Return to the Grassroots?
I have to admire the enthusiasm of political activists in the Democratic Party as we approach the 2008 election. The appearance of choice in the Democratic primaries as well as an impending end to eight miserable years under George W. Bush has brought out activists from the wood work. I am undecided on my state’s primary (Wisconsin votes on February 19th) though I will likely throw my vote to John Edwards. The reason why I would go with Edwards even as his campaign is running third in every state is that I need to look at myself in the mirror after the 19th.
Barack Obama’s campaign is extraordinary not because he is an African-American; it is remarkable due to the excitement he has drawn in vague platitudes. I like Barack Obama as an interview subject because he seems to get that typical politicians look wooden in different environments. My problem is that I cannot possibly vote for someone who speaks about hope, change and a new day without much detail. I am going to head off angry emails from Obama supporters by stating that I have read his platform. I am still not convinced that hope can get the job done in changing the structure of power.
Hillary Clinton falls into the DLC-run section of the Democratic Party that I dislike immensely. The two-party system necessitates that each party represent a distinct portion of the political spectrum in its platform. I have a feeling that if Clinton and her Senate cohorts got a hold of a majority of delegate they would eliminate progressive reforms in favor of triangulated policies to appease both sides without pleasing anyone.
I won’t go too far into why I am voting for Edwards except to say that I would rather vote for a losing candidate with the right ideas instead of a winning candidate with faulty ideas and lofty language. A recent story in The Nation highlights the exceptional growth of the Democratic grassroots since Howard Dean became head of the DNC. I think that the Democratic Party needs to appeal to these grassroots which cross into the moderate and liberal portions of the political spectrum.
My greatest hope for this election is that we will see a brokered convention where John Edwards has a few hundred delegates to parlay into a more progressive platform. This hope turns into fear when I realize that all of this will be done in a backroom instead of the convention floor because no one has seen this type of convention in decades. Democratic delegates need to realize that once the first ballot fails to confirm a candidate they can float to other candidates as they please. It is time for the grassroots to use this unique opportunity to assert a return of progressivism to America.
January 31st, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Nick - So now that Edwards won’t be an option for you, are you going with Barack? Given your dislike for Hillary, are you willing to take the chance with Obama despite your skepticism about his platform? Just curious.
January 31st, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Doug, I followed you here from your site.
Hillary’s and Barack’s platforms are very similiar. It’s hard to make a distinction btwn the two. In the end, I think it will come down to who we believe will be able to execute their plan successfully.
February 1st, 2008 at 11:23 pm
little navigator - welcome, on Nick’s behalf! You’re right, the platforms are similar. Or the same, pretty much, truth be told. Maybe a smidgen of difference here and there, but overall, there’s not much over which they can bicker. I’m still siding with Obama for now, since we’re down to the two, but who knows. Because you’re right, it will ultimately come down to who is best able to execute the plan.
February 2nd, 2008 at 12:18 am
Doug, thanks for acting as the welcoming wagon
I have been slow in responding to just about everything lately…little navigator, i agree that the two share a lot of policies in common though the details are different which is why I am holding off a bit to see how the race develops.
February 3rd, 2008 at 4:46 am
Certainly didn’t mean to take over as welcoming committee, but little navigator is a guest worth welcoming. Didn’t think you’d mind.
February 3rd, 2008 at 11:26 pm
I’m seriously considering not voting in the primaries and just support whomever wins.
February 4th, 2008 at 1:14 am
Little Navigator,
Do you live one of the states voting on Tuesday? Just curious, I have heard a few people in Wisconsin (February 19th) already saying that without seeing the results of Tuesday’s vote.
February 4th, 2008 at 3:37 am
I’m personally looking forward to Tuesday, here in Missouri, to at least feel like I’m officially in the game. Like little navigator, though, I will ultimately support whomever wins. I just want to be a participant in the game!
February 4th, 2008 at 10:33 am
Yes, I live in NY.
February 4th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Doug and little navigator,
Have you seen a lot of advertising/candidate events in your area? I know a lot of people within both parties want a shorter process toward nomination but we actually get to vote so it works for us “little people.”
March 20th, 2008 at 11:45 am
[...] Obama, Hillary Clinton and DNC Chairman Howard Dean can speak about appealing to voters outside of the party all they want. Voters who chose Democrats [...]
November 7th, 2008 at 3:11 am
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