Democrats are going to pick up a substantial number of seats and it looks like they will take back the house.
That is the sentiment that is permeating the party, especially among the consultant class. As much as I would like to agree with them, don't you believe it just yet.
Yes, the president is mismanaging Iraq. He and his appointees bungled Katrina. Gas prices are high. Tom DeLay has become a symbol of the corruption that runs deep in politics and as much as Republicans may try to point to corruption being on both sides of the aisle, it is pretty clear that in this congress, the culture of corruption lies pretty squarely with the Republicans.
No, Republicans can't run the country, is the view held by most Americans now, even Conservatives disapprove. But the Democrats still can't run their own party. That's the rub.
I have often thought of the Democrats like a symphony orchestra. Before the conductor comes out, all the musicians are doing warmups on their own, and the sound is disorganized and harsh to the ear.
But when the conductor steps in front of them, with a baton for the orchestra to follow, the result is some of the most beautiful music known to man.
Iraq is a perfect example of the disjointed collection of instruments the Democrats have become. Some are saying we need to pull out. Some are saying we shouldn't - but should set a target date to leave. Some say we need to stay for the long haul. A few Democrats admit their vote for the war was a mistake; others say they'd vote the same way again.
Though there is plenty of ammo, it will not be enough to simply run against something. There are plenty of polls showing Americans preferring Democrats in general, but as we've seen, that may not be the case once it comes down to individual races and voters are dealing with actual named candidates. Citizen Hunters must encourage all parties to put forth their vision for America and explain where they stand and the solutions they offer for the problems we confront. Democracy is strong when we have a great exchange of ideas not just scare tactics from one side and finger pointing from another.
If you are a Progressive, take a few moments and in 100 words or less explain what that means to you. Lots of Americans don't know what either party stands for, not surprisingly. Give them some ideas and you could win a trip to DC, all expenses paid, for the Take Back America Conference.
You make an excellent point. Disillusionment with Congress does not always translate into unhappiness with one's own Congressman. Often voters reward senior members of Congress who bring home the bacon with reelection.
I personally don't think the Dems will regain Congress. There's too much advantage for incumbents- thanks in no small part to the Dem leadership themselves. Plus, as you said, they have no clear message.
Incumbent succes rate is in the 90%'s and the bigger spender usually wins. The majority of the folks believe we are headed in the wrong direction and the numbers regarding Congress' approval/disapproval is reminicent of the 90's "throw the bums out" elections of Clinton's mid-term.
So what does this mean?
Zero, zilch, nada, squat.
So what can we do?
Work our butts off.
That means doing your homework, talking to friends, neighbors, coworkers. If the Democratic Party is off message and unfocused and "the cacophony" is in full swing, take charge yourself.
Never forget that progressives, conservatives, libertarians, whatever, are Citizens first. Focus on the issue(s) that you are passionate about and work locally.
You see, the elections are about us. Its more than voting on Election Day, but persuading others through words and actions Everday. Taking charge of our own country is an everyday endeavor. To often we view civics and politics as a spectator sport. If we want to change something, we must take personal responsibility.
So Citizen Hunters will not wait for a leader to emerge, but must become leaders themselves and set the example for those that wish to lead us in office. That is what makes this country great: not the pontifications of a politician nor the percentages of a poll, but the Actions of the Citizen!
Posted by: Joe at May 23, 2006 11:39 PMA progressive/true patriot would never stand on ceremony, much less remain silent, when a president or his party ransacked the treasury, destroyed the military, displayed pathetic leadership in the face of national tragedy (Katrina) or showed flagrant disregard for the Constitution, the rule of law, human rights, etc. It is one thing to wave the bloody flag of nationalism in the wake of 9/11, it is quite another to demonstrate repeatedly the incompetence and lack of responsibility that allowed it to happen in the first place. The problem with the Democratic Party lies not in the people that vote Democratic, but the candidates that talk the talk and don't walk the walk. It may take a few years to infuse the party with people of integrity, ideals and the selfless passion for furthering the dream that used to be our birthright. Robert F. Kennedy said it best in 1966:
"Few are willing to brave the disapproval of their fellows, the censure of their colleagues, and the wrath of their society. Moral courage is a rarer commodity than bravery in battle or great intelligence. Yet it is the one essential, vital quality for those who seek to change a world that yields most painfully to change. And I believe that in this generation those with the courage to enter the moral conflict will find themselves with companions in every corner of the globe."
Posted by: Mike Collins at May 24, 2006 11:53 PMMy 2 cents. Not sure how progressive they are.
- Fiscal responsibility w/ balance budget emphasizing the Clinton years of prosperity
- Careful withdrawal from Iraq provided Iraq's military appears sufficiently capable
- Keep the pressure on Iran and NK, including the threat of military options even if not really viable
- Clean environment a top priority. Gas prices and middle east nutjob regimes don't matter when you get 50 mpg, and oh by the way, you'll be saving the environment in the process
- Smarter illegal immigration policies (employer sanctions more important than fence)
- Embrace religious moderates appealing to Christian virtues
- Avoid stereotypical lefty debate tactics (class warfare, racial entitlements, etc.)
Americans are generally tough, fair and want smart policies. Democrats should be presenting themselves as the responsible alternative instead of pointing fingers or trying to promote a far left agenda.
Posted by: JSM at May 25, 2006 02:54 PMProgressives are people of common-sense, compassion, courage, and action. Not waiting for a leader to emerge, progressives take personal stewardship of our families, communities, and country. Throughout our history we have moved America forward to her current position as a beacon of light and hope for the world. Progressives work toward finding new and better ways to serve our local, national, and global neighbors regardless of our differences. Our strength is our diversity and our fundamental Progressive Values of shared responsibility, fairness, equality, and love of freedom, is how the rebuilding of our great country begins: block by block, community by community, all the while holding on to, speaking about, and acting on the values that makes us who we are.
Posted by: Joe at May 25, 2006 10:22 PMMost beautiful music?
Are you referring to the destruction of African American family unit by the welfare state? The millions dead in Southeast Asia due to pulling the rug out from under the South Vietnamese after the Paris Peace Accords? Runaway inflation under Carter?
Or are you referring to the compromises Clinton made with a Republican Congress, saving himself from his own agenda?
Posted by: Geoff at May 26, 2006 01:56 PMI think she is refering to desegregation, the anti-trust laws, women suffrage, the pressure on S. Africa to end apartheid, the regulations placed on pollutants, the rebuilding of our country from the Great Depression, as opposed to,
corruption, voter suppression, escalation of conflicts, ruining the economy, dividing the American people, monopolies, the suffocating our freedoms, and generally sour, science hating, deficit loving, pollution worshiping, mean-spirited, religion warping, jingoistic, psuedo-intellectual, talk radio listening, kool-aid drinking folks.
Geoff, just an analogy. The symphony plays the most beautiful music and the dems should get some sheet music and a conductor and figre it out is what I got. Thanks for being the catalyst for BW's good comeback.
Posted by: Tina at May 26, 2006 08:00 PMBW, mean-spirited? The right has no monopoly on that I assure you.
The conservatives believe liberals are stupid and liberals believe that conservatives are evil. Or so some have said. I think there is a lot of truth in that.
Posted by: Geoff at May 26, 2006 09:40 PMOh, Geoff, thanks for reminding me...
...kool-aid drinking, AND America Dividing folks. Your basic premise is that one must be a liberal or a conservative. I am a parent. Where's my lobby?
Chew on that.
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