The Democratic Leadership Needs to Learn that Standing in the Middle of the Road is Only Going to Get You Run Over

A BUZZFLASH READER COMMENTARY
by Liz Taylor

Hi, Buzz:

I think we can trace the root of this debacle back to the campaign for Selection 2000. Did Democrats learn nothing from that mess? We all know that Gore should have never had to rely on Florida for a victory. He ran a safe, moderate, boring campaign and lost what should have been a slam dunk election.

This year, cowed by the alleged popularity of George II and his successfully steamrolling his agenda, the Dems offered 'republican lite' in far too many races. With a choice of two candidates, both supporting the bush junta, why vote for a Democrat? Why vote for the person too wishy-washy to stand for the long-held principles of his or her party?

Paul Wellstone is the example to look to in future elections: he, in a tough race, voted his conscience and his poll numbers jumped. He must be rolling over in his grave to see what happened in Minnesota.

Instead of the Democrats taking charge after the memorial service was criticized, they apologized and then allowed the repugs to take control of the spin. I will bet many Minnesotans never saw the service and only had the word of the GHP that it was “disgraceful." Walter Mondale’s campaign was totally overshadowed.

I have the benefit of satellite TV and was able to watch political commercials from New York, Massachusetts, Colorado, and California. In races where I was unfamiliar with the candidates, there were MANY times I could not discern the Democrat from the Republican. In certain cases, the candidates did not even state party affiliation.

Today, a union official from the AFL/CIO was on NPR. He said that his people were out across the country, pounding the pavement for Democrats but that they were a lonely group. Where, he asked, were the other groups who supported Democratic policies and candidates? These groups, and the voters, just were not fired up and willing to go the extra mile.

The Democrats had control of the Senate and did what with it? Confirmed Ashcroft, gave tax cuts to the richest 1%, and gave the Bush junta almost everything they wanted. The Dems failed to stand up to the Bushies, failed to differentiate themselves, failed to ignite the electorate, and failed to win.

When is the Democratic Party going to learn that their reward for being accommodating and flexible is getting screwed by the right and that standing in the middle of the road is only going to get them run over?

Liz Taylor
Houston, TX

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