I heard a very interesting bit of information while watching the Rachel Maddow show Tuesday night. Ms. Maddow was commenting that little could be gleaned from the primaries about how the elections in November will turn out. That is with the exception of measuring Party turn out. And as Rachel reported, it seems enthusiasm among Democrats has not diminished since 2008. She pointed to the over reported Republican primary in Kentucky where Rand Paul smoked his opponent. What wasn’t over reported though was the fact that the loser of that State’s Democratic primary received significantly more actual votes than Paul did. And that was in the Red State of Kentucky ladies and gentlemen.
So what the heck is going on here? Political activist and Special Assistant to President Bill Clinton for Public Liaison Mike Lux says the time is right for a Progressive Revolution. And if the direction U.S. politics has taken lately is any indication, he’s absolutely right. The national elections of 2006 and 2008 were phenomenal successes for progressives. And despite the Right’s lauding the election of Sen. Scott Brown (R) Mass. as proof of a backlash against progressive ideals, the facts indicate otherwise. The reality is that Democrats have overwhelmingly dominated the special elections that have taken place since 2008. And in this years primaries, moderate Democrats like Blanch Lincoln of Arkansas have faired very poorly. Lincoln is facing a run off race in her State in which she now trails her opponent Bill Halter in the polls by 3%.
A lot of media attention has focused on the TEA Party movement. But national polls have shown over and over that the actual numbers of voters who consider themselves part of that movement are quite small, less than 20%. Considering how much evidence has been produced that this so-called grass roots movement is anything but, it’s no surprise the movement seems to be fizzling out of existence. And propaganda coming from the Right in general has the feel of flim flam as well. A New Contract With America? Are the Republicans kidding? Is that all they could come up with? A rehash of the campaign they believed swept them into office in 1994? I believe the reality of the hit the Democrats took back then was because they failed to deliver on health care. But that isn’t the case this time.
I think a lot of people are still in shock over the final passage of a health care reform law after a hundred years of trying. That was huge people and combined with the expected passage of a financial regulatory reform bill along with a long list of successes in other matters, it’s going to pretty hard for the Right to call the Democrats failures no matter how much they disagree with the progressive agenda.
As hard as it may be for our conservative brothers and sisters to accept, the Progressive Revolution has commenced and isn’t about to be derailed by some fake movement like the TEA Party, or by the Right Wing Propaganda of inevitability. The reason being that from 1980 to 2008 conservatives controlled this country and nearly destroyed it and the people have not forgotten. By 2008 our government was bankrupt resulting in the near destruction of our entire economy. Our international reputation was in the toilet. And our States, Counties, and Cities were slowly starving to death. In just 16 months the Democrats saved the economy from a Depression. Gave our international reputation a complete make over. And successfully passed a health care reform law at the same time. And that’s just hitting the highlights.
As I predicted when I began writing for Gather, the political pendulum has swung Left. And as more and more is learned about how conservatism failed the working people of this country, I think it will be some time before it swings Right again… if ever.
*************
Devin Barber, Politics Correspondent
Devin’s column, “Left Of The Right†published weekly or more to Gather Essentials: Politics is a Blue Collar Democrats take on current political news.
Devin was raised by proud Roosevelt Democrats. Being the son of parents counted among the throng of Americans displaced by the Great Depression has given Devin a deep rooted passion for causes dealing with the poor and the working class.
You can find all of Devin’s columns at LEFT OF THE RIGHT
You can keep up with Devin’s postings and his Gather activity by joining his Gather network. Just click here: Devin Barber and then select the orange “Connect†button on the left-hand side of the page.
You can find Devin and other Political Correspondents, plus celebrity content and plenty of other politics experts at Politics.gather.com.
recommend
Facebook
Twitter
bookmark 
print
Comments: 68
cops in squad cars two by two/
and that is the way the political ball bounces, or the pendulum swings, We were progressive when I was 30. But an asian war got laid in the laps of the Progressives and getting disentangled was just barely short of impossible.
The RADICAL RIGHT HAS US IN THE SAME SPOT TODAY.
He is good at doing the things that are not his job (healthcare and up the wazoo regulation of businesses who should have been allowed to fail) but when it comes to things that are his job .. he is totally lacking.
No his job wasn't to work to pass a bill that forces us to buy health care; yes his job is to protect the borders from illegals as well as oil spills (neither of which he has done very well so far).
Yes, his job at the moment is to protect those industries that depend on the sea. His job isn't to send lawyers or create commissions, nor even to stomp his foot and vow to keep his boot on the neck of the company (that could come later).
His job was to clear away red tape so people who actually knew what needed to be done could do their job - like the Governor of Lousiana.
Instead he allows the EPA to hinder what should have been being done from the "get go" (which was everything humanly possible to mitigate possible damage to coastal waters and land and businesses).
Yes, of course those people expect him to be doing something now ... now is when he should be doing something (should already have done it).
Carla G. Jun 2, 2010, 6:23pm EDT
Excellent point, Doc. I see it every day here..."we need less government involvement". So now, they blame Obama for not getting involved
Dr. dummy (I may be dumb, but I'm not stupid) B. Jun 2, 2010, 6:18pm EDT
I pointed this out in another article, that the right doesn't really want what they say they want. If they did, they would be screaming for the federal government to get out of the gulf and let big business handle it !!! But what are they doing, we want the government to get ''more'' involved !!! Idiots !!!! And those right wing shrimpers and fisherman don't really want to ''stand or fall on their own'' now, they want someone else to ''support'' them. Didn't they make plans for this to happen ?? Rhetoric is a fickle mistress, she can really come back and kick you in the ..... !!!!
''protect the borders from illegals as well as oil spills (neither of which he has done very well so far).
Hypocrisy, that's what it is. Got him in a catch 22, huh ? He's ''NOT'' supposed to regulate the oil industry, to keep them from killing the planet, but then it's ''HIS'' responsibility to clean up their mess when they ignore regulations. Is that how you see it ? bu$h didn't want them to follow those regulations, so they ''DIDN'T'', does that mean it's bu$h$ fault. I'll just about bet your answer will be ''NO''. Just like a republibot !!!! Private profit, socialized liability. Tell me, how is that the ''free market'' ?
''His job isn't to send lawyers or create commissions, nor even to stomp his foot and vow to keep his boot on the neck of the company (that could come later)''
Dude, you contradict yourself here. If it's ''NOT'' his job now, how could it be his job ''latter'' ?
KY has many more registered Democrats than GOP because of local races. If you are GOP you can't vote in the important local races. In the national races, most vote GOP. In all polls (4) taken since the primary, RAnd Paul is leading Conway.
And although it is true that Paul has a slight lead over Conway. Conway has been steadily gaining and Paul has been slipping.
And no Conway has not been steadily gaining. The daily kos poll had Rand 3 pts ahead (daily kos, naturally, took its poll right after the CRA interview was spun as racism and before people looked into it). A couple of days later, the Courier Journal SUSA poll had Rand at 6 points ahead. Now Rasmussen has RAnd at 8 months ahead. If you look at intrade, Rand's numbers sank like a stone right after the maddow interview, but a day later shot back up. The first rasmussen poll taken right after the primary when the media were practially crowning him king, had an unusual bounce. Still, two weeks of being the food for media feeding frenzy would be detrimental to anyone. So he is at 8 point lead, but going back up.
He'll be in the senate for 6 years. Only Kentucky needs to get to know him, now.
You are right, Kentucky does need to get to know Dr. Paul. You know... things like he wants to do away with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Yeah... you're right. When Kentuckians learn that Paul is so compassionate to cripples, they'll vote for him in droves... NOT!!!
Don't lie about people. He's a really nice guy.
see for yourself here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhbEkVVUU6Q
and here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eg5zOQ05b9E
Everything is not a "code." Seriously, it isn't.
One lady here on Gather was some time ago actually taken to task for using the pronoun "them". Apparently that word is one of the "code" words. No matter who one is actually referring to.
I myself was taken to task for using the phrase "these people" - she told me (in essence) I was racist for using it. When in actuality it was a simple pronoun used in place of having to say "the people in the picture I posted previously."
And now if one talks about 'private business rights' ... that's a code for segregation? I can see how it might be related; in some people's minds ...
But it's rather more like thinking that just because some men use the 'I have to work late' excuse in order to cover an affair, that "I have to work late" must be code for' having an affair' each and every time any man in the world has to work late and tells his wife that.
It's simply not true. Many men actually do have to work late and are not simply using it as a cover for an affair. Just as talk of private business rights is just that .... talk of private business rights. +sigh+
Margaret Garside Jun 4, 2010, 4:56pm EDT
No, it is not a lie that Paul wants to repeal the CRA. His talk about 'private business rights' is a code Southerners used for segregation, dating back to the 1960's. People who aren't from that part of the country generally aren't aware of these particular code phrases.
And taking measures to ensure the airwaves are not dominated by "EITHER" Party does not amount to silencing anyone.
You are certainly an optimistic liberal there Devin,
When a good portion of Americans disagreeing with this progressive President's agenda I don't think we can expect a "Progressive revolution" anytime soon.
I does appear at the onset that this falls election may become an election against incumbents, in which the Republicans wouldn't fair much better than the Dems.
I had hoped that since there has been so little support for Obama's agenda that the election would take the form of a movement against the Dems....But that is yet to be seen.
As long as the people become and keep involved only then can we be assured that our representative will actually represent us.
I suppose by "a good portion" you mean the less than 20% that identify with the TEA Party movement, you may be correct. But if you're saying that a majority disagree, then your basing it more on how you'd like things to be than they actually are.
First off let me say this, If it were a simple majority of the citizenry who supported Obama's agenda you would be ecstatic and be declaring victory.
Obama has a 53% disapproval rating and his agenda is rejected by even higher numbers.
No you two when I say a good portion that means a majority.
Daily Presidential Tracking Poll
"Overall, 46% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the president's performance. Fifty-three percent (53%) disapprove." That is 26% strongly approve, while 40% strongly disaprove.
And "63% Favor Repeal of National Health Care Plan"
Yes majority and then some.
Pulling out a Rasmussen poll is pretty Right Wingy don't you think?
RealClearPolitics average shows his approval at 47.8 with his disapproval at 45.9
But a far more interesting poll is the generic congressional vote. Now I could single out the Quinnipiac Poll that shows the Democrats outpacing the Republicans by 6%. But I'll share the average which shows the Republicans up by 0.8%. But considering this is a midterm follwing a major victory by the Democrats, the Republicans should be ahead by 20. But like I said in the article... the Progressive Revolution has begun and by November I'm predicting a huge upset leaving the Democrats in firm control of both houses of congress.
So how does YOUR poll equate into a "Liberal Revolution"? You got half and half at best!
It is true that polls show opposition hovering around 50 percent. But when the health care reform bill is broken down to it's individual components, opposition drops considerably. And what you fail to understand is that any opposition is because it wasn't "progressive" enopough.
Ahahaha! Now that's funny Devin...that's funny!
Denial is more than just a river in Egypt!
There is just NO indication that there is a "progressive revolution" in the works.
Although taken a year ago I doubt that things have changed much, self professed liberals stand at about half of those who consider themselves Conservatives;
“Conservatives†Are Single-Largest Ideological Group
This poll is also NOT reflective of a "progressive revolution"
Republicans Move Ahead in Generic Ballot for Congress
How about you provide us proof of the 2/3s who have supported a public option for the last 60 years there Superman.....It's wishful thinking more likely.
Recall during the 2008 Republican convention the group that became the Tea Baggers actually held an alternate convention at another site. They called it the “Rally for the Republic” and there were 10,000 in attendance. I remember they were really down on Fox News because Fox News wouldn't cover this.. At that point the party was split. But to stop a revolt the Republican party moved in the Tea Baggers direction and brought them back into the fold. This means their religious right base is on the outs. How will they vote in November? Do they even know what has happened to them?
By the way I liked that some on the Left referred to it as the "Contract ON America."
How about a Political Party or perhaps a Politician who is willing to do what is right regardless of whether or not they get re-elected? Oops...sorry. I know that I'm asking too much.
Both the Dems and Repubs pander to voters and often change their stance on important issues in hopes of re-election.
The economy isn't better; we have continued Bush's failed economic policies, the debt is probably too large to repay now. The interest payments on this debt would crush any attempt of recovery. If interest rates are not raised we will have hyperinflation. The GOP and the Democrats have stuck the country in an ugly corner.
The reality is that Barack Obama is the most effective president since FDR and the Right is completely overwhelmed. They so badly want him to fail and he just keeps succeeding. Must be like hell for them.
I see the national debt and the unfunded liabilities reaching the point of no return. Interest rates continue at 0% despite a supposedly strengthening economy. Tell me how we are going to pay off over $120 trillion of debt (national debt, unfunded liabilities of SS, Medicare, and Medicaid, and guaranteed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac debt). The government is ‘only’ collecting $2-3 trillion annually in taxes right now.
I don't care which party is in office, I do not play politically correct, holding each party to a different standard.
As I said, "I look at the big picture, not just a few short term improvements. "
No Break in Impasse Over Balanced Budget
N.Y. Times 1995
"In fact, there is adequate responsibility to go around. Republicans could easily vote to give closed Federal offices a temporary stipend, thus ending the shutdown. But they believe that the shutdown is a lever that will pry Mr. Clinton into serious budget negotiations, and so they have refused to reopen the Government until a balanced-budget accord is in hand."
Clinton was forced into a balanced budget by the Republicans, He didn't reduce the national debt all by his little lonesome, he wouldn't have had much of a surplus to leave without the Republicans balanced budget.
Your trying to do what all good little liberals do, re-write history the way you wish it was.
Let's see what other history you are trying to re-write:
"Instead, Bush and the republiCON wrecking ball implemented one foolish tax cut for the wealthy after another, and instantly converted that $300 billion surplus into permanent, massive deficits."
Let's start with federal tax receipts:
Receipts
(in billions of dollars)
1998-1,777.9,
1999-1,895.0
2000-2,057.1
2001-2,020.3
2002-1,859.3
2003- 1,885.1
2004- 2,013.9
2005- 2,290.1
2006- 2,524.5
2007- 2,660.8
2008- 2,475.0
So apparently Bushes tax cuts didn't effect the federal tax receipts that much.
So it must have been the increased spending that caused the deficit to increase, you know like spending on the War on Terror that nearly every Democrat in Congress voted in approval of!
Or the creation of the largest government organization since FDR, Home Land Security....Which nearly every Democrat in Congress voted in approval of!
"Remember when Bush stole office,"
No I remember when he was elected to the the office!
I also remember the Democrat led election officials with Al Gore's attorneys at hand trying to figure how to count the ballots to best benefit Al Gore!
I remember Al Gore's attorney's petitioning the courts to selectively recount those counties of Florida that they though would give Al Gore the best chance of winning, (which as it turned out would NOT have won him the election anyway).
As much as you might wish Superman the history books don't reflect your version of what happened and never will.
They say anything and think they are so clever while only making an arse out of themselves. It is very pathetic. Maybe they should try and THINK first.
Conservative district, one candidate talking jobs for working class families one candidate running against Obama, Pelosi and healthcare, guess who won going away?
The TEA party are the Ghost Dancers of a once dominant conservative (mostly white) culture. Change happens!
When are you going to wake up?
Is it going to take real progressives as long to realize what a phony Barack Obama is as it took Republicans to finally see Bush for what he was.