The Hill’s Pundits Blog

August 9, 2007

The Battle for the Soul and Spine of the Democratic Party

Brent Budowsky

Howard Dean in the 2004 campaign; Al Gore as the effective leader of the Loyal Opposition; and now Barack Obama challenging the tired and decadent national security establishment — these are the first true voices of 21st century politics.

If you believe supporting the Iraq war for five years was right; that America is safer under George Bush; and that special-interest lobbyists are the heart of America who do not buy laws with money, Hillary Clinton, the leader of the old establishment, is your girl (as she said)…

The 21st Century Democrats support integrity and trust in government and promote reforms of campaigns, elections and ethics laws in government. No 21st Century Democrat would make the proposterous claim that special-interest lobbyists are just plain old Americans who never buy legislation; no 21st Century Democrat would spend five years supporting the Iraq war; no 21st Century Democrat would say America is safer under George Bush.

For the 21st Century Democrat, killing bin Laden is not controversial; writing op-eds that escalations can win the war in Iraqi is not sound military policy or basic common sense.

The great fault line is not left versus right, it is truth versus falsehood, clarity versus illusion in national security, and courage versus fear in our politics. It is reform versus corruption in our government, and campaigning that values people as much as money, and uses the new means of communication and organizing to promote the next era of progressive patriotic reform in America…

There is a battle for the soul and spine of the Democratic Party, to earn the right to lead the nation — which will never be done by aping Bush, but only by standing up to him now, speaking truth, showing courage, and demonstrating the clarity to make a 21st century challenge to a 21st century nation.

Budowsky serves on the Advisory Council of the Intelligence Summit and is a contributing editor to Fighting Dems News Service. He handled intelligence issues for Sen. Lloyd Bentsen when the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act was originally passed, and was legislative director to Bill Alexander, then the chief deputy whip of the House. He can be read on The Hill’s Pundits Blog and reached at brentbbi@webtv.net.

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