Energizing Our Core

I've always said that as a vegan, I try not to eat anything that would run away from me. But the truth is that while watching the Republican convention last week, I found myself becoming a little envious of all the political "red meat" that was getting thrown to that party's faithful. Of course I consider the Republicans' convention diet -- a big helping of fear, distrust and divisiveness served with a side of lies -- about as appetizing as a greasy Big Mac. But whatever discomfort I felt with the Republicans' message, I still couldn't help but notice how that meat seemed to have energized and motivated many of the delegates.

So as we enter the homestretch of this election, I want to encourage the Democratic Party to keep its' core similarly well fed -- albeit on a much healthier, positive and uplifting diet. Because while there might be real truth to the theory that this election will come down to who can win over America's uncommitted center, I still feel it would be a serious mistake to let our own core get too hungry.

In our quest to win over the center, let's not marginalize the beautiful coalition that brought us to this moment in the first place -- the young people inspired by a message of hope and change, the hip-hop nation, the peaceniks, the tree-huggers and those truly concerned about the plight of poor people. These people might occupy a space a little left of center, but they still have real power through their numbers. Remember, while Governor Palin might be the current flavor of the month, there are still more moms out there carrying yoga mats than hockey sticks. I understand that over 30 million people visited Oprah's website to learn about Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth. That means there are over 30 million Americans who are more interested in expanding their consciousness than looking to expand our troop presence in Iraq. Governor Palin might have energized the NRA crowd with her tales of bear hunting, but I know that there are also millions of members of the Humane Society and PETA who were just as disturbed by her heartless attitude towards animals.

And by sharing those messages, we will truly energize our base. Because our base, if properly engaged, will get out there and knock on the doors, that will make the 25 dollar donations, register new voters and drive people to the polls on Election Day. We're going to ask so much from them, and I'm confident they're going to deliver. If we keep our base energized, I believe people will come out in huge, record breaking numbers on November 4th. But in order to ensure their commitment, we need to keep feeding them their inspiration.

I concede that there is a lot of wisdom in appealing to the center at this stage of the game. But I also believe that there are still smaller opportunities out there to keep our more progressive wing engaged and energized. To talk about the need to reform our drug laws. To talk about the need to break our addiction to oil. To talk about the blood the NRA and the gun manufacturers have on their hands. To talk about the fact that almost twice as many Americans were killed in Chicago this summer as in Iraq over the same period. And even to talk about an issue that is admittedly not on most people's radar, but that is very close to my heart these days: how we contribute to the abuse of nine billion farm animals. To let people know that not only does our treatment of farm animals make us physically ill and create incredibly bad karma for humankind, but it also is a huge source of global warming, a source that far outweighs all forms of transportation put together. That's why it would be so beautiful for Americans to hear that even eating just one less hamburger a week would have an incredibly positive impact on how we feel and how we live. Again, I understand that this is far from a centrist message. But I'm still hungry for it. And I think I'm not alone.

I'm not looking for a big public hug for the progressives right now. I realize that might be too much at this stage of the game. I guess all I'm really asking for from the Democratic leadership is a little wink and nudge. Just to let us know you still love us. Because we still love you.

Comments

[ScienceLady]

Palin has energized the science community. Connect to the link below for 14 questions (articulated by the science community and concerned citizens) asking the presidential candidates about the direction they would take the country regarding science, technology, health, military defense, education, research,...

only Obama has responded so far.

sciencedeb­ate2008.co­m

[OhioJan]

Excellent post, Russell!!! I too was "energized" from the reports of the RNC (I didn't have the stomach to watch even 2 minutes of ANY of it...Kind of like your "big, greasy Big Mac", only 10 fold!): I RAN to my wallet & made another $25 donation to Obama!!!

The REAL question that Barack needs to be asking American voters is, "How's YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE been over the past 8 years?" NO ONE has addressed the crushing loss of simple QUALITY OF LIFE for 10s of millions of average folks in the past several years! I, for one, have found MY "quality of life" expired in 2002, with NO vital signs, NO CPR performed...GONE!!! I want my "quality of life" back!!!

ENOUGH!!!

Obama/Biden - '08/'12!!!

[wrylass]

You make a fantastic point about A New Earth ... and bear in mind that that 30 million number is low ... it doesn't count the people like me who just bought the book and listened on XM.

There are many, many of us who are waking up, and I believe that we can change this election just by raising the vibration of this country to hope, optimism, and love, which trumps fear and hate every time. If this country is vibrating hope, optimism, and love, we WILL wake up to President Obama on November 5th.

Which is not to say that I'm not knocking on doors and donating too, because I am :)

I also appreciate your perspective as a vegan that recognizes those of us who are cutting back on meat.

[The-Dude]

Russel... Don't get me wrong. I'm a fan. Really.

But humans are carnivores. You can't live on just plant matter, it lacks the full range of nutrients your body needs to function. Even the purest of the pure vegetarians has to take at least one supplement made from animals or risk premature death.

I'm with you on most of the rest, and I respect and admire your passion on the issues.

But I'm not going without bacon.

[Skua]

Dude: you tossed away your whole argument by citing bacon, which is basically composed of saturated fat, salt, and flavoring. Not a high-protein food really :-)

[Molarity1983]

Great article, thank you! As someone who has been following the Palin news almost obsessively, I was very disheartened to think that there were a lot of people that would buy her rhetoric and message. However, I have become more and more convinced that if anything, her comments have energized our the liberal base even more and will make more turn out on election day. Liberals are mad and they aren't going to take it anymore and they are sure as hell going to go out and enage the public and reclaim America. Obama-Biden 2008!

[amoore503]

After viewing the RNC, I felt more energized about Obama because the Republicans must be stopped. I also think more Democrats watched the RNC than actual Republicans (which brought up viewership) since we all really want to know about Palin, what she represents and what is it we're actually up against. As far as I'm concerned we're all fighting for our lives at this election. It would do the Democratic party some good if they all pitched in and fight against Republican attacks instead of sitting back and letting the ticket do all the work. There should be daily onslaught of Democrats taking care of business because Barack means business and every single person who voted for him during the primaries and those still out there registering more voters deserve to have the entire party firght for us!

[DemoMom]

Amen!!
Let's get those college kids and other young people registered (I made sure that my daughter who lives in London registered as an overseas voter). We need to see that all those people whose votes were not counted in 2000 and 2004 get out and make their voices heard this time.
We can do this!!! We're less than a week out from the RNC and it's just too soon to lose heart. Did you see Willie Brown on CNN, telling the world that the Democrats are going to lose in November? Is he nuts? Talk about giving succour to the enemy and he's supposed to be a Democrat, or so I thought?
C'mon guys - remember how fired up you were after Obama's speech? Remember that crowd that turned out to see him? Ignore the stupid polls and let's get working! McCain wants the Obama campaign to spend all its money on fighting Palin but he is the one we need to beat - and we can do it so long we stay firm and strong in our resolve.

[smoore2614]

I encourage all of those who are around or in the battle ground states to volunteer. Go to Obamas website and sign up. Coming from a mother of three, I will be out there helping on the weekends. Be it going into those state or at headquarters. We are the community activist. We are the ones who truly care about what this country needs.

[pithy]

All the calls for Obama to throw some red meat are missing the point. We can win this thing without becoming like THEM.

Just like, in the so-called "war on terror" our government became the terrorists.
Our gov. now spies on us - wasn't that supposed to be Sadam?
We now make people disappear and torture them - wasn't that supposed to be Sadam?

We have to be careful what we THINK we want Obama to become. Let him do it his way - he's been pretty dead-on so far, right?

[Pigliacci]

Thank you!

And let's not forget, Sarah Palin was not a pick made from strength to appeal to the center; she represents a weak and desperate effort to avoid an absolute bloodbath. (Plus, she serves the valuable purpose of energizing OUR base and warding off complacency.

In the end, the values of the Democratic base, the values of Obama and Biden and Clinton, are American values with huge appeal to the REAL mainstream. Come November 4, Obama will win a landslide victory and carry thundering majorities into both houses of Congress on his coattails.

Won't that be a happy day!

[elmoor]

Wonderful! I almost felt that old familiar breeze again. I sure would love to hear more of that. Truth and hope... like a breath of fresh air in the currently putrid environment.

[jar240]

Great point. The "Bomb Iran" video should be an Obama campaign ad in every state. And what about Palin's support of the Alaska secession cause? How can people call Michelle Obama anti-American for her comment months ago, but no one says anything about this?? Democrats, unfortunately, haven't played hard enough (or dirty enough, perhaps) to win in 2000 and 2004. The costs are too great this year to let that happen again.

[robbep]

If an all out appeal to the working class white crowd is what we need to save us then we are already dead. Do you honestly think these people dont know they are hurting and it is up to us to show them the way? They dont care if they are hurting they are not going to elect anyone different than themselves. Anyone who thinks Obama is going to pull these working class white folks when Gore and Kerry didn't is smoking something. Obama deliberately abandoned his base (progressives) to get these people and they will never vote for him. If it wasnt for his base Obama wld be another barely known senator who ran for the presidency, yet he chose to turn his back on them the minute he didnt think he needed them. His fisa vote, his voting on funding for the war, his approval of the surge (see fox) , now he is back tracking on rescinding tax cuts for the rich, all of these examples are reasons why his base is demoralized. Everytime you turn around he has reversed his position on something to appeal to the middle. McCain is going to win and race has a lot to do with it but Obama and his handlers have some responsibility for his loss as well.

[luvangelHussein330]

Thanks for the great post Russ....
You have the power to keep the base energized as well as the power to get people out there and voting right at your finger tips. there are 8 Million eligiable african american not registered to vote...and I'm sure the number are simular in other groups of color. Supporters like me are doing all we can to get and keep ourselves motivated, but it would be nice to see power houses like yourself wih a broader reach really get out there and beat the message of the importance of voting into their heads. oh and please do not allow anyone on your lable to produce another slow, sappy, lets all hold hands Obama song....we need something up beat to get the crowd moving I like this one... I'm in no waty connected to to the artist but I like the song cause it's energizing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPfv8JEEj8A&feature=PlayList&p=05134BC142B2868F&index=39

[rubinoff]

Thinking back to what old pat buchannan said, ,,,go for the red meat and gut 'em.....such a sic mentality.

[jinjinpinti]

Where is the onslaught of graphic anti-McCain ads on tv, billboards, bumperstickers, in newspapers, magazines, etc.? Where are the McSame hugs Bush; McSame singing "Bomb, bomb, bomb Iran;" McSame making his political gaffes;Cheneylies/ Abu Graib/Katr­ina/Iraq/T­omDelay/et­c., etc., etc., ads? Where's the "beef" (pardon my carnivorousness) in Obama"s ad campaign. It's time to go for the jugular or we risk more of what is killing this country.