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The main by-product of extremism is division. We despised the neo-con-run Bush cabal for its unbridled ideological bullying; now it seems we have a vocal faction on the left advocating for the same all-or-nothing tactics. Obama campaigned on the promise of ending that. While you might not like his choice (I don't), at least allow that there's a method to his madness. He really does seem to be trying to bring meaningful change to American politics, to bring all of us back from the far angry edges.
Does anyone here really believe all this vitriol is going to change anything for the better? Sure, there's a far outside chance you might stir up enough stink to force him to reconsider his choice (I hope not), but how will it look to the nation and the world to have him already backing down from a decision, especially one so relatively insignificant, and especially now when we all so need a true and firm leader?
If the Democratic majority in Congress manages to get out of its way long enough to send up a gay equal rights bill Obama will sign it, period. Meanwhile, he's playing the kind of shrewd politics that got him so far so quickly; he understands the importance of covering all the bases -- remember that fifty-state strategy?
Forty-five percent of Americans don't support gay rights. White male evangelicals voted for Obama four-to-one over Kerry in '04. That's a lot of Americans that he could ignore and marginalize now, or a lot of Americans that he can begin to gentle over to a less militant mindset by simply offering a bit of consideration. Not power, just courteous respect. Meanwhile, those on the left who are raising Cain now will continue to support a progressive agenda as they always have.
Obama and Warren have a political friendship going back some years. You can be sure they've discussed the whys and wherefores of this move inside and out and made a bargain in the process. By giving Warren the inaugural invocation Obama improves his own standing among evangelicals and elevates Warren to celebrity status above and beyond James Dobson and the rest of the fundamentalist leaders, whose influence will diminish proportionately. And don't think Warren hasn't accepted the price tag attached to that. Obama's taking some heat now from people he knows the party isn't going to lose, and Warren's going to slide ever so subtly toward a more moderate and reasoned position, maybe not pro-gay marriage but much less vocal and strident. Watch.
In the end, Obama's going to pass progressive measures, rob the Republicans of the only large-scale institutional support they have remaining, and ensure Democratic ascendancy for many election cycles to come. So, yeah, he's helping you, whether you get it or not. All this hand-wringing makes great theater for the freepers and wingnuts, though; they're eating it up. Bet some of them are even beginning to think ol' Obama might not be so bad after all. Might even lower their defenses a tad. Maybe just enough to begin to think about alternative viewpoints... civility, rational discourse, common ground, compromise. Change.
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