Some of you may have read the front page post referencing the Pew Research poll on Republican dissatisfaction with their pool of candidates, see "Who thinks there's a weak Republican field? Republicans do." Republican weakness provides what I believe is a huge opportunity for progressives to insist on representation from the Obama administration.
Allow me to explain...
It appears the GOP primary will be bloody and fractious. The likelihood of an electable candidate coming from this group of clowns is nil. This is Obama's election to lose, even with a terrible economy. I mean let's face it, the GOP is looking to gut medicare and semi-balance the budget on the backs of the bottom 80-90% of the income ladder. With that entire segment suffering from unemployment or job insecurity, the GOP does not have a winning message. - Gee Ms. Smith, how about some austerity lemonade to wash down that pink slip sandwich ?
So who does Barack Obama need to run against, to secure another 4 years? It appears no one as he will not be primaried. Enter team progressive...
I am a progressive with democratic socialist and registered independent. When Obama won the Democratic Parties nomination, I was hopeful and gave him my support. My first preference was Edwards based on his policy positions most aligned with my own. I had three items on my wish list for the new administration:
1. Cessation to the two wars and immediate withdrawal.
2. Single Payer
3. Criminal indictments of Bush and his administration.
I think my hopes were shared by the vast majority of progressives and while I admit, Barack Obama never claimed to own these issues, he certainly was at minimum sympathetic to them. My hopes were promptly dashed as Obama has proven to be a status quo President. Almost from day one he surrendered single payer and the war criminals prosecution, while proposing a lengthy draw down of troops.
It's time the progressives insist on their views being represented. As it is clear Obama will not be the one to do it, we need someone within the Democratic Party to suggest leaving it, or far more likely, have a 3rd party challenger.
I know this is heresy to many here at DKos. But the fact is, I want representation in my government and I am NOT getting it. My values are traditional Dem Party values. It's time Barack Obama brings together the country by sitting down with the left and getting serious job creation and economic justice policies in place. I am tired of him playing footsie with the radical right while completely ignoring the left. The ONLY way he will do this, is if the progressives force him to by challenging him at every level.
Progressives need to unite and make Obama put EVERYTHING on the table with us and not those recalcitrant big money pimps from the GOP. Ignore us again at your own peril Mr. President.