Loeb: Hillary and the "Politics of Disappointment"

Paul Loeb has a new essay that is making the rounds, titled, "Hillary and the Politics of Disappointment"

Loeb acknowledges the more common argument that a Hillary nomination would re-energize a depressed Republican base while demoralizing core Democratic activists, particularly those outraged about the war, which might, in turn, lead to her defeat. But, his real point is that a Hillary nomination, and even a Hillary presidency, might very well split the Democratic Party, as Bill's presidency did. He writes,

We forget that this happened with her husband Bill, because compared to Bush, he’s looking awfully good. Much of Hillary’s support may be nostalgia for when America’s president seemed to engage reality instead of disdaining it. But remember that over the course of Clinton’s presidency, the Democrats lost 6 Senate seats, 46 Congressional seats, and 9 governorships. This political bleeding began when Monica Lewinsky was still an Oregon college senior. Given Hillary’s protracted support of the Iraq war, her embrace of neoconservative rhetoric on Iran, and her coziness with powerful corporate interests, she could create a similar backlash once in office, dividing and depressing the Democratic base and reversing the party’s newfound momentum.

Loab then goes on to offer all kinds of supporting evidence of how this split occurred during the Bill Clinton presidency. He concludes with this,

Because the Republican candidates would bring us more of the same ghastly policies we’ve seen from Bush and Cheney, I’d vote for Hillary if she became the nominee. But I’d do so with a very heavy heart, and a recognition that we’ll have to push her to do the right thing on issue after issue, and won’t always prevail. We still have a chance to select strong alternatives like Edwards (who I’m supporting) or Obama. And with Republican polling numbers in the toilet, this election gives Democrats an opportunity to seriously shift our national course that we may not have again for years. It would be a tragedy if they settled for the candidate most likely to shatter the momentum of this shift when it’s barely begun.

I share much of Loeb's perspective and am wondering what other folks think? I just can't find it in myself to be jazzed at all about Hillary. And I can't seem to find anyone else who is genuinely enthusiastic about her nomination... and I've been searchin'! Most who support her seem simply resigned to her as the standard-bearer.

What do you think?

Say It Loud (I'm Progressive and Proud)

The Center for American Progress has created four tv ads to reclaim the label "progressive" and artciulate what it means today in terms of core values and policy details. Here they are. What do you think? Which one do you like the best? Which one do you find least effective? If you were going to make a spot about your core political values, what would it look/sound like?









And, as always, feel free to take these down and pass 'em around... or, better yet, send the link to this blog to all of your friends!

Art of Mental Warfare: "Warning" (music by Trent Reznor of NIN)

Woah. Here's another intense piece of propaganda...
(Please note that this video includes some tough images of injured and dead soldiers/civilians)


Any thoughts?

Do you know of any other interesting political propaganda pieces?

What is Representative Democracy?

What America needs most... the movement that must take place before any further change can really happen... is a movement for democracy, a movement to reinvigorate American democratic institutions, democratic citizenship and democratic culture. We have lost our way and most of us don't even really know what democracy is, how it works and what our responsibilities are as citizens.

America's democratic institutions - like elections, Congress, etc. - are controlled overwhelmingly by large monied interests, wealthy individuals and corporations. As such, American democracy primarily respond to, reflect and works for, those interests over the interests of everyday citizens. That is uncontroversial and openly apparent. Then, when we do discuss democracy, the terms of the debate are often set by those in power, and are articulated within the context of the market (wealth = free speech). That terrain needs to be changed, the terms of the deabate fundamentally altered.

First, we need to remind ourselves what democracy is all about. To that end, I think that Michael Moore's interview with British Labour leader Tomy Benn in his last film is worth watching and considering.

Check it out.

Spread the word...

Knife Party: "What Barry Says"

This is a amazing piece of propaganda-animation from the folks at Knife Party . It is a few years old, but still well worth a look.

Check it out. Spread the word.