Tell me again the strategy behind Naral backing Lincoln Chafee after interfering in the Rhode Island Democratic primary?
From Hotline:
Whitehouse and Brown are voicing "strong opposition" to Supreme Court nominee Sam Alito. Whitehouse pinned his opposition to recent disclosures regarding Alito's "radically conservative" views. The former attorney general said documents made public earlier this week "show that the nominee does not support a woman's right to choose and other fundamental rights... President Bush is attempting to move a narrowly divided Court in a radically conservative direction."
Earlier this month, Brown voiced his own concerns about Alito, describing him as "right-wing ideologue" who "fails a very simple standard -- the protection of basic constitutional rights," including "a woman's right to choose." While expressing concern about "red flags" in Alito's record, Chafee has not taken a position on the nomination (Gregg, Providence Journal, Nov. 18).
I'm not saying this to bring up a sore subject, I'm saying it to point out a fact that should be pretty obvious: a generic Democrat is better than a moderate Republican who claims to be on your side but when push comes to shove, gets their arm twisted to follow party lines. I don't blame Chafee for being afraid to buck his party. He needs their help. He's in a tough re-election.
And Naral, well, I understand the kind of politics they were trying to play, which I suppose counts for something, even if it was the cynical, power-grab type politics I hate, like the K-Street project. But this is where Naral fucked up. Royally, in my mind.
If you're going to hang a carrot over the other side of the aisle to try and promote your cause, you have to dangle it, not toss it. Naral had a carrot, but instead of putting it on a stick they just handed it over, and expected to be able to lead the horse after the fact. The result? Chafee does not need to beg for their endorsement. He already has it. He can vote for Alito under some transparent excuse of not being able to discern the obvious: Alito will overturn Roe v. Wade. And then, despite doing this, can still hawk pro-choice credentials at voters.
But I'm progress-oriented, so here's my suggestion to Naral: if Lincoln Chafee votes for Alito, publicly pull your endorsement. You'll make it up with the netroots. It'll publicly embarass Chafee, and it is a new string apon which to hold a carrot. In fact, pulling the endorsement would probably have more national and local coverage as an incident than the orignal endorsement had. Make no bones about it. Make the ultimatum. If you can't do this, then you are worthless as an interest group.