In recent years the Republican party has achieved great political success by appealing to the fears of voters. It was certainly not a new tactic, but it was shameless and effective. In fact it was so effective that a famous Democratic presidential candidate is now mimicking that tactic.
Ironically, in this same election cycle, another candidate has come along who doesn't appeal to our fears, but instead appeals to our best instincts. In fact supporting him actually requires us to put aside some old fears.
The choice could not be more clear. Are you tired of being afraid?
After September 11th 2001, we were told to be afraid.
Afraid of terrorists.
Afraid of anthrax.
Afraid of not having plastic and duct tape for our windows.
Afraid of Muslims.
Afraid of the "Orange Alert" (and the extra scary "Red Alert").
Afraid of people who don't look like us.
Afraid of Saddam Hussein.
Afraid of "weapons of mass destruction."
In 2002 and 2003, the United States Congress led by example. An example of fear. By rubber stamping an immoral war, they showed us what happens when you give into your fears. Elected to represent us, they instead voted out of a twisted sense of self-preservation, because they were afraid.
Afraid of being labeled as soft on terror.
Afraid of being labeled as Un-American.
Afraid of not being re-elected.
Afraid of hurting their Presidential ambitions.
Afraid of Fox News.
Afraid of Karl Rove.
In 2004 some Democrats were afraid. Some Democratic leaders declined to run for President because they were afraid to lose. Some Democratic voters were afraid to vote for their favorite candidate because they were afraid others wouldn't vote for him. And the party's eventual nominees ran a campaign that showed they were afraid.
Afraid to oppose the Iraq War.
Afraid to fight back against unfair attacks.
Now in 2008, there is a Democratic candidate telling us to be afraid.
Afraid the terrorists will strike us if we elect the "wrong" person.
Afraid of 3AM phone calls.
Afraid of Iran.
Afraid of Karl Rove.
Afraid of Fox News.
Afraid of what others may think about our nominee.
Afraid of how the Republicans will attack our nominee.
Afraid of the possibility that our nominee is a secret Muslim.
Afraid of choosing a nominee who doesn't have white skin.
Meanwhile some Democratic leaders are once again afraid.
Afraid to choose sides.
Afraid to speak out against unfair attacks.
Afraid to do what is best for their party and our country.
As you can see, the political culture of this country has been dominated by fear. I'm sure you can think of many additional examples. The Republicans showed how effective it can be to exploit people's fears, and now one Democratic candidate is mimicking those tactics.
However it doesn't have to work this time, and there are signs that in fact it might not. On January 3, 2008, the people of Iowa set an amazing example for us, shocking the world.
They weren't afraid to vote for the candidate they liked the best.
They weren't afraid to vote for someone who opposed the Iraq War.
They weren't afraid of Karl Rove.
They weren't afraid of Fox News.
They weren't afraid to vote for someone who doesn't look like them.
They weren't afraid of what others might say.
The people of Iowa showed courage that day. They led, and many around the country have courageously followed them. This country has been slowly casting aside its fears, one state at a time. It's your turn next, voters of North Carolina, and Indiana. Please use your vote to reject the politics of fear.