The 2004 election was an exercise in contradictions that left me feeling quite ambivalent about the state of our nation. While youth voting surged by 11 percentage points -- with single women leading the way -- 78 million eligible voters neglected to take part in the political process. Sure, we had increased voter participation to over 60% -- but was this a number to celebrate as a sign of a strong democracy? I made it a point to talk to people who were "in the know" -- and Donna Brazile, democratic leader, political strategist and commentator (not to mention the first African-American to manage a presidential campaign) was one of my first stops.
In response to my political quandary, this was Donna's definition of the problem: her party didn't really believe their support base could be increased -- let alone mobilized -- on Election Day. It was a position she strongly disputed, but felt characterized her party's assessment of the political times. Was it true? Was the Democratic Party giving up on Jane and John Q. voter? I tested her analysis with a couple of male party leaders, and they echoed her assertion to the T. Was this what our democracy had come to?
As an advocate of women's leadership and representative democracy, I refused to take their cynicism to heart. And I'm glad that four years later, sweet vindication has arrived.
I thought of Donna this past Saturday as I watched the live coverage of workers at Caesar's Palace, a diverse and divinely-differently attired bunch, who appeared to be making an awkward but spirited foray into democracy. Like Iowa and New Hampshire before them, Saturday's democratic caucuses were historic. With a record 116,000 voters, according to Nevada's Democratic Party, 12 times as many people participated than in the 2004 caucuses. As an optimistic believer in the institution of democracy and our nation's populace, it's a momentum that I hope will gain speed and fellow adherents, as more and more people bring their voice and their vote to the political stage.
So what's the reasoning behind this large-scale venture into the world of political engagement? The formula is simple, and it's the key to how you get new people invested in democracy: show them people who are not only politically savvy and experienced, but candidates who actually look like them. In Senators Obama and Clinton, voters see viable candidates who, for the first time, are accessible and familiar -- a closer reflection of the voters themselves. That's the beauty of representational democracy -- people feel that their interests are truly being spoken for -- and hence become more likely to be involved, even passionately so, in the political process.
Mobilizing the disenfranchised in the pursuit of political justice was a main tenet of the civil rights movement that Dr. Martin Luther King built, and it helped to make Sen. Obama's candidacy possible. But those of us who led the second stage of the women's movement know that Sen. Clinton's candidacy is part of that legacy as well. Dr. King would celebrate both of these frontrunners, but he would also understand what the real victory is:
Sen. Clinton won the Nevada Democratic caucuses, Obama won the most delegates, and Donna finally made her point, but the big winner in 2008 will be Democracy. No matter what our political persuasion may be, or which gender, race or class we embody, the triumph of democracy is a victory that we should all celebrate with pride. And as we approach South Carolina's primary and Super Tuesday, I hope that it's a theme that grows in strength and numbers. As a country, we have the power to make 2008 a truly historic year - not only because it will have been the year of the "first woman" or "first African-American" nominee - but because it will be a turning point in our collective history for bringing mass numbers of people across the board into the political fold.
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But, I'm not entirely convinced that the Democratic campaign as it's being played out right now is, in the end, going to bring larger amounts of voters to the polls in November. I'm beginning to think that it's sad that with such historic opportunities for change we have descended into the gutter politics that were only the tools of the other side, until this primary season.
I can't help but feel that Bill Clinton is guilty of doing exactly what Obama has warned us to avoid. He said, "there's nothing to be gained in tearing down others in an attempt to pull ourself up."
How this all plays out, in November will be something to pay attention to, and whether we lose, or win, we must ask ourselves, "at what price" was our victory or, what can we learn from our defeat.
This will be an historic election. I just hope it will do ALL of us some good.
No thank you on this fantasy..I had just about had it completely with the whole lot of you sad-faced, crackers and brie-eating fund-raiser dillitantes who wouldn't know that Martin Luther King was back from the grave and speaking again if he was attached to your ass and biting it!
Obama 08 and forever.
Obama is a truly remarkable, self-made man with the power to lead and unite a divided nation. He speaks straight to the American people, and doesn't claim to know it all. He empowers people to believe in themselves and each other other. Not exactly the guy next door.
Hillary Clinton is a 'power spouse' who launched a political career on the strength of her husband's name and reputation, who now wants to capitalize that momentum all the way to the White House. She speaks down to people, always claiming to "know" what the answers are, and how to solve their problems. (Anyone who thinks this particular person, if she had not been the spouse of Bill Clinton, could have parlayed an average law career and local activism in Arkansas into the role of a US Senator from New York, and then gone on under her own power to become a viable candidate for the U.S. President in 2008 "without being Bill Clinton's spouse" is really stretching credulity. Hillary is not a natural leader. She is the ultimate political party player and opportunist. Not exactly the woman next door, accessible and familiar; huh?
Political Wrinkles
Minority boomerettes face dilemma: Hillary or Obama. Whose dream shall be deferred?
http://www.nydailynews.com/latino/columnists/prida/index.html
He says that everyone in this race should have their record looked at. I agree. His record, when it comes to telling the truth, is absolutely ridiculous.
What they are doing to Obama is Nixonian and Rovish. Anyone who votes for Hillary Clinton is taking our country in the wrong direction. End of story. I am a liberal democrat and I am not kidding when I say that I will vote for McCain before the Clintons ever get my vote again.
Their true colors have been shown.