Bottom rail on top this time ...
In the late 60’s and early 70’s, I spent four years at Syracuse University. Campus unrest was widespread, and I did more than my fair share of marching, chanting and rock throwing. At the time, I truly believed that we were on the verge of collapsing what we considered to be a repressive Republican regime. Our nemesis, Richard Nixon, used the term "silent majority" to marginalize our efforts, claiming that the vast majority of citizens supported his policies – particularly in regard to Vietnam – rather than our contrarian position. Although the Trickster was ultimately undone and support for the war evaporated over time, he was initially correct in his 1969 assessment of the silent majority, as he and the hapless Spiro Agnew thoroughly pummeled George McGovern in 1972.
I am reminded of this as I watch the nightly parade of Tea Partiers on various cable outlets. Loud, rude, insulting and obnoxious, they mirror many of the protests of the Nixon era. While I believe our cause was more just than this collection of elderly white folks in flag shirts and tri-cornered hats adorned with Lipton, they do command a great deal of attention. Loud and obnoxious has a way of playing well on television. Yet in a 180 degree reversal from the street theatre of 1969, I am completely convinced that the silent majority is now – ready? – US! While the teabaggers shout down legislators at town hall meetings or wave their often misspelled signs at pep rallies (you just gotta love "Get a Brain, Morans"), ginning up ratings for O’Reilly, Hannity, Beck and the rest of the 21st century Know Nothings, it seems to me that the vast majority of Americans remain willing to reserve judgment on President Obama. The man in the street isn’t stupid; they know full well that he inherited a colossal economic mess and a foreign policy based upon unilateral action and unlimited force.
Progressives cannot afford to rest upon their laurels. There remains much work to be done. But it is no time for despair and dire predictions for November. There is another silent majority out there, this one ready to give President Obama a chance to succeed. So let the media drone on and on about the Tea Party brigade. If we continue to work hard, support progressive candidates with our energy and our cash, by this November, their party will be over.