She does not miss much but late last week I think she did. In a segment in which she pointed out what has happened as Obama has adopted Republican positions like cap and trade-- the Republicans quickly abandon them -- she was making fun of the party of no. But, in doing so, she missed an important point. As Obama adopts Republican positions, the Republicans move farther and farther to the right. The result is that the center keeps moving in that direction as well. Which, I think, is what is making people like me a little crazy. This may be a great reelection strategy but it is an awful governing strategy. Today, Dwight Eisenhower and Richard Nixon would be way to the left of center as, in many ways, they would be way to the left of our President.
The absence of strong progressive leadership at the top of the Party is deadly for progress. Not only does the right control the discourse, it is difficult for progressive legislators at lower level offices which is killing our farm system for the future. We need the President to not only mention progressive programs but to champion them. He doesn't.
Anyone who believes in America would be looking at our circumstances today as an unbelievable opportunity. We can borrow money at historically low interest rates, give gainful employment to millions of people who are out of work and leave our children with assets not debt.
But none of this is achievable unless we arrest the slide into the crazy world of right wing America. That will not happen without leadership and political courage, aimed at saving millions of jobs, not just one job.
The only we the center will move back is if the President not only mentions progressive positions but champions them with a willingness to lose.