I want to make it clear from the outset that I am not, at this time, a registered Democrat, though I supported Kerry/Edwards and generally prefer Democratic candidates I broke with the Democratic Party in 1996.
I left because I was sickened at the impaired functioning of the National Party, and the lack of will to fight rather than compromise the essential principles of the party of FDR, LBJ, Hubert Humphrey and Jimmy Carter.
You no doubt disagree with my assessment. You may even feel insulted by it-if you indeed even read it at all-but you are too canny a political mind not to know that many, many people feel the same way I do.
Please note that I said principles, and not policies. It is not the conservative or liberal barometer that concerns me. It's the fight for a more fair, just, and inclusive America that I seek.
Even as an unaffiliated voter, I'm watching the DNC Chair selection very closely. Largely, that's because of Howard Dean. Because he champions real democratic (lower case not a typo) reform measures. What his selection will indicate to me is that the Democratic Party leadership is indeed serious about changing the way it does business. It's the only scenario in which I think it likely that I will be one of the "fresh horses" in the coming campaigns.
Because following the same strategies and expecting a result any different than the heartbreak of 2004 (at best) is institutional insanity.
Have you not had enough of being marginalized as a political party? Heaven knows, I had enough long ago.
We are their base. They need us.
I was ready to accept Rosenberg if the process was reasonably transparent and legitimate. With Fineman's article the DNC has lost the legitimacy of grassroots support. They are sending a message loud and clear that the consultancy elite has replaced smokefilled back rooms and the consultancy favorites will continue to be paid on commission.
I understand how you feel. But consider this:
If Dean loses the chairmanship to a backroom deal orchestrated by DLC types, he is going to be that much harder to stop in 2008. He'll be --- and we'll be --- the DLC's worst nightmare.
That dynamic, in addition to the potential financial and foreign policy calamities of the next four years will only further bolster Dean as the only politician telling the truth. We're talking somethin akin to Teddy Roosevelt and trustbusting --- except now the "trust" is the Democratic Party. And Dean is TR.
That's why I say this is a win/win. We'll know exactly where we stand on Feb. 12 and we'll be able to strategize for 2008 accordingly.
Now, if Dean runs for president in 2008 and he gets screwed again, then you have every justification to leave the Party on a "three strikes (2004, 2005, 2008) and I'm outta here" basis.
Change does not come easy. Just ask the abolitionists. Or the suffragists. Or the civil rights movement. So, let's see what Dean does if he loses the chairmanship. I suspect --- given how tremendous his grassroots support is --- that he'll come back stronger than ever and ask all of us to stick with him. I, for one, will have his back until 2008.
I suspect you're right about it being a power play, which is why I ended it the way I did.
We shall see. My patience, as noted, ran out long ago. I'm almost certain I'll get my political heart broken again, then I'll have to decide if I stay Indy or go Green.
