I like this website. The vast majority of posts and comments are fine; many are insightful. And Markos's editorial guidance seems sound. I perk up when I see his polling analyses or his pundit roundups or other fine musings about politics. But tonight on Keith Olbermann, after hearing Markos's comments on Obama and FISA, I realized that Democrats can lose this thing once again -- to someone who I believe would be far worse than Bush -- because we cannot get off our "Naderesque" high horses and win.
Day after day, week after week, month after month, one diarist to the next, this site has been the location for unrivaled support for Obama. Nary a criticism ... ever. He's perfect, doing the 50-state thing, beating Clinton, surviving Rev. Wright and bittergate, winning primary after primary, etc. He had the courage to call the Republicans "weak" on terrorism. He's given up public financing because, even though it's risky, not doing so would be more of a risk. One would think that Kos -- and the diarists who might follow his lead -- could be a little more forgiving if the man has to think about realpolitik once in a while. He is, by the way, a black man named Barack Obama trying to win what is, perhaps, the most important election of our lives.
But no. All because of FISA and the fact that some Democrats, perfecting sanctimony, can't see the forest for the trees.
It's not as if no one should criticize Obama's FISA decision -- or future ones for that matter. Nor should anyone be silent or feel silenced. But to head to cable and basically threaten to de-intensify your support (read: stop sending money) is completely unfair, especially in light of Obama's decision -- supported by Kos -- to forgo public financing. It's also reckless, especially in light of Markos's post just TODAY lamenting the May fund-raising numbers and the fact that the DNC coffer is in the tank while the RNC's is totally flush (and I quote):
In other words, no complacency.
Give to Obama (and our endorsed candidates) at the Orange to Blue ActBlue fundraising page.
So on the one hand you have what you say on the site and on the other what you say to Keith Olbermann and millions of TV viewers: that netroots' intensity will drop like a stone if Obama doesn't do your exact bidding on FISA in the middle of a heated national security-centric presidential campaign. (Did I mention its historic nature?) I hope I'm not the only one who's confused.
Obama is going to be disappointing sometimes -- it's the nature of politics, particularly when you've got a sitting senator running. But Markos and others need to realize that sometimes exhibiting "leadership" means taking an action because you think it's the right decision -- even a winning decision -- and even if some people disagree and get angry.
But let's not get so high minded that we lose sight of the overwhelming need to elect Obama, because unless we do, our civil liberties and the rights everyone holds so dear will most certainly be further eroded by a McCain administration, staffed by Charlie Black and supported by Richard Cheney. As much as you hate Obama's decision, that much should be remembered. I'll brace myself for comments.