about Kerry and moving forward progressively

[ulysses]

(or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Candidate)

Well, no. I don't love John Kerry, but I *have* learned to stop worrying so much about one election and the effect of its outcome for progressives.

Well, not quite that either, because the election *is* important for progressives, just not in the way we're usually taught.

I've said this before: those in power encourage the idea that politics is something that only happens every four years (every two if you don't mind being really nerdy) and that we needn't bother our little heads about it in the off years. Those of us who have gone off the edge into pure wonkdom enough to spend great chunks of our lives posting on a political message board know that to be false, but it still engenders the sense in us that more rides on Presidential elections (especially modern ones) than really does.

I hear the hackles being raised, so if you'll allow me - Bush has to go. It's a fairly obvious statement to say that a great deal does ride on this election, including the immediate fortunes of the American left.

What doesn't ride on this election, however, is the middle future for progressives. The state of affairs (or some affairs, anyway) will be better under Kerry, but we'll still be fighting pretty much the same battles. If the tendency towards complacency given a Dem administration among some on the center-left continues from the Clinton years, some battles will doubtless be harder.

But, it's what we've got to work with. I'm not overly worried about Kerry because I know that a Kerry administration will disappoint in large ways. It's still what we've got.

And so, rather than worry or try to drag the campaign leftward (they're not listening anyway), I'd prefer that we organize for the battles that will start, or be rejoined, after January. We're still fractured on the left, however clichéd that is to say. I'd still like to see more unity on issues - gay folks coming out for African-American rallies and vice versa, enviros and labor at the same table, the religious left and progressives not-of-faith loudly supporting each other's political goals, etc.

THAT, friends, is where the battle for the nation will be won, not in one presidential election. I'm voting for Kerry in November. I'm not particuarly worried about who gets your vote - the electoral time will come. But let us continue to organize, inform and agitate above all.

[DemBones DemBones]

1. Hear! Hear! It's past time to stop

whining about the tickets that might have been, face reality, and be glad we've got a decent Dem to defeat Dubya. Next step: unity.

[ulysses]

2. something like that

:D

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

3. And I completely support you in that post and in that goal

as I have said repeatedly...Davis as governor was perceived as a sell out centrist Dem...however, he gave more seats at the table to progressives, Greens, AA's Latino's and environmentalists than any governor before him in the previous 20 years....those people miss their seats now.

I completely support progressives in ORGANIZING..what I do not support anyone on the left in doing is moving forward in a DISORGANIZED fashion as is being done with Nader...the outcomes in policy, both social and foreign and in the courts IS MUCH too at risk for unintended consequences.

I don't expect people to jump for joy for Kerry..I simply ask that they cool it with the very deliberate propaganda campaign that results in suppressing the very votes they claim to want to empower.

[ulysses]

4. the organization needs to be solved first, yes.

[BeFree]

5. It's coming together..

Kerry has the support of almost all ordinary Democrats. As for DU, we shall always be pushing the envelope. But with just 3+ months before the grand finale, it sure would be nice to see our comrades relax a bit and let the Kerry camp-pain have a little slack.

Afterall, Kerry did come back and voice disaproval about Vietnam when he didn't have too. That tells ya something about the man and his feelings toward war. Then, too, are his Senatorial duties against reaganism. He's gonna do us proud. Just give him a chance, lets get him elected.

[ulysses]

6. perhaps.

I want Kerry elected. I'll reserve judgment on whether or not he does us proud until he's doing the doing.

[BeFree]

7. Look at what he has done

Hell, he's voted as one of the most Liberal of Senators.
He called for regime change last year, remember that?

It's like Granny D said, we need to put aside our own petty single issue petulance and do what's left for the good of the people. With Kerry we have a leader who knows how to get things done in DC. He cares about the environment and about those who need help, he has a Liberal Compassion. We could hardly have a better candidate.