My Louisiana "Democrat" is Mary Landrieu, a spineless, behind-checking waffler if ever there was one. I share this to exhort others to do the same if they have suspect Democrats in their states. Here's what I wrote to her regarding Dr. Dean:
"Dear Senator Landrieu:
I am writing you to tell you that I support Howard Dean in the tough stand he is taking within the Democratic party against the New Intransigence of the Republican Party. I expect you to support him in his efforts."
Continuing below the fold...
As I am sure you are aware (and if you are not, then shame on you), Dr. Dean is not the radical left wing fringe member that the mainstream media plays him out to be. His political stance could be better likened to that of the old moderate Rockefeller Republicans which, these days, is unfortunately well to the left of the Republican mainstream.
What Dr. dean is doing is taking a stand against the Republicans' perverse twisting of American values (e.g., fair voting, tamper-proof and honest government, policies that benefit the average citizen, etc.) into a set of policies that 1) help big business avoid their civic responsibilities which they can be counted upon to do if left unchecked and 2) cause unnecessary death and misery around the world. For any Democratic leader (I'm speaking to you) to not follow the courageous lead taken by Mr. Dean and, instead, compromise basic Democratic values in the interest of maintaining their own short term power is inexcusable. The time for knuckling under to the bullying of the PNAC and Bush's fringe element is over. If it has not been proven to you by now that the Republicans are playing dirty, vicious politics, then I have little hope that you will ever understand or care.
I encourage you to be strong and to join Howard Dean in his effort to bring spine and meaning to the Democratic Party. It has recently been a party with little meaning to me. Be more like Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi who have shown extraordinary courage, who have stood by their values. Be less like Joe Biden and Diane Feinsteinm who respond more to their corporate sponsors than they do to their constituencies. Watching Reid and Pelosi, it is obvious from their body language that they know who they are. Watching your body language, my concern is that I am not sure that you know who you are. There are those of us out here who are watching and hoping that the Mary Landrieus and Barak Obamas of America will stand up and be somebody rather than just protect their collective political backsides.
I worked hard for your election. If you follow the lead of the Biden/Feinstein/Leiberman faction and undermine Mr. Dean's front line charge, then I will work just as hard to replace you come election time.