"Get Ready to Turn Inward" (Interesting Post by Chris Bowers, "Open Left")

[KoKo]

Channel surfing today, I already see glimmers of what Bowers is warning about. From "Morning Joe" to CNN, CNBC the meme is all about how Obama is going to govern and how he isn't going to be run by the "loony left," or that he won't be able to do what he said because he doesn't have the money and the "Investor Class" will not allow him to "raise taxes" on them. This comes from those who aren't all far right Wall St. Repugs and Fox Operatives, but from Dem pundits like Harold Ford and Bob Shrum.

----------

Get Ready To Turn Inward
by: Chris Bowers
Tue Nov 04, 2008 at 14:48


Inevitably, there will be a plethora of talking heads tonight arguing that while Obama and Democrats won, this was really a center-right, "bi-partisan" victory. Or, at least, they will argue that Democrats better govern in a center-right, bi-partisanship fashion, or else. Such comments will, inevitably, be just about the least enjoyable part of what otherwise should be a fantastic night.


It will be a sad sight to see so many people praise certain sections of the Democratic effort this year, while dumping on the rest. Specifically, the left-wing and the netroots will be dumped on the most, as always. The Village must never credit the DFHs with anything. For example, Adam Nagourney is on MSNBC a few minutes ago talking about how Dean doesn't deserve any credit for the 50-state strategy, even though that was really the entirety of his tenure at the DNC.

This should be a victory for all Democrats, given how hard everyone has worked. However, it just won't be spun that way. It was clear in 2006, for example, that certain sections of the party were eager to demean all others after our victory. Jim Wallis's trumpeting 2006 as a defeat of the secular left, Rahm Emanuel's media deification, and the constant pundit drumbeat of just how conservative all these new Democrats were (a claim that was based almost entirely on Heath Shuler being anti-choice), are just some examples of what happened.

This time, it will be key for progressives and the netroots to claim victory, too. Republicans will be reduced to such small numbers in Congress, that Democrats will be governing virtually unopposed. As always happens in such situations, the dominant majority party will factionalize quite a bit. We have to be aware of this, and ready to fight. After today, the struggle will take place almost entirely within the Democratic Party, not between Democrats and Republicans. If you are a progressive or a grassroots activist, and you expect unity and praise for your efforts afterward, then you are being very naïve. Tonight is the end of one phase of the fight for a progressive governing majority, and the full-fledged start of another.

http://www.openleft.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=9697

[DonCoquixote]

1. It may be true

But let's not forget that the GOP is waiting for us to start slitting each others throats. There will be disagreements, but we must never forget who the enemy is.

[KoKo]

2. I understand your "caution." Thanks...we must all be aware of the "long knives out"

on Both Sides.

[The Backlash Cometh]

3. You know what this reminds me of?

That conflict between soldiers and generals. How soldiers are sent to fight battles, that they're never meant to win.

[formercia]

4. The generals get the medals and ticker tape parades

the soldiers get to die for their country.

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. Of course the struggle will be in the Dem party. The Left will try to make some

real changes and the Center will slap them down in the name of bipartisanship.

BUT, maybe if the nation can handle a centrist president for a while...if Obama does an amazing job, maybe in 8 years there will be a better chance of electing a progressive into office?

[Miss Chybil]

6. The "center-right" is a RW talking point. They are trying to hold on by the skin of their teeth.

Obama is a uniter and I believe, hope, he will unite the Dems as well as the Republicans. For those on the far left and the far right, it will be much harder to come to the MIDDLE. Which is where the country should be governed from. This is what the voters have stated with this election and to try to put one's own agenda ahead of that is suicide. Look what happened to the Republicans.

Just my humble opinion.

[WhiteTara]

7. Howard Dean knocked that idea down

yesterday at the NPC luncheon. Sorry, I don't have the link. Maybe from CSPAN?