2008
Over the last few years, Washington and the various branches of government residing there have all made out like bandits (literally) by running to the most conservative reaches of the political spectrum. The Democrats’ response to this (if you can say they’ve had one) has been to nominate the most electable over the most visionary candidates, in acknowledgement of the country’s Texas Two-Step to the right. What I would like to ask them is when did they start thinking the best man or woman for the job was not also the most electable candidate. We don’t know that standing up to the Republicans will cost us votes because we’ve never tried it.
As for the lesser of two evils game plan, I’m not sure we really worked that baby for all it was worth. We decided in 2004 that John Kerry was the guy who oozed electability? Don’t make me choke on my pretzel. I have great respect for the man, but mass voter appeal was never his strength. Regardless, it is clear that this strategy is not so effective, and where it has worked we end up putting an "I can’t believe it’s not Republican" in office. Woohoo.
So while Hillary continues her own two-step to the right in New York, lapping up all of her husband’s conservatism and none of his charm and Edwards and Kerry position themselves for another losing bid in 2008, let’s try someone who isn’t afraid to take a different approach. Someone who will say what he believes without first sticking his finger in the wind. Let’s try the only person to vote against the Patriot Act the first time around, the only senator to introduce a motion to censure the President and the only Northern Democrat I know of who went to the Deep South to ask the voters what Democrats were doing wrong. Let’s try Russ Feingold.
5 comments April 17th, 2006