Kucinich, his H. Res. 333 co-sponsors, several other Democrats, and most of the Republicans threw a wrench into the Democratic political strategy for winning the 2008 elections for federal office, with their vote against tabling the resolution.
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Good.
So far as I can tell, the Democratic Congressional leadership's plan for the 2008 campaign is to complain about how mean and awful the Republicans are. They figure most persuadable voters are motivated by things that get them angry, not things they are in favor of. They want things in November 2008 to be just like they are today. They pass legislation on pet issues but capitulate on our most important principles. They want to appease Republicans such that no one will say nasty things about them.
This is a strategy worthy of exposure and evisceration, for their own electoral good and for good governance.
Detailing the Democratic campaign strategy out:
You can see where this is headed. We have been here before. Glenn Greenwald wrote, regarding the 2006 Senator Russ Feingold censure resolution on warrantless domestic spying:
So, to summarize what our survey reveals: We have Democrats running and hiding, afraid to stand up to the President even when he gets caught breaking the law. We have the media mindlessly reporting GOP talking points even when they are factually false and when the falsehood could be easily verified with about 60 seconds of research. And we have Republicans accusing those few Democrats who are willing to criticize the Leader of being on the side of Terrorists, while the media passes along those false accusations without comment and Democrats run away and hide some more, never showing any offense or anger at all from watching Republicans accuse them of treason.
Recall that Feingold introduced that resolution by surprise, since he knew the Senate leadership would try to scuttle it. Recall also that the issue the Democratic leadership so desperately didn't want censure to distract from was the Dubai Ports World scandal. (Great pick, Dem leadership — a xenophobic sideshow was sure going to make the difference in November!)
The best way to break that cycle is to stand up for what we believe in — freedom through the rule of just law — and brave the storm.
The Republicans helped Kucinich today, in their view to show the Democrats up as fools.
Good. So long as the Democratic leadership pursues these failed electoral strategies, they are fools. Democrats say, "Look how horrible the Republicans are?" And I say, "Yes, that is absolutely true, but what did you do with the real power you have today to stop them?"
Would only they pivot and emulate Kucinich in making stands of real consequence on core democratic principles. Besides, with all the damage Republicans are doing at home and abroad today and for the next fourteen months, we cannot wait to save the country until January 2009 (presuming a Democratic victory). Impeach now.
Otherwise, we are the fools, for we may also conclude that the Democratic leadership does not believe in the rule of law. In my book, "does not believe in" equates to "unwilling to take a political risk for." And in this case, I don't think impeachment is even a risk, it's a winner. The two main political image hits against Democrats are:
- They don't believe in anything.
- They have no spine.
Let us prove that wrong, once and for all.