Welcome.
I am at last moved to start this diary as I seek to grapple with the larger themes and naratives of the 2008 dem race. Today, i am deeply reflective about the massive iowa turnout and the obama win. What is it that could move so many new people to the caucus process? While I respect Obama and his efforts it transcends him.
I am interested in the meta-level of dialogue in my diary. Not the details of each candidate, while they may have room here they are not my focus. But really my obsession is the question WHY?
So today - WHY so many people were moved yesterday? Why does Obama's idealisitic rhetoric trump the words of different kind of warrioirs [ edwards and clinton]? Why do we Believe so deeply in change without asking How?
How is it that we take this passion for hope and actually move it into actual change on the ground?
The narrative of change is a compelling one. Who doesn't want change? And if this is a lyrical sermon and not an intellectual argument - then definitely yes. I vote yes for change. In a country that boasts a huge population who would rather staple their stomach than restrict/control their eating and be active. Yes, please. I want results and I don't expect to have battle or to expend too much effort.
I am not suggesting anything negative about Obama - but I am pointing to the larger narrative. The intrinsic power of the promise of magical change to elevate us all. It is a dangerous and compelling narrative. An intoxicating story.
We love that story - so much we elected our last president on the same essential frame. A mythical notion of change, elusive 'bi-partisan-ness', and a symbolic figure in the middle of the sweeping tale [ last time a cowboy, this time a great orator].
So, my questions today are - how can we drill into this trance of mythical change? Will we? What will happen in this sweeping narrative once the mud starts to fly from the other side? Can we - non republicans - survive another crushing defeat of our idealism? And so much more...
So today there is some writing about a sort of disappointed feeling on the dem side. Not much out there but some. [ Krugman writes a bit about it]
And I think it is the same undercurrent as when you so want to believe in something but know it isn't really true.
The ex that you are giving one more chance to even though you know they don't mean it this time.
I think... or I should say I deeply want to buy into the compelling pull of Obama [ and the msm's] narrative of magical change. But I am bloody, bruised and deeply hurt by what this country has become and the relentless and truly Unbelievable tactics shown by republicans and the power brokers from the shadow side of hope - fear.
Can david really slay goliath with belief and a small stone?
I grapple with the contrast between the narrative of magical change and the realities on the ground. And I just feel sad.