Legal Commentary

Will Obama Act To Unify The Party?

By Big Tent Democrat

By Big Tent Democrat

Speaking for me only

I was struck by this post, by the invaluable Meteor Blades. It is wonderfully written, as we expect from him. The tone was just right. But I was not struck by that - I expect that from him. Nor was I struck by the conclusions on the state of the race, they largely mirror my own (that Obama will be the Democratic nominee.) Instead, I was struck by the idea that it is incumbent on the loser in the Presidential nomination race to move to unify the Party and think about winning in November. My view is that it is the responsibility of the likely nominee to move towards unifying the Party. Since, like Meteor Blades, and one presumes, Barack Obama, I expect Obama to be the nominee - I believe it is incumbent upon Obama to move towards unifying the Party. More.

What should Obama do? I believe, first and foremost, for the sake of his general election candidacy and for the sake of the Democratic Party, I believe he should move to settle the MI/FL dispute, preferably by revotes. He can not wait until he has reached the non-FL/MI 2025 number to do this. He should do it when the nomination is, at least ostensibly, still in doubt. This is essential to a sense of fairness for Clinton supporters AND to providing Michiganders and Floridians inclusion in the nomination process. Seating the FL/MI delegations AFTER the fact will do nothing to solve the FL/MI problem nor to help have Clinton supporters accept Obama as the legitimate nominee.

Second, Barack Obama should recognize and appreciate the importance of the Clinton legacy to the Democratic Party. Like many Democrats, I was dissatisfied with part of the Clinton legacy. But we can not deny the good when considering the bad. Bill Clinton made the Democratic Party a Presidential party again. He convinced Americans that Democrats could govern the nation and govern it well. He made Americans forget that Jimmy Carter was the last Democratic President. Bill Clinton changed the electoral math. And Bill Clinton accomplished good things. The EITC. He balanced the budget by raising taxes on the rich. He made the United States the most respected nation on the Earth. He was a good President. Barack Obama should acknowledge this.

Third, Barack Obama should acknowledge the merits of his opponent, Hillary Clinton. He should call for respect for her and her historic run for the Presidency. I believe he should choose her as his running mate. He should call for all Democrats to respect what Senator Clinton has accomplished.

Fourth, Obama should acknowledge and embrace the fact that his agenda is the Democratic agenda, and also the Clinton agenda. That in fact, almost nothing divides us on issues. That in fact, Democrats are united on issues as never before.

I believe that the Presidential nominee of the Democratic Party is its leader. I think the nominee of the Party must demonstrate leadership on all issues, including leading us to unity inside the Party. In my view, this is Barack Obama's responsibility. It is time for him to step up and meet this responsibility. In fact, contrary to Meteor Blades' statement, this is not Clinton's moment - it is Barack Obama's moment. It is the moment to be a leader.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on April 06, 2008 (boomark / email).