Paul Loeb: Hillary and the Politics of Disappointment

[marmar]

from HuffPost:




Paul Loeb
Hillary and the Politics of Disappointment
Posted November 24, 2007 | 04:37 PM (EST)



When Democrats worry about Hillary Clinton's electability, they focus on her reenergizing a depressed Republican base while demoralizing core Democratic activists, particularly those outraged about the war, and thus maybe lose the election. But there's a further danger if Hillary's nominated--that she will win but then split the Democratic Party.

We forget that this happened with her husband Bill, because compared to Bush, he's looking awfully good. Much of Hillary's support may be nostalgia for when America's president seemed to engage reality instead of disdaining it. But remember that over the course of Clinton's presidency, the Democrats lost 6 Senate seats, 46 Congressional seats, and 9 governorships. This political bleeding began when Monica Lewinsky was still an Oregon college senior. Given Hillary's protracted support of the Iraq war, her embrace of neoconservative rhetoric on Iran, and her coziness with powerful corporate interests, she could create a similar backlash once in office, dividing and depressing the Democratic base and reversing the party's newfound momentum.

Think about 1994. Pundits credited major Republican victories to angry white men, Hillary's failed healthcare plan, and Newt Gingrich's "Contract with America." But the defeat was equally rooted in a massive withdrawal of volunteer support among Democratic activists who felt politically betrayed. Nothing fostered this sense more than Bill Clinton's going to the mat to push the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Angered by a sense that he was subordinating all other priorities to corporate profits, and by his cavalier attitude toward the hollowing out of America's industrial base, labor, environmental and social-justice activists nationwide withdrew their energy from Democratic campaigns. This helped swing the election, much as the continued extension of these policies (particularly around dropping trade barriers with China) led just enough Democratic leaning voters in 2000 to help elect George Bush by staying home or voting for Ralph Nader.

No place saw a more dramatic political shift than my home state of Washington. In November 1992, Democratic activists volunteered by the thousands, hoping to end the Reagan-Bush era. On Election Day, I joined five other volunteers to help get out the vote in a swing district 20 miles south of Seattle. Volunteers had a similar presence in every major Democratic or competitive district in the state. The effort helped Clinton to carry the state and Democrats to capture eight out of nine House seats.

But by 1994 grass-roots Democratic campaigners mostly stayed home, disgruntled. In Washington State, there were barely enough people to distribute literature and make phone calls in Seattle's most liberal neighborhoods, let alone in swing suburban districts. Republicans won seven of our nine congressional races, and reelected a Senator known for baiting environmentalists. ....(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-loeb/hillary-and-the-politics-_b_73957.html

[Evergreen Emerald]

1. It was not Clinton's fault.

It was because of the Republican attack. It was constant and ugly. The goal was to take him down. And that will be the goal again--no matter who the democratic nominee it. Not a day went by that they did not have a new investigation or a new attack.

There was a vast right wing conspiracy. And it got Bush elected and the republican congress. I think, tho this time the American people are smarter. And we are waking up: to the lies of the republicans, to the fact that the media is nothing but propaganda. I am hoping that we will not stand for it this time.

I am hopeful, but I do see on this board the continuation of the republican type of politics. Ugly, divisive.

It was not Clinton's fault.

[stevenleser]

2. I am not sure either way...

I wasn't that active back in 92-94 (or for that matter, 92-98) so I dont know for sure. What I do know is that the Clinton era did give rise to the Greens. Progressives were very upset that they were ignored during the time. When I confronted Greens repeatedly during the run-up to election 2000, it was obvious they felt their agendas were ignored by Bill.

I love Bill and how he governed. But, I think it's clear that the progessive activists of the time were not as enthusiastic.

On another note, it is worrisome that Clinton supporters are now tagging any criticism of her as "Republican type of politics". I, for one, do not want to give the VRWC you speak of a candidate on whom they have any more ammunition than necessary. I believe a complete vetting of our candidates is a necessary part of the process. Hillary herself said that anyone who cannot stand the heat should get out of the kitchen and that she feels comfortable in the kitchen. Maybe her supporters should try to better understand what that means.

[Evergreen Emerald]

3. there is plenty of writing on it--you could find out the truth

I agree with you about "vetting" a candidate's position. The problem I am having is that the attacks are distortions and sometimes outright lies. That is not democracy. That is the path to the destruction of democracy.

[yurbud]

4. too true

[yurbud]

5. the more I think about this, the more critical this issue seems. I have been demoralized and numbed

by Democrats complicity with Bush and transparently feigned opposition to what he's doing.

While I know the Democrats will be a few degrees better and slightly more responsive than Republicans, it's hard to pour my heart and soul into fighting for someone who at best will only shit on me less and occasionally offer me a few squares of toilet paper.

[rAVES]

6. Please God for the good of the Nation Hillary.. step away from the Race..

[yurbud]

7. Hillary will be like Kerry--we'll hope that he'll be more progressive than she's running

and that she'll fight for us in the clinch.

But like Kerry, when the going gets tough, she'll get a ride with the cronies.