Posted on 08/30/2010 8:42:56 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
It seems as if the Democrats are about to reclaim their title as “the party of no.” That might come as a shock to many Democratic apologists, but as the center-left loses control of the national debate, it is finding itself reacting to an agenda not set by its majorities in government but by the vocal right-leaning opposition.
Not that there’s anything inherently wrong with saying “no.” It’s a good thing that liberals have consistently opposed anti-Muslim attempts to move the proposed Muslim community center in Lower Manhattan, decried the unnecessarily blunt — and unconstitutional — tool of the Arizona immigration law Senate Bill 1070 and refuted Glenn Beck’s perversion of history and reality spouted from the Lincoln Memorial.
Those and other steps display liberalism’s maturity in the face of growing right-wing populism. But liberals cannot continue to govern if these are the issues being discussed in November. Liberals need a positive case for why their policies and principles deserve the support of the American people.
It’s understandable why the center-left would like to relax their attention on the national debate. After all, active liberal engagement and agenda setting only led to government action in health care, economic stimulus and financial services reform after an exhaustive debate. And despite all of the legislative effort and grassroots advocacy for these substantive policy changes, the left feels as if it has only received watered-down change.
Their exasperation should serve as an exhortation for Democrats to continue what they started, not delve into defensive intra-party infighting. It should be frustrating for progressives that their signature initiatives had to be diluted in order to pass through Congress, not that President Obama had to compromise to ensure action on those items.
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs might not have done much to reconcile the “professional left” with the administration when he suggested that those on the left were on drugs to equate the Obama and Bush administration’s polices, but he was onto something. The progressive movement has to come to terms with the practicalities of government.
Liberals must not only provide a check on the administration, but also unite to defend and improve upon its signature accomplishments. Progressives need a positive vision upon how to improve the country. Improving health-care legislation and fighting for a greener, more efficient economy are just two of the many issues liberals can take conservatives to task over.
Thus, it will not be enough for Democrats to fear-monger in 2010 about the return of George W. Bush-style economic policies. They need to demonstrate how Democratic policies have helped to avert a greater catastrophe and spurred economic recovery. And, short of a shocking new set of economic data, Democrats will be increasingly dogged by accusations that their large new federal outlays are stifling the American economy’s recovery.
Instead of replying to all the nonsense, Democrats need to regain their former energy and propose new solutions. President Obama must assert the powers of the bully pulpit to push through initiatives that create opportunity. By stepping off the stage, Obama has lost his mojo — increasingly, Democrats around the country would rather be seen with his Democratic predecessor, Bill Clinton, than him.
It’s unclear whether or not this will even be an effective strategy for struggling Democrats. While they may gain some positive poll boosts from nostalgic voters who long for the Clinton 90s, voters won’t forget Obama is the leader of their party.
Regaining relevance will not come from appearing on daytime talk shows, such as “The View.” Obama needs to recapture the grassroots enthusiasm of 2008 — Obama did large rallies before Glenn Beck made them cool. The president cannot retreat into low profile, staged events. As much as his celebrity may grate some people, it is overall a strength that he should exploit, not shy away from.
Coming up with the ideas to win back over the American people will be tough without a doubt. But the solution surely is not to debate on the right’s unreasonable terms. Obama and liberals must confront the country head-on, and renew the progressive agenda they committed themselves to two years ago.
******
Adam McCall is a College junior from Acton, Mass. He is vice president of the Student Government Association.
I guess he has’t figured out yet that evrything the dems did made everything worse? Too bad for them that most Americans have noticed!
I guess he has’t figured out yet that evrything the dems did made everything worse? Too bad for them that most Americans have noticed!
I really look forward to the confrontation.
It gets worse ... look at this:
Our Opinion: Emory Must Act for Islam
http://www.emorywheel.com/detail.php?n=28557
Obama and liberals must confront the country head-on, and renew the progressive agenda they committed themselves to two years ago.Bring it, weirdo. Confront us head-on and renew your progressive agenda.
Children should be seen and not read. Virtually every single paragraph in this piece has an error or an outright lie in it.
Regaining relevance will not come from appearing on daytime talk shows, such as “The View.” Obama needs to recapture the grassroots enthusiasm of 2008 — Obama did large rallies before Glenn Beck made them cool.
Sorry Glenn Beck rallies are at least authentic....Obama’s rallies and “relevance” were contrived by the Media and controling who can get into his rallies.....
Lemme get this straight... people pay good money to attend this kind of “college?” Why?
Just say no to the liberal kids. I am not paying for their education! If my kids were liberal, I would tell them to pay their own way.
Perhaps he’ll sprout a brain in two years while living in his parents basement wondering why he can’t find the cushy job that is his progressive birthright.
The combination of hubris and ignorance of the leftist college indoctrinated youth is breathtaking.
Adam McCall has been brainwashed...
Probably not as much as I do. I may be in a hoverround soon, but I’ll use it like a tank...LOL
See my #6 for even more lunacy.
hey! Cut him some slack!!!!
He’s from Emory, after all! You don’t expect him to understand Cloward/Piven, do ya?!?
Hey! Adam! STAY IN SCHOOL as long as you possibly CAN!!!!
Your “hero” has made life real tough on the outside, where REAL people live. (just don’t get one of those government school loans!!! Your “hero” will OWN YOU if you do!!!)
It's hard to believe that liberal arts students are even more unserious than they were in my day...
"...only led to...?"
I stopped reading right there. This kid is not ready for prime time.
The rhetorical great monument to humanity that he suggests is Obama's legacy many of us view as the destruction of the next generation, financially, politically and socially.
Saying it's the reverse don't make it so.
Plenty of smart kids do get brainwashed at Emory.
I went there expecting to attend a Methodist school in the south. Yeah, right.
Lots of brilliant minds there. And lots of professors who will attempt to brainwash you.
I was naive at the time. No more. A growing number of us gradually began rebelling around our junior year. I’m sure more did once they entered the workforce and actually had to produce something and balance a budget. Reality hits hard.
Lots of spoiled kids at Emory.
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