Alright folks. This is something that became very clear to me yesterday: John McCain will be very very bad for this country - the country that we as Democrats are fighting to save from a disastrous 8 years - some of the worst 8 years this country has seen in several decades.
We have been the party of principles - principles that are grounded in the people and the constitution and common sacrifice and common wealth. Clinton has spoken about how it takes a village. Obama has spoken about how ordinary people can do extraordinary things.
Where am I going with this? What event caused me to realize the trouble that lies ahead? This is my call to both Obama and Clinton supporters. This diary is about stepping back and seeing the ocean for the waves. I know, it may not sound as fun as the latest attack diary, but there's a broader picture here. Please read on.
Cross-posted at Daily Kos.Strangely enough, this was precipitated by two articles, the first of which was about Ron Paul:
Of course, nothing in Paul's world is ever done in the conventional sense, so he has refused to drop out of the race and endorse the presumptive G.O.P. nominee, Senator John McCain. Instead he argues that all Republicans should have "the right to vote for someone that stands for traditional Republican principles." And he's got a point.
http://www.time.com/time/politics/articl e/0,8599,1724358,00.html
Why do I care what Ron Paul thinks? Because he's observed something critical: that the primary problem with Bush, and now McCain, is not their policies or principles, but rather, their lack of them. They don't even hold true to their own principles anymore.
This was cemented by another article, which observed that McCain has changed positions on many of the issues that he used to be hailed as a "Maverick". (For example, he now supports the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy, despite our economic problems.) The bigger issue, though, is that he isn't called on it because the press believes that he doesn't believe what he's saying, and that he's still a Maverick at heart - they think he's just pandering to the GOP base, and they seem to almost like that he doesn't have principles.
So where does that leave us? This election is about the principles and policies and values and principles that have been lost in the Bush years. And his putative successor is scarily similar in lack of principles, but he's more dangerous: his lack of principle is almost being hailed as a good thing by the press corps.
This diary comes with an assignment, which can be completed via posting 1 or more comments. I ask that if you are an Obama supporter you post 1, 2, or 3 policies or principles that Clinton stands for that you like. If you are a Clinton supporter I ask you to do the same about Obama. Regardless of who you support, please resist the urge to give backhanded compliments, and look at the broad picture rather than the attacks and scandals of the moment.
If you feel unable to post anything positive about the other candidate, please instead do not say anything negative, and instead post a comment about a policy, principle, or issue you have with John McCain. One liners are especially welcome.
And tips for whoever gets the reference of the title.
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