The “new” Democrat?

Posted by Little Miss Know it All

March 17, 2008 |

Last night and this morning I’ve been having some interesting conversations with some nice ladies on a discussion board I belong to. And I wanted to bring this discussion here to ask you, my friends and readers, about it.

Last night and this morning I was being accused of being a Republican in sheep’s clothing. That is, of being a republican pretending to be a democrat. Their reasoning? Because I asked serious questions, repeatedly, about Obama and Hillary on the message boards. And oh yes, because I used the term Democrat instead of Democratic–somehow I was a republican operative using the word Democrat to surreptitiously suggest that Democrats were rats. Yes you see, we now parse words and are so afraid of the Republicans that “Democrat”=Rat. :shakes head unbelievably:

Now, never was I rude. Never did I once spout anything even close to a Republican belief. But because I questioned Obama (mainly) on his connection with Wright, or Rezko, or wanting to know about his history to back up his credentials, I’m supposed to be a republican? I’ve spent much time posting there, and here, and linking the two places, about my beliefs and my concerns. So my beliefs have never been hidden, nor have my concerns.

When exactly did we become the party that can’t tolerate a good debate? When exactly did we become the party that must fall into lock-step and agree with each other 100%? Why is it such a bad thing that we have two extremely good candidates that are really energizing the electorate far into April and May? Why is it such a dire thing that we ask questions of them, that we have an open debate about our beliefs, our failings, our heartbreaks and our hopes for the future? Why is this primary such a bad thing for us?

Isn’t this what we’ve always said we are? A party of inclusion, a party that wants to discuss the issues and backgrounds substantively?

Or is it just that we’ve always wanted it, but haven’t experienced it in a long, long time? Do we not remember how much fun this is? Are we so afraid of the Republicans that we can’t be who we are, for fear they might ‘get us’?

Who cares what McCain is doing right now? Right now the fun, the best part of political life, is in the Democrat Tent. We haven’t had this much fun in a long, long time! We have two great candidates! Both have their failings, both have their strengths. But right now, the focus is on us, we are drawing millions of new voters into the process, and we are having a great time at it! Why all the hand wringing, head holding, worry and consternation?

Look, if you doubt my credentials or my beliefs, take a gander through the pages here. There’s 16 months of my ramblings to let you know just where I stand. I can’t do anything more than stand on my record.

Comments

3 Comments so far

Batocchio on March 17, 2008 1:41 pm
Troll!

Polls say 70-80% of Dems will vote for the eventual nominee, whoever it is. I imagine the actual number will climb as McCain-Bush-GOP set in.

I’m assuming you used “Democrat” as an adjective mistakenly versus intentionally. The idea, started by Joe McCarthy and furthered by Nixon and Gingrich, is that “Democratic” is too positive a word. Bush still uses “Democrat Party” instead of “Democratic Party” all the time, even after being called on it by the press corps.

I have serious concerns about both Dem candidates. However, there’s a difference between being a blogger or commenter and appearing on the national stage.
Christopher Waldrop on March 18, 2008 11:36 am
Have these ladies never heard of Lyndon Johnson who said, in his own colorful way, that it was better to have dissenters inside the tent pissing out than the other way around? Right now the biggest threat to Democrats is that they’re on top and don’t know how to handle it. They didn’t run in 2004, they only won in 2006 by default, and now that they’ve got two strong candidates (not to mention Republicans chanting, “Four more years!” while the country goes down the tubes) they’re full of nervous giddiness. The Republicans may be ethically and ideologically bankrupt, but that doesn’t mean their attack machines are dead. Whether it’s Hillary or Obama in November, the presidential candidate will face a lot of tough criticism. Better to have it come first in the form of friendly fire and give them a chance to build up defenses.
Trina on March 25, 2008 10:00 am
I have been a long-time friend of Little-Miss-Know-It-All (Twenty-seven years and counting to be exact). I can vouch wholeheartedly that she is 100% democratic or democrat, whichever term you would prefer. We have had many a good debate over the years, especially with my very conservative Republican husband and I promise there is no swaying this amazing Christian Democrat in the least!