What Gives Me Hope

I think the Democrats will have a strong message on security nationally in spite of themselves. That's because of Eric Massa and the Veterans for a Secure America. If Dems do take back the House it'll be because of these guys. Their message is razor-sharp and inclusive:

You will notice that I have used the term "Fighting Dem Vets" because there are worthy candidates who are Fighting Dems who are not vets.  Today I wish to address the question of why vet brothers and sisters should band together to receive your support. Right away, I would like to make two points clear. First, we do not believe we are worthy candidates simply because we have served in the armed forces. This is not a single issue movement. In fact, the Fighting Dem Vets are motivated as much by the social and economic issues that face us at home as they are about the threats that face us worldwide. Iraq, for example, should not be seen as an overriding issue with disregard for other vital concerns. Iraq is but one symptom of an agenda that strikes at the heart of our nation. And it is all the symptoms, domestic and international, that must be addressed if we are to save our nation from those who would destroy its values.

America stands on the brink. America must now, this year, in this election, make the decisions that will determine our future. Are we to continue the course that this administration and this Congress have begun?  Or must we instead change the direction to put America back on the course that made us great? I believe that most Americans see this danger and want to not just change the course, but to put America back on course.  And so the gathering on February 8th in Washington, D.C., of an army of veteran candidates is an answer to the call of duty to serve on the home front as we have served on the front lines.

THAT'S the message I needed from Gov. Kaine. I hope the DLC and the centrist strategists don't sink their meathooks into these guys. We need them now more than ever. Let this be the Year of the Vet. The Year of the Fighting Dem. The year when Democrats weren't afraid to speak out and stand up in opposition. The year they weren't afraid to speak their agenda from the mountaintop.

The great thing about the blogosphere is that it decentralizes the process. I believe these Fighting Dems will get a lot of support, more than the national party structures. We'll have our paradigm shift in this election, even if we have to go behind the DC Dems' backs to do it.