Chris,
Here's David Sirota's take on leadership in the Congress:
From: Sirotablog
davidsirota.com
[See original for many live links.]
Proof That Political Hardball Works
As a follow-up to my last post about today's big Democratic victory on the Patriot Act, it is interesting to note how this issue proves the effectiveness of political hardball. Too often, Democrats shy away from trying to enforce party discipline and from really going after the GOP. It's a product of being a little too comfortable in the minority. That attitude has perpetuated a culture among some Democrats that looks down on cracking the whip and playing serious hardball. But as today shows, cracking the whip and playing hardball is exactly what we need more of - and exactly what can bring us real victories.
Take Washington Rep. Adam Smith (D). In 2004, he voted against the same amendment by Rep. Bernie Sanders (I) that prohibited the feds from searching your library/bookstore records without a warrant. When he arrived home, he was hammered by constituents and by his local paper. Less than a year later, Smith took to the floor to speak in support of the amendment, and voted for it.
Same thing with California Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D). In 2004, she voted "present" on the amendment, allowing it to die on a 210-210 tie. Like Smith, she was met with outrage. Her local newspaper pummeled her. Today, she voted for the amendment.
And the effort worked in changing some GOP votes. Take Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-CO). When she voted against the amendment in 2004, she was met with a big story in her local press that noted "Musgrave flip-flopped on a crucial vote to amend the USA Patriot Act, apparently due to pressure from House leadership." Today, she didn't make the same mistake, and she voted for the legislation.
This should be a model for the Democratic leadership: When people undermine the party's position on a key issue - whether Republican or Democrat - there should be a no-holds-barred attitude when it comes to getting them in line. That will take a major grassroots efforts, as well as encouragement from national political leaders. This is the kind of politics that is practiced by people who are serious about winning. For too long, that has meant only Republicans. But we need to see more of it like we did today from Democrats. |
