And it is decidedly local.
There’s a whiff of an idea floating around right now, and it concerns the future of the Democratic party. Now, I know there’s a ton of ideas out there in this regard, but I’ve seen a few rise up from independent sources, and I think it’s enough to qualify as a legitimate “meme.”
The general theory, which I embraced in my last post, says that the Democrats should get local if they want to win. Too often, Dems have relied on progressivism on a national stage. But in reality, the ideas that most self-identified democrats are working for are local: social justice, health care, education, sustainable living, and the like. The future of the progressive movement, therefore, lies in the states and the cities.
James Carville has picked up on this. And Scott at DeskJockeys is also on the bandwagon. Finally, tomorrow, the cover of Seattle’s The Stranger will argue that an “Urban Archipelago” connects the Blue cities of America.
The key to the city is going to go to the guy (or gal) who can combine this agenda with a proper foreign policy.
I’m going to wade slowly into this mess over the next few weeks. I’m calling it “neo-localism.” I’m curious to hear your take.
Now Playing: Episode 356
The Republican Convention, Fannie and Freddie go bust, and finally, our international news roundup.
Links Mentioned: Europeans try to placate the Russians … details on the bail-out … a brief history of Fannie and Freddie … Mark Schmitt on Obama’s high-risk, high-reward strategy … Biden tears it up on the trail.
