Since joining this community a few years ago I've occasionally been tempted to write a diary, only to decide someone else is covering the issue better.
I wouldn't have chosen for my first diary to be negative, but I just had an upsetting phone call from the Barack Obama campaign and have to share my frustration.
The caller started with something about "This recording is being recorded for quality assurance purposes." I really hope it was, because it sure wasn't something I'd want going out to my potential supporters.
Disclaimer: All bets are off if Gore enters the race - I'll go full out for his candidacy in a heartbeat. But otherwise, I am totally persuadable. I was extremely interested in hearing Obama's message.
The caller launched into a spiel about how the big problem in the country today is partisanship and that Obama is going to change that by being so bipartisan. After a couple tries I was able to respond that I don't think that's our problem. In fact, bipartisanship is what led to yesterday's appalling Supreme Court decision.
At least I tried to say that, but she just raised her voice, told me that was wrong and rushed on with the script.
I had to raise my voice to try to say that bipartisanship just means getting rolled by the right wing. Yesterday is only the latest result of that sorry policy. What we've really lacked until recently was strong, creative partisanship - and now a majority of voters agree with Democratic positions.
Or I would have said that, had she not repeatedly ratcheted the volume up so high that I finally hung up in disgust.
Will I judge Obama based on that call? Of course not. But I will listen to all he says with that in mind. And be wary.
I want a DEMOCRATIC President, and so does the country. Even this abomination of a war is not as important as the next few Supreme Court appointments. There's no room for cozy bipartisanship at the cost of stepping up with the next Ruth Bader Ginsburg, of taking a stand to veto bad legislation, of submitting good, or filling the next Administration with honest, competent Democrats who will strongly support our principles.
I want a President who can compromise and bring people together, but won't back down from confrontation when it matters. And there are going to be lots of times when it matters, if we're going to clean up the mess this gang is leaving us.
The art of government requires finding solutions that the majority will support. But those solutions can be painted in vivid, true colors. We won't find answers in a muddy, indistinct, "bipartisan" mush.