Liberal lemmings head for the cliff.
Bush whipped Kerry. Now liberals and Democrats face reality. The whole progressive platform, from the New Deal on down, lies in jeopardy.
The left-wing Nation editorializes: (*)
The progressive movement in this country has suffered a huge reversal. But the struggle for the country’s future–and its very soul–was anything but settled. . . . There must be a fierce, protracted resistance in defense of democracy. . . .
What might the Democratic Party learn from this election? First, that a posture of meekness, resignation and accommodation leads to failure.
Regarding democracy, Bush won the popular vote. Hence, democracy carried the day for Bush and against Kerry. Democracy lies not in jeopardy; progressive politics does.
Those who believe that the Kerry campaign was anything less than viciously intense have lost their sense of perspective. There have been more negative campaigns in American history, but not many. Do not forget Michael Moore and his lying Fahrenheit 911. Do not forget the Hollywood libertines who pushed Kerry. Do not forget the overwhelming media bias in Kerry’s favor. Kerry could have repudiated the excesses of his followers. He could have had a “Sister Souljah” moment, like Bill Clinton in 1992. Kerry chose not to.
Nor should we forget the Mary Cheney gay-baiting that both Kerry and Edwards engaged in during nationally televised debates.
The editors of the Nation and other establishment Left figures do not get it. Kerry lost because of their antics, not in spite of them.
On Tuesday, America soundly rejected the would-be revival of the 60s counterculture. They were not tricked or fooled. They knew what they were rejecting. They contemplated it. They cast their vote accordingly.
Now the worst tendencies of the Left will have their worst effect at the worst moment. At the very time when a freethinking reexamination of liberal political philosophy and political theory is in order, the decades-long tradition continues of disallowing internal dissent in the liberal camp. Those liberals who criticize the gay marriage agenda or immigration or Islam or relativistic morality will not be allowed to speak to other liberals.
Instead liberals are ordered to fight harder; and so they will even as the tactics and strategies of the Left and liberals have become counterproductive. The lemmings are sent over the cliff, and liberal dreams with them.
Independent progressives have an alternative. They can think for themselves.