We've all been watching the attacks on the loose (very) association between Obama and Ayers. It makes us angry that they put so much focus on something that's so insignificant trying to appeal to people's baser natures. It also worries us, because sometimes it works.
What's lost in this, is what these attacks really mean. In fact, these attacks say more about the future of conservative thought as a whole than it does about Obama, or Ayers, or this election. From what we've seen in the last week, there's a chasm being driven into the Republican party. We talk a lot of dropping them anchors. Maybe we need to drop an anchor here as well.
How? By pointing out that John McCain and Sarah Palin are telling well-meaning conservatives that they may be terrorists and traitors as well.
Take a step back.
One of the core principles of well-meaning conservatives, is that they believe that local functions are more responsive to the needs of that particular community, and thus do a much better job of their respective tasks than a national, or sometimes even state government can do. Agree or disagree with this outlook, it's a valid outlook, and sometimes its even correct. Not all the time, but bringing this view into the debate, I believe is healthy. (Of course, as long as the focus is on the goals, and note on the ideology but that's another story).
To some degree, I've been involved with these sorts of local community groups. Not as much as I'd like to be, I'm a pretty strong introvert, but more or less I am. And there's one essential point that really has to be made about this.
You can't choose who you work with on these issues.
You can't AFFORD to. Because often times, you're working with people from different backgrounds, different political beliefs, different races, different classes, different religious beliefs....
And yes, sometimes you'll be working with someone who is considered to be, or was, an "unsavory" character.
But you can't afford to lose energy, bodies, expertise. Once you go around and start poking out eyes because people don't meet our purity expectations, we all end up blind.
That is what needs to be said. That is what needs to be explained, in detail, is the nature of what community organizing is. The reality of it. I think that we progressives, instinctively get that. However, the conservative line of thought that is directly targeted and challenged by the authoritarian campaign of John McCain and Sarah Palin...well...
They may not see it for one reason or another. So we need to open their eyes in a way. Let them know that we respect their point of view, but their allies..their leaders..don't respect their point of view. They see the nitty-gritty work of making your community a better place as a purity test. And it's just not. It CAN'T be. Because then that work..often times important work, just won't get done. Can't get done.
We all see the schism. We see the debate coming. And while it'll be harder to win elections with a reasonable opposition, it'll make for a stronger political heart.