Why it matters

I've been reading through much Candidate-chaff today.

If you did not convince us before as to the bona-fides of your candidate, and why he or she deserves our vote, you will not now.

As someone who does not believe either Obama nor Clinton is a particularly good choice for President after 8 years of Republicanism at the top, what does matter is this: showing up.

We need a change of direction, but not just any change.

Obama supporters too often disregard the negatives and mishandlings of his campaign.  Whereas Obama supporters have seen his candidacy as being unifying, I have seen it as highly divisive.  Of course, it helps to see this if you are the one being divided against.

I think it's fair to ask, Obama's obviously good intentions (well, good enough for any politician) whether he will be able to manage the so-called "post partisanship" his supporters talk about.

The term "triangulation" was invented in relation to Bill Clinton, and I truly think Obama may be no better and may in fact be worse than Clinton in this regard.

Let me say it is deeply personal a manner as I can I do not want rapproachment in the present with the Republicans under Obama or anyone else.

It's personal for me because political animosities are not just a matter of political interest or theater, but something that has torn at the heart of my family since the early Bush years.

I am estranged from my brother over the political chasm.  I, more than anyone, should want to sing Kumbaya with everyone in America if it were possible -- and just as personal as well as intellectual reasons for believing it is not possible.

But let me just ask you this:  What has worked, if anything, with Republicans in Washington?  

The Democrats have been bipartisan.  The Republicans have not been, and starting out from a position of compromise has proven disastrous in the Congress, especially this Congress in which Democrats have a putative majority.  

Allowing Republican obstructionism to continue under any guise will have deleterious effects on public support for the Democrats.  

And, negotiating with Republicans will prove fruitless unless there are clear and present sanctions for them not honoring the terms of agreements made.

There is no such thing as "post partisanship".  However, I do believe eventual rapproachment with many rank and file Republicans is possible, and here's how:  defeat them, and otherwise beat them.

One thing I do respect about Republicans is their determination to win.  They're like Energizer Bunnies in this regard.  The reason we have so much reason to talk about underhanded and dishonorable Republican behavior in office, it is because it's worked for them, so far.

Therefore I believe in the politics of the stick as opposed to the carrot when it comes to Republican politicians.

The Republicans are good at understanding defeat and doing what it takes to win.  Therefore, the way to engineer eventual rapproachment with rank and file Republicans in our own lives is to make them understand: corruption, greed, dishonorable political behavior and dishonesty will not be rewarded on the part of their politicians; it will be punished in no uncertain terms.

It is therefore not the time to seek unity with Republicans, even of the rank and file.  It is time for frank talk about the damage Republicans and Republicanism has done even to workaday Republican party members.  

The reason for this is simple:  With independents and progressives, we have a massive working majority.  We do not need Republicans to agree, and they will come around by defeat in their own view in their own time.

I said I did not think either Obama or Clinton would make a particularly good president.  I have, however, slowly come around to the view that either would be better than any Republican.  At least in terms of a seat-warmer in the Oval Office.

Here's why:  It's not about the President, stupid!  It's about Congress and the Supreme Court.

Neither Obama nor Clinton, I feel, will push a truly progressive agenda.

Either, however, will sign progressive legislation if it reaches their desk.  Either will respect the Congress more than any Republican.

I believe it is a mistake to hinge progressive unity on any one person.  To have a "liberal messiah" as a Presidential candidate, even if such a person were much more perfect than Obama, is a prescription for a liberal meltdown later when that person, as he must, disappoints.

And this is what I believe Obama supporters have wrong.  Populism and Unity among the left must be sought -- but it is beyond wishful thinking to believe that someone like Obama, or perhaps any person, could be counted on as the lodestone of that unity.  

So finally, I get around to my main point.

If your state is one where a primary or caucus is going to be held tomorrow, show up and participate, even if you do not like either of the two candidates.  Agree with me or not, just go and vote, vote for John Edwards, vote for Mickey Mouse -- but for Pete's sake, vote.

It's not about the Presidential candidate and perhaps never was.  It's about demonstrating to the public, the pundits, and the media, that the Republican era of obstruction and destruction is nearing its end.  And about getting the majorities to do that.