This started as a comment in response to Kos' irritable and ill-considered diary of earlier today regarding "anti-war" "hippies".
I feel it's important enough to call out as a diary so it doesn't get lost in the shuffle.
To put this in context, I have a long personal history of having been in a political leadership position that required me to put up with quite a bit of arrant flaky nonsense from people who were allies. Sometimes I handled that well, others not, but I learned from it. Kos clearly has not yet done so, and is willfully refusing to confront the position he is now in as a recognized voice in the national political debate.
More below the fold.
To start with, I agree: the worst enemy of the left is the WACKY left. The it-all-has-to-be-my-way crowd that gave us Bush in the first place by voting for Nader in Florida. The Kucinich crowd. People who would rather feel smug in their defeat than enjoy partial victory for what they say they stand for, when what they
really stand for is just their own egos.
Those who fail to recognize that all successful human endeavor requires compromise, adaptation, and patience are a ball and chain at best, an obstruction at worst. And any political movement not exhibiting these qualities is bound to fail.
So I understand the frustration at unrealistic and absolute idealism among those with inadequate traction in the gritty reality of this complex world. I'm tempted to say: "Fine, Kos. Shoot at the unreasonable among us. You're entitled to an opinion just like everybody else. Sometimes you're wrong--that thing about the "women's studies crowd", even though I know what you mean, was a stupid move--but more often than not, I agree with your strategic approach and your values."
I WOULD say that...
...except that the problem here, Kos, is that you are operating under a refusal to acknowledge your situation. You're backpedaling furiously from the fact that you are no longer just another guy posting to a blog. You're a spokesperson and a leader, and as such, you have a responsibility to be diplomatic and strategic in your communication. You're building political weight here, and that means that blowing off chunks of your constituency, even if you think their paradigms are ridiculous, is unacceptable.
I spent more than ten years as the progressive political big cheese in my local area. I was the Green Godfather: got people elected, got laws passed, got my ass kissed. I'm not doing that any more, but I know a lot about the role that Kos is in at the national level, and I'm telling you, man: DON'T SQUANDER. We're already outgunned enough. Don't piss off your allies, even if you think they're wacky. Some of them ARE wacky, but they're still your troops. When I see you post shit like this, I see your youth talking.
You're too important now to talk like a 25-year-old. Grow up. Learn to be a diplomat and a bridge builder. I think you're great and what you've built is great, but always bear in mind that it couldn't have happened if you hadn't been in the right place at the right time. There was an incipient constituency that you tapped into. You're right that it's not "about you", but news stories and analysis quotes don't come from faceless constituency mobs--they come from recognizable representatives of those constituencies. And like it or not, you're one of those now. You are in a position to swing much of that weight in the national debate. Be grateful, and gracious. Don't piss on your friends. You can have strong opinions without having to do that.