Progressivism in the Present Moment/Cleaning House in the Democratic Party

Yesterday, a Boston television station aired the one debate John Kerry has so far deigned to engage in with his Democratic rival for in the upcoming Massachusetts primary. To watch the debate is to appreciate the echoes of the original Progressive Era and the way people responded to fat cat politicians of both parties and to understand anew why Democrats like John Kerry are not helping the Democratic Party of today.  You can listen to and watch the debate here. 

As you listen and watch, note how Ed O'Reilly demonstrates is the true progressive in the upcoming runoff against John Kerry and why John Kerry is a poster boy for a Democratic politicians who have lost touch with the Party's roots and values. John Kerry spends a great deal of time dodging the specifics of the forward looking questions by going back to what he already has done. But in a way that misses the entire point of the Ed O'Reilly candidacy. Clearly Ed O'Reilly cannot claim to be running as the incumbent. That's the point: he's not the incumbent. He wants to bring specific and real changes to the Senate and the way the people of Massachusetts are served by their Senator.

Kerry spends the first part of the debate rapidly associating himself with big political names rather than addressing the questions put to him by the moderator. He also spends a lot of time disparaging Ed O'Reilly, sneering at O'Reilly's points and treating him like a person who barely deserves to share the stage with a bigwig like John Kerry.

I am not denying that John Kerry has accomplished some important things nor am I denying that his seniority in the Senate and his standing as a (failed) Presidential candidate gives him power in Washington DC. But if seniority were the only criterion by which we elected politicians we would never vote for anybody but incumbents; we would never vote for anybody like Barack Obama who certainly cannot be claiming to base his own Presidential run on either experience in Washington or seniority in the Senate.

Listening to Ed O'Reilly,  I can so easily seeing him working hard and diligently to forge ties with fellow progressive Senators while staying in touch with his constituents at home. Having met Ed, I can easily see him quickly learning the ins and outs of the Senate but never overstepping, taking the time to learn before he pushes himself to the forefront (hmmm....sounds like another freshman Senator from some years back - remember her...Hillary Rodham Clinton).

To the voters of Massachusetts, I say: Give me Ed O'Reilly.

To every reader of this blog I ask you: please consider joining we Democrats who are putting principle before Party. Like Ed, we are willing to buck the powers that be to make sure that the Democratic Party and the country itself remains genuinely democratic. To learn more about that cause, go here.

Comments

[cellocat]

I think it's hysterical that when John Kerry talks about leadership in promoting change he cites as examples how much money he's given people and how he's supported Obama from the beginning while O'Reilly "didn't even endorse a candidate" like that's really a downside. It's like Obama saying he's qualified because he can run a good campaign. ha ha ha

[StandOnPrinciple]

I am a constituent of Senator John Kerry and a supporter of Ed O'Reilly. Kerry has been out of touch with the people of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for quite some time. He represents the well-connected, at the expense of the common person. He claims to value "change," which he "proves" by supporting Senator Obama (as if it were a given that Obama represents real change), while he personifies the epitome of stagnation. Were we, the citizens of the Commonwealth, to heed his advice that what America needs is real change, not old Washington politics, then we would vote for Ed O'Reilly, a fresh face and one of us (the people).

Apparently, Kerry cannot see the hypocrisy in his position.

When Ed O'Reilly speaks about the pressing issues of the day, his voice is filled with passion. The degree to which he cares is self-evident. He cares about our country; he cares about the Commonwealth; and, he cares about the people - all of the people.

On Tuesday September 16, 2008, I will vote for Ed O'Reilly. The symbolism of that vote will extend beyond one candidate. It will be a vote for real change, change for the people and by the people.

[pfka nycblue]

I just watched the entire debate. Ed O'Reilly is fantastic! I sent him $25 (I know, thru ActBlue, which I wish to protest!) and urge the good people of MA to vote for him on Tuesday.

It was great to see Kerry say: I'm for change, I endorsed Obama! Hunh? So did all the other white male Democrats in DC who have seniority.