Jon Stewart Should Know Better And So Should We
Minutes ago I watched in annoyance and mild shock as Chuck Schumer and Jon Stewart wrung their hands over the Democratic defeat. They blame it on the culutre divide. Bullshit.
The Democrats didn't lose this election because of a polarized America, they lost it because the Republicans ran a smarter and more effective campaign.
We were warned several years ago that the Republican party was way ahead in organizing in Latino communities in Florida, that they were quicker than the Democrats to understand the intricacies of this new voting bloc. They figured it out and they got there first.
Let us not forget that Jimmy Carter put the phrase "born again" in the vernacular. George W Bush learned that lesson on his father's campaign and has never forgotten it . It's time for us secular voters to acknowledge the legitiamcy of evangelicals in this country. They are not going anywhere. Carter and Clinton understood the power of the politicized pulpit, and Kerry let it slide.
Tonight Stewart and Schumer looked at the "fly over" states with a mixture of comic horror. I admit I have made those same jokes. Maybe I feel like I can since I spent the first ten years of my life in Oklahoma and Texas. However, it's time for Northeastern and West Coast progressives to drop the sneer and accept the diversity that is this country. Obama Barack reminded us in his speech at the DNC that the Democratic party is one of inclusion. But inclusion of whom? The more we buy this argument of a polarized America, the looser our grasp becomes.
I firmly belive that we lost this election because we made the safe choice in the primary. Howard Dean wasn't afraid to take chances, speak his mind, or come across as unpolished. He had original ideas for campaiging and for leading. When his distorted scream was broadcast and recast did the Democrats run to his defense? No, we let him slip by and picked a candidate who took the length of his campaign to determine who he is. Duck hunting? Give us a break.
All due respect to Kerry. He is a man of formidable intelligence. But he doesn't have the leadership qualities that are necessary to shake up a now even more conservative America. We need a leader with energy and reach and new ideas, but most importantly, we need a leader who will take risks.
We need a leader, but we also need a new party. I feel for my fellow Democrats who put their hopes in Kerry. But he is only one man, and we are the party. Take the enthusiasm and involvement and commitment that this election inspired and reshape the party on your block, in your church, at your courthouse.
The Democrats didn't lose this election because of a polarized America, they lost it because the Republicans ran a smarter and more effective campaign.
We were warned several years ago that the Republican party was way ahead in organizing in Latino communities in Florida, that they were quicker than the Democrats to understand the intricacies of this new voting bloc. They figured it out and they got there first.
Let us not forget that Jimmy Carter put the phrase "born again" in the vernacular. George W Bush learned that lesson on his father's campaign and has never forgotten it . It's time for us secular voters to acknowledge the legitiamcy of evangelicals in this country. They are not going anywhere. Carter and Clinton understood the power of the politicized pulpit, and Kerry let it slide.
Tonight Stewart and Schumer looked at the "fly over" states with a mixture of comic horror. I admit I have made those same jokes. Maybe I feel like I can since I spent the first ten years of my life in Oklahoma and Texas. However, it's time for Northeastern and West Coast progressives to drop the sneer and accept the diversity that is this country. Obama Barack reminded us in his speech at the DNC that the Democratic party is one of inclusion. But inclusion of whom? The more we buy this argument of a polarized America, the looser our grasp becomes.
I firmly belive that we lost this election because we made the safe choice in the primary. Howard Dean wasn't afraid to take chances, speak his mind, or come across as unpolished. He had original ideas for campaiging and for leading. When his distorted scream was broadcast and recast did the Democrats run to his defense? No, we let him slip by and picked a candidate who took the length of his campaign to determine who he is. Duck hunting? Give us a break.
All due respect to Kerry. He is a man of formidable intelligence. But he doesn't have the leadership qualities that are necessary to shake up a now even more conservative America. We need a leader with energy and reach and new ideas, but most importantly, we need a leader who will take risks.
We need a leader, but we also need a new party. I feel for my fellow Democrats who put their hopes in Kerry. But he is only one man, and we are the party. Take the enthusiasm and involvement and commitment that this election inspired and reshape the party on your block, in your church, at your courthouse.
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