Is Democratic Party Tough Enough to Get it Done?

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Last week, I got settled on the couch and, with a sigh, turned on the State of the Union Address. I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’ve been feeling a little frustrated recently and wasn’t sure if this Address would just bring more of the same: lots of well-intentioned discussion but no indication of any, well, backbone from my party. But that State of the Union Address made me sit up straight in my chair. And many other Americans did too. It left me wondering about the stern tone of our President’s address and why its message seemed so successful. Do the Democratic Party and the current elected President just need to be a little tougher to get things done around here? Or will taking a tougher stand hinder rather help our chances of bipartisan progress?

There is no doubt that since the President gave his State of the Union Address, that he has been using stronger language and calling leaders to the carpet on a regular basis. He knows this country is frustrated so he is clearly making it his responsibility to voice that frustration. His televised meeting with the GOP showed a leader who was tired of an opposing party blocking all progress and offering nothing constructive. His tone was strong, he cut through the niceties and his resolve never wavered.

I don’t know about you but I have found this tougher stance a refreshing change of pace. Yes, finally, the president said what he meant with purpose, authority and with no apologies.

But sometimes I wonder. Why is it that we haven’t succeeded at having more agenda items crossed off our list after a year with Obama in office and a democratic majority? The Democratic leaders are capable and intelligent. And can we really blame it all on an opposing party swatting down every attempt made for progress? Or does our party’s inability to gain ground have anything to do with our reputation for being a little too “nice”? Are we comfortable with being in charge and taking the bull by the horns?  After eight frustrating years as the political under-dog, do we know how step in now and lead?

A Republican friend told me yesterday that Democrats are often too emotional while making decisions. She insisted that emotion needs to have less to do with the process of politics. It would seem that we “bleeding heart liberals” are being tripped up by our own heart strings.

However, I would usually argue that our “bleeding heart” nature is something to be proud of. Emotion is important, it drives our passion to stand up for the little people; it fuels our desire for equal rights and ensures that we work to care for our environment. Ah yes, the hippies that we are, prioritizing healthcare over protecting money. It’s just how we roll.

And yet, when it comes down to business, and we find ourselves nose to nose with our challengers, can we stand up for ourselves? Or do we balk and blink too early?

I am asking a lot of questions only because I am questioning my own party. And I’m not the only one. The loss of the Massachusetts senate seat was a clear indication that our country is tired of waiting for the Democratic Party to be the first to draw during every showdown.

Bill Press from the MetroWest Daily News and host of his own syndicated radio show commented that:

“…For Democrats, the real message of Massachusetts is not to get softer, but to get tougher. Forget the Republicans. Forget weak-kneed Senate Democrats. Use reconciliation to pass the strongest possible bill. Put the public plan option back in it. And do it as soon as possible. Health care reform is too important for the American people to let it be derailed by a new face from Massachusetts.”

Our party has been obviously shaken by recent events – and now we’re scared we may never get anything as important as healthcare reform accomplished. So a tougher tone may be exactly what we need to buck up and get this done.

The New York Times recently described the White House’s goal being:

“…to show voters that Mr. Obama is willing to engage Republicans rather than govern in a partisan manner while forcing Republicans to make substantive compromises or be portrayed as obstructionist given their renewed power to block almost all legislation in the Senate.”

Making sure that the Republican Party is held accountable for whatever productive work they may or may not be doing is a good thing. I also agree that we can take a tougher stance while working towards engaged, constructive, bipartisan efforts. And whether tripping on our own heart strings has or has not been to blame, however, our own party needs to be held accountable for their inaction also.

It’s time to regroup, find confidence in our efforts, stick to the plan, become the leaders we can be, stare opposition in the eye and push forward as a strong, unified party. For the sake of healthcare, in order to repeal Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, so that we can make the kind of mark on this country that we intended to as a party, we may not have any other choice.

Caroline writes about parenting, politics, pondering and panicking about it all at her own blog Morningside Mom.

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