by Michael Cudahy

As the days grow shorter, and the nights get colder, and sleep becomes something that is measured in minutes – not in hours – it would seem that many Democrats have been forgetting the true purpose of the 2004 Presidential election.

To defeat President George W. Bush, and put an end to two decades worth of neo-conservative abuse of the American system of democracy.

These primary elections are not about inciting a new American revolution. Our system of government is too strong, and the people of this country are too wise to embark on such a potentially destructive journey.

These elections are not about “Taking America Back.” It does, after all, belong to us. They are about reminding those who have so slyly exploited the system that their manipulation is no longer welcome, and will no longer be tolerated.

We do not live in Tiananmen Square. We are citizens of the United States of America. We are blessed with an eloquent set of canons drafted by gifted visionaries that begins, “We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union.”

Somewhere along the line, as the counters on the various presidential web sites and blogs click down the days until the first meaningful votes are cast, the tone has become increasingly shrill, amongst some in the Democratic political community.

Meanwhile at The White House, Karl Rove and his campaign advisors are laughing. He is telling his friends, “I knew they’d do it, they’re Democrats they just can’t help it.”

If we play into Rove’s hands, we will have squandered a rare opportunity to reshape the face of American politics and government. And, the Democratic Party will run the risk of exiling themselves to minority party status for the next generation.

History has shown us that every presidential election has a dynamic that drives it. In my opinion, one of the defining issues that will decide this election is whether the Democratic Party is willing to embrace the hunger for change that is sweeping this nation, and welcome the millions of voters demanding that change into its ranks.

As a disenfranchised Republican who is deeply dissatisfied with the status quo, I am looking for a home. And current polling shows that 14% of registered Republicans feel as I do.

That is a potential of a minimum of 7,000,00 votes.

Millions of Independents feel the same.

It is the margin of victory.

In this primary election season 20 states will allow Republicans to crossover and vote in Democratic primaries. Another 9 states will allow Independents to vote in either primary they choose.

It would seem, however, that none of the Democratic presidential candidates have any particular interest in including those of us who do not have a (D) behind our name.

The closer we get to the primaries the more partisan these contests become. And, at a moment when innovation, integrity and intellectual audacity would be deeply welcome, we seem to be returning to the politics of the past.

If in fact the Democratic Party is to be the agent of change in next year’s election, they must be willing to reach out to all of us who so desperately want to remove an administration that has abused its power, and our trust.

Democratic presidential campaigns are implementing remarkable Internet innovations. Traditional web pages are being transformed into portals of meaningful policy, and organizational dialogue – using political blogs. Vast amounts of money are being raised – most in small donations, and thousands of Americans are being drawn into the political process – many for the first time.

These web based interactive communications tools present the Democrats with the opportunity to reconfigure the landscape of American politics. They are engaging American voters in critical conversations about issues that will affect their lives, and the lives of their children. Instead of driving wedges between groups, like the Republicans have been doing for the last 25 years, they have the potential of creating a dynamic that can begin to bring people back together – in the great Democratic tradition.

To have real power and value, these conversations must be welcoming and bipartisan – not just animated voices in self-contained echo chambers.

This discourse must also contain a long term, visionary component.

We must lay the groundwork for a new approach. We have an opportunity to establish a new American politics. A chance to distinguish the third century of our republic by reviewing and restoring the visionary principles provided to us by our founding fathers two hundred and twenty-seven years ago.

This restoration must be built upon a willingness on the part of our leaders, and citizens alike, to anticipate, cooperate and innovate.

As with all opportunities, however, it will not last forever. If we observe it, but allow it to slip away, we will face a political future written in the hand of George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and Karl Rove.

The choice is ours, and we must make it now.

Equally important, thousands of campaign workers must be willing to understand that political primary campaigns can be exhausting, nerve wracking crucibles that do not always end up the way they might hope.

Whether people are working for Kerry or Clark, Dean, Gephardt or Edwards, they must make a personal commitment to the fact that the prize we are all fighting for is to take back The White House, and seats in the Congress as well.

The answer is in our hands.

Can we wage a tough, honest fight and emerge united in Boston this August?

Or will we shatter the way Karl Rove is counting on, and deliver the election into the hands of George W. Bush?

I, for one, am not eager for four more years.

Discuss

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