By all accounts, debate winners and losers are decided by the court of public opinion. I would also say that, ultimately, it is media largesse that sets the tone for post-debate analysis, manufacturing consent for their pick of winners and losers. In that paradigm, lies beat facts everytime. As a result, partisan fighting is what dominates our society’s zeitgeist, and only a partisan fighter will come away the winner. It doesn’t require you be an amoebic liar – a nimble warrior with an arsenal of truth is a more potent adversary. But it just requires energy and a clear message of action.
It is for this reason that partisan firepower, intestinal fortitude, and a will to go to the mat for the people you represent, that President Obama, the Democratic party, and progressive activists must channel Harry Truman.
Update: Harry Truman Quotes
“Carry the battle to them. Don’t let them bring it to you. Put them on the defensive. And don’t ever apologize for anything.”
― Harry S. Truman
“A bureaucrat is a Democrat who holds some office that a Republican wants.”
― Harry S. Truman
“On the one hand, the Republicans are telling industrial workers that the high cost of food in the cities is due to this government’s farm policy. On the other hand, the Republicans are telling the farmers that the high cost of manufactured goods on the farm is due to this government’s labor policy.
That’s plain hokum. It’s an old political trick: “If you can’t convince ’em, confuse ’em.” But this time it won’t work.”
― Harry S. Truman
“Mitt Romney Richard Nixon is a no good, lying bastard. He can lie out of both sides of his mouth at the same time, and if he ever caught himself telling the truth, he’d lie just to keep his hand in. ”
― Harry S. Truman
Harry Truman by all accounts and by his own admission was truly a partisan democrat. He believed that the Democratic party was for and by the people, that it’s platform represented this philosophy, that it’s politicians operated under this auspice, and that this message must be delivered unflinchingly, clearly, honestly – and fiercely. But also that actions must compliment words. It is a fighting style that will serve the President decisively in the debates to follow and on the campaign trail, if in fact he intends to win in November. It will also provide the shot in the arm needed to effect any meaningful policy if in fact he is re-elected. It will show that he fully has the back of the people he claims to have on the campaign trail, and if he is true to this cause, the people will turn out and support him. It will show unquestionably where he stands without compromising the truth/reality/facts, and Americans by and large respect someone who fights for their beliefs, underdog or favorite.
More then just President Obama, it is this tone that will unify the Democratic party and progressive activists. It is the binding glue of the middle class, nay of the populace, that not only are we all in this thing together, but by god, I’m willing to actually show you how much I’ll bleed and sweat for you to prove it, and if you elect me, I’ll show you still. It’s in the American DNA to back a real fighter.
If the democrats want to get their act together and implement policy that truly puts the heart of america first, then they need to FIGHT, fight hard, fight real and bravely, wear your bruises well and punch first and last, and take your opponent to the mat. Without this persona and gravitas, the Democratic party will lose their souls and their seats, lose to corporate influence, lose the White House, lose any gain they may have in the House of Representatives, lose control of the Senate, and lose any gains within the State Legislatures.
President Obama, the Democratic Party, and progressive activists need a Come to Truman moment, because if nothing else, you’ll know where they stand, and that’s with the people.