Re: [Marxism] Nominee for best ABB shirt: "John Kerry: The Lesser Evil"

[Andy <esquincle@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Oct 28, 2004, at 9:39 PM, Charlie Parks wrote:

> I don't know if anyone's noticed this advert from the hotbead of
> ABBism, TheNation.com...

similarly
from the portside list in early September:

> Re: Jackson & the Kerry Campaign
>
> Seymour, Seymour, Seymour, Come on, guy.  We have been
> hearing from you on this channel for about a month or
> more, all with the same message.  Don't criticize
> Kerry, or his campaign.  Just shut up, close your eyes,
> work hard, and remember, the alternative is Bush.
> Seymour?  Do you really think that if anyone dares to
> criticize this disaster of a campaign it is going to
> cause someone (on the Portside list) to lose the faith
> and not vote for this schmuck?  But if we all close our
> hands and wish real hard it will all be all right?  As
> a sign said in New York, "Kerry/Edwards - They Suck
> Less!"  Or my wife's version, which I think the Dems
> have adopted, "Kerry for President - We Can Do Better!"
> Except they seem to have missed the irony.  How about
> "Kerry/Edwards, with two guys this full of shit, no
> wonder they need two Johns!"  But we have all seen the
> Demos lose easy fights like this before. That's how we
> got Bush I, Bush II, Ronnie Raygun, etc.  Forget the
> issues, try to steer so close to your opponent that you
> become practically indistinguishable, and hope to pick
> up some of the center voters. Look positive by not
> criticizing your opponent. Worry about the 4%
> undecided, and ignore the50% that don't vote. Be too
> noble to respond, while your opponent gutter fights.
> What a strategy. Of course it has seldom worked, but
> hell, it won't offend any of your corporate backers.
> Is politics too important to be left to the politicos
> of the DLC?  yup.
>
> Jack Radey

If I might jump off here -- I've read and heard the report of more than
a few autopsies for the antiwar movement in recent months (usually on
the same night that we've held yet another local forum (our township
has about 30,000 residents) of 120+ people, 200+ people, 90+ people,
etc., on a more-than-monthly basis).  Among earnest antiwar and other
social justice activists who are new to politics (not the Jack Radeys
of the world) we must remain sympathetic and attentive.  For these
activists, these days on the eve of the election can be confusing and
agonizing.

Yet given a substrate open to ideas and interested in evidence, this
bizarre American moment seems to me to hold more potential to inspire
political life than cause political death.  (And my how Kerry hastens
the process by demanding more and more war upon Iraq -- eg. his latest
"nuanced" criticism of the "failure" to secure 380 tons of explosives
at al-Qaqaa:  send more troops!)

I'm hearing from fellow activists and neighbors lately how they are now
"undecided voters," after starting from ABB -- lately it becomes
"should I vote Kerry... or Nader?"  This is testimony to Nader's and
Camejo's ability to project their candidacy as independent of the 2
parties (not a pressure group on the Democrats!)  It also testifies to
local Green and other activists ability to get the message out (no Cobb
presence whatsoever), Nader and Camejo speeches on the community radio
station, etc.

Here's one of my neighbors posting on our peace group listserv:

> The presidential election--I know my choice for the lesser of two
> evils; however, my heart says to vote a third party.  Not only might
> the candidate be a better choice, but the country needs a third party.

I've talked in person to this woman about all of this.  She sees in
Nader's campaign both a break from the corporations' control of
politicians and a chance for working people to stand up for what is
right.  Her thinking is rather developed -- and completely fresh.  She
takes her responsibility as a citizen and as a voter incredibly
seriously.  We need to be laughing with people like her, not at them.

Andy


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