Nicholas Goldberg: In the election struggle between ‘kitchen-table issues’ and the fate of democracy, which side won? Is it time for progressives to turn to the left?
“The struggle to save American democracy is being led by a coalition of liberals, progressives, and socialists who recognize the need to unite these forces under a unified, mass democratic effort.” – Robert Kennedy (1962)
By Nicholas Goldberg
What follows is a discussion of “kitchen table issues” in Presidential race:
1) The Obama presidency is a “wedge” issue: Democrats vs. Republicans.
2) The Obama presidency is a “shining example” issue: Democrats vs. Republicans.
3) The election campaign, like Obama’s presidency, is a “shining example” issue: Democrats vs. Republicans.
4) The Obama presidency is a “wedge” issue: Democrats vs. the American people.
5) The election campaign, like Obama’s presidency, is a “shining example” issue: the American people vs. the Republicans
6) The Obama presidency is a “wedge” issue: the American people vs. the Democrats.
In 2004, George W. Bush was not just President, but a one term President — and Bush is still a very popular President. There are very few politicians left who are beloved by a majority of Americans, and are seen as a real “shining example”. Obama, by contrast, has a much more difficult task as a “shining example”, unless he does to a considerable and unprecedented degree what Bush did — and that’s what I’d say of Obama, is how badly he has to go to beat the Republicans — he’s got to go the whole way to the left.
The problem for Obama is twofold: one he’s got to bring the American people behind him, and then he’s got to do it on a massive scale. It’s a long haul, and as Bill Huizenga says in his latest book, “The End of
