Kerry The Day By Donnel Jones, May 29, 2004	Home   Search   Forum   Terms

The New York Times reports that the left-wing of the Democrat Party (though I would be hard pressed to distinguish that from its "mainstream") will silence itself during the campaign and give Kerry its vote, with the overwhelming objective of defeating Bush.

The Democratic Party of 2004 is beginning to look like the Republican Party of 2000 when, sensing victory in discretion, conservatives stayed quiet as Mr. Bush emphasized moderate language and positions, Democrats and Republicans said.

Maybe so. That depends on how much discipline the Left has to stomach Bush when he gets on his pulpit and sells the war. I am not confident how much steel they have to be silent. Say what you want about the far right, who were camouflaged as "compassionate conservatives" during Bush's campaign, only to spring on us Ashcroft and the Musgrave Amendment, but that constituency has discipline. Of course, they showed no restraint while Clinton was in office but for the 2000 election they pretty much did not rock the boat.

The Left loves to be vocal, is largely intellectual, highly educated, and prosperous. They like to shout what they think they know and do know. "Free speech" is everything to them (unless it's conservative) and they practice it with gusto. They will not go quietly into that good night. Hollywood is one lefty epicenter that will not shut up. Will the power brokers conspire at the Democrat Convention to keep the creepy voices silent? Will they close ranks and stand behind their man?

In this way, this year's campaigns will be interesting, if fraught with high tension. My guess is that hatred of Bush will win the day – for Bush. There is also the specter of Nader swiping the ring from Kerry's grasp, only to have it fall into Bush's hands. Maybe the Dems can pull off a Jimmy Hoffa and deep six Nader.

Yet Nader just might keep his forces in check. At the same time, if Bush does a queer-bashing tour this summer, doing Karl Rove's bidding, it may cost him the election or at least a Pyrrhic Victory without a mandate as in 2000. Will the American people, largely not pro-gay but not exactly anti-gay, not take the bait and vote in good conscience for a president not beholden to the anti-war crowd?

Keep biting that lip.