If You Don't Stand for Something, You Stand for Nothing

Now, there’s been a lot of talk recently about how in order to be “electable” in the Congressional race against Richard Pombo in CD-11, a candidate must be a "centrist/moderate” so as to woo conservative voters in the Central Valley. But despite many, many requests, I have yet to be provided a working definition of what anyone here means by “moderate” or how, exactly, one candidate in this race is somehow more or less moderate than another.

With that in mind, I'll offer up my own personal definition of what it might mean to be a centrist in this race. Based on my observations, it seems like the self-proclaimed moderate Democrat in CD-11 has a lot in common with Al Capp’s mythical Shmoo:

According to Shmoo legend, the lovable creature laid eggs, gave milk and died of sheer ecstasy when looked at with hunger. The Shmoo loved to be eaten and tasted like any food desired. Anything that delighted people delighted a Shmoo. Fry a Shmoo and it came out chicken. Broil it and it came out steak. Shmoo eyes made terrific suspender buttons. The hide of the Shmoo if cut thin made fine leather and if cut thick made the best lumber. Shmoo whiskers made splendid toothpicks. The Shmoo satisfied all the world's wants.

For instance, let’s talk about the war in Iraq.

On his website Steve Filson describes his position on Iraq in the following strong terms:

We cannot leave a destabilized Iraq ripe for infiltration by terrorists who pose a threat to our safety and security. Whether you agreed with the war or opposed it, we now have a responsibility to fix what is broken.

In Congress, I will:

Campaign for a critical and honest assessment of the realities on the ground in Iraq and a plan that includes critical guidelines: a functional, inclusive, non-sectarian Iraqi government with an Iraqi military force able to quell domestic threats,

Support plans that stabilize Iraq as quickly as possible and allow our troops to concentrate on our original mission — fighting the War on Terror.

Yet when Filson appeared at the Lamorinda Democratic Club, known for its progressive membership, here was Matt’s take on his message:

First, Filson really did not have strong responses to questions about Iraq or universal healthcare. He faced a dilemma in which he was to the right of his audience. But he responded by repeating rhetoric that was little more than political code words. If he could articulate a reason why he was opposed to universal healthcare, I think people might disagree but understand his position. Or if he has a better response on Iraq, I think people would disagree but understand. Instead, I found his responses to these particular issues fairly devoid of substance.

Then, when Filson was questioned about his position on the Iraq War at his appearance last week at an endorsement meeting of the equally progressive Hayward Demos, according to a Filson supporter, here’s what happened:

Filson called for a withdrawl [sic] and stated that he would work with Pentagon officials to have the best plan to do just that.

Just in case you’re confused about where Steve Filson stands on the Iraq War, let me remind you of what he had to say last fall at the San Ramon Democratic Club:

He claimed that as a "centrist-moderate" he is more electable than progressives like (Jerry) McNerney and Margee Ensign... He is not against war in all cases: "It's about electability. If we wave the anti-war flag, we will lose. If we are too progressive, we will lose again."

So is this the definition for being a moderate: Taking a principled stand is overrated; “It’s about electability”?

Hey, I sure could go for a piece of chicken right about now. Can you turn yourself into that?

Then there’s health care.

Again, hearkening to Filson’s website, he stakes out the following position:

Families should be confident that they will have access to affordable, quality health care if they change jobs, lose a job or get sick; rising health care costs create debt and financial instability for families. We must do more to reduce the number of Americans without health insurance wherever possible. Many children and families remain uninsured despite the fact that they are eligible for the Children's Health Insurance Program or Medicaid. We have the means to identify and reach out to these individuals and to make sure that everyone who deserves our help knows where to find it.

We must also do more to strengthen employer-based coverage options.

Now, first you should re-read Matt’s comment cited above with regard to the Lamorinda meeting but this time focus on the part about health care.

Compare that to the Hayward Demo’s endorsement meeting, where an observer made the following note:

What I found interesting, perhaps telling was that at the meeting Filson was now unequivocally for National Health Care. At the Lamorinda Club event he was for the more ambiguous "affordable health care." That didn't go over too well there.

Then, there’s always the Democratic Club meeting in Morgan Hill, where Filson said this:

We here in the clubs, we strong Democrats, we talk about health care; we're for universal health care. I'll guarantee you, that's not going to switch a centrist voter. We care about that passionately; we have to lead them and pull them.

So maybe that's the definition of a moderate: pretending to be against something that you’re really for (or for something that you're really against?) so that once the voters elect you, you can “lead them and pull them” in some totally different direction? Huh.

You know, I changed my mind – could you turn yourself into a steak?

Of course, there’s always nuclear power.

At the Hayward Demos endorsement meeting, when Filson was directly questioned about his position on nuclear power (remember, this is a group of dedicated progressives), according to one of his supporters, this was Filson’s response:

He did not support adding any new nuclear power plants.

Well, that’s certainly what the club members wanted to hear. Only trouble is, earlier in the month, in his Daily Kos diary, Filson wrote:

Renewables should be expanded exponentially. Coal must be cleaned and gasified. Natural gas production must increase. Hydrogen, fuel cells, fusion, and even "green nuclear" technologies must be pursued.

So is this finally the definition of “moderate”: being all things to all people? Is it simply a matter of paying lip service to progressive positions when addressing progressives, conservative positions when addressing conservatives, and then doing whatever you damn well please once you're elected? Is this the form of “centrism” that the politicians in Washington expect the grassroots to embrace; is complete obfuscation of our principles the only way to beat Richard Pombo in November? Is that what Democrats really stand for?

Oh, I know – that’s it – maybe you could turn yourself into beer! I need a drink.

Tags: CA-11, Richard Pombo, Steve Filson, Jerry McNerney, Iraq, health care, nuclear power, centrist, moderate, electable