Danger West

Update: And I would add that Obama isn’t even all that bad about his move to the center, but the post below primarily concerns the sort of “isn’t everything so terrible why doesn’t the world revolve around me?” whining going on, for instance, here.

One of the drawbacks of our little electoral system here is that once you have your candidate, you’re pretty much stuck with him. Another problem is that the stakes of winning have gotten to be pretty high. Despite the zigging, zagging, lurching and lying towards the middle, there really is a difference between Barack Obama and John McCain. Or, if there is no difference, we’re all fucked anyway so you might as well just shut up toss salad with a smile. I think there’s a benefit in doing one’s part to keep your candidate honest, but there’s really only one test of whether your candidate is worth anything: whether he wins or loses. There are some big issues over which I’m willing to rebel, but now - now that the candidates are chosen - Obama will have to do something pretty nasty to get me to not vote for him. Waffling on abortion isn’t one of them. Talk of refining one’s position on the war isn’t one either. Too vague.

In many ways the left is at a real disadvantage when it comes to winning elections. Every two-bit-mother-fucker with an opinion thinks his issue is, like, totally the biggest deal ever. Said two-bit-mother-fucker thinks his armchair generalship is worth the pixels it’s written on as well. It’s not. Obama is the guy trying to get elected. Not you. The right long ago learned to stand up and clap, or sit down and shut up, because you only get what you want when it’s your guy in power. Thus, contrary to popular belief, the right has not gotten it’s way by threatening to walk away from Republican candidates. The right has gotten it’s way (mostly) by pretending that Il Duce (whoever that happens to be at the moment) is perfect. We all know that Reagan, the great tax cutter, actually raised taxes and Reagan, the steely eyed warrior cut and ran from Lebanon.

Anyway, all of this is beside the point. And I’d hate to see lefty blogs and opinionators become as craven as the right anyway. Just keep in mind: if you walk away you get nothing. I don’t want to be the guy who just says “Obama is better than McCain.” Just have a little understanding. The man is trying to get elected president by a nation that elected George W. Bush. Twice.

If that was your goal, wouldn’t you be a little unsure of how to go about it?