Where Do We Go From Here?

Where Do We Go From Here?
P. Scott Cummins © 2004 The UrbaneR

Madame Attorney General: I have known Dino and Terry Rossi since soon after they moved to Magnolia in the late 1980’s. For anyone at all interested in outreach and service, it would have been hard not to – given all of the energy they threw into this community. Dino invited me into his home on many occasions, priding himself in the kind of hospitality we Americans rave about – upon return from a trip to Tuscany, that is! In other words, his hospitality was genuine. Even though we were both twenty-something’s, I was in awe of Dino’s close friendship with then Palm Springs Mayor (and later Congressman) the late Sonny Bono – as well as the many personal mementoes (and words of encouragement) received from the “The Splendid Splinter” himself – the late Joe DiMaggio. I could clearly see that Dino was seeking out influences and mentors (particularly in the case of Sonny Bono) encouraging to Dino’s desire for greater service through leadership. Madame Attorney General, you know that I have attended several of your ‘kick off breakfast” fundraisers and contributed to your campaigns in the past. But frankly, Madame, on the ability to reach out - you are no Dino Rossi.

Matt Rosenberg is a Seattle-based Blogger that has come into prominence nationally over this political season. Son of a prominent Chicago media personality and professor, and with an insider-journalist pedigree, he has become a Seattle version of novelist Tom Wolfe – someone whose liberal tendencies are transcended by irresistible opportunities to analyze when in comfortable bastions like Manhattan – or our little town on Elliott Bay. Skeptical of co-dependent liberal methodologies and abhorring fundamentalist liberal dogma – yet still, essentially, liberal. I am privileged to say, over the last year he has become my friend. His immediate post-election take from the vaunted Rosenblog website was just too choice not to pass along – with my thoughts amended.

“The "youth vote" strategy tanked for Kerry. No improvement over 2000. Guess all those Indy rock bands, and "Bowl Against Bush" nights didn't do the trick. The GOP ground game, in contrast, was brilliant.” My take: Don’t let anyone tell you that there is no youth vote – they do vote, in large numbers – at least those that go to church and are country music fans. Check out NASCAR-3D on IMAX at the Science Center – that is the “Heartland” of “Flyover” America. And if you equate “Red State” with “Red Neck” you are falling into the same liberal trap that befell Senator Kerry.

“The GOP has captured the mood of the country. Last night, overall, was a kick-butt night for Republicans. They picked up seats in Congress and displaced Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota. Governorships are also falling the GOP's way after last night… with (our state governor) in serious play for Republicans for the first time since 1980(.)” My take: There is historic opportunity for Republicans – both to advance their agenda, and reach out to new supporters.

“The Michael Moore wing of the Democratic Party is dead. Hate and ridicule don't sell.” My take: Did it ever occur to Democrats that their political campaign based on an unending barrage of irreverent invective and vulgar bumper stickers would go way beyond the long-term effect of shoring up the Republican base – and galvanize a historic level of GOP solidarity? Well it did.

“Values DO sell. Agree with it or not, but eleven states passed gay marriage bans. The point for Democrats is not to hyperventilate over that, but to understand the concept of morality is not dirty. They'll need to embrace values other than abortion, diversity, Nanny-statism and provisional ballot-casting.” My take: Case in point - Bush has long been in favor of states-rights based civil union for gay couples (dating back to the 2000 campaign and before). Republicans knew this about their candidate, and despite those conservatives (a minority within the party) that disagreed, they remained in the Republican fold. In other words, Bush has advanced the tipping point of the social fulcrum - toward acceptance of the mainstream gay lifestyle. As Republican policy this has become merely a matter of verbs: “we are partnered” versus “we are married.” Bush is signaling and Republicans will need to meet around the table - to get this codified in our state. Democrats should get off the high horse about gay marriage and make a reasonable domestic partnership law happen.

To imagine that the compass rose of today’s Democratic leadership would again point toward the center-left of John F. Kennedy is unrealistic. The course set for the Democratic future was first steered long ago in the 1940’s - though more by Henry Wallace than Adlai Stevenson - but hey, let’s save the history lesson for another time. Just don’t think for a moment that George Soros doesn’t know this – or want to take advantage of opportunities for his agenda. Regarding the likes of Soros (and Michael Moore), the Democrats are going to have to decide whether the ‘enemy of my enemy is my friend’ or whether he just wants to use you. Most recently this has meant one billionaire’s plan to put another billionaire in the White House - taken off course, though more by failed assumptions about Democrats than assumed truths regarding Republicans. All told, what this means for Democrats is that going forward based on spewed invective regarding the comparative intelligence (or lack of) between them and their loyal opposition will only render them more of:

The same.

And look, as a Republican I have no cause for gloating grin. Voters overwhelmingly passed I-872, the so-called ‘top two’ or Cajun primary law. Under this scenario, without significant revamping of its rightward political slant, the Republican Party may well cease to exist as a viable political entity in urban areas of Western Washington. But mainstream Democrats should take no solace: implementation of I-872 will embolden their Progressive Wing rivals to mount ever-more-fierce challenges fueled by Michael Moore-inspired tactics and rhetoric. Democrats may reap what they have sewed.

It didn’t have to be this way. Particularly here in this legislative district. I have long-speculated that Helen Sommers could have snuffed out any possibility of primary challenge from socialists within her party – if she had overcome her (essentially) loner tendencies and had, over the years of her many terms, simply put out an open call to meet for coffee in the Village, once a week, to anyone. By now she would have amassed an army of adoring community-based supporters. Particularly among the cadre’ of talented mid-career professionals who have taken time to have children. Helen: now would be a great time to start – the future for mainstream Democrats in Seattle is quite frankly in your hands.

Regardless of who becomes Governor after the recount, though it looks more and more like Rossi, that person has an enormous opportunity to help unify us: first by agenda-setting leadership toward Legislative action restoring the open primary system, and then by following President Bush’s suggestion to develop meaningful domestic partner legislation – all without further delay.