Sirotablog
David Sirota is a political journalist and nationally syndicated newspaper columnist at Creators Syndicate. David writes about political corruption, globalization and working-class economic issues often ignored by both of America's political parties.
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August 23, 2008 11:07 AM
What Biden Means
I was on Fox News this morning about what the Biden VP nomination means. You can watch it here:
If you don't want to watch the clip, let me summarize my thoughts with a quick rundown of the good, bad and ugly of Biden's nomination.
The Good: As the Drum Major Institute shows, Biden has a fairly progressive record on basic economic issues, and has gotten more progressive on specific issues like trade. He's also been a strong voice opposing unilateral war against Iran. And rhetorically, he seems comfortable painting a stark contrast between Democrats and Republicans on issues.
The Bad: He is one of the most arrogant and conceited people in Washington - one of the jokes in D.C. when I was there is that Biden uses the term "I" more than anyone else. Because of this self-importance, he consequently shoots his mouth off in ways that can undermine progressives. For example, he has made insulting racial comments about African Americans and Indians. This might not only be dredged up by Republicans, but Biden may commit additional errors in his new platform as VP nominee. Additionally, Biden is an insider's insider, having spent most of his life in Washington, D.C. That doesn't exactly underscore Obama's message of change.
The Ugly: He was one of the most ardent supporters of the credit card-industry written Bankruptcy Bill of 2005, which was one of the most regressive pieces of economic legislation in the last generation. And though he cites his foreign policy experience as an asset, he used his position as one of Democrats' top foreign policy voices to support the Iraq War.
So, all in all, the Biden choice is a shade on the good side of mediocre, though Obama's willingness to anoint a senator who voted for two landmark travesties - the Bankruptcy Bill and Iraq War - gives us some disturbing clues about the Illinois senator's attitude toward the economic progressive movement and the antiwar movement. It also shows how much work those movements have in front of them - and how, in particular, the antiwar movement's strategy of focusing all attention on Republicans has actually helped create the situation whereby the Democratic Party feels perfectly comfortable rewarding supposed Serious Foreign Policy Voics like Biden even after they voted for the war.
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About David Sirota
David Sirota is a political journalist and nationally syndicated newspaper columnist at Creators Syndicate. He is the New York Times bestselling author of Hostile Takeover. He lives in Denver, Colorado. His daily blog can be found at CREDO Action. He contributes regularly to the Denver Post's Web site, is a senior editor at In These Times magazine and is working on his second book. He has been profiled in Newsweek and the Rocky Mountain News and is widely known for his reporting on political corruption, globalization and working-class economic issues often ignored by both of America's political parties. Sirota serves as co-chair of the Progressive States Network, a 501(c)3 organization that supports state legislators and that is a partner of CREDO.
You can subscribe to Sirota's e-mail newsletter by going to davidsirota.com and signing up in the lefthand corner. To find out more about Sirota, download his official biography or see his recent media appearances. You can e-mail him at sirota@credoaction.com.
The views expressed on this blog are his own, and do not necessarily represent the views of Working Assets (publisher of CREDO Action) or the institutions Sirota works for.
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Discussion
Biden's selection just reinforces the fact that the Democratic Party has basically become a center-right party. It is perhaps center-left on some social issues, but it is definitely center-right on economic issues, and owes its allegiance to the corporate world. Of course there are individual exceptions, but if you notice they are not even seriously considered as Presidential Candidates or in the VP selection process.
On the other hand the Republican Party is a hard-right party both socially and economically, and I cannot see how any clear thinking American could choose them for any office.
This economically leaves us with a center-right party and a hard right party to choose from when it comes to the main two parties. The corporate world could not be any happier, because whoever you select it really doesn't matter to them, because both candidates are allies to the corporate world. In fact, it could be argued that center and center-right Democrats are better for corporate interests than Republicans, it is easier for them to cloak their pro-corporate actions and easier for them to get pro-corporate legislation through. So once again working families do not have someone to choose when it comes their own best economic interests.
Long ago the Republican Party became a real enemy of working class Americans, it is truly sad to see that the Democratic Party has become the same thing. And what is sadder yet, is that it seems there are not that many people who care or are willing to do anything about it.
I also believe it was people like me who allowed the Democratic Party to become what it has become. I continually overlooked or blinded myself to their economic slide to the right, which actually started long ago with the Reagan era. I dismissed a vote here and a vote there, then even though angered by sellouts like NAFTA and many other votes, continued to blindly support Democrats as they went up against Republicans, thinking at least they are not as bad as the Republicans.
Well I have done that for the last time. I have always considered myself patriotic, and it is that feeling of patriotism that will not allow me to vote Democratic in the Presidential election for the first time in my adult life. I am actually going to start voting for the person who I think would be best for this country, whether or not I believe they have a real chance to be elected. I think I owe that to my country.
I will be voting for Ralph Nader for the first time in 2008. Does he have a chance? Not really, but I do not care. You have to be part of the debates to have a chance, and the two major parties have changed the rules to make sure that no one can take part except their own candidates. Isn't it funny that when it comes to the Presidential election process, the two major parties work so well together to keep others out (and not always legally - look at the Democratic Party indictments recently in Pennsylvania for illegal activities conducted by the party to remove Nader from the ballot). My vote will represent perhaps a shot in the dark for real change or a real choice not beholden to corporate interests. And of course we need more than that, and indeed more than a Ralph Nader running for President. We need a movement, and I think it should be a populist movement, that will economically offer a real choice. I used to think that could happen within the Democratic Party, but now I give that a less chance than Nader being elected. It is time for populist movement, it is time for a new party, a new structure, that will really make a change for working Americans.
Let's hope it happens.
Take a look at the Nader website: http://www.votenader.org/index.html
Best Regards,
Wow, Mr. Sirota. You really trashed your own book by trying to cover up for Biden. Don't worry. Obama's gonna LOSE big time with a possibility of losing all 50 states come November. Get ready for 8 years of Mccain followed by 8 years of Romney. The Democrats deserve to lose another 3 or 4 presidential elections for pandering to the GOP like this and getting worse year after year. I strongly recommend Nader or even Mckinney though the former looks more stable.
Wow, Mr. Sirota. You really trashed your own book by trying to cover up for Biden. Don't worry. Obama's gonna LOSE big time with a possibility of losing all 50 states come November. Get ready for 8 years of Mccain followed by 8 years of Romney. The Democrats deserve to lose another 3 or 4 presidential elections for pandering to the GOP like this and getting worse year after year. I strongly recommend Nader or even Mckinney though the former looks more stable.
By the way, here's Nader's tough reply on Obama's pick for VP Biden:
http://www.votenader.org/media/2008/08/23/NaderonBiden/
Wow, Mr. Sirota. You really trashed your own book by trying to cover up for Biden. Don't worry. Obama's gonna LOSE big time with a possibility of losing all 50 states come November. Get ready for 8 years of Mccain followed by 8 years of Romney. The Democrats deserve to lose another 3 or 4 presidential elections for pandering to the GOP like this and getting worse year after year. I strongly recommend Nader or even Mckinney though the former looks more stable.
By the way, here's Nader's tough reply on Obama's pick for VP Biden:
http://www.votenader.org/media/2008/08/23/NaderonBiden/
Wow, Mr. Sirota. You really trashed your own book by trying to cover up for Biden. Don't worry. Obama's gonna LOSE big time with a possibility of losing all 50 states come November. Get ready for 8 years of Mccain followed by 8 years of Romney. The Democrats deserve to lose another 3 or 4 presidential elections for pandering to the GOP like this and getting worse year after year. I strongly recommend Nader or even Mckinney though the former looks more stable.
By the way, here's Nader's tough reply on Obama's pick for VP Biden:
http://www.votenader.org/media/2008/08/23/NaderonBiden/
Wow, Mr. Sirota. You really trashed your own book by trying to cover up for Biden. Don't worry. Obama's gonna LOSE big time with a possibility of losing all 50 states come November. Get ready for 8 years of Mccain followed by 8 years of Romney. The Democrats deserve to lose another 3 or 4 presidential elections for pandering to the GOP like this and getting worse year after year. I strongly recommend Nader or even Mckinney though the former looks more stable.
By the way, here's Nader's tough reply on Obama's pick for VP Biden:
http://www.votenader.org/media/2008/08/23/NaderonBiden/
The author of this article really trashed his own book by trying to cover up for Biden. Don't worry. Obama's gonna LOSE big time with a possibility of losing all 50 states come November. Get ready for 8 years of Mccain followed by 8 years of Romney. The Democrats deserve to lose another 3 or 4 presidential elections for pandering to the GOP like this and getting worse year after year. I strongly recommend Nader or even Mckinney though the former looks more stable.
By the way, here's Nader's tough reply on Obama's pick for VP Biden:
http://www.votenader.org/media/2008/08/23/NaderonBiden/
Oops. Sorry for the multiposts. It's just that they didn't show up when I tried to check to see if they came through. I thought this site was strict on speech or something.
Wow, JWVerez, you wanna put a bet on McCain winning all 50 states, and another on McCain winning at all?
The disaster will come, but it will not be President McCain. Obama will win, and we won't be able to tell the difference between Obama and a Republican.
FLGibsonJr is dead on: as long as everyone to the left of the Clintons, easily the majority of Americans, votes for Democrats no matter what, the Democrats will continue to move to the right. Obama's already way past the center, and no matter how far McCain moves right Obama follows. That's Democratic Leadership for you.
Nader '08. Sheehan '08.
I think political scientist Adolph Reed, Jr. said it best: "It is ironic that Obama would be the one to complete Clintonism's redefinition of liberalism as conservatism." Picking Biden is Obama's way of presenting himself as the black JFK, Biden being his LBJ. So much for "change you can believe in!" Mr. Sirota, you're a smart man, perhaps one of the best -- if not THE best -- political commentator out there today, but surely you must understand that Obama will continue to snub the left since he feels he owes them nothing. He's proven time and time again that he'll use anybody just to get elected. He's about as big of a fraud and opportunist as Bill Clinton.
I'm probably sitting this election out. I'm tired of supporting corporate candidates that screw over the middle class and suffer no repercussions for doing so.
To FLGibsonJr, JWVerez & others unhappy with Obama,
Most workers for environmental justice and politically progressive causes understand that "armchair" radicals (not to mention Republican Blog Plants, hmmmm, how many are out there?) often feel free to make bold, meaningless pronouncements, "The Democrats deserve to lose...", or "I am actually going to start voting for the person who I think would be best for this country, whether or not I believe they have a real chance to be elected.." as real people at home and abroad suffer and the environment degrades (so please answer... how many U.S. soldiers and innocent civilians died under Clinton's 8 years?).
Those of us with our sleeves actually rolled up (including most of the new progressive veterans' organizations, pro-choice women, union activists, environmentalists, civil rights advocates, anti-poverty workers, etc., etc.) understand that it takes compromise to get things done, not whining. I'm sorry Obama isn't radical enough for you, and both he and Biden surely have shortcomings, but I'll put Obama's progressive work and real organizing up against yours any day.
But until you truly build a coalition with momentum that has any real chance of gaining a significant following (something you're clearly not willing to do), not just the few percent of the vote Nader gets with Republican contributions (that brings joy to the heart of Karl Rove), our choice is clear... A chance for a new beginning, or 8 more years of Republican rule. It's pretty clear which side you are on.
No rational person really thinks that simply voting for, or electing a candidate, even an exciting, promising young progressive like Obama, is the antidote to all of the country's ills. If you listen to Obama (have you?), he says so himself & encourages grassroots work.
When Obama is elected (not if, but when), it is only the beginning. We need lots more grassroots work, lots of hard-hitting factual commentary like the great stuff David Sirota puts out (hey, I've bought his books to help support him... have you?), and it will also take electing a veto-proof Congress AND GETTING PROGRESSIVE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES APPOINTED... But it is a great first step and a good beginning.
So go ahead and take your toys and go home, wallow in your holier than thou knowledge that you are perfect in all of your views (in case you hadn't noticed, even we left-radicals often disagree on issues), and get a pat on the back from McCheney & Rove as you vote your "shot in the dark for real change."
FLGibsonJr, Preston_P,
I for one cannot understand the life of these people that despite Obama's obvious blatant pandering moves (and these last few months alone is the worst of him) to the "right", the sheeple on the so-called "left" still think he's gonna do anything to even attempt to reverse the damage. They're no better than the GOP blue-collared voters stupidly believing that the "conservative" elites in the GOP will carry out their promises on social issues. As long as Nader or even McKinney is on the ballot, I'll vote. Otherwise, I'll skip it if neither one of them are on the ballot. Obama's pro-NRA support on the DC handgun case shows that he probably won't appoint even a moderate justice.
cdupree,
I'm sick and tired of "me-too" Democrats, aren't you? Not to sound a bit harsh but how many times does it have to hit your head until you realize that the Democrats are a POMPOUS FRAUD just like the GOP?
grantkuper,
You don't even know what a progressive really is to begin with but since the most of the rank-and-file on the "liberal" blogosphere and netroots are as DUMB DOGGED as you are, I won't even bother. Trying to get you people on this site, Alternet, Commondreams, Huffpost, DailyKos, etc ... is like a professor trying to train a pig. The pig gets bored and the professor gets annoyed. So you just go on and live your happy dreams but don't come crying when your man LOSES big time in November.
Oh and by the way, yeah we're trying to build pro-progressive movements too but you can thank the Democratic Party for weakening them all the while sucking up to "conservative" and corporate donors like a bunch of SLUTS !
JWVerez, are you actually reading other peoples' posts? You appear to be responding, if that's the right word, to things that weren't said, and ignoring what was said. If you'd read my post, you wouldn't have asked me how many times my head needs to be hit, because you would have seen my statement that voting for Democrats no matter what allows them to move farther to the right.
Since that's my take, I haven't voted for a Democrat for President since Dukakis, and I won't break that streak this November.
grantkuper, on the other hand, makes an excellent point that we need to develop progressive movements. But we won't succeed in that by voting for candidates of the War Party, regardless of whether they call themselves Democrats, Republicans, Whigs, Populists, or whatever. Policies matter, and no one who examines Obama's policies could possibly call him "an exciting, promising young progressive". Young, yes; exciting, if you like that kind of thing. Promising? Progressive? Not a bit of it. Read the New Yorker article if you dare (http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/07/21/080721fa_fact_lizza?printable=true). If you still believe Obama is a progressive after reading his denials of same, then by all means work for his election. In any case, I certainly wish you well on the movement-development front. I agree with you there, and my impression is that Mr. Sirota has been making that same point.
In the end, the winner of a negotiation is the side that can walk away. The Democrats will continue to use, more precisely to exploit, the left as long as the left continues to vote against principle and interest.
To paraphrase Tom Frank, what's the matter with the left?
grantkupar may be right about building movements but to expect most Democrats to go with that is just as easy as expecting conservatives to moderate themselves. In other words, not gonna happen. Did I also forget to mention that Biden is pulling another LIEberNAZI by running for both another Senate term and VP? Surely, that's a poor reflection on the part of Obama and shows that Biden is just another power grubbing scumbag. I mean it's obvious that DE ain't gonna put a Republican. And why were Kucinich or Feingold given any show? I guess Obama would much rather let the corporate media pick his candidate just as Gore and Kerry did in 2000 and 2004. And the way Sirota insulted Kucinich when he finally did have something to say about him was totally DISGRACEFUL. cdupree, if you think I'm a rambler, you don't even know about the word progressive but that's okay. You keep coloring that electoral dream map on your website and when Mccain is done painting it all red in November, maybe you and I can sit down and have a nice long chat. Besides, Obama never had to face a serious challenge in his entire political career and anyone could beat Keyes any day. So having selected a corporate whore and a war-monger in one shows that Obama is NOT for change and that "hope" and "change" are just BULLSHIT words.
votenader.org
By the way, in most states, Nader received 2-3 times as many as the required signatures and made it to ballot status. Get ready for a HUGE surprise.
Oh yeah, fuck. TX is write in for Nader but this Texan will vote for him even if it means write in only !!
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