| Former Congressman Jim Ramstad declining the 2010 gubernatorial race is emblematic of the problems the Republican Party of Minnesota faces today. He has a pretty moderate reputation -- but from 2001 to 2009, he voted more than 70% with the Bush Administration's position.
And that's the closest to moderate the RPM's big hitters get these days.
I can't pretend that the DFL field is closer to some ethereal definition of "moderate," however. Squishy moderation is both difficult to pull off and questionable in terms of its efficacy in government. You either have principles, or you're Joe Lieberman.
I'm looking for a real debate about whether progressive or reactionary policies benefit more people -- get more kids into college and keep the bill manageable, repair more roads and bridges, put more light rail in place, and keep small businesses thriving. Progressive policies will win the debate every time -- as long as we're having the right debate.
When it devolves into who-did-what-and-who-did-it-hurt, it makes great soundbites for the Star Tribune, and great red meat for the fundraising appeals, but does it help us win? Does it help move Minnesota forward? Does it keep voters from tuning out as the attack ads get rolled out?
DFL gubernatorial candidates: listen up. Marty Seifert and the RPM aren't going to engage in this kind of debate. It's not what they do; I doubt they even remember that it's really what politics should be about. Forget them.
Remember that winning each media cycle is not as important as winning votes, and that dollars raised do not directly equal votes won. Sure, you should talk about what's gone wrong, but make sure you spend more time talking about how we're going to make it right.
As a blogger -- someone who enjoys writing about politics and offering advice free of charge to any candidate who will listen -- I'll be covering all the little tit-for-tats right through Election Day. As someone who cares deeply about the future of our community, our state, and our society at large, I'm more concerned with the presentation, electoral victory, and legislative execution of large-scale progressive policy, which we haven't yet seen from massive DFL majorities at the state level or from the Obama Administration in Washington. That means framing the issues correctly, that means assembling a massive campaign operation, that means ensuring throughout the campaign that there will be several seats reserved at Governor X (DFL)'s table for progressive policy leaders.
We have so far to go, and we have barely scratched the surface of what's necessary to put this state and nation back on track, and I will not stand for candidates, elected officials, bloggers, activists, or anyone else who can't see past their own biases and self-interest to recognize the bigger prizes currently at stake.
Progressive DFLers can win in 2010. When the best the reactionary hordes can muster is to repeatedly deny reality and demonize any who disagree with them, you know that we must win.
Let's make sure we don't shoot ourselves in the foot trying to do so. |
