There's always something worth talking about going on in the world, but lately it feels like these are momentous times. There's a sense that American political society is balancing on a ledge, looking either to regain its former posture, or topple completely. Broad themes of democracy and authority and formal tension between the branches are at issue, with what seem like lasting effects at stake.
And so we have the two major parties in America: one in full control, albeit under suspicious terms and continuous allegations of scandal; and one that has been, for much of the last five years, unsure of whether it should open its mouth. It was awfully funny that Bush asked Condi for a bathroom pass, but the sad reality is that Democrats have spent much of their minority status discussing between themselves how firmly to ask for the key to the john. Hell, for all I know the Republicans have commandeered all the ground level bathrooms in the House and make the Democrats use the 3rd floor, and so they literally have to ask. They run the building with that kind of hand.
So now we sit at the juncture of several large questions:
- Can the President do essentially whatever he wants in the name of "fighting terror?"
- Are we going to do anything about the corruptive culture surrounding fundraising and lobbying?
- Was there a conspiracy to leak Valerie Plame's name, and is the White House guilty of crimes?
- Is the leadership of the Republican Party in both houses going to fall to ethics breaches?
- And is a guy quite reasonably expected to give Bush a pass on most of this stuff, going to get a lifetime E Ride ticket on the SupremeCourtterhorn?
In this tabeau sits the minority party, admittedly high-functioning eunuchs at best, but potentially well capable of taking control of these issues and shifting the public debate. There's no doubt the Republicans are staggered a little bit, unable to advance any of the President's pet legislation and the continued cloud of legal developments in ongoing scandals. And so there's a void of momentum, one that is waiting for a movement to seize it.
What's the problem? Peter Daou has an excellent piece that does a nice job trying to exonerate them, but really in its implications it shouts "the Democrats are pussies." Simply put, they can't break through the developed memes from the GOP that are uncritically repeated by the largest traditional media outlets. Which--and as I say, I agree with Daou's thesis about poor journalism being a block to successful message outreach--is a wimpy copout. For goodness sakes! Speak up, but speak up clearly and with one voice. You don't get the benefit of being heard handed to you; you have to say things worth hearing.
The western flanks of the Left have been doing their part to hector the media into playing the game more fairly, stunning establishment stalwarts like the Washington Post and Chris Matthews with blogswarms and boycotts. It helped that they were right, but the effect has been to shock the traditional media into recognizing that they are being watched, and the results are getting noticed and called out.
For weeks nigh on months, the progressive community has been pushing for active declarations of opposition from the opposition party. "Pick your battles, and this isn't one," the DLC kept saying. Heck, even Paul Begala went on the Colbert Report to tell Democrats to wake the frig up. Some new candidates for Congress are getting the message and are using it. Responding to attacks reprinted by Ohio media on Paul Hackett's favorable stance towards gay marriage, Hackett stood and revalidated his position:
“I said it. I meant it. I stand behind it. Equal justice under the law for all regardless of who they are and how they were born is fundamental to our American spirit and our American freedoms. Any person or group that argues that the law should not apply equally to all Americans is, frankly, un-American.”
“The Republican Party has been hijacked by religious fanatics, who are out of touch with mainstream America. Think of the recent comments by Pat Robertson – a religious fanatic by any measure – that the United States should assassinate a democratically elected leader in Venezuela, and that Ariel Sharon’s stroke was divine punishment because Sharon wished to trade land for peace.”
“Since the Republican Party has been utterly unable to stand for something positive, they have created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, and have pandered to religious fanatics not to vote for something they believe in, but to vote against their fellow Americans with whom they disagree. Those among us who would use religion and politics to divide rather than unite Americans should be ashamed.”
Ouch. And today, finally, there was a sign, a rumbling really, that something might happen. Massachusett's two Senators decided they'd had enough, and if the leadership wasn't going to organize any kind of movement or statement on the lifetime appointment of Samuel Alito, they would:
Yesterday, Senator Ted Kennedy and I told our colleagues that we supported a filibuster of Judge Alito’s nomination for the Supreme Court. And we weren’t alone. But the bottom line is that it takes more than two or three people to filibuster successfully. It’s not “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.” If you want to stop Judge Alito from becoming Justice Alito, use your own email list and organize. We can’t just preach to our own choir. We need to prove to everyone – from our friends and neighbors to our fellow Senators – that the American people know Judge Alito will take our country in the wrong direction, and they expect something to be done about it.
Late? Very likely. Politically motivated? Not improbably. A somewhat melodramatic fit of Quixotic politics? Absolutely. But god bless if it wasn't a sign.
I wasn't kidding when I said Quixotic--three have already come out in favor of Alito (West Virginia's Byrd included, on the same day a wealthy challenger entered the race against him), and three more had hinted their opposition to a filibuster besides. Rumors have flown since then at the sites of the usual suspects, including one indicating that Salazar was reconsidering, one that said similar things about Landrieu, that Reid would support but not whip the caucus. However, Dick Durbin has spent the last two nights spreading the word that it's dead, and most recently Daniel Akaka has cited his opposition to filibuster. And in an additional rumor, Barack Obama is apparently strongly urging colleagues not to filibuster on strategic grounds. [cannot vouch for this source...ed]
Mixed messages, to be sure. Which is essentially the same crime the Democrats have committed for 5 years. There is all weekend to see how the temperature changes, and voice mail boxes can fill while constituent buzz builds...but either way, these feel like momentous times.
--TJ
Herb
Paine is president of Paine Consulting Services, a leading enterprise
specializing in business strategy, organization development, and
turnaround management for a diverse range of public, private, and
nonprofit sector clients. […] He received his Master’s degree from
Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in 1970,
specializing in American Foreign Policy, Soviet Affairs, and
International Economics. Following his service in the 
Jeff
Latas arrived in Arizona in 1978 to attend first Pima College and then
the University of Arizona, where he graduated with a degree in
Aerospace Engineering. After a career as a fighter pilot in the United
States Air Force, and after earning a Master’s degree in Public
Administration, Jeff chose to settle in his beloved southern Arizona
for good. A lifelong environmentalist and patriot, Jeff is ready to
serve southeastern Arizonans as their representative in Congress.
From
his web site: “Born in Iowa, I grew up in small farm towns, doing farm
work and absorbing strong mid-Western values. I received a
Congressional Appointment to the U. S. Air Force Academy and graduated
in 1972. As a rescue helicopter pilot based in Thailand at the end of
the Vietnam War, I participated in the evacuation of Phnom Penh, and
the Mayaguez incident. I was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for
actions in the Mayaquez incident. […] I earned a Masters Degree in
Aviation Management from Embry Riddle University, hold a California
teaching credential and am a certified Red Cross instructor.”
Steve
Filson joined the Navy in 1970 and became an Aircraft Carrier Jet
pilot. He served his country faithfully and diligently for more than 20
years before retiring from the Navy in 1994. During his service, Filson
served aboard the aircraft carriers 
Jim
served as a Naval aviator in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.
As an officer (rank of captain), he was responsible for both aircraft
and personnel under the most stressful of circumstances. The
competition to become a Naval aviator is intense; only the best are
awarded wings. His experience in the Marine Corps gave him a global
vision with a lasting appreciation for the importance of making the
right decisions and understanding diplomacy.
Karen
was born and raised in San Diego, California. After graduating from
high school, Karen enlisted in the United States Army and served as a
Pershing Missile Crewman. Assigned to Army units in Oklahoma and
Germany, Karen found remarkable the dedication to service of her fellow
soldiers. The discipline and training of the Army engrained in Karen a
superior work ethic and responsibility to service. After leaving the
military, Karen worked in increasingly responsible areas of
administration and management. She obtained certification as a
Community Association Manager. She has extensive experience in
management of entities of a governmental nature where budgets are
essential and rules and regulations are enacted and enforced. 
At
seventeen, Jay joined the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs as a
Cadet with the class of 1977. Upon graduation he went to Navigator
training and was selected as a Weapon Systems Officer in the F4
Phantom, serving in fighter squadrons in Korea and Spain. He became Air
Liaison Officer for the First Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division,
and was deployed into military action in the first Gulf War. Major
Fawcett was awarded a Bronze Star for his actions in Desert Shield and
the initial helicopter assault into Iraq during Desert Storm.
From his web site: “I’ve been asked to take on, and I have accepted,
the challenge of running for Congress against Tom Tancredo in
Congressional District 6. I did not make this decision lightly and I’m
not in this to win moral victories. I have a total of ten years of
service with the Marine Corps and the Navy, and in good Marine Corps
tradition, I’m in it to win it and I believe we can! […] I want to
serve — the way I served as a 17 year old in the Marine Corps. I want
to give 
Jim
Nelson lives in Savannah with his wife, Marty. They married 33 years
ago in Augusta, GA while Nelson served as an Airborne Infantry Officer
during the Vietnam War at Fort Gordon. He also spent more than a decade
in the Army Reserve and National Guard. […] Nelson works as a United
Methodist pastor in Savannah and has been serving churches in South
Georgia for more than 10 years. […] Prior to entering ministry, Nelson
worked in the corporate world for companies such as 
L.
Tammy Duckworth of Hoffman Estates has built her life and career upon
serving her country, her community and those in need around the world.
She is a dedicated, tireless leader and an inspirational example of
what can be achieved through hard work, determination, compassion for
others and a positive outlook. Having recently recovered from serious
injuries sustained while serving on active duty in Iraq, Tammy’s next
goal – in addition to flying helicopters again for the Illinois Army
National Guard – is to fight for the interests of the people of
Illinois’ Sixth District in the United States Congress. 
Driven
by his desire to serve his country, John enlisted in the United States
Navy in 1995. In 1996, Laesch graduated at the top of his class as an
Intelligence Analyst for the United States Navy and was transferred to
the Middle East for the next three years. While stationed in Bahrain,
Laesch analyzed terrorist organizations and foreign political and
military structures. Before being medically evacuated from the Middle
East and honorably discharged, John meritoriously rose 5 ranks within 3
short years. He received numerous citations for his outstanding service
to our nation. Following his service in the Navy, Mr. Laesch attended
Illinois State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree
with a major in History and minors in Political Science and
Communications.
Rick is a Navy veteran of the Viet Nam War, earning the Viet Nam
Service Medal with one campaign star. He also served on the secondary
recovery ship for the Moon Landing in 1969. After returning from duty,
he graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Social
Studies Education.
Growing up on values he has summed up as “Family, Faith, and Farm Work,” Weaver joined the 
Ms.
Baldwin’s life is demonstrative of using obstacles as stepping stones
to reach her goals. She was one of the first African American woman 
Duck’s distinguished military career has found him as a Platoon Leader of the Joint 
Command
Sergeant Major Walz retired from the 1-125th Field Artillery Battalion
in the spring of 2005 after 24 years in the Army National Guard. After
he was named the Outstanding Young Nebraskan by the Nebraska Chamber of
Commerce for his service in the education, military, and small business
communities, Walz served overseas with his battalion in support of
Operation Enduring Freedom.
Colonel Tim Dunn has served in the 
Pete
Duffy is a citizen-soldier, community activist, small businessman and a
father. His commitment to country is exemplified by his more than 30
years of military experience as a Judge Advocate General officer in the
active Army, the Army Reserves and the New Hampshire National Guard,
where he recently retired with the rank of Colonel.
State
Representative Peter M. Sullivan is serving his third term as a member
of the New Hampshire House of Representatives, representing
Manchester’s downtown, millyard and center city neighborhoods. He
serves as a member of the Criminal Justice Committee, and previously
served on the House State-Federal Relations & Veterans Affairs
Committee.
Rich
Sexton has been a leader dedicated to public service his entire life.
Born and raised in New Jersey, he left home at the age of 18 for the
United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He graduated from
Annapolis and was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy. He
was then stationed onboard an aircraft carrier, the 
After graduating from the 
Joe
Sulzer is an Army veteran who volunteered to serve during the Vietnam
War from August 1967 to August 1968. He was in Saigon during the Tet
Offensive. He has since come back to serve on the city council and
later as mayor in Chillicothe, Ohio, as well as a serving as a state
representative. He is now taking on the scandal-plagued Republican Bob
Ney in his heavily Republican district.
In
Iraq, Lentz commanded a civil affairs unit responsible for
reconstruction in Mosul, following unique and extensive experience in
international reconstruction projects with 
Murphy
is a young attorney who served in Iraq and was awarded the Bronze Star
in February 2004. In Iraq, Captain Murphy advised on offensive
operations, initiated reconstruction efforts within the justice system,
trained the new Iraqi Civil Defense Corps on the rules of engagement
and was instrumental in the prosecution of Sheik Moyad, a radical
lieutenant of Muqtada Sadr. At a time when even journalists are having
trouble getting the real facts about the war in Iraq, Murphy’s
knowledge is invaluable.
A
Lieutenant Commander in the United States Naval Reserve, Chris has
received several medals honoring his service in multiple tours
overseas. He was activated for operations Enduring Freedom and Noble
Eagle. From late 2003 to August 2004, Chris served as the Special
Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations,
focusing on the integration of intelligence in the effort to destroy
international terrorist networks. In the last year, Chris served as a
Special Consultant on Terrorism and Intelligence Issues to the Deputy
Secretary of Defense.
Phil
Avillo knows the American Dream well. He has lived it. His mother and
father, a bus mechanic who never finished high school, dreamed their
son would go to college. Phil more than fulfilled his parents’ dreams.
He earned a Ph.D. and, as a York College professor, has inspired
thousands of college students to pursue their own American Dream.That
dream, and America’s middle class, is now in jeopardy. So, as he did
when he joined the Marines, and as he has done throughout his life,
Phil is heeding the call to serve and to lead.
Tom
is “proud to be one of the millions of Americans who has served this
country and its defense. I enlisted in the Navy and was trained as a
nuclear machinest mate. Most of my career was spent on 
The son of a Southern Baptist minister and a native of Greenwood, Lee Ballenger spent six years in the 
Terry
Stulce is a life-long resident of Ooltewah and can trace his ancestry
back 5 generations in Hamilton County. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa and
Magna Cum Laude from 
Dan
Dodd is a dedicated father, husband of 36 years and career Air Force
Officer with an extensive family military background. Character and
effective leadership are the hallmarks of his military, business and
personal life. Dan is a moderate Democrat, running for Congress in 2006
to fill the leadership and accountability vacuum that threatens
America’s welfare and security.
Harris enlisted in the Army in 1992 and served in the infantry,
receiving his commission as an Infantry Officer after attending Officer
Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA in 1994. He was mobilized for
Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom and was deployed to Iraq
in February, 2003, spending the next 14 months there as a Logistics
Officer where he received a Bronze Star. He is now an Assistant
Professor of Military Science and Training Officer for the Department
of Military Science at the University of Texas at Arlington, and is
taking on “Smoky” Joe Barton.
David
Murff’s devotion to achievement and uncompromising ethics have served
him well throughout his personal and professional career. As a single
child, he was surrounded by familial role models that instilled in him
the virtues of sacrifice, dedication, and service. As a young man,
David became the third generation to serve his country through military
service. While stationed at Fort Hood, 
From his website: “I was Special Assistant to the only Astronaut to ever be Head of 
John
Courage’s name embodies what Texans in District 21 are looking for in
their next congressman - the courage to insist that their mainstream
values, and not just Tom DeLay’s, be represented in Washington; the
courage to stand with ordinary Texas families and small businesses
against the corporate special interests; the courage to rekindle that
faith they once had in government to be a force for positive change in
their daily lives.
When
the September 11th attacks occurred, David was visiting his family in
Virginia Beach. 48 hours after the attacks, David rented a car and made
his way to Manhattan. He entered the perimeter with a group of police
officers and spent several days at GroundZero searching for survivors
with the rest of the “bucket brigades.” Two weeks later, David was
recalled to active duty. Upon return to active duty, David was assigned
as deputy legal counsel to the commanding general of all west coast
Marine forces with geographic responsibility for the Middle East. For
most of 2002, David was part of Operation Enduring Freedom deployed to
Kuwait as sole-legal counsel to the commanding general of a
special-purpose coalition task force, working with Czechs, Germans and
Kuwaitis. […] In March 2003, David was deployed again. Within a few
weeks, he was attached to an infantry battalion assigned to the Al
Muthanna region of Iraq. David was the sole coalition legal
representative assigned to restore the judicial system in an area which
covered approximately 1/9 of Iraq.
Al
spent over forty-two years as an enlisted man, rising to the rank of
Command Sergeant Major (CSM), which he had held for over twenty years
when he retired in 2002. He was in the service continuously from 1959
to 2002, except for a 6-month gap following his honorable discharge
from the Army after his tour in Vietnam ended in July of 1966. For most
of his career he served in Army and Joint Special Operations, serving
as the senior non-commissioned officer at every level from A-Detachment
to Special Operations Command.
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