The Light At The End Of The Tunnel Isn't A Train

[babylonsister]

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_03/022908.php

THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL ISN'T A TRAIN.... Time's Jay Newton-Small has a good piece today about a larger political environment that Democrats find intimidating, but which may poised to change.

Take a good look around, Democrats, this is likely to be as bad as it's going to get. As Kate Pickert and I note in a story out today on time.com, the 24-hour cable net cycle has been stuck on ugly process maneuverings in the vacuum of no score from the Congressional Budget Office and no bill. This meme just adds to the back room aura and sweetheart reputation the legislation has enjoyed for months. You're getting hit on all sides - from the President, the Speaker, constituents, even donors. Oh, and, it turns out most folks really do hate you.

But, oh how quickly things can change. If you pass the bill, next week's coverage is likely to trumpet triumph, the most productive legislative session since LBJ, an historic and seminal victory. It's getting from here to there that's the hard part....

I can appreciate why some antsy Dems would be feeling anxiety about this. It's the kind of fear that can cloud one's judgment, and lead a lawmaker to think that failure will pay greater political dividends than success -- a conclusion that wouldn't even be considered by someone thinking clearly.

That's why it takes some courage to finish the task and reap the rewards of a historic victory. Risk-averse politicians in competitive districts tend not to care for courage -- it invariably means doing something that may cost them votes -- but it tends to pay off in the end.

As Paul Krugman explained yesterday, a week from now there will be headlines about Dems winning a hard-fought victory or losing a humiliating defeat: "{I}t's up to a handful of Democrats to decide which headlines we get. They're out of their minds if they don't choose door #1."

—Steve Benen

[damonm]

1. THIS. Steve Benen tends to be pretty sane.

[Jennicut]

5. Yes, I do find myself agreeing with him the most these days.

[sebenen]

8. thanks

I always appreciate the support from DU. You folks are great.

[jenmito]

2. No, but it's the light of big corporations celebrating the soon-to-be success of the bill!

(Thought I'D say it before someone else did.) :rofl:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. This needs to be shouted from the rooftops!

Thank you for posting this.

We ALL need to see this.

A BIG K&R

[Scurrilous]

4. K & R

:thumbsup:

[BlueIdaho]

6. Sing it from the rooftops

"There is a new wave of change all around us, and if we set our compass true, we will reach our destination — not merely victory for our Party, but renewal for our nation. And this November the torch will be passed again to a new generation of Americans, so with Barack Obama and for you and for me, our country will be committed to his cause. The work begins anew. The hope rises again. And the dream lives on."

Teddy Kennedy 2008.

[silverlib]

7. A Quote I Recently Heard

"I saw a light at the end of the tunnel and then realized that it was hope with its ass on fire running the opposite direction."

[KoKo]

10. LOL's Well Said!

[SoFlaJet]

9. Some guy from The Nation was on Ed a little while ago

and he made a great point of how this has changed from a policy issue to what has now become a political one-Obama's young presidency Is riding on getting this done

[DCBob]

11. Spot on. All those on the fence should read this comment...

and choose door #1.