Informant38

With a Whimper

Aside from possessing an impassioned hatred of Bush, the party is a collection of slogans wrapped around the Democratic Leadership Council's shrill insistence that put-upon yuppie soccer moms can be the foundation of a new middle class. Since the DLC runs the show, that's the program. Michael Moore and Flint, Michigan, represent the old working-class exhibits in the Museum of the New Deal. Dennis Kucinich, a seriously successful Democratic politician in Congress who crosses the aisles to unite members of both parties in ad hoc coalitions against such enemies as the World Bank and NAFTA, is considered in a kindly manner: nice guy, even an interesting guy, but a weirdo New Age consumer of veggies. Ralph Nader, who has methodically and sometimes successfully attacked the corporate rich, is portrayed as an enemy, a spoiler. The delegates hiss at the mention of his name.

After watching Michael Moore's film, why should we vote for a candidate and a team who literally promise more of the same war? And who literally sneer at the working-class values and programs of the New Deal? Perhaps Teddy Kennedy and Teresa Heinz Kerry will answer that question when the delegates gather for the second session this evening.

James Ridgeway
Village Voice
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Maybe thursday...