[Overpaid Slacker]

Mule -
I can't see the pic you posted, but lemme 'splain something. I want there to be unity; I want there to be bipartisanship; I want there to be spirited, but respectful disagreement.

The rank-and-file follow the examples set by their leaders (hence the name, no?). If BFTK hurles such invective, and members of the Senate out-and-out call W a "Liar" for something about which he was simply mistaken, the r&f are going to be carrying "Bush = Nazi" signs in the streets.

Dem BigWigs have been playing down, pandering to their electorate; and not infrequently lying to or otherwise deceiving/misleading them. If that's what the dems thought they needed to energize their base, they've been proven wrong -- in TWO elections now. They need to become statesmen and elevate, rather than deign to, their wards.

Moses is right -- this is a humiliating repudiation of the Liberal agenda of recent years, and it's going to sting like Hell. But, swallow the pride, come up with some genuine solutions and proposals, present them in good faith, treat your adversaries honorably and work together.

If, two years from now, Libs, unchanged in their tactics, are still standing in the wilderness shouting "W didn't unite America!! W didn't unite America!!" it's not going to fool anyone. OK, it'll fool MA, NH, CA, OR, etc. but so what. Look where that got 'em this time.

This loss is an excellent opportunity for the DNC to clean house, take stock and tidy up. Had Kerry won, the DNC would've felt validated in their extremism, and that combined with 4 I'd-bet-my-930 disastrous pusillanimous, irresolute years (up against a strongly GOP/Conservative Congress) would have further weakened the DNC.

To wit, Mule, I wasn't being sarcastic. I'd like detente, but the Libs have got to want it enough to give up the howling martyr complex.

JP