Run, Democrats, Run

[BobcatJH]

Presidential elections, especially the primaries, are exciting, trying times. Around the progressive blogosphere, expect to see an internecine fight break out, with bloggers - including yours truly - choosing their favorite candidate and waging rhetorical warfare. Each and every one of us will rally around our choice, trying to convince anyone we can that he or she is the best man or woman for the job. Eventually, someone will take the nomination and, one would hope, progressives everywhere will again rally behind the Democratic flag. Until that time, however, I'm actually looking forward to the rigorous debate. To the back-and-forth. To the horse race. In fact, I hope as many talented Democrats as possible run. From Senators to former Senators to former nominees to actual winners* to governors and everyone in between, run, Democrats, run. Run to shape the debate. Run to bring issues to America's attention. Run to remind everyone that our party built this country - and only ours can save it. Because I'm confident there's not a single Republican out that could match our ideas, our passion, our character.

I've been of this mind for some time, but this week's news that the idea of Barack Obama-as-presidential-candidate is gaining steam put me over the top. I hope the speculation is true and Obama does run, because I think he's got quite a bit to add to the debate. So, too, does Al Gore, who continually leaves progressives asking "Will he or won't he?" as the primaries approach. There was some discussion of a possible Gore run last summer - that speculation only picking up, of course, amid the success and importance of "An Inconvenient Truth". While Obama and Gore remain many progressives' dream candidates - joining the likes of Wesley Clark, John Edwards and Russ Feingold - there are many, many more potential campaigners out there. Hillary Clinton, if she runs, would make a formidable candidate and remains everyone pundit's early pick for the nomination. She joins other hopefuls, including Mark Warner, Bill Richardson and Tom Vilsack. Others considering a run range from current Senators (Evan Bayh) to former Senators (Tom Daschle) to, of course, another former nominee, John Kerry. There are more, I'm sure (who could forget Joe Biden and Christopher Dodd), but you get the point.

My point is that, when you place that group of Democrats against the slate of rumored Republican candidates, the difference is clear. George Allen? Oh, you mean the racist? John McCain? Oh, you mean the former POW who voted to support amnesty for those who would torture, mutilate and murder our troops in Iraq? Bill Frist? Oh, you mean the corrupt Senator who prevented a roll call vote against lynching to protect his racist Republican colleagues? Sam Brownback and Tom Tancredo? Please. Would many Americans be taken, momentarily, by the likes of McCain or Rudy Giuliani? Of course, but over the long run, the Republican slate blends together, nothing but a series of supposed mavericks and renegades who more closely resemble the rubber-stamp, corrupt Republicans we know them to be. Want more of the same, more of the "leadership" that brought you the Iraq war, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and a culture of lawlessness? Then vote for these guys, this homogenous bunch of incompetents. Want a change, real ideas from genuine leaders who, above all else, know what the hell they're doing? Then vote Democratic.

I don't feel like comparing the relative merits of each Democratic candidate with his or her Republican counterpart. I just don't. Nor do I feel like championing the intellect and ability of any of the Democratic candidates when placed beside our dumb president. That would be too easy. I would like to take the time, however, to point out something that is obvious to most progressives and to do so before the political infighting begins. Something that I think we often lose sight of in the trenches. Something that, were you to line up every Democratic presidential hopeful, would hit you like a ton of bricks. And that is the fact that our side is the side of ideas. Of fresh thinking. Of new directions. Of balanced budgets and surpluses. Of optimism and faith in the American people. Of not playing to the lowest common denominator. Of not using fear as a weapon. Of not purposely shredding the Constitution. Of not endorsing lawlessness. In short, a party that actually stands for something. Not, like the Republicans, a party that falls for anything. All of those Democrats on one stage, fighting it out on real issues, avoiding the petty name-calling and mud-slinging better left to the Republicans? Now that is a debate I'd like to see.

* Remember 2000?