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June 10, 2008
"Get Together"
The Hamilton County Democrats did a little smiling on their brothers and sisters this morning, as part of a national unity effort following one of the longest primary battles since the Siege of Vienna.
U.S. Senate candidate Mike Padgett, a former Hillary Clinton supporter who swiftly endorsed Barack Obama's candidacy last week, was there (or so says the Twitter), and organizers for the two former campaigns were slated to speak (Annie Hall and Justin Wilkins, for Clinton and Obama, respectively).
I'm sure this is not scientific, but except for a few vocal examples, Democrats around here seem to be warming to the idea of all being on the same side come November. Most Republicans are as well, though there are definitely some latent misgivings about John McCain being the nominee, instead of -- well, one of three or four individuals, depending on which type of Republican you're talking to.
There are distinct camps of former Huckabeeans, Romneyites, Fredheads, and, of course, Paulians that are going to have to either live with McCain or look elsewhere (such as to Libertarian candidate Bob Barr, or Constitution Party nominee Chuck Baldwin -- or, heck, Alan Keyes is still out there as an independent).
Even though Barack Obama is sometimes portrayed as another big-government liberal, is there any chance that he will be able to craft an appeal to principled small-government types, "small-l libertarians," what-have-you, that will effectively join them to decidedly more liberal (in the modern sense) Democrats for a winning coalition? Is a willingness to actively listen to such policy positions as school choice, low taxes, and gun rights enough?
We'll see, but that is, in my view, the task before this already historic candidate. And a healthy dose of non-interventionist foreign policy (with a firm commitment to protecting the nation) sure won't hurt.
So, the Democrats are coming together, in spite of the so-called "McCain feminists." Now it's time for the rest of us to decide on our directions. This could be the year for serious gains in a couple of minor parties' electoral status. It could also be the beginning of a major realignment of ideologies and the voters who represent them.
Political News | By joe lance | 1:31 PM