It’s the beginning of the Democratic National Convention and we had two remarkable candidates go through a primary season with lots of vigorous policy discussions, while managing not to publicly lose their shit in front of the whole world.
So why am I so disgusted this morning? Why is somebody who has volunteered for democratic candidates for twenty goddamn years- in Ohio, for god’s sake- having to grit their teeth at the thought of starting another election cycle? Why am I having to watch panels of commentators on every network this morning, all tearing the judgment and common sense of the leaders of our party to bloody shreds and pissing away the advantages of last week’s RNC freak show?
Hey DNC- the general public isn’t the group that you’re having the worst impact on with this latest debacle. Do you really think that the base isn’t watching this and understanding the hubris of the massive egos involved?
Look, I had to force myself to attend the grand opening of the central Ohio Hillary campaign HQ yesterday. I worked Voter Protection for the 2000 election, when the party ran out of lawyers to guard the polls. For every election after that, I was volunteering for every campaign, then spending my election days working as an election official guarding my precincts from the onset of crazy tough voter ID rules that were aimed at keeping our voters from casting a ballot.
I was a Kerry Captain and persuaded half my family to campaign for Obama. But my Obama Neighborhood Team tee-shirt is hanging over the bedpost right now, because I couldn’t bring myself to wear it yesterday to the launch event. My Crashing the Gate dkos shirt is hanging there too, because I had both of them out yesterday as a protest gesture that almost went to the campaign launch event. But I did the adult thing and left my concerns at home, because I couldn’t bring myself to bring strife to an event where I know we need to start building the enthusiasm. Do DWS and HRC have the need to build enthusiasm front and center on their list today? I’m still trying to get excited about the VP candidate on the ticket. How hard do we really need to make this?
I feel like I’m looking at a bunch of self-defeating, crisis-junkie teenaged procrastinators who can’t be happy without the rush of a crisis. Some people like to make the fallout of every situation an opportunity to make it all about themselves. But here’s the thing- we are already fighting the specter of an enthusiasm gap between the nationalist fanatics of the opposition and the usual give and takism that is endemic to our big tent full of democrats. Why is the DNC making this harder than it has to be?
My job and my profession is about public service, so I think I know the kind of trade-offs that you make sometimes when you put the public good above your own benefit. But here’s the thing- I’m not seeing the interests of the public and the nation being put forward as the primary factor that is influencing decisions about this ugly situation. (And yes, I’m late for work and following ethics rules by posting this as a diary and run from my own damn computer. I will check in by cell if my bosses don’t fire me today.)
I’m waiting to see something a hell of a lot more meaningful than Debbie getting a gentle chiding. Yeah, I gave Bernie all of $20, but I’ve got a Women for Hillary sign hanging on the front of my house today. I’m having coffee with the bright young Hillary area organizer next week to welcome them to the neighborhood and plan for volunteers. But I’m really gritting my teeth right now, so tell me. Where’s the big gesture? Will a high level Bernie backer be standing with Donna Brazile as they take the stage to open this week? Will he graciously be accepting an offer of a policy post tonight and hug Hillary as he walks off the stage? Do the right thing- anything- to fix this. Now!
[AND now DWS is on my TV in Florida. Make it stop already and stop doubling down! I’ve got to get to work, dammit.]