Clinton and Obama have done incredible things for our country and the democratic party. As we look at one of them being the nominee, let's not forget that they have to have enough momentum to win the general, or all their work and ours will be lost. Senator McCain will run as a compassionate conservative. That is, a conservative that can talk to real people. He will run as Bush did in 2000. We must not forget the lessons from that election! We need to start to divide the electorate and make this an election about ideas and not about "the cult of personality" because Ameircans believe in our ideas.
First, we are right on most issues. We can start with science. Bush has vetoed the stem cell research bill, and McCain will have to promise to do the same. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are not going well despite the cheerleading from MSM. Our economy is going south because not enough Americans are working to make things. Our energy prices are too high for the economy to continue working, and too few people are adding to the middle class to restart the consumer economy. Inflation is there if we look at the economic numbers.
The progressive sites must be ready to do what McCain and Bush do. When attacked, attack back. Attack aggressively when teachers say Obamma is a Moslem or won't say the Pledge. Attack the source, the person repeating, and make it public. When Patriotism is questioned, explain the Patriotims it takes to stand up for a gender or a race. Hillary will probably be attacked for her strenght, her intellect or decision making. Obamma will be attacked for his optimism and oratory. We must be ready. We must have the answers. We must attack.
This election will be a sharply divided election at every level of politics. The mayoral races, legislative races, and in the House and Senate. Progressives must have enough votes to get rid of the culture of fear that makes every politician fear every vote.
A former legislator in the Iowa House use to advise those running an important fact. "Don't worry about your votes. Your opponent will lie about your record anyway. Vote what you think is right." We need to get that view out to our incumbants and then support them.
Finally, we need to start to get the progressive message out on the issues that this site and so many others really care about:
- Stopping corruption of the legislative process - get rid of ear marks and lobbyists access.
- Health care coverage and better health care for all Americans.
- End the wars at least the war in Iraq.
OK, these are my three issues. I still think the progressive message won in 2006 because of corruption. McCain proved this weekend that he understands the power of the corruption charge with his fight against the NY Times. We must continue to raise the issue, the facts, and demand actions. If congress, governors, and state legistlators don't understand and react, we will have a mess.
Politics matters. Elections matter. Progressive matter. We need to start getting the message out as a left wing conspiracy to sting McCain and support Clinton or Obama.