Leonard Pitts Jr.: Democrats may win, thanks to GOP -

[Richardo]

This letter (published 11/6, before the election) should be forwarded to Speaker-elect Pelosi and the rest of the leadership. I think Pitts articuates not what we in the choir already know, but what those outside the party core may be thinking. He's got a harsh tone in places, but I think Pelosi et al would do well to heed it:


A letter to the Democrats.

Congratulations. If the prognosticators are correct, you are about to win a victory that will shift the balance of power in one or both houses of Congress. Of course, if the prognosticators are incorrect, you will soon be committing hara-kiri. In which case my only advice would be: one hard thrust and then pull up.

But this letter proceeds from the assumption that the prognosticators are right. On that basis, I want to make a plea.

...<snip>

If you win, it's because of Mark Foley and Terri Schiavo and Randy ''Duke'' Cunningham and Donald Rumsfeld and George W. Bush and Jack Abramoff and Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter and Dick Cheney and Hurricane Katrina and 2,800 dead soldiers and because, as my mom used to say, enough is enough and too much stinks.

<snip>

I don't know what you believe, what you plan, where you want to take the country. I daresay that most people don't. A victory here just means that you were the only other game in town. And yet, it would give you a rare oppportunity.

<snip>

I want to know what it's like to have a sense of national mission, what it's like to strive for instead of against. I want to be hopeful about the future again, want my country to be looked at with respect again. Most of all, I want to see statesmen again. Meaning men and women who can debate, do battle, compromise and disagree over issues of great importance, but not let party, partisanship or politics stand in the way of doing what is best for the country.

...<snip>

Which brings me to my plea. <snip> I wish you would, for me, for all of us, remember to do one thing with this victory.

Earn it.