Kumbaya? Plus: a scoop & a poll!!!
Sun Mar 09, 2008 at 12:52:25 PM PDT
I think it is important to support your particular candidate fully. By supporting a candidate, you are implicitly supporting their party. This also applies to the candidate. A candidate from a party should support the party they are running from. Below the fold I'll discuss candidate support of political parties, touch on the 50 State Strategy, and give up a small scoop I heard this week.
I believe that the Obama campaign has done more to support the Democratic Party during this race than Hillary's campaign. This statement is not meant to take anything away from Hillary or from Bill Clinton's accomplishments either in the past or in the future. I believe that the Clinton's will continue to have an impact on both the Democratic Party and the policies of this country. But, I've chosen to support Obama, in addition to reasons of policy difference, vote history and leadership style, because he has embraced a more grassroots approach to politics and this resonates with me. In contrast, I believe the Clinton campaign is more rooted in a different, older style of politics. It is a politics of innuendo, division, smear, and hate. I do not blame them. This is the frame they are coming from. This is what was thrown at them in the past, and this is how they have learned to respond. But, as evidenced by the changing political landscape, this is an antiquated way to win a campaign. The newer way I'm speaking about is of course the 50 State Strategy and the Obama campaign has executed the model of this strategy in excellent fashion. Examples of other Democratic wins utilizing the new way abound: Colorado General Assembly and Montana senate; Sen. John Tester in Montana; Gov. Duval Patrick in Massachusetts; the turn over of both houses of Congress in 2006. These are but a few examples of how an intensive grassroots campaign can influence elections, and catch the Republicans flatfooted in their response.
The latest victory came in Illinois last night. The Foster victory in IL-14 illustrates the successful outcome of campaigning in every state and in every district. Four years ago, Democrats would have conceded IL-14 to Oberweis. This was a special election for Denny Hastert's seat! Old guard CW would dictate that a Democrat could never win this seat. But, there we were last night, celebrating another victory and another seat in the House. (and another Super Delegate) The victory we experienced last night can be repeated across the nation. What it takes is speaking truth to power, correcting lies that power uses to remain in control. If we put boots on the ground knocking or doors, and ears to phones making GOTV calls, and fingers to keyboards vetting ideas, correcting lies, and yes, raising money, we can win a heck of a lot more races in purportedly "red" districts.
Lastly, here is a small scoop, something I found interesting:
I live in DC. Some of my friends are staffers on the Hill. While talking about possible outcomes in the race, one of my friends told me about a Hillary fundraiser she knows that stated that she "has a standing offer with the Obama campaign for a job once the Hillary campaign is finished." I'd imagine that Hillary's campaign would make the same accommodation for Obama staffers. It was the matter of factness with which she said it that got me. Possibly trivial, but nonetheless speaks to the psychology of the campaign. Now, this conversation took place before last Tuesday's votes, but, I think it speaks to the thinking within the campaigns. At the end of the day we are all Democrats. Kumbaya, Dammit!!!!!
P.S. This is my first diary so go easy!
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