An Open Letter to The Nation's Open Letter to Barack Obama

Dear The Nation:

First off, let me take the chance to congratulate you on your constant struggle to bring to light progressive issues and ideas rarely touched upon in the mainstream media. Thank you for your honest coverage on the Iraq war, for uncovering the Double Life of James Baker, and for hanging Ken Starr out to dry.

Which is why I must admit a surge of frustration came over me yesterday when your "Open Letter to Barack Obama" appeared in my in-box. I have to admit -- I'm a game theory kinda gal. I mean this in the sense that I've long morphed past idealism and somewhat solemnly adhered to the principle that, for the time being anyway, we can't hope for change on a grand scale without first rolling out a comfortable carpet for the baby steps. So when I say I'm a game theory gal, I am simply trying to explain why, for the last few elections where my preferential candidate may not have been in a major party or worn a shiny blue tie, I chose to support the person on my team most likely to get the gold (or the white, house that is). Shakespeare wrote in King Lear: striving to be better, oft we mar what's well. It's the idea of "well" that's been enough for me to support in the political spectrum. "Well" may very well be Barack Obama. So while we should (eventually) strive for perfection, in this case marring what's well may not lead us to better -- it could lead us to McCain.

Which is why, dear Nation, I was initially concerned with your attempt to put Obama on the stand, before he has even had the chance to be elected. I understand -- and agree -- with your position that Obama needs to beware of the centrist drift (a magnetic pull that Al Gore and John Kerry before him had been unable to shake). But it's not only the centrist turn that procured us eight years of George W. Bush -- it's the lack of cohesion among the Democratic party, or, rather, liberals as a whole. It's the splintering within the kingdom and refusal to unite behind one core person that can lead us again to a be a country controlled by War Mongers and oil enthusiasts who can just as easily drill a hole or drop a bomb as they do pour a morning cup of coffee.

It's my fear of the worst outcome (McCain) and penchant towards the path of least resistance for the Democrats that first made me hesitant to add my name to your letter. You say that compromise is necessary in any democracy -- a fundamental point. However, compromise is not just necessary on behalf of the candidate: it is, to some degree, necessary on behalf of the voter.

But then I thought on it, and I realized that compromise cannot be equated with caution and (lack of) cojones. We must demand that Obama adhere to his campaign promises, especially where a sensible withdrawal from Iraq, universal healthcare and enterprising and effective environmental policies are concerned. Stand behind what you believe, Senator, and don't worry about pandering to the idiots (even though one may now run the country). I do think we must challenge Obama to stay on track, but I also know we must allow a degree of support no matter what. Quid pro quo, we'll all be rewarded.

So, Nation, I will be signing your letter. But only with the caveat that this sense of banding together for a cause we can believe in, for change we can believe in, must be maintained by our entire party. As much as Obama cannot and should not abandon his goals, neither can we. We want change we can believe in, but we also want change that can happen. As much as Obama cannot and must not get to a point of compromise, we must not get to a point of idealism that is disruptive to our goals. Obama cannot abandon his promises, and we cannot abandon him. Because in the quest for political perfection, while looking for "better," we, like King Lear, also have the ability to go blind.

To sign The Nation's letter, click here.

Comments

[ggm68]

The three issues you urge that we should not compromise on (environment, Iraq, and healthcare) are the same three issues my local (Napa, CA) platform meeting chose as their top policy priorities. Along with the economy, they comprise the top priorities of the majority of those who have participated in platform meetings across the country.

Let's make sure Obama knows that we are supporting him with the expectation that he will do the right thing on these issues especially (among our other priorities). And let's make sure he knows that regardless of what he does or doesn't pledge to do as President, this is what we will be demanding from our next President. In the mean time, he should campaign on these issues, and take an aggressive stand for doing the right thing. I think it would likely be a popular strategy, were he to try it.

FWIW

Gale
www.galemead.com

[TheDude78]

Wow, I completely agree with you Marissa. Kudos on a brilliant piece.

[alireiner]

Is it Ransom to demand that he not appoint a pro Liver who has allowed executions in his state?
Is it ransom to demand he speak out on why a Wall-Mart spokesman his his chief Economic adviser ?
Is it ransom to know why the constant wearing of the flag?
Is it ransom to ask why he supports Bush's policy on giving money to some extreme religious organizations?

It is not ransom it it common sense he ran as a progressive for the nomination and is now running and acting as Conservite a McCain . the first time he puts a cross in his lapel I vote for barr.
If Obama really understands his base is not to be ignored then he loses. Thanks to the Nation Magazine and the Huffington Post for publishing it.

[Marissa Moss - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks for the comments, all. There's some interesting feedback on the Nation's site as well- check it out. A lot of people are upset about the letter.

[YesWeCanada]

The Nation's letter = good idea, bad timing. Great power requires great responsibility. The progressive lefts power will only be increased if we can get Obama elected first. His bottom up approach will make him answerable to the progressives and he is well aware of that.

[Iamfedup]

I agree with you completely.
Stop with the ramson demands

[hopeless277]

It's too late for Obama to make any difference. The Dem leadership in congress has been compromised by their support for torture, warrantless wiretapping, rendition, obstruction of justice and all the other crimes of the conservatives. They will block investigations(although if Cass is right, no investigations will be initiated) and basically get on with their lives. Besides the Dems in congress, the DOJ as well as all other agencies have been staffed by 'Good Americans' by the likes of Goodling and Sampson. These people are invisible but powerful. They will obstruct all efforts to reform their respective agencies at the instructions of Republican operatives. I'm sure somewhere on Capitol Hill, a group of Republicans is already drawing up impeachment charges on Obama already. God only knows what they will accuse him of but one thing is certain, he will get no cooperation from them. So all in all it really won't matter that Obama is president. The disease called conservatism as practiced by the Republicans will cripple his term(s) as well as the country. Not until the Republican party is relegated to the dust heap will this nation begin to heal.

[MPeter]

Yeah, thanks Marrisa. I completely agree. We have to win the prize first, or we'll knee-cap Obama and end up with MCSame. Why the rush to box in Obama even before we have given him the power to effect the promised changes? Why are we always so impatient?

[LiberTLover]

I believe it its called being a masochist. The man is out there risking his life every day and all he gets is attacks from everyone, including the people he is trying to help. Wow, with friends and supporters like these he might as well pack it in now and go back to enjoying his life, join a huge law firm and make millions like HC, and you all choose whoever you think is going to defeat Mc Cain doing exactly what you want.