The momentum is shifting if we keep in mind that successful political strategy is about the long view. While the Dems and progressives lost a number of seats in the 2010 off-cycle election—an admittedly difficult situation—in the long view this is not as devastating as it might appear.
In the theater of politics, nothing lasting is accomplished quickly and without backlash. Nor does any progressive legislation effect the populous quickly—remember we are adding to services, which takes time. The opposite is not true—detracting is much quicker and, seemingly, expediently prudent during troubled times.
Unfortunately, a large sector of the electorate remains unaware of this fact. Thus, in a long-term protracted economic down turn (such as the Great Recession beginning 2008 and still effecting us today), the above mentioned sector voted for the party offering snake-oil salesman pitches of quick and painless fixes.
Additionally, during the run up to the 2010 off-cycle elections, the conservative messaging machine perfected their snake-oil pitch. By fomenting the economic fears of a predominantly white, mid to lower class soon-to, if not already retired section of the population—namely the a sub-section of the boomers—the con machine affirmed said voting sector’s already ill-informed notions of how things work. Touting job creation, government accountability, and lower taxes across the board and less government intrusion in their lives—even though many of this group were already receiving Medicare already.
It worked, the republican’s regained the house and gained a large number of state governing positions—it was touted as a mandate by the people in favor of the right’s right to enact wholesale changes at the most fundamental levels of American social and political institutions.
Meanwhile, many progressives are discouraged the democrats and Obama conceded to 38 billion in cuts included in the recent budget plan. Based on the chatter in comments sections of progressive news sources and blogs, a growing number are also increasingly disdainful for possibly one of the more progressive presidents to come along in many years.
But when considered in within the long-view political strategy and maneuvering, the budget deal is small potatoes and may just pay off—big time--even if on the surface it doesn’t look that way.
Consider this; did the dems cave on the budget? Really, truly consider that question. If you still think they caved, why would they add their vote to pass it when the Reps couldn’t muster enough votes from their own party? Strategy—increasingly, polls from many sources show the American party is growing suspicious of the Reps’ platform and agenda—in large part due to progressives mobilizing and refuting the message the conservative have dominated for so long. If these polls can be trusted to somewhat demonstrate the average American sentiment the next election cycle will be interesting.
Already shaping up as a battle for independent voters who still may not be fully on the dems’ side, the polls are suggesting they are defecting from the repubs' ideas also. In a two party system, this most often means a low voter turn out or results skewing the most recent unfavorable party.
Thus, by allowing the repubs feel as though they had a mandate, allowing them to put forth, sometimes even insane, legislative ideas, the dems are setting the right for up a complete humiliation. It’s like someone at a party that gets a bit too wild, but no one stops them because the phones are out and recording and it will make a great YouTube video—the dems are letting the wing-nuts strut their nuts in front of the camera.
Not convinced?
Wisconsin is another example of the progress made by progressives. In putting the breaks on the WI budget plan, which really amounted to stripping a large number of state employee’s collective bargaining rights, it appears, progressives also prevented Walker from implementing step two of his plan—emulating MI governor Rick Snyder.
While the long view effect of this is yet to be decided, strong and sustained progressive momentum has achieved the filing of recall election petitions for (as of the date of this article) five WI republican senators. If these recall elections result in democrat victories, legislative power in Wisconsin will shift dramatically against Walker’s policies and attempts at hijacking the state for his corporate friends.
These two examples alone (and there are others) strongly suggest we are moving/progressing in the correct direction and we need to sustain this momentum.
I leave you with this message from an up and coming strong, proud, and progressive member of Congress from my great state of Minnesota.