Wednesday, November 03, 2004
This Is Not The End.
Some precient words from Josh Marshall at Talking Points. Make sure to read the whole article: (It is the post from 12:35 PM)
"I remember talking to Simon Rosenberg, the head of the New Dem Network, at the Democratic convention last summer. You'll remember, he and his group were profiled in the Times magazine around that time. The article, in brief, was about plans to create a Democratic-leaning counter-establishment along the lines of what Republicans did two generations ago -- with an alternative media, activist groups, organized political giving, in short a political infrastructure.
He told me he thought it would take ten years to accomplish. And I told him my one worry was that it could all be strangled in its crib if Kerry didn't win.
Well, here we are. And this is the test for people who care about this kind of politics and these sorts of values -- making sure that what has been started is not allowed to falter. This isn't 1964 or 1972 or 1980. This wans't a blow-out or a repudiation. It was close to a tie -- unfortunately, on the other guy's side. Let's not put our heads in the sand but let's also not get knocked of our game. Democrats need to think critically and seriously about why this didn't turn out 51% for Kerry or 55% for Kerry (and we'll get to those points in the future). But it would be a terrible mistake to stop thinking in terms of those ten years Simon described."
This is not the end. I am excited about what we have built up over the last year. It told me that we care about our country and what happens to our fellow Americans. I can't say that about the current Republican leadership. I don't know what to do at this point, because I am filled with sadness and anger. So, it will take some time to sink in, plus I have to get back to work on my portfolio, career change action. To say the least, I agree with Josh and Simon, that we have some time to go. Let's build something that will last. The cracks are starting to show in the conservative movement, they can be exploited and to great effect. There will be a war within the conservative ranks, though with the exit polls showing that voters cared more about morality, than say, their jobs, healthcare, their kids being drafted, is going to make it hard. But, as Alterman posits, we can look forward to the curtain being pulled back on the Bush charade. Trust me, it will happen. We need to be vigilant and take back the power. It is YOU, who have the power. Console each other for now, but speak words of encouragement, because we did a kickass job this year. This is only a battle. There is a war going on in our country and we have a whole lot of allies out there. Take consolation in this, that we have the rest of the world on our side. Rest today. Tomorrow we fight anew.
"I remember talking to Simon Rosenberg, the head of the New Dem Network, at the Democratic convention last summer. You'll remember, he and his group were profiled in the Times magazine around that time. The article, in brief, was about plans to create a Democratic-leaning counter-establishment along the lines of what Republicans did two generations ago -- with an alternative media, activist groups, organized political giving, in short a political infrastructure.
He told me he thought it would take ten years to accomplish. And I told him my one worry was that it could all be strangled in its crib if Kerry didn't win.
Well, here we are. And this is the test for people who care about this kind of politics and these sorts of values -- making sure that what has been started is not allowed to falter. This isn't 1964 or 1972 or 1980. This wans't a blow-out or a repudiation. It was close to a tie -- unfortunately, on the other guy's side. Let's not put our heads in the sand but let's also not get knocked of our game. Democrats need to think critically and seriously about why this didn't turn out 51% for Kerry or 55% for Kerry (and we'll get to those points in the future). But it would be a terrible mistake to stop thinking in terms of those ten years Simon described."
This is not the end. I am excited about what we have built up over the last year. It told me that we care about our country and what happens to our fellow Americans. I can't say that about the current Republican leadership. I don't know what to do at this point, because I am filled with sadness and anger. So, it will take some time to sink in, plus I have to get back to work on my portfolio, career change action. To say the least, I agree with Josh and Simon, that we have some time to go. Let's build something that will last. The cracks are starting to show in the conservative movement, they can be exploited and to great effect. There will be a war within the conservative ranks, though with the exit polls showing that voters cared more about morality, than say, their jobs, healthcare, their kids being drafted, is going to make it hard. But, as Alterman posits, we can look forward to the curtain being pulled back on the Bush charade. Trust me, it will happen. We need to be vigilant and take back the power. It is YOU, who have the power. Console each other for now, but speak words of encouragement, because we did a kickass job this year. This is only a battle. There is a war going on in our country and we have a whole lot of allies out there. Take consolation in this, that we have the rest of the world on our side. Rest today. Tomorrow we fight anew.
