I know we're not supposed to be despondant because we all knew the filibuster wouldn't work. I know we're all supposed to channel our frustration. I am told a red state (D) is better than a red state (R), but I wonder...
Is it? Why do I have two Democratic senators? Do I have these senators so that in our desperate hour of need, knowing what Alito means to the future of this country they can vote like Republicans? Could they not have at least allowed me to show my face as a Democrat tomorrow and voted "no" for Alito, but "yes" for cloture? Would that have helped? At least they would have stood against Alito. How? How Senator Byrd? How can I say I am a Democrat in WV? You and Senator Rockefeller, who have done so much good for our state, in two votes, rendered the state party and your base, irrelevant. WV Democrat now means "hypocrite". The Republican take-over is just a matter of time. Do you realize how much you have hurt your loyal base? The rabid Republicans in this state would never have voted for you. Now, they smell blood. Sadly, I for one won't be there for you. I was born, raised and educated in this state while you were Senator. You fought the good fights, you helped reverse years of exploitation with your much maligned programs to bring money and jobs here. But this is not about the money and jobs. It is about principle. How can we Democrats EVER expect to convince doubtful and woefully ignorant-of-politics people that the Democrats have values? How can we convince them we are worth voting for? How, when today, you voted like a lock-step Republican? Were you really that afraid of a fight with John Raese? Were you really afraid of the hate-filled religious right in this state? Kos tells us that red state Dems are better than red State Republicans. I disagree. The (D) behind you name now stands for Disappointment, and the same goes for Senator Rockefeller. I will remember today as the day I lost faith in the Democrats I elected to serve me in the Senate. We have become irrelevant. The Republicans will gloat, and we, we will continue to lose our beloved Constitution. That paper in your pocket became meaningless today.
