A post by Maynard
This article by Joe Lieberman is worth reading. It’s a succinct history of what the Democrat Party once was, and where it went wrong. It should be read by everyone, especially by young Democrats who lack the perspective on how the party has devolved over the recent era.
Political leadership, like every other industry, requires meaningful competition if it is to remain animated and vital. It’s in the interest of all Americans that the Democrat Party remember its roots and offer the nation a substantial option.
How did the Democratic Party get here? How did the party of Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman and John F. Kennedy drift so far from the foreign policy and national security principles and policies that were at the core of its identity and its purpose?
Beginning in the 1940s, the Democratic Party was forced to confront two of the most dangerous enemies our nation has ever faced: Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. In response, Democrats under Roosevelt, Truman and Kennedy forged and conducted a foreign policy that was principled, internationalist, strong and successful.
This was the Democratic Party that I grew up in – a party that was unhesitatingly and proudly pro-American, a party that was unafraid to make moral judgments about the world beyond our borders. It was a party that understood that either the American people stood united with free nations and freedom fighters against the forces of totalitarianism, or that we would fall divided.
Go read the rest.
Loyalty to county first and foremost is what JL describes. He is an example of the loyal opposition (to the current commander-in-chief), an example lost upon the current batch of Democrat traitors. Their resistance to American victory in the battle for Iraq extends the conflict costing us more blood and treasure.
My elderly parents are poised to vote for John McCain. There was a time you could not mention the word Republican in our house, nor would my parents watch O’Reilly or Hannity on Fox. But, and slowly, they were stunned by the overt media attack on Hillary Clinton, by the obvious biases of NBC. Prior to the current primary, I do not think they even understood what had happened to their beloved Democratic party. They were not really clear on the definition of “leftist.” But Barry, and this election taught them. And, now they know what leftist is, and they do not want what the left is selling. And, they now watch Fox news, because they also got tired of what NBC was selling.
The difference between an American from the USA and most persons from other countries is most apparent when a problem is encountered. The people from abroad say, “Hey, there is a problem, someone should fix it!” On the other hand, an American will say, “Hey, there is a problem, how can I/WE fix it?”
The world might gripe about us but when it hits the fan they all come running for help from us and it’s almost a given that it will be there.
My in-laws are lifelong Democrats but are no fans of Obama. My mother-in-law has already said that if Obama wins the nomination, she’ll vote for McCain. I believe these kinds of voters – and there seem to be a lot of them – are what are normally called “JFK Democrats.” They can just as easily be called “Lieberman Democrats.” You go, Joe!
http://VocalMinority.typepad.com
Jewish AND Republican?? Oy gevalt
I wish Lieberman was right, I really do. However, I know what they did to Senator Joseph McCarthy and how he was the one fighting the communists while they did everything they could do to demonize and destroy him.
I’m still waiting for the democrat party to join the fight against communism / socialism.
The sad part for me is that I, like Ronald Reagan, used to be a democrat.
Parties are complex, though many want to simplify them. I do think it is important for leaders to confront movements and trends in parties that are troubling, misguided, etc.
Is John McCain the standard bearer of the Republican party? As an independent, I can accept a range of positions. I am drifting back to being more conservative, especially regarding energy and immigration. Our national independence and identity are at stake.
What about the presidential rep for our party? No disrespect to John Hagee and his supporters, but I cannot go along with his style and elements of his message, which I have know about for a while. John McCain: Respectfully, but firmly, announce you DISAGREEMENT with him, and your THANKS BUT NO THANKS for his direct support.
Read Zell Miller’s “A National Party No More.” He takes his party “to the wood shed” as he would say. He also mentions a beautiful lady with long black hair you may have heard on the radio….
Sen. Lieberman, from my native state of Connecticut, beautifully sums up the reasons why I recently changed my registration to Republican after 35 years as a Democrat.
Wilson – Yes, Zell Miller’s “A National Party No More” and his follow-up “A Deficit of Decency” were excellent and spot on. Who could ever forget his brilliant speech at the ’04 RNC convention. Golden!
And for that the Democrats threw him under the bus just like Lieberman, castigating him as a bitter old coot who was losing his senses and whose days of usefulness to the Party were behind him.