If I said the sky was blue, these Republicans would say no way.
That's how President Obama opens his latest fundraising appeal to the DSCC, calling for Democrats to unite against the corporate-sponsored media, the pundits, and the Republicans who have already declared victory.
President Obama likes playing from behind and he loves playing against an overconfident opponent. And over the next month, I believe we will see President Obama clearly define the differences between the do-nothing, know-nothing, obstructionists in the Senate Republican caucus and the "Yes we can" brigade on the Democratic side.
The Republicans have been betting on failure since Obama was inaugurated. This strategy will only be successful if we let them control the message, blame the Democrats, and split us into factions.
All they've had to do is nothing.
And somehow, Democrats and independents are frustrated enough that they are ready to "throw the bums out" (i.e., Harry Reid and others) and give Republicans a free pass. The Republicans have just waited on the ledge while the nation falls off a cliff, and Democrats fall with them.
More from President Obama:
They said no to fixing health care, regulating Wall Street greed, tax cuts, and even job creation. If this election swings on who's actually fixing things, we'll win.
The problem is that all these special interest groups are going to spend $400 million to scare people and confuse the truth. There's no bold new vision. They just want to tell America what we can't do.
Don't tell me that we can't change history. Don't tell me we can't rescue our economy, win global conflicts, and make America more equal and more free.
That's the real battle here. This is the battle, not for whether we have a public option or not, or whether our particular pet project gets passed. It's a question of whether government can do anything at all, or if it will simply be filibustered to death.
If you're not going to give to the DSCC (because you know the money will go to Blanche Lincoln or Michael Bennet), then give directly to the candidates who need help the most.
Russ Feingold
Barbara Boxer
Kendrick Meek
Kirsten Gillibrand
Alexi Giannoulias
And if you're really interested in the long-term progress of the country, invest in Alabama, Idaho, Wyoming, or Arizona. Invest in Georgia, North Dakota, or Oklahoma. Help Lee Fisher beat Bush crony Rob Portman in Ohio. Help Joe Sestak beat back Club for Growth Bush apologist Pat Toomey in Pennsylvania.
The corporations and lobbyists are not sitting on the sidelines, because they know they can't win unless they make you stay home.
But they can't win if you vote.