Nation Editorial: Progressive Movement Can Realize Its Potential No Matter Whom We Nominate For President

by [courtesy of Blog for America]

In the January 7, 2008 edition of The Nation, the editorial board encourages us to remember a very important point. The current presidential election cycle is historic and represents a tremendous opportunity for us to send a Progressive to the White House. In their inimitable style, the editors offer us many words of wisdom. Some excerpts: 

“The calamitous Administration of George W. Bush has slashed and burned its way through Iraq, our Constitution and the remnants of the social safety net. It has pursued imperial aggression, lethal incompetence and crony capitalism as if they constitute official policy, leaving the next President with a multitude of crises, from Iraq to New Orleans to Guantánamo Bay.” 

“But to take a page from the free-market gospel: where there is crisis, there is opportunity. Indeed, throughout this uncommonly long election cycle, beyond-the-Beltway progressives have driven their issues to the forefront of the Democratic agenda.”

 “With Democrats running left and Republicans slouching right, we believe this election presents a historic opportunity to precipitate a progressive realignment. There is ferment in the air, a yearning for change and for a resuscitation of America's most inspired dreams of justice and equality. The kindling is in place, but the right spark has not yet been struck. There is a danger that many of this campaign's most contentious issues could find resolution in policies even more malign than the status quo.”

“What is needed most now is not a candidate but a movement to surround that candidate, to brace his or her resolve, to press for the best platform and to hold him or her accountable for implementing it if elected.” 

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