Energy for Obama / Biden: Are You Up For It?
The prospect of a McCain administration, with Sarah Palin waiting in the wings, causes me to rethink my personal engagement in the current presidential campaign. I’ve been asking myself whether my fears can motivate me enough to get actively involved, and be more “pro-Obama” than “anti-McCain”. Is anyone else out there feeling the same way?
There’s little question that Sarah Palin has been sucking most of the oxygen out of the progressive blogosphere over the past two weeks. Certainly, the McCain campaign advisers who pushed her onto the ticket knew exactly what they were doing - refocus the media’s attention, and divert attention away from the myriad of complex issues that will be facing the next administration.
The diversions raise a concern: has the progressive blogosphere gone overboard in reaction to the PALIN / McCain ticket? My own sense is that we’ve reached a point of diminishing returns in going headlong after Palin’s total lack of experience and questionable governing practices during the time she’s held various political offices.
If the Dems wish to blunt the mavericky nature of PALIN / McCain, focus needs to return to the issues, and to comparing Obama / Biden policies to that of John McCain. There are roughly 50 days until the election; the presidential and VP debates are upcoming, and the tenor of both campaigns are shifting.
It goes without saying that a lot is at stake. As I’ve made abundantly clear, I’m not thrilled with the choices that either major party offers. But I’m also pragmatic enough to recognize that PALIN / McCain would be an unmitigated disaster for this country, and quite possibly the human race. Perhaps even more importantly, though, is the need to move toward a more progressive legislative branch. Anything less than a solid Obama win in November would probably auger poorly for significant gains in congress.
Recently, I’ve had to ask myself whether or not I had the energy and enthusiasm to actively get behind Obama / Biden. The truth of the matter is that, at my core, I have not had any personal excitement about the ticket, and have considered third party alternatives so as not to compromise (in yet again another presidential election) my progressive values. However, the prospect of a McCain administration, with Palin waiting in the wings, causes me to rethink my personal engagement in the campaign.
I’m not quite there yet, but at least I’m considering whether or not I’m up for it. I can either go full tilt pro-Obama, or full tilt anti-McCain. What do you think? And are you at the same place, or have you already made the commitment?
The only way to keep McCain and Palin out of office is obviously to go full-tilt Obama. Period. By which I mean: action. At the very least volunteer to register voters or drive them to the polls, etc. Blogging isn’t going to help one bit.
Richard,
I just want to say that I’m all in for Obama-Biden…I cannot fathom the thought of McCain-Palin.
I don’t pretend to know the best course of action but I’m happy to brainstorm a plan. The last thing Democrats need at this moment is hesitation and despair…both of which we’re prone to…myself included. Somehow we need to transform both into the kind of anger and energy that moves mountains.
From my perspective, 2008 is the best opportunity to drive a stake through the heart of the status quo (McBush) and put this country on a new course. Frankly, I’m not sure we can survive four more years…or stated more precisely…four more years of the same may well exact harm that is irreparable…at least in the conceivable future.
Somehow, the urgency of now has to be recognized. How that is achieved may be the quintessential task of this moment.
Daniel
Obama rejected my support. “If my FISA vote is a deal-breaker, so be it,” he said. Well, yes; voting to give immunity to telecoms and Bush for blatantly breaking the law is a deal-breaker, pal. Obama’s supporters made it clear that Clinton supporters didn’t deserve any political consideration despite their majority vote. Obama’s supporters made it clear that Clinton people weren’t welcome, needed or wanted.
Obama has been losing losing support among young, women. He has managed to turn around the electoral college vote….to McCain. He is re-running the Dukakis/Bentsen campaign by letting the opposition define the issues and him. .
A Clinton-Obama ticket would have swept the country. It’s too bad the party elite rejected it. An Obama-Clinton ticket, would have been not so much but still a winner. Obama-Biden shows the hypocrisy of Obama’s anti-war stance and a caving to the financial interests that back him. One day Democrats will get it. Al Gore won on a platform of The People Versus The Powerful. That’s why they had to steal the election. This empty curriculum vitae people can’t compete. These center-right candidates can’t inspire. I cannot compromise my personal political principles for their sake nor will I.
I usually support the Peace and Freedom Party, but this year, for some unfathomable reason, they chose to endorse the corporatist megalomaniac Nader, so I will support the Green Party.
Richard, while Obama / Biden aren’t the dream progressive ticket, they are a damn sight better than the alternative… if you can’t go pro Obama, then go balls to the walls anti - McCain.
and I might ad that throwing your vote at a 3rd party candidate might sit better with your gut, it’s also a throw away vote at this point… If we ever want a 3rd or 4th or other party candidate to be viable we have to BREAK the strangle hold both the dems and repubs have on the system…
today my oldest friend, a huge hillary fan, did almost succeed in convincing me to get behind the obama cause. she said she’s gotten over it and has given money to him and he has her full support. my lack of enthusiasm isn’t about the hillary thing, and i have never doubted i would vote for him. i’m just so unimpressed with him. i am so sick of voting against someone instead of for someone. i don’t at all understand how to persuade anyone if i don’t believe. and how do we counter the stupidity? i don’t know if i can beat my head against the wall anymore.
you know there ARE other things you can do if you’re tired of the status quo… If you can’t get behind Obama, you could get behind the efforts for election integrity.
In the end, it doesn’t matter who you support IF THE VOTE DOESN”T GET COUNTED, and the way the vote process is right now there is no way to tell who is REALLY being elected. These elections do NOT belong to the partys or in corporate hands as they currently are, they belong to the people and it doesn’t seem like too many folks really give a damn about that.
The bottom line is, you can’t win an election or even be represented if your vote isn’t counted, your vote is your voice, so work to be heard.