Funny thing conventional wisdom-odds, probability, statistics-they are so often cold comfort in the midst of political anomaly. Let me explain. In 2006 as a committeeperson I engaged in a frank, colorful discussion about a “black man with a middle-eastern name.” I was called idiot, naive, idealistic, and my personal favorite-a plant for the Republicans.
THAT is how convinced people were that Barack Hussein Obama was a non starter in the general, at that time, should he opt to run.
My argument was simple: We run on our values instead of our cynicism. We boldly proclaim to the world that we will take a chance on a remarkable young person of color. We stand behind our platform. And we most definitely do what we did not do in 2004-follow our heart. We did. I won that particular argument.
But it seems that it is the exception not the rule. The reasons people are backing Bloomberg are the same as to why they were backing Biden-electability. Not policy-certainly not ideological passion, just beating Trump. That is why we nominated John Kerry. Because he was perfect. He could beat Bush. Except he didn’t. This is because if the Democratic Party nominated Jesus Christ the Republicans would accuse him of cavorting with prostitutes. AND they would get away with it. Bernie made this point clear by saying it does not really matter the label-socialist, no matter who we nominate they will slur and slander anyway.
I think about this with Pete-as we know Pete is gay and is married to a man. This is said to be an issue, or will be an issue, or whatever backward bends we do to please the mythical heartland independent.
To which I say, I have two firm creamy white cheeks they can kiss. Look if the United States is so bigoted that it would re-elect a madman rather than a high character former Mayor with a loving husband, at what point do I say, good luck? Seriously. What exactly is left to save at that point?
What kind of people exactly land in an emergency room and refuse treatment because the male Dr. loves a man? Who would rather die than be saved by an LGBTQ Dr? Because to me that is what America is in-a political emergency room.
Then there is Elizabeth. Sweet brilliant Elizabeth. But she is a woman. Can’t have that. Too risky. Have to beat Trump. Does not matter she wrote volumes of economic policy before her entry into elective politics. Does not matter she could walk into most any room in the world, and be the smartest one there. Does not matter she lives breathes eats real progressivism. No. She is a woman. Or at one point thought herself more of a Native American I guess than she was.
Then there is Bernie. A socialist. Well guess what? The entire New Deal was socialist. It catapulted us into power nearly 50 years. Because smart socialism works. We could make that argument. We can win that argument.
But no. Let’s divide and triangulate and parse and focus group and approach this cynically. That always works.
To the sewers with that. Let’s be bold! Let’s go full throatedly into this campaign with our values in the forefront. Civil rights. Economic equality. Let’s make the argument for what we truly believe in. Let’s stand together and nominate a real Democrat, someone with character, with principle, with a hostory of loyalty not just to party but to themselves. Let’s get what we want. Let’s go to the electoral grocery store and check off everything on our list and head straight to the checkout and dare the cashier to refuse our form of payment.
There is no success with facades. There is no victory with self-denial and there is no possible leadership with self-loathing.
We are what we are.
Leftist, safety net, civil rights, bleeding heart Democrats.
Rather than hide it, let’s do something crazy!
Let’s recruit more of us!
Let’s build a real movement. And if we nominate a centrist, fine. Support them. Then we need to make sure they understand the real center in America is to the left.
Let’s overwhelm cynicism with hope, phoniness with authenticity, hate with love.
It is time to make this case.
We are not just not quite as bad.
We are better.
Join us!