Friday, May 25, 2007

Quote of the Day

There were a few of us after the midterms working hard to define Steny Hoyer, Rahm Emanuel and the compromised Dems to keep them from expanding their power by claiming credit for the midterm results, which we believe happened more in spite of, rather than because of, their efforts.

We took a lot of crap for that.

A. Lot. Of. Crap.

Many people felt we were criticizing Dems gratuitously and foolishly when we should have been celebrating the victories. People were tired, worn out. They wanted a rest, an end to the intraparty fighting. Heck, we were all tired, though there were some among us who felt the post election narrative was as important a fight as the election fight. Others said, no, it's time to start governing, rewarding good behavior, giving the benefit of the doubt. There were long, passionate discussions, online and off. Nerves frayed, and then some.

Okay, it's all water under the bridge. I'm not here to say, "We told you so." I'm here to make a different point.

Here's my point: let's not oversell our victories, and let's not underestimate the strength and nature of the forces against us, even in the Democratic Party. Moreover, let's not ever convince ourselves we can take a rest, or that criticizing Democrats is inherently a problem. It's all situational, case by case, earned or unearned.
Pachacutec of FireDogLake.

The fight is for liberal ideals, not for the Democratic/Green or any other parties.