A Pivotal Moment for the Democratic Party

[babylonsister]

http://www.anonymousliberal.com/2008/01/pivotal-moment-for-democratic-party.html

A Pivotal Moment for the Democratic Party

snip//

I guess this is all a long way of saying that I fear that the Democratic party is on the verge of making a colossal mistake.

This upcoming election may offer a once in a lifetime opportunity to change the direction of the country in a fundamental way. There's a recession looming, if it hasn't already arrived. The sitting Republican president and his policies--both domestic and foreign--are deeply unpopular. Independent voters and even many Republicans are deeply disenchanted with the state of the country and the current Republican party.

The circumstances are ideal for a charismatic, fresh-faced Democratic to put a new face on the Democratic party and lead it to a sweeping victory, not just in the presidential election but in Congressional elections as well, and thereby create the ever-so-rare conditions necessary to accomplish significant and meaningful change.

I think Obama has the potential to be that kind of transformational candidate. He's new, he's unlike any Democratic politician the American people have seen before, and he's an exceptional orator. In other words, he seems well-suited to make the most of this unique moment in history.

Clinton, by contrast, is the opposite of a fresh face. She represents, quite literally, a continuation of the last Democratic administration, and because of that, it is highly unlikely that she'll be able to expand the Democratic coalition or win over even the most disgruntled of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents.

Again, I hope I'm wrong, but I worry that if the Democratic party nominates Hillary Clinton over Barack Obama--which it looks increasingly likely to do--it will turn out to be a mistake and a missed opportunity of truly epic proportions, the political equivalent of drafting Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan.

UPDATE: I also tend agree with this:

{T}he longer the Democratic race goes on, the likelier it appears that Clinton could well win the nomination in a way almost designed to maximally divide and demoralize her own party - and raise her own national negatives to stratospheric levels. It would mean a Clinton candidacy in the fall that had actively alienated independents and repelled Republicans, while undermining a key source of Democratic support - African-Americans.

[wyldwolf]

1. what? another one?

Seems like every election cycle, when things don't go a 'certain' way, it's a pivotal moment.

[billbuckhead]

3. The idea that Obama is going to win over Republicans is ludicrous

Much of the point of being Republican since Nixon is to be anti-black. This "support" Obama has from Republican's is just mischief.

[DJ13]

7. "Fellow Republicans......"

Consider Obama

Fellow Republicans,

When deciding which candidate is best to now lead our nation, we ask that you consider supporting Senator Barack Obama. Although our coalition is made up exclusively of Republicans party members, each of us is confident that Senator Obama is the right person to be our next President. The U.S. faces serious challenges that are not being addressed by our political leaders. Elected officials of both sides increasingly find it easier to appease their parties’ fringes to win elections, and media companies choose to shock, amuse and divide us. In the meantime, the problems we face as a nation grow as they are passed on to future generations.

We need a leader who can lay the foundations of another American Century—someone who can get past our partisan and ideological divisions, as we strengthen our standing in the world and tackle the challenges we face at home. We need a leader who understands our differences, but who also knows the importance of finding common ground. While we continue to debate and address many issues on which we all have strong opinions—abortion, gay rights, the relationship between church and state, to name a few—we need a leader who can command the support needed to break our government’s paralysis and meet the growing challenges we face as a nation.


Senator Obama is the one candidate who can unite the American majority that wants to move forward and improve the long-term economic well-being and independence of our nation.

http://www.republicansforobama.org/?q=consider
Consider Obama | Republicans for Obama

[billbuckhead]

8. "Morning in America'

:spray:

[mrmx9]

10. Well Hillary certainly won't win any over - and will struggle with Independents

Which is surprising really as she is Republican lite (John McCain - but without the principles or experience!)

[Mythsaje]

4. Well, the last few Presidential elections certainly were.

And see where we are now.

[DJ13]

6. Voting for more of the same is what led to the last two Bush terms

But keep on voting for more of the same, and maybe you'll get lucky enough to vote in someone by accident who actually does want change.

[Frances]

2. I was leaning Obama in the primary until

he made the statement about the 60's and 70's (the decades when women and AFrican Americans finally began to get a piece of the economic pie) being a time of "excess."

I came of age during those decades and I know how hard fought the battle to get those rights was.

Hillary knows too.

That's why I'm switching my vote.

I have a lot more faith in Hillary protecting the rights of the middle class, women, and yes, African Americans, than I have in Obama.

Of course, I will vote for Obama in the general if he gets the nomination.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. I agree with the analysis

about Clinton being perceived as being a continuation of her husband's policies (whether they will be or not, that is a valid perception). I don't know that Obama is showing that much of a change in direction--a fresh face, yes, and history making if he is elected President--but he still takes too much corporate money to make me feel confident that he won't simply bow to their wishes as has happened in the past.

What I'm looking for in all the candidates is fresh ideas, thinking out of the box, and some indication that their plans will mean more than just nice writing on a piece of paper come January 20. So far with Clinton, Obama, and Edwards, I really haven't seen this. Kucinich is the only one with vastly different plans that he has already started to implement via introduction of bills in Congress.

[babylonsister]

9. But unfortunately, Kucinich doesn't have a prayer.

I agreed with Dennis on practically everything, but not enough people are giving him credit. I'm glad he's doing what he's doing in the House.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

12. Yes, I've heard that

again and again and again. And so people who really agree with Dennis drop away from him. Sad thing is that they also drop away from his IDEAS. And so we never get change.

[OHdem10]

11. I believe Republican Policies have created the situation

we are facing. Bending over backward to get Republican Votes
only means no change. Those GOP ers witll expect you to do
things their way. Just watch the DLCers and Blue Dogs in Congress
as they respond to the Republican consituents over their Democratic
Constituents. If you give Republicans they come over on their
own with no expectations.

[The_Casual_Observer]

13. Get the feeling that the "anonymousliberal" does role playing

and has magic dice?


"He's new, he's unlike any Democratic politician the American people have seen before, and he's an exceptional orator. In other words, he seems well-suited to make the most of this unique moment in history." All he needs is a robe & a sword!

[John in Austin]

14. Obama has skeletons in the closet:(

I haven't seen this youtube on this site yet, but this is what to expect if Obama wins the primary:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVeFV...sage491540/pg1