I've had a wierd convergence over the last couple of days.
First, I've had a lot of my Progressive friends asking me WTF with regard to my intense dislike of Barack.
Second, I've seen and listened to some of the recent resurgence of DLC tripe on both TV and at NN.
And I had a realiziation (not quite an epiphany): we thought we were nomintating Bobby Kennedy, and we really nominated Harold Ford.
I have been struggling (as have more Progressives than DK will acknowledge) with the fact that Barack is not as Progressive as many of us thought he was. Pretty much everything he has said and done since the nomination was sown up has been anti-Progressive and pro-Centrist.
And this has engendered a growing anger in me which I can't completely explain to my Progressive fellow-travelers.
One source of the anger stems from the simple frustration of trying to figure out what to do.
Seriously, what are the options for a Progressive when the Dem candidate is really not someone whose positions I support? Hold your nose and vote for them, because the alternative is turning over the Supreme Court to the Repugs? Or hope the candidate loses and maybe, eventually, the Dems realize that Progressive values really are mainstream? But at what cost?
The other source of anger is the general rage at having been had. Anger at the cynicism that has engulfed the campaign creating an appalling "win at any cost" mentality. Barack is obviously willing to say anything (or not say anything Progressive) to win some sort of ethereal independent vote. Unfortunately, in the course of tacking to the center, he is invalidating any number of Progressive positions.
Then, over the last week or so, I started seeing a bunch of DLC stuff (and the usual suspects) on TV and (a few) at NN. And it suddenly occurred to me what the real root of my real anger was:
We had, unbeknownst to most of us, nominated Harold Ford for President!
Or sure, he looks a bit taller and skinnier, and he seems more eloquent. But close your eyes, and listen to the policy positions, and what you hear from Barack is vintage DLC.
Holy sh*t! No wonder I'm pissed!!
Seriously, find me any positions that Barack has taken that are different from the DLC. The only thing I am aware of is on vouchers. At least Barack is still opposed to THAT nightmare.
But on everything else (at least that I care about), his position is indistiguishable from Harold's.
Abortion? Both support limits on late-term.
Gun Control? Both support freedom of gun ownership ala the current Supreme's ruling.
Iraq? Barack has adopted the DLC position. Hopefully he won't move any more to the right on this issue...thank you al Maliki!
Gay rights? I actually don't have a clue about Barack's position here. He doesn't like to talk about GLBT issues. What's his position on the California law? Does he support it? Beats me. He opposes the placement of the amendment on the ballot (but then so does Anuld), but does that mean he opposes the amendment? On this one we really need his leadership to defeat the California anti-gay coalitions once an for all.
But so far, nothing.
Death penalty? Cool, yeah, lets kill all sorts of people because it makes us somehow safer? Or because bad people deserve to die? Whatever. Barack's position is the same as Harold's, and neither is even a little Progressive.
Trade? Both are pro-NAFTA...though Barack does say he's open to renegotiation...whatever that means. As far as I know, the treaty remains in force while "negotiations" continue. The real Progressive position is to withdraw FIRST, then renegotiate. But that is not Barack's position.
Taxes? Both want to significantly increase income taxes about $250K and double the capital gains tax. No diff.
Energy? The DLC is actually more Progressive, fully supporting Al's speech and position. Barack has yet to say much of anything.
Etc...
So, yeah, I am angry. I for one feel like we were had. I know the majority around here disagrees (strongly). But to my mind you are not admiting the sad truth:
When we were supporting Barack we were doing nothing more than supporting Harold Ford. And if you are continuing to do that, you should be turning in your Progressive credentials and admiting that you really are members of the DLC.
And if you thought Barack was Progressive, you were had!