MyDD :: One more week, a vision

One more week, a vision

by wasder, Tue May 27, 2008 at 05:31:37 PM EST

So this is what it has come down to for the Democratic nomination for President in 2008. Next Tuesday night, all of the votes in the primary season will have been decided, a compromise will have been reached on FL and MI and the party will come together around our presumptive nominee. One more week and the party will sail into the General Election with a freshly minted new standard bearer, the groundbreaking Senator from Illinois Barack Obama. All of the intra-party huffing and puffing of the nomination battle can finally dissolve into the steely intensity and unified purpose of the General Election. Democrats of all stripes can come together under the banner of a new generation of leadership, ready to expand the electoral map and work with our partners in the congress for a true period of realignment in American politics.

No matter who your horse is/was in this nomination battle I think it will quickly become apparent that we have made the right choice. The strategic and message discipline of the Obama team's nomination campaign will have placed us on solid ground for the fall and the intensity of participation on the Democratic side provides a springboard of energy that will catapult Obama to a powerful position as the General gets underway in earnest.

I just feel it in my bones.

This is going to be the most fulfilling and reassuring election in modern American political history. The youth and groundbreaking nature of Obama comes at just the right time in our political cycle (and for our tattered national psyche). I fear not that Obama will fail to win over our brethren from the Clinton camp. So many of the things that consume these boards now will be nothing more than amusing memories as we rise up to meet our real opponents head on, with the political landscape breaking in our favor.

This is my vision for the summer, and it begins next week!

Tags: end of primary (all tags)

Permalink :: 50 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: One more week, a vision (2.00 / 3)

A positive diary! Lets hear some more visions for our collective future.

by wasder on Tue May 27, 2008 at 05:32:41 PM EST

We will have made a choice (none / 0)

not necessarily the right one- we will have to wait to see about that in November.

by linc on Tue May 27, 2008 at 05:35:59 PM EST

Re: We will have made a choice (2.00 / 2)

Even if we lose the general, we will have made the right choice. I at least like your use of the word "we."

I like baked beans.

by SpideyDem on Tue May 27, 2008 at 05:38:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: We will have made a choice (none / 0)

oh god. So, it was just about winning the primary? Not the GE?

I look to the GE.

by colebiancardi on Tue May 27, 2008 at 05:42:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: We will have made a choice (2.00 / 2)

I am all about the GE. This was never about winning the nomination in some "moral" victory. I think that Obama will prove to be the most transformative candidate the dems have put up since one William Jefferson Clinton in 92.

by wasder on Tue May 27, 2008 at 05:47:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: We will have made a choice (none / 0)

good for you.

what will he actually transform again? Because I've read his policies and he is an luddite when it comes to changing policies. His health care plan is a rip off a conservative dem's proposal (Cooper).

He prefers to raise the cap of SS without really addressing the rape of the SS funds for other projects.

by colebiancardi on Tue May 27, 2008 at 05:51:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: We will have made a choice (2.00 / 2)

Political transformation never comes from one individual alone. If we are looking to a single figure in a single office to tranform our policies we will be waiting forever. But transformation can come about when the right person is at the controls at the right time. I don't look to Obama to have the right answer to every question but I do look to him to use his natural abilities in organizing and consensus building to find workable solutions to our intractable problems.

by wasder on Tue May 27, 2008 at 05:54:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: We will have made a choice (none / 0)

being president is not the same as a community leader.

I think if he becomes prez, he will have a whole set of battles to deal with. What you may think is important may not be to him.

it happens everytime.

by colebiancardi on Tue May 27, 2008 at 06:11:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: We will have made a choice (none / 0)

I have no doubt that I will disagree with things that he does as President. In re organizing, I don't think you can disregard the lessons of this kind of work, where motivating, building community, and bridging gaps is the order of the day. I certainly wouldn't mind a president who had these sorts of priorities for our society.

by wasder on Tue May 27, 2008 at 09:28:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: We will have made a choice (none / 0)

I suspect you're smarter than what making that inference from what I said suggests.

Let's try to rise above it.

"Right" is a moral term. What seems most likely to lead to success at any particular time is not always what is "right." In fact, it is often doing the "wrong" things that seem most likely to lead to success at any given time. See the financial success of arms dealers and drug lords.

I like baked beans.

by SpideyDem on Tue May 27, 2008 at 05:50:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: We will have made a choice (none / 0)

great!! Compare Hillary to drug lords & arms dealers - well, I hope Ted Kennedy is on that list as well.

by colebiancardi on Tue May 27, 2008 at 05:52:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: We will have made a choice (none / 0)

I think you are also smarter than to make this inference from what I said, but I'm beginning to have my doubts. I said nada about Hillary. Nada. You are extremely unreasonable and you are boring me. Click (dial tone).

I like baked beans.

by SpideyDem on Tue May 27, 2008 at 05:55:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: We will have made a choice (none / 0)

Oh, I think you are being snarky on purpose - since obviously the "moral" thing to do, in your opinion, is to crown Obama before the convention.

So, if Obama is "moral", then you did slam Hillary.

I am sorry that instead of defending your poor choice of words that you choose to insult me.

But hey, I've gotten used to that from some Obama supporters.

by colebiancardi on Tue May 27, 2008 at 06:15:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: We will have made a choice (none / 0)

Your standard can be just as easily applied to Hillary's recent assassination comments, such that Obama would clearly be represented by RFK in her example.

So let's not go there with making assumptions about what people mean.

No way. No how. No McCain.

by freedom78 on Tue May 27, 2008 at 06:49:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: We will have made a choice (none / 0)

I did not say that Obama was moral. I said that making Obama the nominee is the morally right choice regardless of the consequences in the GE. I then said that the "right" thing to do is not always the thing most likely to lead to ultimate success. I said NOTHING about the merits of Clinton or Obama as candidates. You either did not read my comments or did not understand them. them. There was no "poor choice of words," only a lack of comprehension.

Get used to a lot of negative feedback in life in general if this is the way you communicate.

I like baked beans.

by SpideyDem on Tue May 27, 2008 at 07:15:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

No, it's about the GE (none / 0)

and that's why it's time for us to start focusing on THAT.

The American people; they were for the war before they were against it.

by nrafter530 on Tue May 27, 2008 at 05:51:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: We will have made a choice (none / 0)

First things first.

"In the primary you should vote with your heart, but in the general, you should vote with your head" Hillary's husband

by venician on Tue May 27, 2008 at 06:39:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: We will have made a choice (2.00 / 1)

Tis true. We will not know definitively til November but I have a great feeling about this. And having read your posts Linc I have a feeling as well that you will be on board. All through this you have been passionately but politely pro-Hillary. Bring even a smidgen of that passion to the fall and we will be in good shape.

by wasder on Tue May 27, 2008 at 05:38:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: One more week, a vision (2.00 / 1)

I love it.

We're going to New Hampshire and South Carolina, and Michigan, and Oklahoma, and Missouri, and California, and then we're going to Washington, D.C. to take back the White House... YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAYYYYYAAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH!! !!

Not necessarily in that order, but you get the point.

I like baked beans.

by SpideyDem on Tue May 27, 2008 at 05:37:09 PM EST

Re: One more week, a vision (none / 0)

This is my vision for the summer, and it begins next week!

- It is good to have dreams .

This is more like a pipe dream though .

The map is not expanding any more than it would have expanded if it were Clinton on top of the ticket.

Infact it seems like it is Clinton that would be expanding the map with her popularity in WV , KT and FL .

Obama is a good candidate however I don't see anything more compelling in him than any other politicians.

I personally think both Mccain and Clinton are more compelling candidates than he is.

My 0.02cents.

Educated in a small town Taught to fear Jesus in a small town Used to daydream in that small town Another born romantic that's me.

by lori on Tue May 27, 2008 at 05:38:11 PM EST

Re: One more week, a vision (2.00 / 1)

Lori--thanks for writing. I always look forward to your name popping up in these things because I know you are smart and motivated. I certainly don't expect you to be doing cartwheels next week but I bet strongly that we will be seeing you on here doing plenty of lifting when the time comes. I also hope and believe that you will come to find things that you can genuinely get enthusiastic about in the Obama campaign. What do you think?

by wasder on Tue May 27, 2008 at 05:41:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: One more week, a vision (none / 0)

Well it might depend on what I am thinking of going into the booth ,

National Security and Supreme Court/Women's right to choose.

Its not like I dislike the guy personally , I just get a headache with his positions on National security ( and Rev. Wright is a big issue for me as well ).

Whoever he chooses as VP would also be important , if he chooses Warner/Webb/Clinton then things would look better.

Educated in a small town Taught to fear Jesus in a small town Used to daydream in that small town Another born romantic that's me.

by lori on Tue May 27, 2008 at 05:51:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: One more week, a vision (2.00 / 2)

I have my fingers crossed for Mark Warner. I think that would be the single strongest ticket the Dems could put up at this point.

In re your mood in the booth, I can respect your lack of clarity now. I do hope obviously that there will be times between now and Nov when you get genuinely excited about Obama and what his presidency could mean.

by wasder on Tue May 27, 2008 at 05:58:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: One more week, a vision (2.00 / 2)

I thought that too but have you seen the SurveyUSA numbers on Obama/Edwards? Up 9-18 in VA, 12-26 in IA, and 12-18 in OH depending on McCain running mate. Pretty compelling and I like Edwards to boot. I like Warner better though but he costs us a Senate seat.

I like baked beans.

by SpideyDem on Tue May 27, 2008 at 06:00:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: One more week, a vision (2.00 / 1)

Yeah, I saw those polls with Edwards. I like Edwards fine but I am leery of the "been there, done that" factor with him in the VP spot. And I just don't think he stood out in that role. Maybe he and Obama have more in common and make a better team than he and Kerry?

Mark Warner wouldn't necessarily cost us the senate seat if he ran for both simultaneously, and won both. Kaine would then choose a replacement I believe.

by wasder on Tue May 27, 2008 at 06:04:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: One more week, a vision (2.00 / 1)

I did not realize running for both seats was possible. What an enticing possibility!

Edwards and Obama have very good chemistry. We've seen it all the way through. I also think Edwards has come a long way since 2004 and has found his voice as the guy who will fight the establishment and as an advocate for the poor.

I thought Kerry/Edwards was an awkward pairing, although I'm beginning to think Kerry/fill-in-the-blank is an awkward pairing, as much as I respect the man's service on the Hill and in Vietnam.

I like baked beans.

by SpideyDem on Tue May 27, 2008 at 06:08:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: One more week, a vision (none / 0)

Same way Joementum ran for his senate seat in 2000 at the same time he was the VP nom.

And yes, if Edwards shows a bit more fire and if OBama and him can present a unified, dynamic ticket I am all for it.

by wasder on Tue May 27, 2008 at 06:11:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: One more week, a vision (2.00 / 1)

MyDD map is at 290-248, which for once is about consistent with the electoral map based on polling averages. What's going to happen to give McCain an edge from here on out?

He'll be:

out-fundraised;
out-worked;
up against a large party registration deficit;
linked to Bush through his 100% pro-Bush voting record this year.

Don't tell me "bitter" or Wright. Yawn.

I like baked beans.

by SpideyDem on Tue May 27, 2008 at 05:41:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: One more week, a vision (none / 0)

I am not saying Mccain has an edge of him electorally infact odds are he would be the next president.

However speaking personally based on qualities and issue positions I have never really found him compelling.

He has put together a great campaign , infact I think the solid campaign he put together has helped him a lot , he is not a better candidate than the campaign he has put together unlike Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Educated in a small town Taught to fear Jesus in a small town Used to daydream in that small town Another born romantic that's me.

by lori on Tue May 27, 2008 at 05:46:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: One more week, a vision (none / 0)

I find him second to none in terms of personal qualities but there's no real way to argue about that or to make you like him more personally.

On the issues, as a progressive I find his Senate voting record nearly (not completely) flawless and much better than Hillary (Iraq, flag burning, bankruptcy, etc.)

I like baked beans.

by SpideyDem on Tue May 27, 2008 at 05:53:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: One more week, a vision (none / 0)

Well we are coming from 2 different perspective because I don't know why the hell anyone should be allowed to burn the flag .

I know there would be arguments that it is free speech and political expression but I don't buy it.

Thats not popular with a lot of folks here .

With Iraq I really don't hold the vote against her. What I hold against her is casting votes against supplemental and funding bills for political purposes which I know she is more responsible than that.

That is one of the most egregious things she has done that I disagree with.

Educated in a small town Taught to fear Jesus in a small town Used to daydream in that small town Another born romantic that's me.

by lori on Tue May 27, 2008 at 06:00:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: One more week, a vision (none / 0)

I suspect we are indeed coming from very different places and perspectives. I respect the opinions you have expressed and respect your candidate.

It was interesting that you did not go after Obama's Senate record. For a progressive, it's a great record. Maybe not a great record for the GE though.

Either of them will beat McCain. I have the same sense as the diarist.

I like baked beans.

by SpideyDem on Tue May 27, 2008 at 06:04:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: One more week, a vision (2.00 / 2)

I think that defending free speech that we hate is really important but I understand why flag burning bums you out too. You would seem to be on the more conservative end of the Dem spectrum, but hopefully there will be aspects to Obama's platform (and pragmatism) that will appeal to you.

by wasder on Tue May 27, 2008 at 06:06:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: One more week, a vision (none / 0)

Yeah , I was raised in a pretty conservative household . ( You should see the dinner table you would think Reagan was the host )

Educated in a small town Taught to fear Jesus in a small town Used to daydream in that small town Another born romantic that's me.

by lori on Tue May 27, 2008 at 06:11:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I don't know why (none / 0)

anyone should be allowed to have an abortion unless their life is in danger, but hey, that's up to you...me? I'm offended by it.

The American people; they were for the war before they were against it.

by nrafter530 on Tue May 27, 2008 at 06:09:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I don't know why (none / 0)

You certainly have to right to your opinion , things are not always black and white.

Life is a complicated journey.

Educated in a small town Taught to fear Jesus in a small town Used to daydream in that small town Another born romantic that's me.

by lori on Tue May 27, 2008 at 06:12:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I don't know why (none / 0)

Things are definitely not always black and white. In fact they are very rarely so clear. I think that we need leaders who understand this in their bones. Not that we are a nation of "compromisers", as some would call being thoughtful, but that we look at the world with some nuance and a sense that reasonable people can completely disagree sometimes. Obama is a strong candidate for these times.

by wasder on Tue May 27, 2008 at 06:15:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I don't know why (none / 0)

Not to be rude, but where is this coming from?

by wasder on Tue May 27, 2008 at 06:13:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I don't know why (none / 0)

I meant the abortion talk...

by wasder on Tue May 27, 2008 at 06:15:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Just making a point (none / 0)

that you can disagree with something and still support someone's right to do it. (flag burning)

Democrats tend to do that...Democrats are best when they don't trust their opinions on other people.

The American people; they were for the war before they were against it.

by nrafter530 on Tue May 27, 2008 at 06:20:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I don't know why (none / 0)

I get the point he/she is making .

Positions could be contradictory .

I hold both patriotism and women's right to choose on non negotiable terms.

Therein lies the paradox in the flag burning debate because some would claim its a freedom of expression and would wonder how it is not contradictory to my stance on women's right.

Like I said everyone is entitled to his/her opinion.

Educated in a small town Taught to fear Jesus in a small town Used to daydream in that small town Another born romantic that's me.

by lori on Tue May 27, 2008 at 06:17:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I don't know why (2.00 / 1)

This is the reason why the Democratic party can be/should be the real big tent party. If we can figure out how to fight the big battles and leave the cultural stuff (flags, religious practices etc) to the realm of individual choice we could be an unstoppable force.

by wasder on Tue May 27, 2008 at 06:25:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

McCain is more compelling? (none / 0)

What the deuce?

Oh, do you mean, more likely to compel us into a ground war in Iran?

by Slim Tyranny on Tue May 27, 2008 at 05:43:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: One more week, a vision (2.00 / 1)

In re map expanding, I acknowledge Hillary's strength relative to Obama in FL, KY, and WV. But I do think that in terms of expanding the map Obama brings more. I really don't think HIllary or OBama would win WV or KY this cycle. I think that while Hillary has a better argument for FL at this point, OBama will make it interesting by Nov. And I think that the western front is really where the OBama effect will be felt---I would love to see a Dem win NM, CO, and NV.

by wasder on Tue May 27, 2008 at 05:44:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Hell yea (none / 0)

A little Woot Woot !

I feel like dancing.....

If your not feeling this diary I recommend reading again with a cup of hot chocolate.

This primary is historic, we have everything, a bulletproof primary that WENT TO THE END!

We have more money, more registered voters by leaps and bounds.

I ALMOST feel sorry for republicans, but, um not really.

http://www.truepat.org/

by CrushTheGOP2008 on Tue May 27, 2008 at 05:45:09 PM EST

Re: Hell yea (none / 0)

Yes! This is what I want to hear. I have been giddy inside about the possibility of an Obama/McCain campaign and I am sick of slogging through all the Dem on Dem bitterness to get there. Great points about the way the primary puts us on strong ground for the general. Lets not let this moment slip away dems!

by wasder on Tue May 27, 2008 at 05:52:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: One more week, a vision (none / 0)

i don't think so....

by nikkid on Tue May 27, 2008 at 06:32:56 PM EST

Re: One more week, a vision (none / 0)

Not sure what you are referring to here. You don't think what?

by wasder on Tue May 27, 2008 at 09:21:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Thanks for a very positive diary. (2.00 / 1)

John McCain supports privatizing Social Security.

by Travis Stark on Tue May 27, 2008 at 06:34:24 PM EST

Re: Thanks for a very positive diary. (none / 0)

Thanks Travis. I always dig what you have to say too.

by wasder on Tue May 27, 2008 at 09:21:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

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