The Ethical Realist

BY M. PORTA

Continuity is hard to come by, but for as long as I can remember I’ve always been a free agent. Not what you’d call a joiner. And so when everyone here in New York was falling in love with Obama (whom I had initially preferred over Hillary), I started to wonder. When people start to flock it gives me that “uh-oh” feeling. The fervor with which he was being embraced gave me pause, just as the vitriol over George W had done long before. Could Bush really be the root of all evil? And could Obama really be the answer to all our prayers?

My husband and I are political moderates, though he feels a greater affinity for the left, while I tend to be more understanding of the right. You’d never know it, probably because I am socially very liberal. When it seems to me that someone on the right is making sense, I just keep it to myself.

From the beginning both of us had respected McCain, primarily for his work in campaign finance reform. This is an issue that was extremely important to us, believing that nothing will ever really change until politicians stop being bought. From our perspective, McCain staked his career on this, and was extremely unpopular with members of both parties for having done so. We also liked that the Republican orthodoxy was at odds with him; Bush and the neo-cons had strayed too far from real conservatism, so McCain’s pragmatic, bi-partisan approach seemed to be the injection of reason that the Republican party needed.

We knew it would be an uphill battle for him. All the charm, charisma, and natural speaking ability contained in Obama was lacking in McCain. Obama couldn’t stop talking, yet the substance of his words eluded me. Still, he was so likeable, so decent. McCain, for all his accomplishments, experience, and renowned sense of humor, could sometimes appear flustered, irritated, and crotchety. And, of course, we were so tired of Bush that it was difficult to find a more diametrical opposite (we thought) than Obama: young, biracial, smooth and elegant—though not at all entitled. He excited and inspired us. We were only too happy to see Bill and Hill getting thrown under the wheels of the bus by their own kind.

At a certain point in the campaign, my husband and I felt the usual gravitational pull: I started veering to the right, while he characteristically went left. Every night we spoke about the candidates and the issues that were closest to our hearts—the environment, how money and power have corrupted the political process, education, and the nation’s defense and the threat to the West from fundamentalist Islam. We bantered and cajoled and hollered and rolled our eyes, and ended by canceling out one another’s vote. He agreed with me that Obama had promised too much to too many, which could translate into a business-as-usual agenda or even a make-it-up-as-you-go-along plan. Either way, we can’t afford it. I agreed with him that the time wasn’t really right for McCain, not only because he was old and a hawk and had run a lousy campaign, but because people were so angry that no matter what he did—even if his performance was excellent—they’d never give him credit.

I was actually relieved when Obama won. I hope he puts all my suspicions to bed, that he can live up to even a quarter of what we’re all expecting from him. What might it be for us to undergo real change? That, for me, is still the question.

M. Porta is a freelance writer and editor who lives in New York City with her husband and two sons.

As Barack Obama chooses his cabinet, I am watching with cautious optimism. I’m glad that Hillary Clinton will likely be Secretary of State, and I wish I felt more excited about the whole thing. But throughout this election season, I became increasingly disillusioned with the Democratic Party, and I’ve yet to shake that disenchantment, unfortunately.

It started when I decided to get more politically active again, after feeling like I hadn’t done enough to try and prevent the eight-year scourge of the Bush administration. Back in August, through VoteBoth.com, a website promoting a united Obama-Clinton presidential ticket, I found a way to take action through another website called LobbyDelegates.com. I sent an email to each of the 796 Super Delegates, this unknown unpledged group who I’d heard might have the privilege of determining the Democratic candidate in this year’s election. I wrote expressing my wish for the dream ticket. Imagining they would be inundated with emails, I kept mine short and took a strong position, hoping they would notice it among the many, and that it would make an impact.

The replies I got surprised me. They effectively started an evolution in my way of thinking, not only about our electoral process but the two-party system, the candidates themselves, the influence of modern media, and the reactions of the voting public, including the people around me. The experience made me question my own party more than I ever had before, and I started looking into the Third Party candidates. At the same time, thanks to a few reasonable, well-informed, socially liberal Republicans who were willing to talk candidly despite our differences, I also began to see the other side more objectively. I suddenly found in myself a new and bold openness, which felt great, but I found myself alone in this transformed perspective among my peers, who are mostly very much on the liberal Left side of politics.

When I emailed the Super Delegates, I was simply taking a stand as a citizen, one that I thought might make them take action. According to the news at that time, these particular individuals were the only people with any real influence. Eleven Super Delegates actually replied to my email, and their answers were revealing on several different levels.

First, coming from members of the party’s upper echelon, I was surprised that most of the replies contained bad grammar, spelling errors, and a general lack of professionalism and formality. The tone of the responses ranged from kind and thoughtful, even if disagreeing with my position, to dismissive, rude and angry. Those were the most disappointing, but they were also the ones that made me want to know exactly who these people are. What I found was no less surprising. The Super Delegates, who are endowed with the power to choose the candidate in a close primary race regardless of the popular vote, include union bosses, corporate lobbyists, TV personalities and financial consultants. This time they didn’t get to decide, but they might have, and I couldn’t help but question their ties to special interests. It led me to many more questions, which I hope to explore here.

To accompany this first offering, see below for several links about the Super Delegates, my correspondence with them, and brief bios of the respondents.

–Hope Dascher

ABOUT THE SUPER DELEGATES

History of the Super Delegates
Not So Super Delegates
A Super Delicate Super Delegate Dilemma

MY CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE SUPER DELEGATES

Sent: Mon 8/18/2008 10:23 PM
To: Super Delegate
Subject: Pledge to support

Dear Super Delegate,

If Hillary Clinton is not on the Democratic ticket after half of us voted for her, I will not vote for Barack Obama.

Sincerely,
11215
__________

From: Anna.Burger
Subject: RE: Pledge to support
Date: August 18, 2008 10:24:51 PM EDT

you’re not a progressive. leave me alone

Anna Burger
__________

From: Moses.Mercado
Subject: Re: Pledge to support
Date: August 18, 2008 10:29:37 PM EDT

Good for you…since it’s not going to happen have fun with mCCain.
————————–
Moses C. Mercado
Managing Director
Ogilvy Government Relations
__________

From: donna@brazile
Subject: RE: Pledge to support
Date: August 19, 2008 9:47:55 AM EDT

Please do not send me anymore emails.
__________

From: Nancy Drummond
Date: August 19, 2008 3:08:14 PM EDT
Subject: Re: Pledge to support

Good for you and I hope you like high gas prices, high groceries, no health insurance and don’t have kids that good ol McCain can send to Iraq
__________

From: “John A. Perez”
Date: August 21, 2008 8:17:42 AM EDT
Subject: Re: Dear Super Delegate

I’m sorry to hear that. I don’t appreciate threats we all get hurt if Mc Cain wins.
__________

From: “DAVID HARDT”
Date: August 21, 2008 6:08:59 PM EDT
Subject: RE: Dear Super Delegate

Thank you for your email.
I too voted for Hillary Clinton and I will vote for her at the Convention. But the Convention delegates elect our representative and if Barack Obama is chosen by our Delegates and is our nominee, I will support him.
I am a true Democrat, just as Hillary Clinton is. And I will support our Democratic Candidate over John Bush McSame any day.
Our Nation cannot afford 4 more years of Bush/McCain.

If Barack Obama is our nominee, I hope you do as Hillary Clinton has asked us to do and get behind our Democrat and take back this Country from GW Bush.

Kind Regards,
David
__________

From: lanamclin
Date: August 21, 2008 8:14:40 PM EDT
Subject: Re: Dear Super Delegate

Ok
__________

From: WandGOwen
Date: August 21, 2008 8:24:25 PM EDT
Subject: Re: Dear Super Delegate

I know, that is why I am voting for her when her name is placed in nomination and why I am hoping we nominate her for VP if she is not the nominee.

Bill Owen
__________

From: CLewisBurks
Date: August 23, 2008 2:10:56 AM EDT
Subject: Re: Dear Super Delegate

Do you not realize Senator Obama got over 18 million votes as well., She is not on the ticket. Both of their issues were the same, does your comments say something about how you feel about race. Let me say I am 71 years old never missed voting and for all of those years I’ve voted for white men. Senator Oama has done nothing but respect Senator Clinton.Your e-mail reflects your disrespect for Senator Clinton./ You and those like you are to be pitted. that your hate of a race brings you to this . Knowing Senator Clinton as I do I know she is disappointed in her so call supporters. If you really supported her you would follow her directions. Ms., I do pity you and your kind.
__________

From: Ecummings
Date: August 23, 2008 12:36:21 PM EDT
Subject: RE: Dear Super Delegate

This is so much bigger than Barack of Hillary. This is about taking our country back. This is also about creating a better world for generations yet unborn. If you think that McCain is going to make things better then you should vote for him. However, when I think about the fact that the next president will select 3 Supreme Court judges and turn back the clock on the progress this country has made thanks to folks like Hillary and Barack, I simply can not imagine voting for McCain. He will give us more of the same.
__________

From: MBDec
Date: September 10, 2008 10:08:18 PM EDT
Subject: Re: Pledge to support

Sorry I did not get back to you before the convention. I take my e-mail seriously and try to respond to all. I was overwhelmed by hundreds if e-mails in support of Hillary. I want you to know that kept my word and voted for Hillary despite strong pressure to do otherwise..

I hope that you follow Hillary”s example like I will and at least vote for Obama. We can’t stand four more years of Bush’s policies.

Moretta Bosley
__________

BIOS OF THE SUPER DELEGATE RESPONDENTS

ANNA BURGER, Secretary-Treasurer of the Service Employees International Union, was hailed by Fortune Magazine as “the most powerful woman in the labor movement” and named one of Washingtonian’s 100 Most Powerful Women in 2006. She is Vice Chair of the progressive Democracy Alliance, and was one of the speakers at the DNC.

MOSES MERCADO, Senior Vice President of Ogilvy Government Relations, was a veteran political adviser to Dick Gephardt’s former presidential bids and was negotiating last fall to become an Obama adviser. Mercado was registered in Washington to lobby on behalf of several corporate clients, including AT&T.

NANCY DRUMMOND is Vice Chair of the Wyoming Democratic Party.

DONNA BRAZILE is a writer and political strategist. She’s an ABC News commentator and former campaign manager for Al Gore. She said on CNN of her role as a Super Delegate, “We should represent the will of the voters of this country.”

JOHN A. PEREZ is Director of Political Affairs at UFCW 324 and a DNC Member from California. Perez has spent a decade-and-a-half as a union organizer and political operative, most recently as Political Director of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Union Local 324.

DAVID HARDT is President of the Young Democrats of America, the nation’s largest youth-led, partisan political organization. He said on the YDA website, “A true Young Voter Revolution is underfoot.” With just five contests left, I will wait to declare my superdelegate vote until every young voter has made their voice heard.”

BILL OWEN is a former state senator, state representative, consultant and lobbyist, and President of Asset & Equity Corporation, a financial and governmental consulting firm. He said on his blog, “I am elected on the ballot to the State Democratic Executive Committee and by the Executive Committee to the Democratic National Committee. As a Member of the DNC I am a so-called Super Delegate.”

RHINE LANA MCLIN is the Mayor of Dayton, Ohio.

CORDELIA LEWIS BURKS is Vice Chair of the Indiana Democratic Party, and Sen. Hillary Clinton won her home state.

The Honorable ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS from Maryland’s 7th District is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. He’s also been involved in the hearings for the bailout and voted against it.

MORETTA BOSLEY is a Kentucky DNC member.