They sat down, they typed in capital letters, they conquered no one. That's the Caesar-ish recap on what happened last week when a dozen congressional Democrats each spent time butting cursors with denizens of America Online's Great Debate chat room.
How did it go?
With no pretense that this sums up the whole 12-hour event, which reportedly drew thousands, here's a glimpse at the discourse that followed the arrival of Senator Paul Wellstone (D-Minnesota):
Casey: Sen Wellstone (MN) is joining us in a moment...
SS454: thats the governors choice, texas governor is helping storm victims
MarilyB: DTCC, why are you yelling?
Srchr123: Where does it say that in the constitution? Please fill me in.
SenateDTCC: HI, MY NAME IS PAUL WELLSTONE
GDebMick: I'm working KL
SenateDTCC: I'M A SENATOR FROM MINNESOTA
Gail2kone: Mar...Guests have been asked to use all caps for easy id
KLovel8335: DTCC, the pres does not have the say so...
GDebMick: WElCOME
Swayzepl: Disaster Relief bill....what its all about Rosa
SenateDTCC: I REALLY APPRECIATE THE OPORTUNITY TO HAVE THIS DISCUSSION WITH YOU
WMann36729: welcome senator
Gail2kone: Welcome, Sen. Wellstone!
KLovel8335: Mick , if you're working then why are you makin contributions you won't back up.
SS454: you need to read the constitution the peoples representatives have the final say
SenateDTCC: TONIGHT, ALL NIGHT, SOME OF US IN THE SENATE, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF
GDeb Fredi: Welcome Senator Wellstone!
SenateDTCC: US WHO ARE FROM STATES WHERE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SO HURT FROM THE FLOODS
J0HN HUANG: Paul, where was your outrage when Maxine Waters attached a rider for haircuts on a bill?
DPWoelke: SENATE...are there votes to over right a veto (I hope not)
DJALLER: Wellstone said he only run once, but like all the rest of them he has unfinish work
Swayzepl: Hi Sen Wellstone...welcome
SenateDTCC: ARE REALLY TALKING TO PEOPLE IN THE COUNTRY LIKE YOU
SS454: make amotion to override and go home senator
SenateDTCC: AND WHAT WE'RE SAYING IS "IT'S TIME TO PASS A DISASTER RELIEF BILL
Rosalie488: Senator Welstone, why do the democrats object to a provision to stop from closing gov.??
Srchr123: I am from WV and many people were hurt here too. There's no monopoly on that anywhere
SenateDTCC: TO GET HELP TO PEOPLE"
Srchr123: this year it seems.
MryPearlH: Why is it more important for Mr C. to be able to shut down the govt. that to get aid out?
Swayzepl: I second Rosa's
SS454: you did clinton vetoed it
Rojoro1: Senator Wellstone, is this bill designed to replenish the FEMA
Rojoro1: fund which has already paid the disaster victims????
SenateDTCC: THE CONTINUING RESOLUTION WHICH HAS TO DO WITH PREVENTING A
J0HN HUANG: NO Fillibustering!!!!!!
SenateDTCC: GOVERMENT SHUTDOWN IS IN A WAY A FALSE ISSUE.
Rosalie488: Sway thanks
GDebMick: good one Rojo
O123ABC: AND this PRESIDENT says it is more important to be able to shut the gov't down than SIG
SenateDTCC: THE PEOLE WHO SHUT THE GOVERNMENT DOWN LAST TIME
DPWoelke: SENATOR, are there votes to override veto? Please tell us no!
SenateDTCC: HAVE LEARNED THEIR LESSON AND IT'S NOT GONNA HAPPEN.
O123ABC: THIS PRESIDENT says it is more important to be able to
O123ABC: shut the gov't down than SIGN relief for disaster
Srchr123: Mr. SenDTCC Is Mr. C. really for the people or for himself?
O123ABC: WHY?????
SenateDTCC: WE JUST HAD AN AGREEMENT ON THE BUDGET.
Srchr123: A lot of us are in the dark.
Swayzepl: What about the Money in this bill for Bosnia? How can the Democrats ignore these issues?
SS454: to you senator or does it remove a propaganda tool from dems
SenateDTCC: THIS IS JUST A BACKDOOR EFFORT TO MAKE CUTS IN PROGRAMS LIKE EDUCATION.
Rosalie488: Sway Good point
April17552: Srch Clinton is to blame you can be sure of that
WMann36729: senator, shouldnt president Clinton sign this bill immediatly. to help these people?
SenateDTCC: AND IT HAS NO BUSINESS BEING ON A DISASTER RELIEF BILL.
Rojoro1: Senator, your propaganda is not working.
SenateDTCC: WHEN THE PRESIDENT CAME TO MINNESOTA AND THE DAKOTAS
MarilyB: What in the bill relates to education?
SenateDTCC: HE SAID HE HOPED THAT THERE WOULD BE A CLEAN DISASTER RELIEF
VAM72: SENATE, I Think That A Shut-Down Govt is the Best Kind of Govt Given Our Current Situation
April17552: WM right
SS454: why not get out of education that is a states right fed has no business doing ed
SenateDTCC: BILL AND THAT PEOPLE WOULD NOT PUT OTHER AGENDAS ON IT.
