I would first like to start off as saying that I am 20 year old Afro-American man from the Metro Atlanta area in Georgia. In 2008, I volunteered for Obama's campaign. I canvassed, made calls, and on election day, drove people to their prospective voting places to cast their votes. It was late in the game when I got politically involved, because frankly, I didn't see a difference in the Senators, Governors, or Representatives on the stage at the first debates.
I know that there are probably a lot of pissed off people, crying about what it could have been with President Hillary Rodham Clinton instead of Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton. Some, even are nostalgic about the 2000 election and wanting former Vice President Gore as president, citing that he would be a progressive hope. Some, like I was in 2004, though I couldn't vote, a Dean Maniac,who wanted him President or at least Secretary of Health and Human Services. Truthfully though, I believe it would be the same as it is now.
I love progressives,really I do. You all are very magnanimous and just all around good people. You stand for the people and I love you for that. I also think,that we can be absent minded as well,especially when it comes to our leaders. When,in early 2008,progressives who were for Senator Clinton lambasted me for not knowing the difference between her and that "empty suit"Senator Obama,the same went for the supporters of Senator Obama,who didn't know the difference between him and "that DLC,corporate bought,Iraq war voting" Senator Clinton. Its a wonder why I didn't vote third party,didn't I? I asked each coalition what difference was there between the two candidates? I listened,and discovered that there was a chasm of difference as wide as a centimeter. These people were all voting for the same thing!
I laugh these days when now,I see the posts calling for President Obama to get challenged in a primary. All I can say is,GOOD LUCK WITH THAT. Remember in 1980, Senator Edward Kennedy, a champion of porgressivism who now is no longer with us, challenged President Jimmy Carter in the primary. We ended up with Ronald Reagan for eight years. Also, Barack Obama is the First African American to hold the office of President of the United States. A lot of minority support right there. 45% of whites voted for Obama and he STILL won due to 95% of African Americans, 67% of Latino Americans, 62% of Asian Americans, and 66% of Other(mixed Americans). If the challenger won,don't you think that many of these progressives would stay home as some of you are contemplating doing to Obama in November 2012?Exit Polls 2008 Election
Really, I know you are angry about whats happening today, but seeing that would kind of hurt badly. Did some minorities vote for Obama because he was black. Yeah. Just like on the Republican side,many voted for John McCain simply because he was white. Im not saying its right, but it happened. Throwing the first Democratic Party nominee to win this century and the first Afro American President could get ugly. Does anyone remember the last party that primaried the incumbent and won, then won the election this century or last century? I don't either.
I also take issue of the beloved Naderites saying that he would be a great President. I don't dispute this. He would, if A. he could get 50% of the vote and B, could also get a majority Green congress who wasn't beholden to corporate interests or inactive on issues simply because of his religion or beliefs. H.Ross Perot didn't even make it, and he was visible everywhere. He got only 18% In 1912, former Republican President Theodore Roosevelt ran on a more progressive, Bull Moose Party ticket, running against President Taft and New Jersey Governor Woodrow Wilson. This is the Result per u-s-history.com.
Election of 1912
Candidates Party Electoral Popular
T. Woodrow Wilson (NJ)
Thomas R. Marshall (IN) Democratic 435 6,293,152
Theodore Roosevelt (NY)
Hiram W. Johnson (CA) Progressive 88 4,119,207
William H. Taft (OH)
Nicholas M. Butler (NY) Republican 8 3,486,333
A President Nader would not only be hamstrung by Republicans,but Democrats as well. He might get Bernie Sanders,but he,like President Obama,would have to compromise and modify his positions in order to get something from the Blue dogs, from the moderate Republican,from the crazy as catshit Republicans. Take heart though,Naderites, Van Jones wouldn't have been let go.
I also take issue with the progressives that say, "I don't care if we get a Republican congress in 2010 and a Republican president in 2012." To this I say, "Are you sure?" It was the same question I asked my sixth grade teacher, Mrs.Cleckley, when she didn't believe there was a difference between Vice President Gore and Governor Bush in 2000. Are you sure you want to go back to Bush/Cheney by way of a President Romney, or President Huckabee, or President Palin, or President Pawlenty, or President "Boss Hogg"Barbour? Instead of Harry Reid (Although I feel that he should be replaced,Im with you on that!) we get Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Speaker John "Orange Glo" Boener? REALLY!?? Im just saying to you,don't let your anger get the better of you. Be angry,yes,but be smart. I know you don't want that. I know you don't want the Gingrich/Delay congress back,you may type and say those things now,but deep in your minds,you rue the day that happens. You know I'm right.
Somewhere in me, I still see a guy that knows whats going on. Remember, he beat Clinton, barely, but HE BEAT CLINTON. Someone in 2007, I thought was unbeatable. I couldn't imagine Barack Obama as the next President, Vice President maybe, but not President. He was down in the polls when Sarah Palin spread onto the scene. Then, everyone thought his chances were over, but election night 2008,he did it, he won the whole thing, and she went to Alaska and her career as Governor froze.
Will I support President Obama in 2012, yes. I say, they are all we got, because, really, they are all we got. All the people staying at home, what can you do if a Republican president enters the White House? Will our progressive agenda be pushed forward? Im tired of complaining about Republicans if we let them win by being apathetic.Im tired of them saying, as Gov.Tim Pawlenty said, "This is a center to center right nation." I still support him because Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, and Neal Boortz will not be validated in their opinions of this country. I will NOT cede that ground to them. I know if I give up,they win, and I hate to lose. Will I give him hell until 2012 on his decisions I don't agree with, yes. It is my duty as a supporter of him and as a voter. I know, we don't get anywhere as progressives if we don't stand together. I wan't a Supreme Court with judges that side with the people, not corporations. I know that will happen with him and many more in the future.
I still remember this night when the nation roared and the world lit up.
I cry when I see it. (OK,maybe not cry,but my eyes still light up.) It still reminds me of what America could be. I also realized, we elected a man. A man,not God, not the Messiah, but one man. I never have,nor do I now believe that. In my title,I said we elected LBJ, not MLK. LBJ signed the civil rights and voting rights acts because of the fights that MLK others led with the people against people who were wrong. We got some of those Great Society programs because MLK and others went to the inner cities and outskirts and saw both black and white struggling. We EACH need to be the MLK to this administration. The black community could have stayed home during elections, not voted (even though they could not)said all are products of corporations,could have voted third party,but would progress have happened,or would the status quo have become more entrenched in segregation,in laws preventing equal rights. We need a Gay MLK,we need a Union MLK/Ceasar Chavez,we need a progressive MLK. I think Gov.Howard Dean is perfect. This morning,he was on Fox News, the opposition channel. I believe he is more effective on the outside than the inside. Rep.Maxine Waters was dynamic on ABC's this Week. It can't be just politicians though. We had the Kennedy's ,but we need someone from us. Not a politician, no one running, but someone from the people, to stand up. Then it turns into a group of us. Then we can rival those Lobbyists and executives that they only see.
We need someone to sing this song to Washington.
This song encompasses what I believe some of us are feeling right now.
And I also would put this as Obama's "Rocky" music CD if he does start gettin FDR on the obstructionist Republicans.