Democrats Skeptical of Bush Offer: Weakened Party Mulls Stance in Second Term
They make a profound mistake if they think we’re demoralized. We’re not going to roll over and play dead…. We had a setback, but we’re as determined as ever to push our own agenda.
- Sen. Byron L. Dorgan (D-ND)
In cleaning up the debris and detritus from the November 2nd debacle, Democrats need to keep one thing in mind. John Kerry lost by a 51%-49% margin. It’s not as if George W. Bush wiped up the floor with the Democratic contender. For anyone on the Right to call Bush’s victory an unqualified mandate is laughable. The reality is nowhere close to that.
The question, then, is how do Democrats proceed. Do we fight for what we believe in, and risk being perceived as obstructionists, or do we bend over, grab our ankles, and let Republicans do what they will? Speaking as one p—-ed off Democrat, to do anything less than continuing the struggle would be to betray our values as well as the 49% who voted for John Kerry. Yes, we need to be careful not to obstruct for the sake of obstruction, but standing up for what we believe in is part and parcel of being the (Loyal) Opposition.
We simply cannot afford to betray the 49% who voted with us. Regardless of what George W. Bush had said, he received no political capital, nor was he given a mandate. You can call it whatever you choose, but a 51% majority does NOT a mandate produce. You may choose to view it that way in order to justify ramming your narrow-minded agenda down the collective throats of the minority, but it is NOT a mandate.
Democrats in Congress need to WAKE UP AND SMELL THE CAT LITTER. We can, and indeed must, continue to stand up for what we believe in. We cannot allow Republicans to proceed with their narrow-minded, Amerika uber Alles agenda without having a dissenting voice register our objections. Now, more than ever, it is important that Democrats in leadership positions grow some cojones.
