I took quite a beating in the comment ratings for my recent post about Dean and Kerry. I wanted to put out a more nuanced view, to clarify how I think we, as the progressive wing of the party, should relate to Kerry as our nominee.
This was published a few weeks ago in the Philadelphia Citypaper, an alternative news weekly with a circulation of about 200,000 in Philadelphia and the sounding areas.
Is John Kerry too Liberal to Beat Bush?
As soon as it became clear who the Democratic nominee would be, it began. First it appeared in the talking points of right-wing pundits and then there were quiet whispers throughout the media establishment. Soon, it began appearing in op-ed pages across the country. Decorated Vietnam veteran and four-term Senator John Kerry is too liberal to beat President George W. Bush in the general election.
However, a close examination of the facts shows that this is just another Republican fantasy, like the idea that tax cuts for billionaires somehow helps the middle class.
Let's take a look at the 2000 election. Although he won the popular vote, Vice President Al Gore narrowly lost to Bush. Conservatives are claiming that Kerry can't win because he is farther to the left than Gore. This is debatable, but what they miss is that Kerry can win precisely because he might be perceived as more progressive than the former Vice President.
If Gore and Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader's totals are combined, a solid 52 percent of Americans voted left of center in 2000. A vast majority of those who backed Nader in 2000 will not do so this time around. Kerry has a very strong record on the environment, which will deliver former Nader votes in several key swing states. Nader's votes could deliver Florida and New Hampshire to the Democrats.
An important part of Kerry's victory in Iowa was the support of veterans. Although some Democrats have basically given up on the South, it is the region of the country that has the highest population of former armed services personnel in the United States. The Bush administration has slashed benefits for veterans across the board and Kerry has made this a central theme of his campaign.
His distinguished record of service in Vietnam, combined with his principled opposition to the war when he returned, will give him the authority to challenge President Bush on this issue. Kerry's strong stance in support of veterans could help put the South portions of the South, like West Virginia and Tennessee, back into play.
I believe that Kerry made the wrong decision by voting in favor of the war in Iraq. While most people may have supported the war in the beginning, many are now questioning the cost and doubting the way in which President Bush sold the war. Recent polls indicate that many believe that Bush intentionally misled the public about the threat Iraq posed. These people will be able to identify with Kerry, who now argues that his vote was based on false information from the Bush administration. Kerry made the right decision to refuse to fund the occupation unless the Bush Administration began answer tough questions about exit strategies and sweetheart deals for Halliburton.
Also, Kerry's experience with actual combat (as opposed to Bush's defense of Texas from Mexico during the Vietnam war) will give him the ability to criticize the foreign policy of the President, such as the apparent coup in Haiti.
Republicans claim that Kerry's opposition to a constitutional amendment banning gay and lesbian marriage will hurt him during the general election. However, according to a recent ABC/Washington Post poll, a solid 58% of Americans oppose such an amendment. President Bush has been forced by his right-wing base to back the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, which I like to call the Hate Amendment. While this might play well with Mel Gibson and other social conservatives, it certainly destroys any credibility that Bush might have had as a "Compassionate Conservative."
While it might seem ok to take a breath, we can't rest. Kerry may have a chance to unseat Bush, but not if he loses touch with his base. Voters will always pick a Republican over a Democrat who is playing pretend. Only by staying on a progressive message and outlining an agenda clearly different from that of the current administration can Kerry beat Bush. It's up to progressives to hold Kerry's feet to the fire and make sure he stays the course. Is there a doctor in the house?