Looking Forward

Today’s unprecedented chaos that defines the White House is concurrently a positive signal for Democrats seeking to unseat enough Republicans in either the House or Senate or both to regain the majority. Yet, the perception of the Democrats is of a party with no plans and much dissention, an image enthusiastically carried forward by the national media.

Is the Democratic Party capable of taking advantage of the administrations recent drop in the polls? Normally, it would be a forgone conclusion that certain gains could be made by the opposition party when the party in power runs into trouble but, how likely is that scenario today? As chaotic as the Bush administration has proven to be, the message the public continues to hear is of the divided and disorganized Democratic Party. When and if, the media does regain any modicum of credibility we should expect an equality of criticism or praise of both parties, honesty and accuracy in reporting and facts reported faithfully from a viewpoint of impartiality.

In spite of slanted media coverage, Democrats are still in a position to make gains in the 2006 elections and should do everything in their power to avail themselves of the opportunity. Senator Joe Lieberman’s recent speech advocating Bush’s talking points is an example of what Democrats must not do. Lieberman’s failed Vice Presidential campaign and his failure to acknowledge the immorality of the Iraq war and the dishonesty of its conception has rendered him ineffectual in government and pathetic within his own party.

It is vital for Democrats to endorse credible candidates with established qualifications and a publicized aversion to Bush’s war agenda. Certainly, Democrats stand for much more than opposing the Iraq war, but without holding majority control in Congress they will not be able to get anything accomplished. Their success in the coming campaigns will require unity and a central message that will resonate with all Americans, and of all the issues that face us today, none is more crucial, more devastating or more important to the country than the ongoing debacle in Iraq.

This undeniable truth is regrettably overlooked by several leading Democrats, several that could be contenders for their party’s nomination for president. This is the case for both Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden. Although both of these senators enjoy strong support and would mount a strong challenge to any opposition candidate, they are both less than stellar advocates against the war. And neither should receive their party’s support for the nomination unless they reverse those positions.

I may be more disappointed in Hillary than I am in Biden. After all, Biden sold out his own constituents, along with the rest of the nation, on the bankruptcy bill and no one believes that it had nothing to do with the immense presence of MBNA, the bill’s primary lobbyist, in his home state. His proven pliability to corporate pressure should warn potential supporters that Biden’s vote is for sale to the highest bidder.

Hillary has become an unbelievable disappointment after having shown incredible promise as a true Liberal. Her principled advocacy of national health insurance earned her massive vilification by the Republicans and the big pharmaceutical companies, but elevated her status among average citizens. But, now she has decided to ally herself with the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) and join them in their support for the Iraq war.

The DLC is nothing more than the business interests attempting to take over the Democratic Party the way the energy, pharmaceutical and other corporate interests have taken over the Republicans. The DLC has been called Republican Lite, but it should more accurately be called "Demonizing Liberals Constantly". They are so close to the conservative agenda it is hard to differentiate one from the other. So, if Hillary believes she needs to ally herself with people like these and take up the banner for continued carnage in Iraq, I for one support her choice as long as she runs for office as the Republican nominee.