As in a tasty mix of talk

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Walk Like a Democrat

Earlier this week, MSNBC Senior Campaign Correspondent Tucker Carlson told talk show host Rachel Maddow: “If at this point in the election you think there is still a possibility that Barak Obama can lose, you are… a Democrat.”

OK, I’m a Democrat. I carefully avoid making statements like, “when Obama wins,” opting for the more superstitious, “If Obama wins.” Hey… I don’t wanna jinx our guy in the last minutes of the campaign.

Carlson’s statement was meant as a jibe that Democrats are inherently pessimistic. But, as Maddow pointed out in our defense, we have good reason to fear that Republicans can still hijack the election. They have done it twice before, once when they lost the popular vote and robbed Democrats outright with a Supreme Court decision touted as a way to “save” our democracy from a divisive controversy, and again when they stole just enough votes in Florida and Ohio to eke out a victory. (Yes, they did. Shut up.)

Our paranoia that Republicans might swiftboat us into silent, unjust defeat is one of the reasons, I believe, that in this election Democrats are matching Republicans with vitriol for vitriol, slur for slur, slam for slam. It’s as if we collectively cannot afford the luxury of fairly considering both sides of the issues, or remaining moderate in the expression of our views. HELL no! Not this time! And our willingness, even eagerness, to fight back has confused Republicans, who released their pit bull expecting it to devour a poodle, and were demoralized when it found a rottweiler, a skunk and a porcupine guarding the campaign gates. Grrrrrrrrr.

But Democrats will be Democrats. Writing in Wednesday’s Huffington Post, political analyst Lincoln Mitchell wrote of a potential Obama victory:

“This should suggest to the operatives of the right wing that their cynical understanding of America can be trumped by a more affirming and progressive sentiment in the electorate.

“It is, however, the American left which will have to do the most intriguing and challenging rethinking of basic assumptions when Obama wins. For years now a central piece of the progressive worldview is that progressives are enlightened Americans in a sea of their ignorant, bigoted and narrow-minded compatriots… Opposition to progressive causes is often explained away by saying that Americans are bigots, or somehow stupid. This demonstrates an ugly contempt for voters, and in fact for democracy, that should have no place in progressive politics.”

Damn… do we have to start being good again already? Can’t we act like Republicans just a little longer, and gloat when, no, I mean if, Obama wins?

That depends. Once America is safely beyond the grasp of those who would violate its constitution, base a pre-emptive war on a pack of lies, break the law with impunity and thumb their noses at all who attempt to reign in these excesses, we should be able to relax and let our newly-elected Democrats repair the damage of the past eight years, right?

Yeah… and we should all be able to eat our weight in cake and still fit into our high-school-size jeans, too, but that won’t happen. In or out of office, powerful interests from the Right will continue to seek control of whatever they can get their hands on, including what’s left of our money. So we may be able to take a short break to brush the confetti out of our hair, and replace all the houseplants that died while we were volunteering for Moveon, but sooner or later, if we want to make use of the opportunity to advance progressive views, we will have to get back to work. We will have to remain informed about the issues, and volunteer our time and money to support the causes in which we believe, and yes, if rightwing conspirators slime our leaders, we will have to slime them back. Spreading the wealth is nice work, but only if you actually do it.

Meanwhile, if you notice people in the checkout line or at the gas pump or on their way to work, and they are peppered with bruises, they will be Democrats… because most of us are pinching ourselves to see if we are only dreaming that we might, maybe, possibly, probably will win this election.

18 Comments:

Blogger Laurie Allee said...

We'll win this election -- because the media wants it that way. They wanted Bush, too -- back when "progressive" bloggers hated Gore and everyone with press credentials thought W was downhome and likable. We'll also win because it really does look like the Right is throwing the election -- they haven't used any of the October surprises that they have, and they have far too many to count. I really believe they're terrified of how bad things are now. Nobody told them they'd have to fix history's worst financial crisis! They can't preemptively strike THAT! Let the Dems try and take the blame! Republican bloggers are already talking about midterm elections, so that says a lot.

We'll also win because the Obama phenomenon is now so viral it's like trying to avoid the flu in a closed room of people coughing. We'll win because we have EVERYTHING on our side: a charismatic movie star of a candidate, a complicit press leaving out all bad stories about him, rationalizing and spinning all investigation and using two major news networks, The NYTimes and half the BLoggospere as propaganda wings of the campaign. We'll win because we have a Republican opponant who has all the charisma of a guy wandering around the psych ward muttering in a hospital gown.

We'll win because they don't call Axelrod "Axelrove" for nothing -- and the caucuses prove that Obama is just as good at rigging elections as anyone on the Right. (Oh, those pesky facts again.)

We'll win with a bitterly divided Democratic party (yeah, a lot of us still want this party to represent the poor and working class, a lot of us who notice all those advisors aren't exactly part of the left wing) and an even more divided red and blue country, each seeing the other side as a characature, each insisting that THEY are good and the other side is EVIL and relying on gutter journalism to prove their prospective points.

We'll win. And when we do, I'll raise a glass of bubbly to celebrate an African American first family, Hell yeah! That's a victory I want to etch in my brain and savor after growing up horrified by what passed for polite conversation in the racist South. It's a symbol to the rest of the world that the United States has finally put Jim Crowe in the dustbin of history. And I'll throw my support behind the new administration -- although I have a feeling my angry letter writing will be ratcheded up a few notches.

We'll win. But we lost our moral compass along the way and became the very thing we despise about the Right: cheaters, rationalizers, double-standard bearers, dirty fighters and liars -- oh, but all in the name of how good and fair and decent we really are. All the pretty speeches about Hope don't change the fact that the party of the people sold its soul in order to beat the Devil at his own game.

10:11 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

So, anyone who believes in Obama and his plans for our future is just infected with the "Obama phenomenon"? Believe it or not, there are people out there who do know facts, good and bad, but still believe in him and what he stands for...
We will win this election because millions of people, like me, will happily go out and vote for our candidate!

10:41 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have been upset because of the same things yakpate is talking about. Last night, instead of my usual effort to try and see all sides, I only watched Keith and Rachel... And yesterday I had to turn off talk radio and delete emails that were negative attacks against my candidate.

I just can't listen anymore....I am tired of hearing pepole sounding off that Obama isn’t a good man. I remember when Bill Clinton was elected the first time....the very next week the Right began attacking him...with OUR tax dollars... so I know they are going to do this to Obama if he wins. I’m afraid we will have to fight every minute because the Repubs. will try to prevent us from getting anything done by wasting our time with investigating Obama and trying to find out things like...he cheated on his wife!

Anyway, it is even hard for me to comment on your blog because I am tired of being told I am just a dumb Democrat, only a cheerleader for the party, or an Obama worshipper. Little do people realize that I have been dissapointed in my party for years, because instead of fighting the Right for us, they just GIVE UP. Now I finally am PROUD of my party because we have TWO great leaders, Barack and Hillary... But instead of sharing my pride, some of us are dividing the party by bickering.

Like you said, we have to fight for our cause... But if I stop commenting here it is because the negativity is literally making me sick.

10:54 AM

 
Blogger Laurie Allee said...

If we close our eyes blindly to corruption, we will ultimately all lose. Wishing it away doesn't make it true. Obama can be both things: a transformational leader with a message that touches people... AND a corrupt Chicago politician. That's not negative, that's realistic based on verified facts. I'd love nothing more than to ride the happy train all the way to election day but we lose our country if we lose our ability to recognize the muck on ALL sides. This reminds me of the old joke where a woman walks in on her cheating in bed with her sister and he says, "WHo are you going to believe, me or your lying eyes?"

That our party has lost its way does not diminish the heartfelt wishes of good people like you. We ARE ultimately the party. And its up to us to check and balance those who speak for us. I think that's ultimately hopeful and positive.

11:03 AM

 
Blogger Yakpate said...

So, if we lose, we didn't fight hard enough or we just aren't as cunning as those brilliant Republican spinners... but if we win, it's because we sold our souls to the devil?

Laurie, I hope you're right about our winning the election. But I don't understand your view about our skewed moral compass. With the potential of a Democratic sweep and a filibuster-proof Congress, we may soon be in a position to change the direction of our discredited nation. I see this as a victory against fear, and it makes me ecstatic. I wish you could share my happiness.

11:03 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You cant ride our happy train...sorry, it's full!!!

11:20 AM

 
Blogger Laurie Allee said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

11:44 AM

 
Blogger Unknown said...

Compared to Barack Obama, none of us know diddly squat about how our country 'really' operates. How did you think "the real world" worked when you were 20? Compare that to what you know now. And think about the sketchy things that happen in boardrooms and executive offices just in your own company or industry.

Now, multiply all those things times one million. That's what Obama knows.

To think that Barack Obama is anything like Jimmy Stewart's Mr. Smith is ultimately self-defeating. Anyone in the position of President of the United States of America has had his or her moral compass tested a million times, and will have it tested every single day for the rest of their lives.

I think Barack Obama is probably an overall good guy. But just imagine how many people are whispering in his ear about god knows what. Remember, we're talking about the most powerful person in the entire world. World's most powerful human. Let's be realistic: to reach the very top of the human pyramid, you gotta make at least SOME evil choices. Eeeeeevil choices.

I think Obama needs our prayers more than anything. I pray to his dead mama, asking her to use her powers on the other side to keep him safe from all the temptations that come with that much power.

Like Tammy Wynette said, "he's just a man." Not Jesus. Not the AntiChrist. A very smart, very charismatic, very interesting man; but, nonetheless, just a man. Michelle probably has to pick his underpants up off the bathroom floor just like every other wife in America.

I can't speak for Laurie, but what frustrates me isn’t Obama, it’s this stark black or white, good or evil, us or them mentality people seem to enjoy so much. Democrat vs. Republican. East Coast vs. West Coast. Men vs. women. Black vs. white. Ford vs. Chevy. Pepsi vs. Coke.

Why do people love branding so much? Why is the suggestion that they might be right, or we might be wrong, such a big deal?

1:33 PM

 
Blogger Unknown said...

This op/ed in today's Moscow Times says Obama's foreign advisers make them feel nostalgic for the good ol' days of the Bush Administration. Even if you think of the Russians as "them" and "evil", still, that ain't good.

Obama's Change Must Start With His Advisers
23 October 2008
By Edward Lozansky

Twelve days before the U.S. presidential election, all indicators are pointing to a victory by Senator Barack Obama. There is always a chance for last-minute surprises, but miracles are rare things. I think the main reason for Senator John McCain's likely defeat is that too many influential groups within his own Republican Party never regarded him as the best choice available.

I am not talking only about neocons. Even moderates, such as the widely admired former Secretary of State Colin Powell, have turned away from McCain. Powell said he was dismayed by the tenor of McCain's campaign and not thrilled by his choice of Governor Sarah Palin, and it is easy to understand him on these points.

If Obama wins the election, his presidency will be most welcome in Europe and the rest of the world and will definitely help improve relations with U.S. allies and Washington's image in general. But when it comes to U.S.–Russian relations, one should not expect any drastic changes for the better unless Obama overhauls his foreign policy team. The current lineup comprising official and self-proclaimed advisers on Russia is as bad as McCain's and in some cases even worse, starting with former U.S. National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Richard Holbrooke.

Obama's running mate, Senator Joseph Biden, is not much better on Russia than Palin. Besides lobbying in the middle of a huge financial crisis for $1 billion for his good friend President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia, Biden is known for blocking the lifting of the Jackson-Vanik amendment unless Moscow guarantees large purchases of U.S. chicken. This outdated obstacle to trade engenders resentment in Russia, blocks its admission to the World Trade Organization, and harms U.S.-Russian economic and diplomatic ties.

Before making any long-term projections, we will have to see who Obama's choices will be for secretary of state and national security adviser. There is a long list of knowledgeable and respected professionals who can do an excellent job. That list would include Powell, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and former U.S. Ambassador to Russia and current Undersecretary of State William Burns.

Making up such lists is quite an enjoyable occupation, but somehow I am not too sanguine about Obama's future selections. As for the present, he is clearly surrounded by people who may yet make the Kremlin feel nostalgic for the good old days of the Bush administration.

Edward Lozansky is president of the American University in Moscow.

http://www.moscowtimes.ru/article/1016/42/371888.htm

1:52 PM

 
Blogger Laurie Allee said...

Amen, Heather.

2:38 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Laurie, Let me get this straight...when you called us cheerleaders for Obama,said we dont know the facts about things that we comment on, and said that we are being fooled by the media that was just "a friendly debate among friends" or that's you being respectful, but when I say our Happy train is full that's a personal attack???? I think it's perfectly ok for you to feel like Obama is....well, whatever you think he is. Why isn't it perfectly fine for me to feel differently than you do about him? We feel just as strong about our views as you do about yours. Why is that being defensive? Because we disagree with you?
I am not trying to infer your worst intentions, I'm just reading what you wrote and commenting on it.
I'm sorry that I obviously touched a nerve but I think if you can dish it out you should be able to take it.

3:35 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This election does touch a nerve, I get upset and feel personally offended when I am told over and over and over again that I am not smart, my opinions are not valid, the facts that I check and double check are not as REAL as the next persons “sources”...
I have had to hear this from the Republican Party ever since Bill Clinton. The Democrats have been de-moralized because even though I could care less Bill cheated on Hillary (she forgave him)...the Republicans spun that and IMPEACHED him (or the House of Rep. did)...
So forgive me if, I have not felt, politically, that I have had a voice in eight long years and if I want to defend Obama, I have that right. And I get to CHOOSE which "truths" I want to listen to and I have the right to be excited about Obama as President without being told I am just a flipping groupie.
Because that is basically what people are saying? If that isn't something to take personally I don't know what the hell is???!!!!!!! So you know what I say...where do I get in line to be Obama's Monica???? Clearly, I am just an inferior women who is only idolizing him...I mean hell, I shouldn't even be allowed to vote for that reason alone...much less the fact that I am a Democrat!

4:04 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Cheers Stacy.... You see Laurie, we get that you're po'd and that's fine it's just that you're such a downer and so filled with negativity and condesension that, well more than just stacy and I are sick of it. Lighten up already. And btw both parties have lied since the beginning of time... That's why they call it politics.

4:15 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

for the record pepsi sucks and coke(any kind u you like baby) rocks. And that's not the branding talking I reallydo like the way coke tastes over pepsi.

4:31 PM

 
Blogger Cafe Observer said...

A view from an unbiased, indie thinkin, objective, non-person, commentator:

I don't see here negativity that makes me sick. Nor do I want to hear cheerleading which can make me sicker.

I simply see & want both sides now, trying to arrive at what is right & true. Now, this may be difficult for sum whose philosophy doesn't allow for right/wrong, or truth. Sadly, that can only devalue life.

Our allegiance should not be to some politician, or religious denomination (demos/rePubs). We should hold higher values to truth, justice, accountability, love, (and de American Way-hohoho), and respect for our fellow citizens. These can uphold the importance of our time on this planet.

Those who do go blindly unbalanced to the left or right, well, they need to be put on a leash. You people know what a leash is, right?

There aren't too many Laurie's around. She takes advantage of both sides of her brain, both eyes, both ears, 2 try 2 analyze both sides. And, i also here out other voices. I appreciate the seekers. So, all I want is to just gimme some truth-all i want is the truth.

Well, once again I just realized i've wasted my barking on these politicians again. Sorry.

People-can't we all just get along now.

7:36 PM

 
Blogger Laurie Allee said...

Stacy and Roy, you can look back at every single thing I wrote (written, I might add, at the request of Pat -- who told me to please keep posting here) and not ONCE see an ad hominem attack. Not once. I've never said "you are a cheerleader!" or "you are an idiot!" I've said before that I respect your viewpoints -- and to please feel free to shoot holes in anything I say. Hey, at least I can respect you Roy for saying that you like smart liars better than dumb liars. Fair enough. That's a decent argument for your position.

I post to a zillion blogs, and there is a heck of a lot of discussion going on out there with many interesting facts and sources from the foreign press to retired CIA ops to journalists fired for not reporting the party line -- not just "I don't have time to read the entire Internet" or "I choose what "truths" I want to believe" as sources for argument. So yes, I can certainly handle the heat -- but I can't imagine you guys on another blog where people don't even try to be respectful of your views, and where Keith Olbermann or Rachel Maddow (or Bill O'Reilly) or recently updated Wikipedia articles are not acceptible as sources. I'm not being condescending -- I'm just being a blogger who is quite used to commenting on any number of political blogs!

I'm sorry you guys think I'm a downer -- I think I'm a realist. And someone who loves to question authority and challenge what I'm told. My earliest background as a writer was as a journalist for my college newspaper covering politics. I had an editor who taught me never to accept one source and NEVER buy the standard line of any campaign without muckraking it. I've spent over 20 years as a freelance writer, researcher and fact-checker. If I didn't back up what I wrote with verifiable sources, I could get sued. I don't come to conclusions based on heresay and it takes a LOT of proof for me to call anything a fact.

It's the blanket refusal to even consider that I might actually have some points we should consider as Democrats (who ultimately want what's best for our party AND the people it represents) that blows my mind more than anything else. The corruption of our media is the biggest story of this year -- and I'm not the only one harping about it. It's shameful. It's a disgrace. And it can ultimately bring down this country. SO no, I'm not going to shut up about it. The lies, corruption and illegalities of the Dean-led DNC ending up in the theft of the primary and a questionable, unvetted candidate ripe for Republican attack -- fully supported by a corrupt media -- is a big deal to a lot of people who care about Democracy, not just me. It doesn't detract from the great movement started by Obama. It doesn't make any of you "idiots." Remember, this self-same media sold us George W and told us Powell's facts were truths -- sending us to war. NOt vetting THAT cost millions of lives. At the time a lot of us were chastised as being un-American for questioning Powell's testimony, and told we were paranoid for questioning the mainstream media's insistance that there really WERE weapons of mass destruction.

Stacy, I've already apologized for coming across as hectoring or imperious. I have reached out to you since I am Pat's best friend and a fellow liberal and you STILL insist on jumping to conclusions about me. I wouldn't have even posted here if Pat hadn't wanted the support and alternative viewpoint for her blog. (You can all cheer that I said no to being a guest blogger.) I've also had a sense of humor about myself and my viewpoints here -- acknowledging that I'm a curmudgeon and a big turd in the Obama punchbowl. NOt getting much reciprocity from you guys there.

I've never been rude. And the only reason I post here is to support Pat and possibly intigate real discussion from differing points of view, inviting others who like to debate to present evidence or alternative political philosophy. (I actually enjoy having a heated discussion with a staunch Conservative. It helps me understand the other side.) I have links to this blog on my own blog and I've personally invited many of my readers to join in the discussion because I would love to see YakPate take off with LOTS of arguing and fighting and "downer" discussion from all sides of the political spectrum because THAT is how we figure out this country and that is how we challenge our own opinions.

In my opinion, anyway. Like I've said before, I'm just one person. I've never suggested otherwise.

But best friend or not, I do not need this.

7:40 PM

 
Blogger Cafe Observer said...

This is man's & woman's best friend barking here.

L, u know u can take the heat as well as dish it out. I hope u don't feel you're being shouted down, an unfortunate m.o. in politics by this generation.

I want to hear the others as well. All discussed in a respectful, non-ad hominem manner. Not at a win at all costs method.

This is the USA. We need all perspectives, K9 included (well, not cats).

We must not succumb to emotion & victory. This will worsen our political system & increase cynicism ever more. Esteem virtue in all areas of life-even politics, as paradoxical as that seems.

Hungry for my next meal now.

8:24 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Laurie, maybe we can just agree to disagree over our politics and our definition of rude or disrespectful.
Obviously you feel like I am not respectful of your opinion and I feel like you are not respectful of mine. Why would you quit blogging because of that?????

4:12 AM

 

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