There's been a chorus of "concerned" folks recently telling us that all of the Democratic candidates are the same. That they're all as electable as each of the others. That they're all as good for progressives as each of the others. And that we all ought to shut up, play nice, and be grateful that none of our prospective nominees is quite as bad as Joe Lieberman.
DHinMI's
diary today is a pretty good example of such efforts. As always, such arguments hinge on a statement like:
And they're all far better than anyone the Republicans will nominate. So put down the weapons.
I respect DHinMI's ability to offer his opinion, but frankly, I'm sick and tired of the David Broders of dKos telling us that civility is more important than our future.
I think John Edwards had a far better take on the situation this week when he said:
Being just a little bit better than the Republicans is not reason enough to be the President of the United States.
We have an opportunity during the next few months to choose what direction the Democratic Party - our Democratic Party - is going to head for perhaps a decade or more to come. I'm not putting down my weapons. I'm going to fight. And you shouldn't put down your weapons and surrender to the "inevitability" either.
There are some folks who say that the fact that Senator Clinton supported Joe Lieberman's resolution to make it easier for George Bush to attack Iran isn't as important as the fact that she's not Rudy Giuliani.
There are some folks who say that the fact that Senator Clinton's chief strategist has gotten rich by busting unions and helping Blackwater bamboozle Congress (!) isn't as important as the fact that she's not Mitt Romney.
There are some folks who say that the fact that Senator Clinton would have more difficulty getting elected and prove a drag on Democratic efforts in the House and Senate isn't as important as the fact that she's not Fred Thompson.
There are some folks who say that the fact that Senator Clinton has consistently expressed contempt for the progressive movement and our goals isn't as important as the fact that she's not John McCain.
I'm just not one of those folks.
I'm not ready to sleep from now until February the way the Clinton campaign would like us to.
If you've got a voice and a keyboard, use 'em. If you care about the direction of our Party and our country, speak up.
One campaign seeks to benefit by telling us that all the candidates are the same. And that one campaign isn't the one progressives ought to be listening to.
(Also, I should note that I find it somewhat humorous that DHinMI is lecturing folks about using honey instead of vinegar after his invective filled tirade this week supporting those who sought to make their fact-free "black ops" attack on John Edwards' campaign.)
This is the moment for a fight. Don't listen to anyone who tells you it's not. Our futures depend on it.