Ready to be Loyal?

Fingers crossed, we're going to win on November 4th. It's possible that Barack Obama will start his term in office with majorities in the House and Senate, and perhaps even a filibuster-proof majority. The likelihood of this is underscored by the shrill, panicky articles about the threat of a Democratic party takeover that have been filling the editorial pages of The Wall Street Journal and conservative websites.

It's one thing to win, quite another to govern. As a party, we Democrats don't have the best record of acting together in a way that advances our cause. Jimmy Carter had commanding majorities in both Houses, and he was stymied at every turn. Bill Clinton started with a majority in the House and lost that in 1994. He was criticized throughout his term by both Republicans and Democrats, and it's a habit we haven't gotten out of -- the Huffington Post is filled with criticism of someone who stopped being president eight years ago.

You can argue that our past Democratic presidents brought it upon themselves -- that had they lived up to their promises, had they been more competent in one way or another, had they not betrayed their potential - fill in the blank -- their presidencies might have gone differently. But that's not the full story.

The fact is that a president cannot please all of the folks who elect him all the time. It's impossible. Issues are complex and political capital is limited. This will be true going forward, as well. A very diverse coalition of people are voting for Obama, with different sets of core issues, different worldviews, and different assessments of how politics works.

So what happens when President Obama does something, or neglects to do something, that violates your sense of what is right? Or compromises on one of your core issues? Or delays something you think is urgent? Or plays down what you think is important? Or makes alliance with people you can't stand? There will be articulable reasons for the stances he will make, but they may not be reasons you consider valid.

I predict that it won't take long before some people start feeling betrayed, given the scope of problems before our country, and the complexities of ruling. Perhaps President Obama will approve the extension of offshore drilling. Or delay the exit of U.S. troops from Iraq. Or punt on the topic of gay marriage. Or leave NAFTA the way it is. Or indirectly ask African-Americans and other minorities to play down their concerns for a couple of years. Or -- as Clinton did in 1992 -- focus on putting our fiscal house in order rather than expanding social programs. What will you do when President Obama doesn't manage issues the way you want him to? What will you say? What will you believe about him?

Here's what I think you should say: "I support President Obama." And here's what I think you should believe: "I voted for him, so I have confidence that over the long term we'll move the country in the right direction, whatever compromises are required in the short term."

We Democrats -- and in particular we liberal Democrats -- are good at feeling betrayed. The flip side of passionate idealism is whiny victimhood and a sense of being used. This willingness to feel betrayed is something we need to get over.

Politics isn't about betrayal and drama. It's about hard work and keeping our eye on the ball. The ball in this case is methodical, consistent progress on the big issues that affect the most people in the most meaningful ways. We are electing Barack Obama because we believe he is the one who can lead this effort.

So once we elect him, his job is to lead, and part of our job is to be loyal. Loyalty means maintaining confidence when we don't see immediate results. It means being willing to set aside issues that are personally important if they distract from those that our President has set as the core agenda. It means keeping family squabbles behind closed doors and keeping our troops in line.

It means acting like grown-ups. So let's get to it.

Comments

[Martha601]

I've thought about this and I realize that it's hard to make everyone happy all the time. So, I will stand assured in my vote for Obama no matter what happens. Because I know in the long run that he has our best interest, all of us, at heart.

[ButImNotSureAboutU]

I think it would be best if we acted like adults and built consensus within the ranks instead of rubberstamping like the Republicans did for Bush. I am all for loyalty but let's do what's right and have healthy disagreements. If we rubberstamp Obama, we will be perceived to be no different than them come the next election. Let's do the right thing, discuss and argue but not to just rubberstamp everything that comes from the Oval Office.

[Andiri]

Agreed. And Iglarmobley highlights the problem you raise, by equating "not delivering" (in just one term!) with "pulling a Lieberman". There's a big difference between setting priorities and addressing the more pressing ones first and switching sides, something the Republicans -- even the wingnuts -- managed to learn, but progressives still have trouble with.

I'll judge Obama on which issues he prioritizes and how well he deals with them. If he does well with them, I think he'll have earned our patience with regard to the rest of his agenda.

[bmora]

As longs as he does not go rogue, I support him 100%, irrespective of the compromises he has to make. He has not let me down yet, so I have faith that he will do the right thing. However, we will still need to remind him every now and then where he came from. I am sure Michelle will keep him straight for us.

[iglarmobley]

Already excusing how he might let us down. He's not even in office yet and we're being told not to expect anything from the man.
I have news for Michael Melcher: I and the rest of the people who are voting for Barack Obama DO expect him to deliver. If he doesn't, if he pulls a Lieberman on us, then you can count on us to express our full-throated disapproval and President Obama can just enjoy his one term in office.
Senator Obama himself has said that the very day after the election the work begins in earnest. I do not intend to let up my activism on the issues for which I have been fighting. I will not sink back into a spectator role as Melcher would have us. I don't think Barack the community organizer would have us sink back, either.

[seatea1967]

"So what happens when President Obama does something, or neglects to do something, that violates your sense of what is right?"

I'll tell you... everyone here will threaten to hold their breath until they turn f-ing blue.

Go take a look at the threads over Obama's FISA vote. Go take a look at the threats against SNL because they DARED to have "that woman" Palin on the show. Take a look at the threads after Biden said that he supports equal rights for gays, but not gay marriage.

Dems have tons of loyalty as long as you have EXACTLY the same set of beliefs they do. The minute you have one belief that differs even slightly, they're voting for Nader. It's why we can't keep power for longer than about two minutes, no matter the political climate.

[Glenn1441]

I've been waiting for a piece such as this one to hit HuffPost. Mr. Melcher admirably underscores a longstanding problem with the Democratic ranks.

If this election is indeed an historic one, then Democrats of all stripes must finally turn the corner, assume political maturity and support the man we currently hold synonymous with change.

Thank you, Mr. Melcher. Well done.