Fightin’ words from Susie:
And yet.
And yet, we simply have no choice. We can indulge our anger to the point where we’re paralyzed - and boy, won’t that make Karl Rove happy! Or we can push on and fight harder.
Ours is not a generation known for patience. We do love the sprint, but we’re not so good on the long haul. Grow up, guys - reclaiming our country is a very long haul. These bastards are dismantling everything, regardless of merit. Should we let them continue? Are you okay with bad schools, poisoned food, unsafe workplaces and a stagnant wage in an economy where we’re supposed to be grateful for a job, any job? If you’re so morally opposed to torture, is your solution to sit on your hands and let it continue?
Is your need to punish the Democrats worth that? Some slippery ideals, there.
Shakespeare’s Sister offers another perspective:
The argument for tactical voting is predicated on the assumption that the Dems will do what we hope—block outrageous SCOTUS appointments, restore the rule of law, guarantee fair elections, etc.—but what if they don’t? That question is haunting me today in a way it hasn’t before, explicitly because of their performance regarding the torture bill.
I think that I fall somewhere between Susie and Shakes: I will, as always, vote for a full slate of Democrats in November. Despite the evidence before us, I do believe that they will fight the Bush Administration if and when they have the power to do so.
But I’m finding myself less than inspired to do any volunteer work on their behalf. Democrats have accomplished the unthinkable: in a year when the actions of the Bush Administration should have had the Party faithful on fire, the Democratic Party has succeeded in demoralizing its base.
Where do we go from here?
7 Comments on "Rallying the Base"
watertiger:
I’m with you, Matt. Yes, I’ll vote because to do otherwise is conceding defeat.
But I’ll be damned if I give money to an organization that says it thinks one way, and acts completely the opposite.
It is time to confront our leadership, somehow, and demand accountability.
Matt:
It’s just so far beyond the bounds of credibility that six years into the Bush regime, the Dems have still not learned that they need to stand for something in order to win. The craven fear they displayed on this vote is utterly astounding, and utterly depressing. I just don’t get it.
Comandante Agi:
down the drain with the Dems…
Eli:
I agree with both.
Shakes is right that there’s no guarantee that the Democratic majority would be a functional one, simply because there are so many Dems who are perfectly willing to cross over and vote with the Republicans, and no-one in the party leadership seems to care.
But Susie is right that we need a Democratic majority so that the Democrats are controlling the agenda, and have subpoena power… on the off chance that they might choose to use it.
The Democrats *deserve* to lose, but we can’t afford to let them.
Kevin Wolf:
It’s amazing that the Dems can’t seem to capitalize on the mistakes - plenty to choose from! - of Bush Inc. No wonder we’re all wondering what the hell to do.
eRobin:
On the economic issues the Dems are identical to the GOP - corporate protectionists who will sell out the USA in favor of global corporate protectionism. Scoundrels and traitors.
I just found out that the guy running for Congress in my district supports the Great Toture Compromise. So when I vote, I’ll be voting for a torturer and therefore be one myself. How do I do that?
Matt:
So when I vote, I’ll be voting for a torturer
Unfortunately, you won’t be alone — the Democratic voters of Ohio will be with you. Sherrod Brown voted for the bill.
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