I think it's clear from the election results that Americans want change and are unhappy with the way this administration has handled the situation in Iraq, and with the stench of corruption that seems to be emanating from the halls of power - most recently highlighted by a deplorable scandal involving not only sexual misconduct - perhaps rising to the criminal level - but also involving a minor.
While I am extremely excited that 70 progressive candidates across the country won (including many I personally supported) I am more heartened by the fact that turnout approached presidential-year levels in many states across the country. All the negative campaigning couldn't keep Americans home, and many told polsters that this election they were voting as "Americans" rather than for local interests. Any time turnout is high it is a win for democracy.
Here's our DN editorial for today, which also highlights the many struggles we still face as a nation to be the most representative, transparent and effective democracy we can be. Thank you to all who took their duty seriously and who took the time to cast your vote. Our work is just beginning. I will call on your help many more times, as always.
Comments (7)
Flavia:
Welcome home. That editorial was quite unfair to the extent that it accused the Republicans of trying to 'suppress the vote.' Robocalls are annoying, but if anyone is truly that naive to be swayed by a disembodied voice over the telephone, I wonder about their ability to cast an informed vote in the first place.
I would point out that the Republicans have been relatively honest in accepting responsibility for their well-deserved defeat this time around; unlike the Democrats in the last few rounds of elections who have cried out about systemic voter fraud.
And, as a registered Democrat with decidedly conservative social beliefs, I feel somewhat relieved that most of the Democrats that were elected are also on the moderate-to-conservative side.
Happily, the Ned Lamonts of the country did not carry the day.
And I'm happy to know that Pennsylvania still has a pro-life senator representing us in Washington.
Looking forward to your program on Miracles, although I must say that St. Jude wasn't listeniing to me on election day.
Take csre
Christine
Posted by: Christine on November 8, 2006 23:06
As a pro-life Democrat (I am Catholic) myself, I am heartened at the Democrats and their big tent, the inclusiveness that they preach, they practice. From what I have seen on the other side, although it will be interesting to see how successful Guiliani will be in his bid for president. I am willing to change my perspective if I see supporting evidence.
I think that we have a chance to move forward as a country, regardless of political affiliation, and a chance to build bridges across the divide that have widenend and deepened these past 6 years. Americans have the great ability to hope and start again. I see this every day in the rebirth and renewal of New Orleans.
It is what happens when the real deciders - the American people, believe in the system and that their voices will be heard and act. I look forward to the future, with that American virtue - hope.
Posted by: Joe on November 9, 2006 12:01
Good post Joe. But I disagree about the Democratic 'big tent.' As a pro-life, female Democrat, I have been marginalized in public debates for years. My voice has never been respected. The main reason Democrats voted for Casey this year is because he was not Santorum. I remember the protests of female 'pro-choice' Democrats who were absolutely apoplectic at the lack of 'choice' in candidates. So while I do think the Democrats are moving in the right direction, the election of Casey in Pennsylvania, at least, didn't indicate that the tent is bigger.
It was just that the alternative tent was uninhabitable for the Dems.
Christine
Posted by: Christine on November 9, 2006 13:27
I think we all have "tent" issues. Issues where we feel strongly and where we feel we don't have a place. And issues that we line up so firmly against that there is no room in our sensibilites to accomodate others who harbor those views. But should we stop trying to gain entrance or continue to bar the door?
Places at the table are never given; they have to be fought for.
A good example is The Republican Majority for Choice. They lobby for abortion rights and stem cell research. They also provided Casey and other dems with a sizable portion of votes that in past election years went to Santorum and the Republicans. As Jennifer Stockman, co-Chair of the RMC said in USA Today, "Moderates have been alienated for years. This was the last straw."
We may be witnessing a realigment, or a course correction from the days where whether or not you attended church regularly determined your voting preference. Values voters are as different as the churches that dot the southern landscape of my home and places like PA and Montana may be the beginning of both parties realizing that they were meant to represent everyone, not just a niche.
It may also mean that we no longer are asking "What's the Matter with Kansas?", but what's the matter with the parties that have divided us the way they do. Hopefully this election did more to answer that question than the parties have and in the end George W. Bush may have turned out to be a uniter after all.
Posted by: Joe on November 9, 2006 14:15
Joe:
Again, great points. But to someone like me, abortion is a non-negotiable issue. I am just as critical of pro-choice Republicans as I am of pro-choice Democrats. However, never forget that it was the Dems who prevented Sen. Casey's father from speaking in 1992 at the Convention, or that abortion rights are an integral part of the party's platform.
I am still a Democrat because I believe in a good number of the social justice issues the party of my grandparents espoused. I don't see how that party, informed with such fundamental principles as protection of the weak and disenfranchised, is able to continually make abortion rights a central piece of its policy.
Read Ramesh Ponneru's book "The Party of Death" It is an eloquent exposition on how the Democrats have morphed into the party which embraces 'choice' over 'life.'
And the old rhetoric about those in the pro-life movement only caring about that life until it is actually born has been disproven by many organizations in our own faith. But still, the rhetoric persists.
In any event, abortion is only one of many issues, but for me, it is a deal breaker. As I wrote in a letter to Commonweal this month, voting for a pro-choice candidate guarantees that this person will vote for laws which perpetuate the culture of death. And that is something I would not be able to do.
That goes for whether the person is a Democrat, or a Republican, but you, as a very intelligent, articulate and ethical person (it is evident from your writing) can't deny that in the Republican party, pro-choicers are the exception to the rule and the converse is true with our own party.
Best to you, keep thinking good and profound thoughts
Christine
Posted by: Christine on November 9, 2006 18:23
I'm a pro-choice Democratic liberal and proud of it. I welcome so-called pro-lifers.
But...
"Read Ramesh Ponneru's book "The Party of Death" It is an eloquent exposition on how the Democrats have morphed into the party which embraces 'choice' over 'life.'"
Mr. ramesh is an extreme neo-fascist republican who is just as dangerous as dobson.
Have a nice day. :)
Posted by: jackson on November 12, 2006 20:55
Also yes the Democratic Party won!!
Flavia I agree with you on that ,and I think that some of the junk the republicans did was
very un-American. I mean in North Carolina republicans had people stealing other people's signs out of their yards. How unreal 50 something year old republicans doing this crap.
In Florida 2004 a republican guy was using his 12 year to help steal signs. These people have zero values.
Jim Webb has notify the FBI on the crap in Virginia. :)
Posted by: jackson on November 12, 2006 21:07