The media frame I am hearing is that November 7th was a repudiation of liberals and a victory for conservatives, because we ran some conservative Democrats and won in some red states. It's wrong, and I'll let Digby tell you why:
It's wrong, of course, just as the earlier one was. This election proves that the Democrats are the mainstream political party. We just elected a socialist from Vermont and a former Reagan official from Virginia to the US Senate. We elected a number of Red State conservatives, true, but we are also going to have a Speaker of the House from San Francisco. We cover a broad swathe, ranging from sea to shining sea with only the most conservative old south remaining firmly in the hands of the Republican party. The idea that this is some sort of affirmation of conservatism is laughable. It's an affirmation of mainstream American values and a rejection of the Republican radicalism this country has been in the grips of for the last 12 years.It was a victory for mainstream America and a rejection of corrupt Republican radicals.
And I'm sorry to have to inform all the kewl kidz and insiders, but this is largely due to the re-emergence of an active, vital, progressive base. Despite the fact that we aren't goosestepping around shouting about our Victory For The Homeland the way the Gingrich Jugend did in 1994, a revolution --- not of ideology, but necessity --- is underway:
[...]
And regardless of our pragmatism, make no mistake: real fighting progressives are once again active players in this game, coming in with money and energy and ideas. As Perlstein's piece shows, this new group of energized progressives are not children, 60's hippies or fools. We are not asking for a seat at the table. We're not begging for a voice. Neither are we crazed ideological revolutionaries in the Gingrichian mold. We're simply progressive American citizens who are taking our seat and demanding our say after 12 long years of being shunted aside as if we have no place in this party or this country.
They can have their bizarroworld interpretations of events and they can crown a new crop of "boy geniuses" who played nicely by GOP rules. It doesn't matter. The Republican Revolution is dead. And the mainstream, progressive Democratic majority is silent no more.
And, Rahm, Chuck, I'm happy for you, but it's not all about you either, and it's not the time to start picking fights with passionate liberals and progressives that deserve credit for supporting the 50 state strategy that you criticized.
How'd that $3 million for Duckworth pay off?
However, this isn't the post for that argument, I'll continue my argument with you later.
This is about conservatives and the media who continue to spout conservative talking points in the face of Democratic victory. (It's also about a media that wants to anoint Rahm and Chuck as the geniuses behind the victory, but as I said that's for another post.)
We are the mainstream party, not the dirty, hate America first party that you like to frame us as, and actually when you look at where you come down on the issues Americans (not media) care about, you are the elite America haters.
Americans want our troops home from Iraq.
Americans want a sane foreign policy that goes after the terrorists, instead of creating terrorists.
Americans don't support torture.
Americans don't like being wiretapped by their government.
Americans want more affordable prescription drugs.
Americans want ethical Congressional leadership that isn't looking to enrich themselves and maintain power.
Americans want a government that is responsive and compassionate when disaster strikes.
Americans want an increase in the minimum wage.
Americans want a solution to our health care crisis.
Americans want corporations to be held accountable for their behavior.
Americans are tired of seeing jobs outsourced.
Americans want embryonic stem cell research.
Americans don't want to pass on a massive debt to their children and grandchildren.
Americans don't care if Paris Hilton gets another tax cut.
Americans want to be less dependent on foreign oil.
Americans believe we should be doing more to stop global warming.
These are the views that won on November 7th. Supporting these views was not conservative on November 6th. In fact, in the minds and mouths of Preznit Bush and his conservative mouthpieces, it put you on the side of the terrorists.
Saying November 7th was a victory for conservatives and getting your media bobbleheads to repeat it and nod along does not make it true. Things have changed. We are in a new era of reality-based commentary. You no longer control the entire conversation.
Get over it.
love,
st3veh
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