From The Hill.
Why is it wrong to call the Tea Party movement racist? Why is it important that President Obama name Elizabeth Warren to lead the consumer protection agency created in the financial bill? How can the Obama White House profit from the example of former Houston Mayor Bill White, the Democratic candidate for governor of Texas, and Rep. Chet Edwards (D-Texas)? Read on.
The 2010 election is about the revolt of the small people, to use an unfortunate term coined by the chairman of BP.Who are the small people? Workers who cannot find jobs. Small-businessmen and -women who cannot get loans. Taxpayers who do not believe their money is well-spent. Seniors who worry about healthcare and receive no interest on their retirement savings. Veterans who do not receive the best medical care. People on the Gulf Coast suffering from the spill. The poor.
Many pundits ask why President Obama does not get
political credit for major legislation.
The answer is simple:
Most voters do not believe these massive bills will improve their
lives. Voters are well-aware of the sausage factory of lobbying that
gave birth to them. Voters do not believe self-praising spin from
politicians.
Voters assume products of a system they believe
is corrupt will be corrupted products, until the impact in their daily
lives proves otherwise.
The oil-spill fiasco is an hourly
reminder that words alone cannot be trusted.
There are some
racists in the Tea Party movement. They should be deplored. However,
most Tea Partiers are good people with legitimate grievances. It is
politically inept and morally unfair to tar an entire movement with the
sins of the few. It would be far better to fight for more jobs, in a
fair economy, to unite all races behind shared interests.
If
the president names Elizabeth Warren to head the consumer agency, he
would electrify the Democratic base, appeal to small businesses and
independents and validate the financial bill with action and results.
Warren could begin with a multistate listening tour focusing on the
needs of small business. If the president rejects the candidate who is
clearly the most qualified, he would discredit the bill and the process.
The
president and White House staff should follow events in Texas. White is
making a strong run for governor talking common sense about jobs and
education, receiving loud applause after plain-talk speeches to Texas
veterans.
The latest campaign finance report shows White
raised more money than incumbent Gov. Rick Perry (R) and has far more
cash on hand.
Democrats can win in any state. Democrats who are spinning for surrender in any district should get out of the way of those who play to win.
Watching Democrats battle in the Lone Star State, I think Perry had it backward when he mused about Texas seceding from the union. Perhaps it would be better for the rest of the union toapply to join Texas, and get more of that spirit to succeed that Americans respect.
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