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that's not a coincidence: that a strategy. Beginning with the defeat of Barry Goldwater in 1964, when conservatism was knocked on its ass, it went to ground, took a good hard look at itself, at then began laying the groundwork for its ascendancy--establishing think-tanks and policy centers, always ready with a quote for the media, to keep the message out there; when the time was right, establishing its own media outlets; building local political networks with national connections; establishing a clear and consistent agenda and enforcing it ruthlessly.
And, most importantly of all, playing the long game; what we're seeing now is the culmination of forty years of prep work--and it's just the beginning: conservative theorists talk openly about the "R2030" strategy--the idea that, now that they're in, America needs Republican leadership in the Executive and both Houses of Congress for the next thirty years in order to "undo the damage" to our country.
Democrats, by contrast, have played a big-picture, top-down short game: Clinton accomplished so little of substance because, lacking patience or conviction or perhaps simply fearing there would never be another opportunity, he leaped at any chance to compromise with the Republicans.
Generally speaking, progressives have focussed their efforts on winning the legal battles--not insisting you agree with us, just that you follow our rules, like 'em or not--while conservatives have focussed on winning hearts and minds. Nowhere has this been more clear than in the Massachusetts gay marriage decision and the backlash against it. Perfect illustration of two strategies: top-down legalistic, and bottom-up ideological.
The conservative long-game strategy was the beginning of the end for progressive politics in America. It has resulted in a steady drift rightward as the political constituency grow increasingly conservative, and as conservative voices have increasingly dictated the terms of the debate.
You don't have to control what people think, as long as you can control what they think about. And that's what the post-Goldwater conservative movement has done with a malign genius.
That's why it's vital to not become discouraged now. We've made a decent start--PACs like MoveOn, outlet like Air America and Democracy Now! can be the seeds from which a large, grassroots network can grow. (In this, Howard Dean may one day be seen as a prophetic figure.)
My greatest fear is that, in the initial disheartenment of the 2004 elections, MoveOn and its ilk will wither. We can't let that happen.
This is the opening salvo in a long cold civil war that will play out over decades. This is not a game for wimps, quitters, or the easily-bruised: there will be no quick fixes. Real democracy will not come to the USA until I am an old, old man, and that only if we don't fuck up.
But you know what? I'm in for the long haul.
Because, really, I've got no choice. |
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