On Dissent, Moving Forward and Where We Are

Social and Economic Justice are at the core of my political principles, and I believe, the bedrock values of Democracy. I think Politics "from the ground up" is the basis of democratic legitimacy, but, like others,  have bemoaned the lack of Leadership within the Democratic Party over the years. I am not naive. I "get it" in terms of that balancing act that occurs in politics when choosing between countervailing forces and practical paths in  line with your Principles. What once might seem a wide path can narrow to  tightrope indeed. None of this is new. People have grappled with these issues in struggling to form or maintain democratic societies in all ages on all Continents.

And I know the Party line...There are a great many issues to be addressed in achieving the Social and Economic Justice we all seek. The achievement of such aims will surely create much debate and regardless of holding the White House, require a working majority on the Supreme Court and larger majorities on the Hill...It's true, too.

I support Barack Obama for a number of reasons. Concerning Public Policy, He went on record against the War in Iraq before he ran for higher office. It spoke to me regarding his judgment, his commitment to core democratic values and his willingness to brook dissent.  Regarding Progressive Politics, The nature of his campaign itself, the people involved, the emphasis on organization, field operations, the transparency and widespread small donor finance as opposed to fly-over politics and PAC money sealed the deal for me. I was not asked to join a cult of personality. There is no Little Red Book I'm quoting when I say that Barack has said: "It's not about me." It's not about any one of us.  It's about us, together-  while holding our Principles, moving our Politics.... Literally and figuratively- staying true to our 'roots.

What is the basis of Obama's Rise? Our Progressive Politics? Our 'roots? If anything in this unprecedented access to retail politics in these Presidential Primaries, it seems to me  to be the role that an individual can play in speaking out, forming small groups and   alliances, then networks  and formidable coalitions from there. Of course, the individual and small groups need to be skilled and tenacious in expanding their reach...

...But make no mistake about it. At it's core, Whether it was Markos blogging, Howard Dean's run in '04, to Barack Obama knocking on the door of the White House, it is the role of an individual willing to speak Truth to Power, not only to the GOP but to the one-time  starry eyed challengers turned into a calcified Establishment within the Democratic Party. It is essential for Progressive Politics to survive, let alone flourish. The best of "the Establishment" heard the call. The rest, those who will not quit their wayward  course, will go the way of Lieberman, a spoiler for a time, then marginalized into an inevitably weaker position.

All the foregoing said, this is my dissent of late, at least with regard to the pre-Convention state of the campaign:

I don't think Hillary Clinton will quit. I think they will rationalize her campaign moving forward tomorrow night. While leaving the Party holding the bag, They will run against the rules and continue to peddle their "popular vote" lie, the most politically radioactive thing they have said throughout the campaign. We know the rules as do the Clintons. involving neither race or gender, it is the very thing that will resonate across a large swath of the electorate. They will use some new phrase to pivot into a "new phase" "of the cause" or some such stretch to paint herself as the next Teddy Kennedy if not said so as such.

Fortunately, "It's not about me." I would advise the Obama camp to vigorously expose and thoroughly discredit her in this eventuality. I would advise the Obama camp to vigorously expose and thoroughly discredit her "overwhelming support" as self serving special interests concerned with their own death-grip on power. I know, I know. Chill. It's a little after 3 AM here in the East.

Update: Slinkerwink has a good piece up on the latest Clinton gambit.
Organic Democrat also has a piece up  calling for running hard against any run by the Clinton camp to pursue a credenttials fight at the Convention