The political left in this country is looking for a strong clear voice. The battles of the last year have brought out some of them. I suggest we thank them and encourage them by creating the Kos Hero Award, to be given by the dKos community to the person with the golden voice -- that gift of reason and argument that when you hear them, you just think "Yes! Exactly!"
(Many of Kos' front-page postings do that for me, which is why I came to this site after DFA v.1 shut down.)
Nominees below the fold.
We will figure out the mechanics of awarding this thing later. First let's see if there's an interest in making it happen.
The qualification is that the person Speaks The Truth in a clear, compelling way. Again, you want to hear their voice and get that feeling that they have just given voice to something that's been in your heart, that you've been trying to say but couldn't articulate.
It is not a contest for "Our Favorite Democrat." Not "Who Shares Our Values" or "Who Swings The Swing States." And god forbid, not "Who Yells The Loudest" or "Who Is A Superstar."
It is "Who Says The Words I've Had In My Heart."
My nominees are:
Howard Dean, who came out in the primary debates and did not pander but just said what he believed - and more importantly, what I believed (except on gun control)
Paul Krugman, who I have been shocked to read in a dirty rag like the NYTimes, but who consistently ignores what his fellow columnists are writing and seems to speak to exactly what's on my mind
Bill Clinton, whose arguments in the final days of the campaign for why Bush has failed in the war on terror were the most concise and compelling I heard all year
Barack Obama, who really does just make me think "Yes, exactly!" He weaves spirituality and God into his speeches in a way that seems 100% natural and pulls in rather than pushes away this atheist. I think regardless of what heights he reaches in years to come, he will do tremendous good for the party if a few other democrats can find the humility to look to the kid as a role model.
Al Franken, who probably shouldn't be on this list because I disagree with a lot of what he says. But his actions to me are inspiring, and reflect things I wish I could do.
Michael Moore, same thing.
I think that's enough nominees from me. (Kos himself is not eligible; the damn award is named after him, that's enough.) Please vote below, and add your own suggestions.
I hope you will nominate people who speak to you personally regardless of whether you think the community will approve. You may be surprised. It need not be someone of national stature, but please give links to their work if we may not have heard of them.
I'd also welcome suggestions for what form the award itself should be. I am serious about doing this, if there is interest from the community.
Regards,
empty.
(obviously please recommend if you'd like to see this project happen, otherwise this diary will scroll off in 30 minutes.)