Do The Right Thing
I wish I could disagree with what Kevin Drum just posted about the NSA spying story :
This whole thing is kind of depressing, isn’t it? I don’t mean in just the obvious sense, but also in the sense that this issue seems like such a clear loser for Democrats. Once again the president will be allowed to paint this as an issue of either wholeheartedly supporting the fight against terrorism or else being one of those whiny liberals who’s allied with Osama in all but name. That the real issue is that Bush secretly broke the law instead of getting congressional authorization for it — which would have been a slam dunk for any remotely reasonable program — will end up lost in a whirlwind of the jingoistic bloviating we’ve come to expect from Fox News and Dick Cheney.
I suspect he’s right that, despite the importance of the President’s crimes, this could politically hurt Democrats. But even if that’s the case, it’s better to go down fighting than to sell your soul.
I don’t care how poorly this issue polls or that it’s an election year. On a good day, I consider myself a centrist (though I prefer the term pragmatic liberal), so I’ve been more willing than most to hear arguments about making compromises, reaching across the aisle, and taking a short term loss for a long term gain. So don’t take it as naivety when I say that sometimes you have to cut through that bullshit and do the right thing. Even if it means ruining your political career, at least you’ll be able to sleep at night.
Seriously Dems, if you’re willing to be wishy-washy on something as fundamental as the separation of powers, then you don’t deserve our votes. And I don’t mean this as some sort of ideological litmus test, either. I don’t care if you’re conservative or liberal, if you’re unwilling to stand on principle for an issue that cuts to the very heart of how and why this nation was founded, then why should we believe you’d ever show some integrity?
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You are goddamn right, Greg. This is an issue that isn’t about political gain or who’s going to win. It’s an issue about being an American. And not in the sense of “You’re an American because you supported the war,” but an American in the sense that America isn’t a flag or our military, but a set of laws designed to ensure that our citizens would be free to pursue happiness. Happiness with a capital H, in fact.
This is the ultimate issue of truthfully supporting Americans. Right, left, black, white, it doesn’t matter on this issue. Whether you abhor guns or have fifty, this spying means that it could be YOU. Just because it isn’t now doesn’t mean it won’t be later.
And if the Democrats do what they always do and let the Republicans change the subject with their fearmongering, they might as well get a refund on their spines. They’re probably still in the original packaging.
Comment by Pimp the Twins — January 2, 2006 @ 4:02 am
If Bush said fighting terrorism required sacrificing babies on stone alters the public would chip in for the knives to do it.
Comment by steve duncan — January 2, 2006 @ 7:00 am
oops, altars
Comment by steve duncan — January 2, 2006 @ 7:00 am
Remember when Katherine Harris made that dramatic statement about the “rule of law” when Bush was handed the presidency? Or when Clinton was impeached for lying to the American people? How many times were we reminded the “rule of law” was most important consideration? Perhaps we should be asking the republicans if the rule of law only matters when it benefits them. We need to keep reminding everyone that Bush didn’t need to break the law to tap phones, he just wanted to prove he could. The expansion of executive powers that Cheney and Bush are seeking is really about elevating the president above the law with unlimited power. The other 2 branches have an opportunity to rein him in if they are brave enough to do it.
Comment by Becky — January 2, 2006 @ 10:39 am
It may not be the career-ender we anticipate. Recent poll shows an overwhelming majority are concerned about privacy issues.
Link.
Comment by Uncle Mike — January 2, 2006 @ 10:47 am
Yes, we should stick with this issue, understand in what ways the President did the wrong thing, and continue to explain it to his supporters. This can really erode his base if we keep after it. The very worst thing we can do is pull off a victory on this.
The practical step is to make it really painful for any Democrat (or Republican) to let Bush slide on this.
I was just watching a PBS Hagiography of Ronald Reagan. Predictable pabulum, but I kept getting the willies because every time I watched Reagan move I was struck forecefully by his obvious intelligence and creativity. He thought on his feet, he responded to questions with complete answers of his own choosing, he looked at the world around him with obvious curiosity and interest - in short, Ronald Reagan really was a lot smarter than Bush. I would have liked a more pleasant revelation for my New Year’s contemplation.
Comment by Joe — January 2, 2006 @ 10:44 pm
Is it still government by the people, for the people and of the people when those in power hold the people in contempt?
Comment by Kamachanda — January 3, 2006 @ 2:41 am
“it’s better to go down fighting than to sell your soul.”
I hate to be the one to tell you this, but “Sell our souls!” is the official platform of the Democrats.
(The GOP, on the other hand, are the guys with the horns and the pitchforks.)
Comment by anonymous — January 3, 2006 @ 2:16 pm