to say:

    "don't go there don't go there..."

    She's weak. She's pathetic and servile and frankly stupid. She's dolt and dunderheaded fool.

    That is where the GOP will go like a Hammerhead Shark seeking out a distressed corpulent lazy fish.

    Axelrod said we don't need white working class voters. We've seen DKos state that Appalachia has an Obama problem (rather than the other way around) So we do know what the Obama crowd are up to. they intend to remake the party, and they intend to boot out undesirables. That, or at the very least marginalize the voice of the working class in favour of the CCs

    Parent

    Just Wait (none / 0) (#45)
    by dissenter on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:38:14 PM EST
    til the AA find out there is no policies for them. They just want their votes.

    Parent
    Jeralyn, did CNN put out the earlier transcript, (none / 0) (#19)
    by jawbone on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:28:58 PM EST
    when Brazille said the things about new Dem Party, not needing blue collar,etc.?

    Parent
    that's all they sent me (none / 0) (#28)
    by Jeralyn on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:33:13 PM EST
    Did they not get it all?

    Parent
    No (5.00 / 3) (#33)
    by dissenter on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:34:15 PM EST
    It was before that. And it was really off the charts. I was so pissed off I actually wrote the DNC.

    Parent
    Hillary is being introduced (Fox) (none / 0) (#30)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:34:02 PM EST


    new thread for her speech (none / 0) (#35)
    by Jeralyn on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:34:59 PM EST
    please comment there.

    Parent
    And She Is Saying She Is Moving On To WV, (none / 0) (#64)
    by PssttCmere08 on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:53:38 PM EST
    KY and is going to work her heart out and she intends to win them in November in the GE

    Parent
    Axelrod said it TOO? (none / 0) (#48)
    by zyx on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:42:09 PM EST
    I couldn't bring myself to listen to him.

    yup (none / 0) (#51)
    by Salo on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:44:15 PM EST
    It must be deep strategery.

    Parent
    He certainly did. (none / 0) (#57)
    by mmc9431 on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:47:26 PM EST
    According to him, we haven't supported the party since we all ran to St. Ronnie. (That shouldn't upset him since Obama thinks Reagan was one of the greats).

    Parent
    These left wing activist... (none / 0) (#52)
    by AX10 on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:46:05 PM EST
    are trouble makers.  They are a bad as their right wing counterparts.
    It's this kind of nonsense that costs Democrats elections.  I am sick of hearing about Obama
    and how he doesn't need any outsiders to win in the fall.  He is truely a moron if he believes that and the same goes for his supporters.

    That makes me see red (none / 0) (#69)
    by zyx on Tue May 06, 2008 at 10:06:33 PM EST
    warning flags, whatever--go ballistic.  Bush was "a uniter, not a divider."  Now Obama is the Unity Candidate--or, is he?

    What is the matter--don't most people come with cynic genes, or parents who teach them about this kind of thing?  I didn't fall for it with Bush and I didn't fall for it with Obama and I won't fall for it next time.

    Parent

    I think Obama and his campaign (none / 0) (#78)
    by mulletov cocktails on Tue May 06, 2008 at 10:38:36 PM EST
    cribbed one too many pages from the Rove's playbook, and the strategy he's employed is ultimately going to set progressives back 15+ years.

    Parent
    Donna is such a Joke (none / 0) (#62)
    by Richjo on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:51:18 PM EST
    How can we bring the party back together when we still refuse to allow millions of the members of our party to have no say in the process of choosing our nominee? I am honestly not sure I want to be part of a party that would throw millions of voters out of the process because they didn't allow the party establishment to give special status to 4 states at the expense of everyone else. The Republicans would never do what our party did. If we have less respect for the right of all people to participate in the process than Republicans, than I am not sure it is a party worth saving.

    The Clintons are a big part of the democratic party I know, and quite frankly the treatment of them and their supporters in this primary has been a disgrace. I am not sure I want to be a part of this party anymore.

    I rejoiced in 2006 when my party took back Congress, but honestly I can't tell you how that has changed anything in the past two years.

    I know people keep telling me how important it is that the Republicans not win in November, but I must admitt to being confused because this is coming from the same guy who I was supposed to support because he could bring us together with those people. If they are so terrible and must be stopped at all costs, why would I want to be brought together with them? I can't even fathom why I would want to unite with the people in my own damn party right now.

    Eight years ago we elected someone who promised to be a uniter and not a divider, someone who the majority of the American people thought was honest and trustworthy. He clearly turned out not to be, and in fact it is obvious that the only reason people believed that about him is because he was a newcomer to the national scene and they knew relatively little about him. We obviously know better now, or at least should. Apparently we don't however, but I guess I should rejoice because this type the uniter who is honest and trustworthy is part of my, excuse me, I mean our party.

    the media sold us Bush in 2000 (none / 0) (#93)
    by Josey on Wed May 07, 2008 at 09:34:50 AM EST
    now - Obamamites want to have a beer with Obama.
    Mission Accomplished!


    Parent
    this Brazile meltdown will dominate talk radio (none / 0) (#67)
    by Josey on Tue May 06, 2008 at 10:04:16 PM EST
    3 racial issues against Whites initiated by Obama or connected to him within the past month - Bitter/Cling-gate, racist Wright, and Brazile's outlandish racist behavior tonight.

    And they accuse the Clintons of racism??

    I knew I wasn't hearing things (none / 0) (#77)
    by OxyCon on Tue May 06, 2008 at 10:29:03 PM EST
    I posted on Brazille's acid comments on an earlier thread and I've been waiting all night for the transcripts, to no avail.
    Since Paul Begala heard the same thing, then I now know what I heard was true.
    It's a shame that I got so fed up with Brazille that I turned to TV off and I didn't get a chance to see her meltdown.
    On another note, I did find the transcripts for some ridiculousness from Claire McCaskill earlier on CNN.
    Get a load of this garbage from her:

    MCCASKILL: Well, all of us look forward to cheering our nominee with the delegates from Florida and Michigan. And all of us are confident that that will happen.

    We just have to make sure that we don't change the rules in the middle of the contest. The voters in Florida and Michigan are not at fault here. It was the leaders of their party that decided to go ahead and break the rules, and they knew when they were doing it they were breaking the rules. And we have got to play by the rules.

    After all, that is what our country is about. A democracy is about having rules for elections and following them. But all of us want them to be included. All of us want them to be seated, and they will be. It's just going to probably not be determined how or when until more of these primaries take place.

    I'm Saving My First Republican Vote In My Life (none / 0) (#86)
    by MO Blue on Wed May 07, 2008 at 12:40:15 AM EST
    for 2012.

    Parent
    How many Democrats (none / 0) (#81)
    by zyx on Tue May 06, 2008 at 10:53:23 PM EST
    can Donna Brazile throw under a bus?

    Don't see it (none / 0) (#84)
    by rilkefan on Tue May 06, 2008 at 11:51:26 PM EST
    "we don't have to just rely on white blue-collar voters and Hispanics."

    Ok, this doesn't make a lot of sense - AA's have been an essential segment of the party forever, and white blue-collar voters have been a battleground forever, right?  But I don't see her saying we don't need group x or y, just that we need a bigger tent.  Why Obama is going to do that is unclear to me, esp. when his Ohio/Florida/etc problems do seem clear.

    Has Brazile apologized yet? (none / 0) (#92)
    by Josey on Wed May 07, 2008 at 09:32:36 AM EST


    Am I missing something? (none / 0) (#94)
    by jericho4119 on Wed May 07, 2008 at 10:05:13 AM EST
    Why are Democrats and liberals acting like we are Republicans and conservatives?  What ever happened to giving our people the benefit of the doubt, because we believe - at heart - that we are all on the same side?

    This is what I saw in the transcript quoted above:

    " . . . and we don't have to just rely on white blue-collar voters and Hispanics. We need to look at the Democratic Party, expand the party, expand the base and not throw out the baby with the bathwater."

    Now, as I understand it, Donna said this in response to a comment from a Republican - that was designed to sow discord amongst Democrats - about how Obama could not win because he was not getting the vote of white, blue collar voters and Hispanics.  So Donna says basically, Democrats are going to win because we are going to get those votes and we are going to add them together with white college graduates and black voters too.

    What is wrong with that?  Isn't that what we want to see?

    White, bllue collar voters have been voting Republican - in large part - since Ronald Reagan.  As Democrats, we have always felt the natural home for these voters was our party.  All Donna was saying is that if we bring those voters home and add them with the rest of our voting block, things will look very good for our nation (and our party).

    Isn't that what we want?