Oh, Sweet Cynthia, Silence Thy Siren Song!

Can I vote for Cynthia McKinney? Please?

When Barack Obama opted out of public campaign financing, it was tough to condemn him. Only a fool would shut down the money-making machine his campaign had become. It was also understandable when he backed the death penalty for child rapists. In no way, shape, or form was he about to make the same mistake as Michael Dukakis, who refused to call for the death penalty for his wife's hypothetical rapist and killer. Even the faith-based initiatives, which Obama recently called for, are not necessarily objectionable, if kept free of proselytizing.

But Obama's vote to expand government's surveillance powers and extend immunity to the telecoms was in a category of its own. Especially since the issue flies under the radar of the public, which could give two hoots if he had voted nay. Perhaps, it could be argued, his vote was a strategem to create markers to call in Republicans at a future date. But it sure threw a wet blanket over a campaign on fire. Personally, though, I finally began to come to terms with it.

But, however late, I just came across the roll call for the FISA vote. Among the senators voting nay were those few, those principled: Thomas Dodd, Brian Dorgan, Dick Durbin, Russ Feingold, Tom Harkin, Amy Klobuchar, and Pat Leahy. It also included centrist Democrats like Hillary Clinton (though if she were the nominee she may have voted yea like Obama) and. . . Chuck Schumer.

Barack Obama voted to the right of Chuck Schumer? Like Clinton, my home state's other senator voted to authorize an invasion of Iraq. Also, his newfound reputation as a "bank killer" (for speaking ill of IndyMac) with conservatives aside, he recently proposed a federal government bailout of subprime borrowers supposedly intended to help strapped homeowners. In fact, it was designed to benefit at least as much, if not more, lenders and Wall Street bankers. (Financial institutions have contributed over $2.5 million to his campaigns.)

In another example of Schumer in action, he was the first lawmaker to call for the resignation of Alberto Gonzales. On the other hand, he not only voted to confirm Michael Mukasey to replace Gonzalez, but, along with Joe Lieberman, introduced him to the Senate Judiciary Committee in the first place.

Contemporaneous with my exposure to the FISA roll call, I heard the United States Green Party had, as expected, nominated Cynthia McKinney for president. Though she was a six-time member of the House of Representatives, her career was reduced by many to speaking out in support of the 9/11 Truth Movement and an altercation with a Capitol police officer.

But she was a vocal opponent of the Iraq War, as well as a harsh critic of the government's response to Hurricane Katrina and an advocate for its victims. Ms. McKinney once introduced a bill calling a ban on the use of depleted uranium in munitions. She even proposed her own articles of impeachment against Bush.

Fueling the temptation to vote for her is another -- the temptation to believe that the nation would never elect a stumblebum like John McCain. In other words, a vote for Ms. McKinney wouldn't hurt Obama, would it?

As one who voted for Ralph Nader in 2000, I've never let anyone guilt-trip me into thinking I was complicit in Gore's loss. He had no trouble losing the campaign all by his then-lackluster self.

But the United States is chock full of voters who want no part of the hope Obama offers (delivery is, of course, another matter). Nor the responsibility it implies for improving their own lots as well as that of the nation. If I declined to vote for Obama and he lost, no matter how far right of center he hews in the coming weeks, there's no way I could shake off the blame this time.

Comments

[PublicAdvocate]

Where would Obama be without Ralph Nader? Even futher to the right I bet. Why is it that the Democratic candidate courts the right wing Conservative Republican voters (who will never vote for him anyway) and ignores his own Progressive base? To many that's a slap in the face.

I strongly support Ralph Nader who has been the good, the true and the faithful Progressive for 40+ years. I also welcome Cynthia McKinney and Bob Barr to the race. Why? Without genuine political competition, there is simply no incentive for ANY politician to listen to the voters after they are elected. A politician who does not have to earn your vote to be elected rightly concludes that they need not listen to their constituencies until reelection season.

Incumbency and limited choice breeds laziness, corruption and entitlement be it parties or candidates or industries.

I can't tell you who will win in November, but I am positive that returning the ususal suspects to office only ensures that the status quo will be preserved and protected and business as usual will continue.

[strifeknot]

It must be painful to lose the courage of one's convictions. I will be enthusiastically voting for Nader again this year, with more pride than ever before.

[JohnFromCensornati]

"If I declined to vote for Obama and he lost, no matter how far right of center he hews in the coming weeks, there's no way I could shake off the blame this time."

Why?
Is NY going to go red w/o your vote?

[loper2008]

Great article!

I, too, voted for Nader in 2000 and I never have again. I even campaigned for him then. But this year is different, and McKinney is different than Nader was then. McKinney is progressive on many issues but she would be incapable of leading this country, just like Nader, so why vote for somebody who you actually wouldn't want to get the job??? Nader and McKinney have their flaws, too, and they would have zero shot of getting their agenda passed if they actually came into power. People would have been better off supporting Kucinich in the primaries, which very few actually did.

People can vote however they want, but I was disappointed that Cynthia McKinney (in all her lunacy) was the best the Green Party had to offer. I wish the Green Party would focus on local races where they can actually make a positive impact and WIN.

[ProudLiberalDan]

The Green Party has over 200 elected officials and has won representation in State Legislatures in the past.

I wish we could have runoff elections and/or ranked choice voting and/or proportional representation to open up our electoral systems so we have a broader choice than two corporate funded parties of the right and center-right.

[Marlyn]

"Only a fool would shut down the money-making machine his campaign had become."

Barack Obama shut down his own money making machine by not supporting the Constitution.

[MariaHopeful]

Well let's see, Marlyn. You want to sabotage him because of the FISA vote, let's see if you achieve your aim.

[JohnFromCensornati]

I'm pretty sure that Marlyn blamed BHO for sabotaging himself.
She's right.
Let's see if he achieves his aim.

[WorkingClass]

Hi Russ. How is FISA a left / right thing? Is it just lefties that defend the constitution? If so, how do you explain Ron Paul? No. FISA is a rule of law / police state thing. I was willing to forgive Obama his lack of a progressive agenda. But the bill of rights? Vote McKinney Russ. That what I'm gonna do.

[Pdubya]

good on ya!

but do please visit www.campaignforliberty.com

the Revolution is just beginning.

[Researchguy66]

There are many, many people who won't vote for Cynthia McKinney simply because she's a black woman. Cynthia McKinney is far more qualified to be president than BHO. If his supporters were not so prejudiced, they would admit it.

[loper2008]

ha, very funny

[KaAp]

I understand your feelings ndeed I was a vociferous and vocal supporter of Obama during the primary volunteering time, effort and cash. In recent weeks his move towards the right has disillusioned me. FISA, Faith based initiatives, the abortion issue (really a wedge issue since few late term abortions are performed), the gun nonsense, the death penalty and on and on. We had a family meeting and my husband my children and I decided we would no longer financially support Obama during the general or work towards his election. Several times over the past month. Obama no longer represents our views. His campaign calls almost daily I tell them the same thing to no avail: Incremental change is not what is needed and change of party for the sake of changing a party when there is no substantial difference (i.e. the flip side of the same coin and not a different form of tender) matters little. His candidacy no longer energizes my family. If he moves to the left again we will be happy to support him. The voters he has pandered to will never vote for him, he has disillusioned many of his supporters on the left (and by that I mean progressives not liberals).
Maybe when things are horrible enough we can have a second American revolution (maybe that is our only hope for change) but right now Obama represents very little transformation recalling 2000 we will vote for him with a sad sigh.

[loper2008]

i don't believe this is real for one second.

[Marlyn]

"by that I mean progressives not liberals" ???

You think liberals were not disappointed by Obama's shift to the right?

[ZaneC]

"If I declined to vote for Obama and he lost, no matter how far right of center he hues in the coming weeks, there's no way I could shake off the blame this time."

What if he moves so far to the right that there is virtually no difference between him and McCain? I know, there are still some differences. Still, there is something I like to call "the point of absurdity" -- when something has reached a point that it is absurd to continue with one's previous assumptions or plans. For everyone this point may be different; however, it is still there, and it is important to identify what it is before it is reached and even more important to act on it afterward.

Also, while acknowledging that blame can be hard to bear, what if it is blame for something one truly believes in? If one does not believe Obama has earned one's vote, do not vote for him. He should not get it just because there is a "D" next to his name whenever he appears on the news. After all, we saw how effect electing the Democrats into Congress was!

[remc]

BTW - in the blurb for the post, its not "hues" (which is colors) to the right, but "hews". Which (as a side note) I do not believe he is doing.

But thanks again, really. I disagree with those who think O will win in a landslide. I respect your point of view, but there's just too much to lose this time, and he needs all the help he can get. I really appreciate that you see that.

[RussWellen]

Thanks, remc, for noticing my misspelling. I corrected it.

Yeah, it's gonna be close.

[MsLiz]

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/hew

Check definition number 6.

I saw that in the blurb too.

[DuPageDem]

Obama has released you. He has said it's OK not to vote for him if you care about FISA. He's made it clear he not only doesn't want your vote, he doesn't need it. But blame is a terrible thing to bear. Much tougher than deciding whether a vote for post-FISA Obama makes you a sucker or a fool.

[remc]

Thank you.

[Querent]

I think you meant to give honor for his anti-FISA vote for Chris Dodd.

[LittleBrother]

Do it! Do it!

Vote for Sweet Cynthia! You know you want to!

I'll double-dare you!

[LeeScho]

Like your other comments indicate, you demonstrate a history of not listening to, or understanding, the bloggers you comment on. This blogger made it clear that he could not justify voting for McKinney no matter how far right Obama seems to move.

I double-dare you to listen next time.

[LittleBrother]

Actually, I understood perfectly what the writer was saying.

Obviously my response simply went right over your head.

I'm gratified to find that you've made a study of my comments, but perhaps you ought to practice on something more basic before you attempt another "gotcha". As they say, it's better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

But thanks for playing!

[RussWellen]

Yeah, LeeScho, I'm all in for Obama. This will be only the third time that I can recall voting for a Democrat for president -- McGovern, Kerry, Obama). I failed to vote from 76 to 92, then it was Socialist party, Nader, and Nader.

Still, Cynthia is like a sweet bird of hope.

[MadOzbo]

What do you define "hope" as???
Hope is nothing tangible to deliver upon. Obama is leaving that up to US. That is the "WE" in "Yes, WE can!"

Hope costs nothing but a change in attitude.
Hopefully, enough of us will ignite the fires of Hope in those who still doubt Obama.

We can only hope...

[liberalghost]

"WE" told Obama not to to vote for FISA. "WE" failed. Kinda tells us something about the future "WE" will live in, doesn't it?

[nippersdad]

There was a lot of hope riding on the 110th Congress. Luckily, all it cost us was a change of attitude since there was really nothing tangible that they could have delivered upon. Frankly, there are other things that I would like to ignite at the moment than casually frustrated hopes. Therefore, instead of hope, I have a dream......

[Danigirl65]

As do I.

Thank you