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After observing the debates, I have concluded that there is no way either Clinton or Obama could back away from the policies that they have espoused thus far in the general election. For that, much of the credit goes to my boy Johnny E. His bold, progressive policies have inhabited the brains of the other candidates via osmosis, and the transplant appears to be long-lasting. I'm sure Edwards would want me to vote for the nominee as well.
Furthermore, there is no reason for them to back away. Triangulation is not only not possible, its unnecessary in this political climate. It's a defensive rearguard action that was a response to Republican domination. Democrats are not on the defensive in 2008. I would suggest that the Republicans are far more guilty of it this time around. That's why their base is so disgusted. There isn't a pure conservative in the bunch, whereas both Obama and Clinton, style and corporate ties aside, could be fairly characterized as proud liberals.
Instead, we can fairly expect that Democrats will focus on pinning the failed Republican policies of the past seven years on McCain or Romney, rather than Sistah Souljah'ing us, their base. This is not to their credit, but to ours. We have become too numerous, too well-connected, and too important a source of campaign funds to ignore or belittle. This is another source of my hope. We are not going away, and nor will our money. We have a well-demonstrated taste for primaries, with a fair amount of success, and that isn't going away either. There is nothing to stop us from recruiting even a presidential primary challenger to a sitting Democratic president, to force a return to the left in the event of post-election base betrayal.
It is this last alternative that I would urge on those who are less sanguine than myself about Clinton or Obama, rather than refusing them your vote. By giving them your vote, you are binding them to represent you, and creating a claim upon their loyalty. If they do not satisfy that claim, they owe you a debt which can only be satisfied by voting and funding for their rival. But if that claim is never made upon them, and they win anyway, why then, what have they to fear? Take comfort in the motto, "More and Better Democrats!" The more comes when we regain the presidency from a Republican, the better comes in the primaries, and when we replace a sitting democratic president, with an even more loyal and wise alternative.
If what I have written moves you, if you feel as I feel, then we can look forward to a happy, successful, and united progressive movement that I have great confidence cannot be stopped by a worn out, failed conservative movement. This election is only the beginning, but it is still a beginning. That means that happier progressive days are surely ahead, and our country and planet can be healed, if we stick together.
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