We had a debate last night in the 3d CD in MN amongst the 3 candidates vying for the DFL nomination: me, Jim Hovland, and Terri Bonoff. I guess that it went well for me and we're getting good buzz and support given what people are saying. Solid reviews.
The thing is, I can't really take credit for it. Honestly. I feel like people have come to expect so little from Democratic politicians that, if you just talk from your heart a little and say what you really believe, they get really excited.
To me, the statements which got the loudest applause - where I talked about ending extraordinary rendition, respecting the Geneva Conventions, and standing against torture - are things that every Democratic politician probably believes, but for some reason, few refuse to say out loud. I don't get it.
Same thing earlier this week - I got an endorsement from eQualityGiving.org, which supports candidates who support equality for all people in this country, regardless of sexual identity. Again, I think most Democrats (and probably most Republicans) in their heart of hearts believe that gays ought to be allowed to publicly commit to relationships (and enjoy all of the benefits that come with the commitment) through marriage. Not civil unions, but marriage. But our discourse in this country has shifted so far that most Dems are afraid to say something that they know to be true. So, when someone who is outside the system does say it, then an organization like eQualityGiving.org is impressed and gives an endorsement.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that elected and candidate Dems need to start talking from our hearts a little more. I don't think there's as many political consequences as Dems are worried about, because most people are with us. Most people, I think, want our country to safeguard its fundamental freedoms and, frankly, don't mind gay marriage all that much. The reason that sometimes they vote the other way is that Dems get scared to defend their positions, and people look at them and say, "Well, if they're too scared to talk about it, they must be wrong." Then more Dems get scared, and it keeps going.
Dems need to speak from their gut a little more. It'll mean less good press and endorsements for me, but it'd be better for the country.