Tone, Truth, and the Democratic Party

By: Barack Obama at Daily Kos

It is necessary for Democrats to get some backbone, give as good as they get, brook no compromise, drive out Democrats who are interested in "appeasing" the right wing, and enforce a more clearly progressive agenda. The country, finally knowing what we stand for and seeing a sharp contrast, will rally to our side and thereby usher in a new progressive era.

I would argue that the most powerful voices of change in the country, from Lincoln to King, have been those who can speak with the utmost conviction about the great issues of the day without ever belittling those who opposed them, and without denying the limits of their own perspectives.

The opposition to Roberts could have easily been framed on grounds that any American would understand: stonewalling and secrecy at a job interview should not be tolerated in any candidate for any job, let alone that of Chief Justice, no matter how brilliant and well qualified this candidate is.

This is a no brainer.