Building a High-Trust World: Obama and the Democratic Platform

I just received the near final draft of the Democratic Party platform (pdf here) -- and I have to say that it gave me goosebumps, the good kind. I have been giving Senator Obama a tough time on a few issues lately -- but he and his team have gained major mileage and traction with me with such an enlightened roster of policy convictions.

I don't agree with all of it, and I'll nitpick here and there another time as everyone will -- but the broad parameters of this document are uplifting, feel real, and from a distance as well as up close, the prescriptions drafted here are clearly about rebuilding a "high-trust world" at home and abroad in contrast to the "high-fear world" that Bush and Cheney have wrought and which John McCain (regrettably) seems fixated on perpetuating.

Karen Kornbluh -- my former colleague at the New America Foundation is author of two of the best articles I have read in recent years, "The Mommy Tax" and "Disconnect" (about America's broadband policy) -- has been serving as Senator Obama's policy director in the Senate. Kornbluh recently became "Principal Platform Author" at the Democratic National Committee and worked closely with Arizona Governor and Platform Committee member Janet Napolitano who according to sources is the Democratic Party's real policy deal-maker. I have had several calls about Kornbluh and Napolitano tonight and how they put together a high-flex, no nonsense, no-ego-of-their own product that few others could have produced.

I have read through much of the platform -- but not all. Some of the key zingers are a focus on technology and taking back the government and getting more democracy per se via technology. There is a focus on service, on faith-based efforts -- a focus on citizen stakeholding.

And what I love most about the platform is that it started with a focus on what we need to do in America as Americans -- and not necessarily on the wars and conflicts in which war are embroiled abroad. The Iraq and Afghanistan Wars do demand our attention - as do many other international challenges -- but the defining challenges are here and should be addressed. The platform starts with these, and that is refreshing.

I look forward to discussing this more in future days -- but I link the platform draft here for your own perusal.

-- Steve Clemons publishes the popular political blog, The Washington Note

Comments

[mosh]

Thanks for posting the pdf. I perused the platform and agree it sounds uplifting and marvelous. However, for me, it remains just words and inspires no goosebumps.

As far as I am concerned, the democratic party owes the American people a very large apology. Before they launch into their laundry list of things they hope to accomplish in 2009 and beyond, I would like them to apologize for not standing up to this criminal administration for 7 long years and for not putting their lofty rhetoric into action even now.

What are the democrats waiting for? What have they been waiting for since 2006? They have a duty to uphold the Constitution and everyday that passes they fail to do just that. Why should a rational person believe 2009 will be any different?

In their platform the democrats say they want to restore the integrity of the Constitution and the rule of law. Well, I say again, what are they waiting for? Why don't they stand up right now and move to impeach bush and cheney for high crimes and misdemeanors? If they believe what they say in their platform - that the Constitution must be restored - then what are they waiting for? Impeachment for high should not be highjacked by politics. (We now have Ron Suskind's smoking gun about forged documents and even this does not move the democrats to act to impeach.)

I humbly suggest that goosebumps are premature and, as of now, remain undeserved.

[Liberoservative]

As long as it remains just words for you,then you will never move beyond the policy of today....

Yes, it is 'just words' right now.... but if elected, those words will be policy......

We are a nation of WORDS..... and WORDS got us into this occupation in Iraq....

WORDS matter...... and I humbly suggest that YOU start believing someone's WORDS.... because Obama offers more than words.... but his WORDS are so uplifting and unifying.....

and those WORDS are exactly what America needs at this time....

[mosh]

Actually, I was trying to make a very simple point -

The democrats have the power to act right now. We gave them that power in 2006. They have failed to pose any effective opposition to this criminal administration and that is their job - to be the opposition party and to fulfill their oath to uphold the Constitution.

I hope you are right. I hope the dems carry through this illustrious mandate. But if the past is anything to judge by they won't. Why? Because they have the power right now and are not using it.

I know words matter. But at some point the old maxim is true - actions speak louder.

So, as of now I still contend goosebumps are premature.

[psychmaj323]

oh please what a bunch of crock. If anything, Republicans have been the ones that haven't been standing up to this Admin.

[mosh]

Of course republicans are not standing up to this republican administration. They don't give a f--- about the constitution or the rule of law so why would they stand up.

But the dems - the dems are all about the rule of law and upholding the constitution just read their platform. So my question remains, where have they been since 2006 when they took over the majority (however slim) in Congress.

They were elected in 2006 with a mandate to end the war. They failed miserably. They were elected with a mandate to stop the erosion of civil liberties, they failed miserably. They were elected with a mandate to hold the bush administration accountable and they fail to this very day.

Not only have the repubs not stood up for the constitution they have trampled it every chance they get - my question remains where are the dems?

Words are nice, but the dems have the power now and they fail everyday to use it. They should be ashamed. I expect less than nothing from repubs but I hold the dems to a much higher standard - the standard of their lofty rhetoric.

[amazingdays]

I am absolutely thrilled to see that the "Listening to America" platform parties that people opened their homes and local businesses to and took time to attend really had an impact on the platform. I see a mention of the process up front in the first section and a number of featured boxed quotes from participants or groups throughout. This makes me really proud. I am also hopeful that additional ideas from the platform parties filtered in throughout as well as in these featured spots. I know there was a lot of good grassroots thinking in those events and thank goodness it was respected.

[jackjack]

Printing off to read in detail...thanks Steve...

[Joeseo]

Total Bull! Corporate America has switched to HOPE mongering in place of FEAR.

[rozz62]

don't know how everyone is voting but this is worth the time to listen to what this man says..This is serious, serious, business.......

www.atlah.org/broadcast/ndnr07-28-08.html

http://www.dontvoteobama.net

[hanna08]

It saddens me to see another poor soul completely duped by the right-wing propagandists.

If you really believe in all the filth that they spew about Barack Obama, why bother perusing the HuffPost?

[marthlois]

We all sure needed a great, uplifting post. Thanks!