The Left Coaster: Comment on Soon to be a Party Man

Comments: Soon to be a Party Man

i've said it many times: we have two centrist democrats. if hillary wins and governs towards the middle, the blogs will eviscerate her. if obama wins and governs towards the middle, the blogs will make excuses and rationalize. the fight for the issues will remain, no matter who wins. the question is whether people will be fighting for them.

Posted by Turkana at February 20, 2008 06:35 AM

Amen: This isn't 2000, where the country was still in good shape and pretty much on top of the world--we are on the edge of a catastrophe domestically and abroad, and the new POTUS will have to hit the ground sprinting.

While both Clinton and Obama are centrist Democrats, only Clinton has provided any evidence to me that she will do what it takes to fight for her ideas. Decry the attack ads and accusations the media and Obamaphiles might, but if he can't take the heat now, he will be eviscerated in the general election or the White House.

Posted by heg03 at February 20, 2008 07:17 AM

Gentlemen,

Can I agree with both of you? Paradox, I feel I've been following the same arc of despair that you so eloquently described. Also, like you, I refuse to give in. What we've been given is not nearly good enough and, as I stated in the open thread below, we need to make the candidates conform to at least the delusion of adequacy.

These clowns are asking US for a job. They need to prove they are up to the task before we hire them. For now, the power still rests with the peoples' vote. That's what makes the media powerful and what the billions are spent seeking.

It's up to us. Never forget it!

Posted by DeminNewJ at February 20, 2008 07:23 AM

You said

"When I hear every American will be gone forever from Iraq in February 2009 I’ll get excited."

Well get used to boring. Regardless who wins, troops WILL NOT be withdrawn from Iraq anytime soon and by 2009 is totally out of the question. It was one thing to campaign for that and completely another to implement it. Wiser heads, mostly Democrats in Congress, will refuse to take blame for a defeat and massive bloodshed.

Of course this is assuming Democrats win.

You can wish and hope all you want. Reality is something else.

But you already know that.
Posted by jj at February 20, 2008 07:28 AM

Posted by jj at February 20, 2008 07:30 AM

Paradox, you're candidate, should they win, will reassess the landscape the day they get sworn in and pivit 180 degrees from their stated or campaign on dogma. The real situations will rear their heads and poof, your hopes for the direction of this country will disappear like the fog in the bay. We will be in Iraq for the 2012 election cycle, yours will wonder why they voted for this guy.

This is Clinton's last chance for this ring, no ones going to invest the $150 million in her again. And the future first lady of Illinios, oh well enjoy Springfield, it's a nice place to live. Get your husband some experience and try again in ten years. We'll enjoy seeing president McOld be sworn in next January and see Democrats purplexed.

Posted by peter at February 20, 2008 07:32 AM

Decry the attack ads and accusations the media and Obamaphiles might, but if he can't take the heat now, he will be eviscerated in the general election or the White House.

One thing we learned from Wisconsin is that he can take the heat, and only gets more votes as a result. There are alot more and harsher attacks coming, but his appeal to a new brand of politics appears to resonate with the voters.

Posted by CA Pol Junkie at February 20, 2008 07:34 AM

"..they fight for what they want.."

http://www.thomaspeschak.com/kayak-great-white-sharks-/

Posted by lectric lady at February 20, 2008 07:37 AM

I don't really see much evidence in Obama's statements that he is even a centrist (assuming we have any meeting of the minds on what a centrist is). I think Obama is to the right of Clinton. The question is how far. With everything about Social Security on-the-table and no belief in a national health care it would appear he's too far right.

The press portrayed Bush as your friend the-beer-drinker and now Obama is your friend the-pied-piper. That is until the primaries are over then Obama will be the-inexperienced.

I don't understand why we even pretend there is a Democratic Party.

Posted by gail at February 20, 2008 07:37 AM

CA Pol Junkie is perfectly correct, Obama has shown good political talent. More than good enough to beat anyone the GOP fields.

I see that talent being wasted with a timid agenda. He can win an election just fine, but I swear it's not the same thing implementing change.

He's got to fight, one day. He looks like our man, I just want more, a lot more.

Posted by paradox at February 20, 2008 07:40 AM

I'll drink to those words, paradox.

Posted by Jolly Sapper at February 20, 2008 07:43 AM

Agreed, paradox. Every single word.

Posted by James E. Powell at February 20, 2008 07:47 AM

What a dour assessment! Here's what actually happens: Obama wins either Texas or Ohio, and Hils drops out. By convention time, most every Dem backs our candidate. Coming out of the convention, Obama takes the high road and is way out in front of Corpse McWarMonger. The Repugs follow their usual strategy of trying to smear our candidate, only this time it doesn't work (any better than it has for Hils) because Americans have turned the page and are tired of that style of politics. So more and more centrist voters swing Obama's way, and his lead grows...leading the desperate McWarMonger campaign to get ever more ugly, putting him further and further behind. Meanwhile, the money is pouring into the Obama campaign, and the Repugs are forced to fight a 50 state strategy they can't afford. On election day their base, demoralized by the prospect of defeat and never very enthused about their candidate in the first place, decides to sit this one out. Obama wins in a 46 state sweep (table running has happened you know, and not too far in the past!), ushering in a new progressive era and consigning the Repug party as we know it to the dustbin of history.

Time to stop giving the opposition props and take heed of how many people have already voted in the primaries for a Democrat versus a Republican. This campaign - and our country's future - is ours for the taking. Now let's just roll up our sleeves and make it happen!

Posted by balthus at February 20, 2008 08:05 AM

his campaign - and our country's future - is ours for the taking. Now let's just roll up our sleeves and make it happen!
Posted by balthus at February 20, 2008 08:05 AM

And that is where your nightmare will begin.

Be careful what you wish for.

Posted by jj at February 20, 2008 08:32 AM

balthus IS drinking the kool aid. It's been the Democrats to lose for a while(please see Rasmussen, now with EC's projections). I think the pressure is getting to y'all. You see it's slipping and you don't know what to do.

Posted by peter at February 20, 2008 08:37 AM

And then we'll all get ponies and ride off to visit the Fairy Princess together, right, balthus?

Posted by Blue Jean at February 20, 2008 08:38 AM

pants pissing peter: "It's been the Democrats to lose for a while"

gee, wonder why? could it be because Dear Leader has totally fucked things up

Posted by Gay Veteran at February 20, 2008 10:13 AM

if obama wins and governs towards the middle, the blogs will make excuses and rationalize.

If he governs toward the middle the majority of the blogosphere is going to eviscerate him. They are not going to be happy with some of the upcoming compromises. That's not to say that Hillary wouldn't have to compromise either. It's just the nature of politics.

Posted by Daryl at February 20, 2008 10:19 AM

GV, peter is here reaching because the latest poll has bu$h at 19% approval rating. LOL!

Posted by Seven of Six at February 20, 2008 12:09 PM

it's like you said the other day GV..pants pisser and jackoff jj have their heads up each others asses....notice how they're always appearing in pairs?

Posted by headxray at February 20, 2008 01:29 PM

Paradox,

Like you, I too will be supporting the eventual nominee of our Democratic Party.

However, as one of my hob-goblins of small minds, is that I have never seen or read as to whether Obama and Clinton are true-believing Neo-libs? Despite all the bluster and blather on the Internet, this is one question, still not answered and by anyone.

And if Clinton and Obama are true believers of the Neo-lib Construct, that poses a dilemma of immense proportions. Consequently, having to stand up for a Neo-lib going against a Neo-con like McCain, will change the political dynamic, and to the chagrin of their contentious supporters. And lest I forget, I was an Edwards supporter until he dropped out.

Posted by Jaango at February 20, 2008 02:37 PM

Another lonely voice at Kos. I have been there thru the dean years (yes, you remember me paradox) and now kos is so wrapped up in crashing the gate he can't seem to think straight.

I think you have the situation analyzed exactly right. I see a lot of 'yes we can' from obama, but none that says - we can close gitmo, we can reverse the presidential power grab, we can clear out the health insurance companies.

The man is all hat no cattle - to my cynical eyes.

Now I happen to think Clinton is not much better, but I do get the sense she will definitely fight for what she believes.

Posted by cynic at February 20, 2008 03:13 PM

"...America can reduce CO2 emissions 80% by 2020, not 2050..."

Beyond the false science behind the Goracle movement, I am really not onboard with this idea: I grew up in a third-world country and this place (the US) is a whole lot nicer.

But, hey, paradox, you are welcome to start reducing your carbon footprint by 80% over the next 12 years. Go for it! I would love to receive period updates, let me know how it is going in the cold, dark place that you will be living in: written on tree bark with graphite dug from the ground using your own hands and delivered by carrier pigeon.

Posted by Bagley at February 20, 2008 04:35 PM

shorter bag less...I am full of typical bullshit puke party talking points....

Posted by headxray at February 20, 2008 06:24 PM

"shorter bag less...I am full of typical bullshit puke party talking points...."

Huh?

This post makes no sense...

...well, maybe in you world: off the meds again, headxray?

Goodnight all.

Posted by Bagley at February 20, 2008 06:32 PM

bag boy..my posts make more sense than your puke talking points...try posting when you're sober...

Posted by headxray at February 20, 2008 08:27 PM