Lakoff declares a progressive victory. Excellent Buzzflash editorial.

[madfloridian]

George Lakoff: Building on the Progressive Victory

http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/contributors/633

As the 110th Congress prepares to take office, the post-election tug-of-war for the soul of the Democratic Party continues, with DLC folks spinning the election as a victory for centrism and others pointing to the role of economic populism.

The tug-of-war began on November 7, as Rahm Emanuel sprang to the podium in front of national TV cameras to announce a victory for centrism. Two days later fellow centrist James Carville called, unsuccessfully, for the resignation from the DNC of Howard Dean. Dean's 50-state strategy had been crucial in the Democratic victory. Carville and Emanuel are veterans of Bill Clinton's administration. They appear to want a centrist Congress and a centrist DNC in preparation for Hillary Clinton's presidential run.

The struggle to explain the election continues because it may well affect how Congressional Democrats will decide to act. Economic populism or centrism? The truth, I think, is both more complex and more interesting — and brings progressive values to center stage.

Framing has been part of the controversy. Framing has been about the deepest progressive values, ideas, and principles, future progressive policies, and the enterprise of accurately framing reality. Centrists, because of their concern with moving the party to the right, away from progressive values, have falsely framed framing itself as being mere messaging and spin.

He gives interesting commentaries on Harold Ford, Heath Shuler, and Bob Casey....I could see his points clearly. I don't like for anyone to sell out the rights of others, though...never will.

It's a long edtiorial, and there is a link to the new project as well.

Rockridge Nation
http://www.rockridgenation.org/