You say you want to help progressives? Here's how:
by David Atkins
Sitting in the arena for Bill Clinton's speech (and six seats away from the amazing, powerful and beautiful Sandra Fluke, who was tremendous at the podium herself) was nothing short of electrifying. The man was simply masterful. I don't know how it came across on television, but in person it was dramatic and triumphant politicking.
Sure, there are many progressive critiques that could be made of Clinton's speech, from welfare reform to compromise worship to Simpson-Bowles. But Digby, I and others have made similar critiques of the mainstream Democratic position on these fronts many times before. It would do a disservice to Clinton's incredible accomplishment last night to rehash them. Few politicians can capture the emotional essence of a narrative as well as Clinton can, and turn policy wonkery into engaging fireside storytelling. Clinton actually spoke to voters like intelligent adults without being boring. And he effortlessly eviscerated conservative ideology and current conservative lies without seeming nasty and mean.
More importantly, whatever one might say against Clintonism from a progressive perspective (and there is much), the fact is that what Clinton said last night about compromise, about welfare and about deficits is where the majority of American people are right now. Yes, we need leaders and rhetoricians who can change that, but that's not where we are right now, a brief month before the first mail-in ballots go out in this election. Bill Clinton's positive polling is through the roof, and he may have won this election with a single speech tonight. Attacking him isn't going to do anyone but Republicans any good.
But for those uncomfortable with the hold of Clintonism over Democratic ideology, there is one central task: get Elizabeth Warren elected. Her speech was a powerhouse for progressives:
Make no mistake: this woman is a serious threat not only to Republicans, but to the neoliberal establishment as well. And if wins, she's a serious potential presidential contender as well.
But in the context of progressive influence within the Democratic Party, it will make no difference whether the President is re-elected if Elizabeth Warren loses. If Warren loses it will be seen as a rejection of progressivism itself, regardless of Barack Obama's fate. That cannot be allowed to happen.
If you aren't helping anyone else this cycle, if you are upset with neoliberalism, and if you truly believe in the progressive cause, you will help Elizabeth Warren. There just isn't any progressive excuse not to.
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