'I think Democrats want to see a fighting leadership...a fighting president,' Grayson said. Grayson blames Dem 'appeasement'

Ousted Florida Rep. Alan Grayson, one of the most outspoken, liberal members of the House, said Thursday that Tuesday's election was a "national disaster" and a repudiation of the Democrats' "strategy of appeasement."

In his first interview since losing his seat, Grayson upended conventional wisdom about his party’s 60-seat loss in the House, saying that if Democrats had been more progressive in their policies, Democratic voters would have gone to the polls.


"Our strategy for two years has been appeasement, and look where it got us," Grayson said on MSNBC. "I think Democrats want to see a fighting leadership, they want to see a fighting president — somebody who actually accomplishes good things for constituents." As examples of what Democrats should have focused on, Grayson listed the Employee Free Choice Act, immigration reform, civil rights and women's rights.

Grayson also took a direct shot at Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, recommending that Reid read William Butler Yeats's "Slouching Toward Bethlehem," which contains the line "The best lack all conviction, while the worst/Are full of passionate intensity."

Grayson did not rule out another run for his 8th District seat, despite losing by 18 points on Tuesday to GOP challenger Daniel Webster.

"If that's what the people want, then I'll be back," Grayson said.