11/13/00 (Part III)

Yes, it's me. It really is.

Anne's Journal of Minutiae

Monday
November 13, 2000

To the Ralph Nader supporters: Look, I don't hate you guys, okay? I'm probably one of the few Gore/Lieberman supporters who's not demanding your heads on a stick. I understand that you are all of noble intentions, and I appreciate your concern for the state of our rather seedy political process. I take some exception, however, to the Green Party's insistance that there is no difference between the Democratic and Republican parties. I so beg to disagree.

As long as the Democratic plank still includes provisions for reproductive freedom, civil rights, and protection of the environment, I will remain a Democrat. I voted for Al Gore with a clear conscience. I felt that Gore was the candidate who not only closely matched my idealogy, but also had a better chance of defeating George W. Bush than Mr. Nader. Sorry. That's what it usually comes down to -- and it's not necessarily the lesser of the evils, if that's what you're thinking right now. In my mind (again, clear conscience), it really isn't.

Believe me, I would love to have a true liberal in the White House -- but it ain't gonna happen any time soon, sorry. Clinton/Gore is about as close to liberal as we're likely to get. Left wing liberals tend to frighten the voting populace -- they seem to think liberals spend too much money on programs to help poor people. God, isn't that just terrible? According to the dictionary, the term liberal means "Generous, open-minded; of political party favoring democratic reforms." Well that does sound pretty horrible doesn't it? Beware the "generous, open-minded" folk.

So, Greens, you have every right to vote the way you want, of course -- even if it means allowing Republicans to reign supreme forever and ever. While we're all suffering through losses of personal freedoms and watching the economy and the environment go to shit, you can be comforted in knowing that you voted for the man of your dreams. Even though he was bound to lose. Again and again.

Face it, moderate Democrats are about as good as it's likely to get, my friends. The electorate is shifting ever closer to the middle. In order to win an election now, a candidate must move along with them. It's a sad fact, but one which isn't likely to reverse itself any time soon. In order to win -- and sneak in at least the basics of a liberal agenda -- a Democrat must dribble a small pinch of (sputter, cough, cough) conservatism into the broth. Michael Dukakis was pretty much the last of the truly liberal Democratic candidates. He never had a chance. Bush beat him over the head with Willie Horton and the death penalty.

What good is a liberal idealogy if you can't take it all the way to the primary seat of power? I don't know about you, but I cannot survive on a principle or an "all or nothing" agenda. Clinton/Gore satisfied enough my own liberal requirements; I take what I can get. Go ahead and call them "vote whores" if you like -- but they had the best chance of beating the Republican campaign machine. And they did a damn fine job once they settled into office. I don't regret voting for them. I don't regret voting for Al Gore in the primary and final election.

As long as the Democratic Party continues to reflect at least the basics of the liberal agenda, I will continue to vote Democratic. With a clear conscience.