Hi. I'm the progressive movement and I'm an addict...
December 14, 2005News & Politics
Heather Hurlburt has a novel idea. She proposes that progressives stop making a public spectacle of themselves:
On second thought, she's not suggesting that we all get in line but that we focus our pubic attention on debating the situation in Iraq and on the administration itself: "we are sucking up all the oxygen that ought to be going to serious debate of serious issues around Iraq -- or, failing that, at least to fan the fire around the Administration's failures."
While it's a nice thought -- and no doubt a swing in that direction would hurt the GOP if nothing else -- Hurlburt provides no suggestions to the grass roots. What is your average pissed off progressive, who doesn't even feel adequately represented by Dean, Pelosi or Murtha to do if not put political pressure on the Liebermans, in the form of a primary challenge? Without a prescription for action, this critique falls prey to the very same devil: all no and no yes.
In fact, this prescription fits the Democratic establishment far better than it fits progressives without whose agitations withdrawal would scarcely even be on the table. As for the positive and pro-active parts of her prescription, now that's something progressives can do better -- much better... (Democracy Arsenal)
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"Hi, I'm the progressive movement and I'm an addict. Rather, I'm lots of addicts co-dependent on the other addicts whose ideas I say I want to defeat in the name of a better progressive movement."
Yes, that means you, Code Pink, who can't think of anyone more to blame for the mess in Iraq than Hillary Clinton.My first reaction is BUT BUT BUT Lieberman and Hoyer and Clinton and the DLC are giving aid and comfort to the administration and they're fools...
On second thought, she's not suggesting that we all get in line but that we focus our pubic attention on debating the situation in Iraq and on the administration itself: "we are sucking up all the oxygen that ought to be going to serious debate of serious issues around Iraq -- or, failing that, at least to fan the fire around the Administration's failures."
While it's a nice thought -- and no doubt a swing in that direction would hurt the GOP if nothing else -- Hurlburt provides no suggestions to the grass roots. What is your average pissed off progressive, who doesn't even feel adequately represented by Dean, Pelosi or Murtha to do if not put political pressure on the Liebermans, in the form of a primary challenge? Without a prescription for action, this critique falls prey to the very same devil: all no and no yes.
In fact, this prescription fits the Democratic establishment far better than it fits progressives without whose agitations withdrawal would scarcely even be on the table. As for the positive and pro-active parts of her prescription, now that's something progressives can do better -- much better... (Democracy Arsenal)
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