It's time for good old fashioned Progressivism
Last year, I like many others in this nation and around the world even was inspired by the audacious campaign of the man that would be the 44th President of the United States. Against the conventional grain, Candidate Obama sought to bring people together and heal old divisions to take the discussion beyond old contentions toward a fascinating future that started to become visible during the campaign. President-Elect Obama remained humble and so respectful of his political adversaries during the transition while setting up a centrist cabinet that illustrated the Pragmatism that would reign for at least the next four years in Washington. Transparency was of the utmost importance and also accountability to the American people in an unprecedented way. Then the Inauguration with a sober assessment and frugal festivities to follow and still this ever present emphasis on bi-partisan reconciliation. On stimulus Obama worked with the Republicans and invited them to the Whitehouse to discuss policy as he has done on so many another occasion and so on and so forth for nine months. Now here we are and finally I'm tired of this game. President Obama has played the "middle of the road", triangulation, bi-partisanship strategy to full effect and to this point it's payed off with successful legislation the result in most cases (including the current healthcare fight I'm confident). The price however has been an overwhelming portion of political capital being expended to do what seems to many like compromise. Now President Obama is running out of that capital with quite alot still left to do and a short second 9 months before the midterm elections kick into high "summer" gear next year. Now when that time comes, the argument the President and Dems will make is that we pushed for the best solutions in crisis and came up with the best for America. The reality of where the economy is and what kind of policies are in place on issues ranging from climate change to immigration is still unknown and what the perception of those things by the majority of the voting public is a great mystery. But I can guarantee the Republicans will be looking for any negatives or complex factors to spin into I told you so's and "the Democrats controlled the whole government with filibuster proof majorities". I'm also sure that most voters won't want to hear that the Republicans played dirty tactics and that we "miscalculated" so give us more time as a response from Dems if things aren't going swimmingly by then. It will also be another disappointing midterm election season for many voters who feel like they can't tell the difference between the two parties. There is a way to avoid these scenarios altogether IMHO. The President along with progressive Dems must set out on a clearly and partisan course. The time for the post-partisan experiment is over. The experiment is a failure. One party cannot a be bi-partisan if the other party refuses to be reasonable and if the other party is being unreasonable then they must be called out and put in their place. It's time for Dems to smash the opposition inanity with sensible "liberal" solutions that seek to "solve problems" instead of building consensus. Obama needs to move to the left so that when he's accused of being a leftist, the charge can be at least remotely true and no more of this understanding madness from the other side. Joe Wilson is a disgrace, Sarah Palin is devastatingly uneducated and the Republican leadership on capital hill is absolutely without new ideas or even talking points for the crucial issues that we currently face. These are facts and should be stated as such before strong policy is implemented, not in a debate but in a march towards a more progressive future.
Advertisement
















My goodness Professor, it has been awhile. I mean since July?
Besides, the repubs are right there. They are at the committee hearings. And great citizens like Vitter can hold up legislation for a few days along with nominations for a couple weeks. They get to ask questions at the hearings. The blue dogs are really using them when they shoot amendments down.
We still have a two party system. But like you say, we are going to get nothing from the 'opposition'. Absolutely nothing unless they offer something constructive. Hell, they GLORY in the defeat of any legislation. They brag about it.
September 29, 2009 3:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's why it's insane to be anything but more potently partisan in a liberal fashion right now. Offering up watered down legislation to be watered down some more before the Republicans attempt another filibuster just doesn't make any sense. And now a public option can't make it outta committee? Why didn't the debate start with single payer?
September 29, 2009 3:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Amen. It's so frustrating to be hearing these ignorant calls of "Obama is a socialist," he isn't, but I am dang it! I wish he was a socialist!
Great to see ya, perfessor. It's been too long.
=D
September 29, 2009 9:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's good to be back comrade. I will never leave you leftists alone again.
September 29, 2009 10:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yet Obama's numbers are still high; and outside of the base of the repubs, is there really a "throw the bums out" sentiment out there? At times I can't believe the sheer stupidity this country exhibits, and yet we did pick Obama/Biden over McCain/Palin. Even in states like mine, Indiana. Americans do have a short memory and if after the brewhaha, we get some kind of HCR, the economy stabilizes, the Repubs will be left speaking to the choir which amounts to some 25% of the country.
In the end, the deep red portions of the country will remain deep red, deep blue will be deep blue, and purple will do as purple does. And Obama will continue to operate with the notion of where do we want to be eight years from now, not where do we want to be in the next few months.
September 30, 2009 12:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
I should add that part of me says "right on" to everything you said.
September 30, 2009 12:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
My worry is that the results won't be as evident by the 2010 elections and without clear lines, the people can be fooled again.
September 30, 2009 1:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
The MSM is doing a great job of fooling the people. The impetus for HCR was extraordinary, but the political agitators sucked all the air out of the room and the real statistics were ignored, that there was and there remains a significant percentage of people who expect meaningful HCR, which includes a public option. Anything lacking the public option is switching seats on the Titanic.
September 30, 2009 12:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Paragraphs. The student in me says that paragraphs would make your blog a bit easier to read.
That said,
is probably right. I mean, the only Republican playing ball is Snowe. She's turned herself into the most influential Republican because she's at least working, but the rest of the Republican party doesn't seem to be noticing. Many of them continue to complain, make baseless accusations, and offer little that will make American's lives better. That's something that can be used to implement a Republican 'teaching moment' come the next election. But it won't happen if we dick around.September 30, 2009 12:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
Do forgive me, I was ranting so my presentation is less than stellar. I think Snowe should just pull a Specter and join the Dems. It's obvious she doesn't fit in with her whacko party.
September 30, 2009 1:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah . . .
The so called "liberals" of the Democratic Party have become so watered down and tepid that even Olympia and Arlen look left to that of an Evan Bayh or that of a Blanche Lincoln.
~OGD~
September 30, 2009 10:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's true the Republicans have moved away from the likes of Snowe but she's not Democrat either. Her positions suck on most things. She is a Republican, just not a right wing extremist Republican. We don't need anymore Republicans to pose as Democrats. We need to drive as many of the DINO's out of office as possible. In most cases, the claims of having to be conservative for their district are plain old bullshit but they use that excuse so they can suck up to the money and power they crave instead of serving the people's interests which is what they're elected to do.
September 30, 2009 1:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
I believe the Democratic party needs to be inclusive at this time. If Dems can take away all the moderates and the center right, the Republicans will no longer be a viable party and can fade away into the annals of history.
September 30, 2009 5:51 PM | Reply | Permalink