Debunking 'Centrism'

In a recent article in The Nation, David Sirota makes the case that the "centrism" that Democrats such as Joe Lieberman and Evan Bayh are pushing for is nothing but a "corporate agenda" in disguise. Mr. Sirota asserts that "wins by economic populists in red states like Colorado and Montana this year" prove that the current strategy is working, and that changing the formula, "which has been used to elect Democrats in various red regions in America", would push the party further into electoral abyss. This is just one of several humorous arguments made by Mr. Sirota in his article, and I'm curious to know which Democrats have been elected in "various red regions" lately?

The strategy that Mr. Sirota is so adamant about maintaining has lead to Republican control of every branch of the federal government, as well as control of a majority of the nation's governerships and legislatures. The middle class, who he claims support the Democrat's message, went rather handily to the president. The only major groups that went to Democrats were those who hadn't graduated from high school or those pursuing post-graduate degrees.

He also claims, by citing various poll numbers, that there is substantial public support for liberal positions such as complete government run health care and repeal of the Bush tax cuts. This is another dubious argument, for if there was really support for government run health care and repeal of the Bush tax cuts, than Americans would have elected the man who supported both of those positions, John Kerry. The fact is, American's don't want the government spending their money and choosing their health care. They want to make their own decisions affecting their own lives, and just want government to give them the tools that will support those decisions.

This article is the most disconnected from reality I've read in a while, and it really underscores the institutional problems the Democrats have been having for the last 25 years. Every Republican who enjoys winning elections should hope and pray that Mr. Sirota's view is held by a majority of Democrats. The fact that they nominated a Massachusetts liberal for president and are on the verge of giving Howard Dean the position of DNC Chair is certainly encouraging.