A little respect?

The Great Compromise of '05 has been reached, but there are many questions, and many concerns remaining, at least on my part.

What exactly is the wording of the compromise, and what does it guarantee? It seems that the only guarantees are those that have been given to the Republicans: namely that they will have 'up or down' votes on five of their more controversial nominees, including Owens, Brown, and Pryor.
As I understand this compromise, the Democrats were not promised that the 'Nuclear Option' was off the table. The Republicans were not promised that the minority party would not invoke the filibuster at a future date, though I have heard it said that the filibuster will now only be used in extreme cases.

But if Owens, Brown, and Pryor are not extreme cases, I am at a loss to understand just who might be.

Underlying everything was a continued lack of respect -on the part of the Democratic leadership, for the important role that progressive activists have played in this and other debates. Democratic leaders have yet to understand that we do not represent a far-left, radical perspective. We represent a wide spectrum of political beliefs, but we are united against the far right, the religious right, and the corporate right.

I truly believe that without our efforts this so-called compromise would have never taken place. But to be honest, I feel that this compromise represents a defeat for progressives.

The real question is, who is responsible for this defeat: the right-wing, or the so-called moderates?

Note from the Democratic State Convention

-I have just returned from the Democratic State Convention in Lowell, and so offer the following observations.

First, it seemed Deval Patrick's day. Patrick is a candidate for Governor - a relative newcomer to politics, but someone who it seems has hit the ground running. He was one of three declared candidates who was given five minutes to address the delegates, and he made the most of his opportunity, delivering an exciting, well paced stump speech using the catch-phrase 'Yes We Can!'.

Patrick was sandwiched between the other two gubernatorial candidate: Secretary of State Bill Galvin spoke first, and finally, Attorney General Tom Reilly delivered his address. Neither aroused much of an audience response and Reilly - who though he only officially declared on Friday (May 13) was very disappointing.

Reilly clearly has money, and organization, and strong backing from the party regulars but... Patrick seems to excite the average delegate (at least those at this convention) and, perhaps, offers an alternative to democrats and progressives who don't seemed to have been willing to back the nominee over the last 15 years.

The convention was also notable for a few other passionate speeches, most notably that of Senator Ted Kennedy - who ended his rousing speech with an impromptu dance to the classic rock song, 'Still the One', and a long speech by new Democratic National Committee chair Howard Dean.

The 2005 Mass Democratic Platform

PREAMBLE

WE the Democrats of Massachusetts, in order to best assure our state success in this new century, hereby pledge to work for and support an agenda that creates opportunity, recognizes responsibility, and builds community.
WE embrace the Democratic traditions of our forebears, reaffirming our commitments to the tenets of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

WE recognize that a life which “insures domestic Tranquility” must provide good jobs, a good education, and quality health care.

WE recognize that to “secure the blessings of Liberty” we must honor families, invest in our communities, and safeguard the political rights of all our citizens.

WE recognize that to “promote the general Welfare” we must honor families, invest in our communities, and safeguard the political rights of all our citizens.

We believe in democratic government and in the power of good governance. As we begin this new century, we acknowledge the wisdom of our Founders, who crafted a Democracy that endures. Looking ahead, we dedicate ourselves to the proposition that the ideals of our past must become a workable force for the future. Cognizant of the challenges of our diversity, we guarantee a place at the table for every citizen and reaffirm our dedication to an all-inclusive Democratic Party. From Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal, through John F. Kennedy’s New Frontier, and Lyndon B. Johnson’s Great Society, the Democratic Party has always stood strong in support of pro-active solutions. We respect the individual positions members of our Party may take, and welcome all people to participate at every level of our Party. Steadfast in our resolve, we pledge ourselves to making this great experiment called democracy viable for generations to come.

To that end, on behalf of the Massachusetts Democratic Party, we hereby adopt the following platform:


Click Here to Read the Entire Platform