"Speaking To The Middle"

When I was an executive with MGM, an associate of mine would at times have a monumental meltdown while attacking a subordinate for some major or minor perceived transgression. When order was restored I would quietly ask him what he hoped to get out of his tirade? What outcome did he expect?

The political "outcome" that I expect is the election of a Democratic Congress and President.

Over a year ago moveon called for a boycott of the Walt Disney Company following their refusal to release the Michael Moore film. I contacted moveon and advised them that the "enemy" was President Bush, and not The Walt Disney Company. All efforts should be directed at "electing a Democrat." and while I do not love Michael Eisner and the Disney Company, they are not responsible for us being at war. What were they trying to accomplish by "boycotting Disney"? What "outcome" did moveon expect?

One of my friends, a retired Marine Colonel named Ernie Frankel wrote the following to me after he read my "VIGIL" piece (about Cindy Sheehan). He is a staunch anti-war Democrat, and I value his opinion.

"Good point, Norm. I do think there's something simple and noble and even innocent in the woman; and I think that dignifies her and her cause. In this case, I agree that the "hitchhikers" should stay the hell away.

On the other hand, I hesitate to denigrate those 'who speak to the choir,' like moveon. Anytime you can organize millions overnight to contribute millions to a candidate, to provoke them to write millions of letters to office holders, to get them to join together in a cause, you are doing together what none of us can do alone.

The media will cover this gallant woman....until Michael Jackson strays again....until some senator's mistress lets the cat out of the bag....until another general is accused of adultery.....

But Moveon will still be there. And so will True Majority. And so will Common Cause. And so will ten others. And they will be mobilizing public opinion long after Cindy Sheehan is vaguely remembered for trying to demonstrate that the unreachable is unreachable."

Ernie, I don't denigrate any of these organizations. I believe that the "Democrats" are on board in their desire to defeat President Bush and the Republican Congress. If that is everyone's intention in these organizations, the "need" is to convince middle of the road Americans that our country has entered into a needless war and that the public was lied to about the reasons we went to war, among many other administration transgressions.

I believe that these middle of the road Republicans can hear the message if it is not delivered by Common Cause, Moveon, and True Majority. I applaud these people, yet they will not, in my opinion, be able to get the job done.

The Democrat Senators, Congressmen, and Governors need to stand up to the President and his Congress in a "centrist" fashion. They need to be bold and consistent in their criticism, and speak out against the reasons we went to war and the bad policies followed by the administration in its execution. They need to discuss the deficit the environment tax cuts etc. They should not be afraid to say "bad things" about the President and his policies.

Our goals are to elect a Democratic President and Congress, and not have to endure Bush, Cheney, Rice, Rove, and Rumsfeld et al. any longer then is necessary.

This is the "outcome" I believe we want, and I know it is the outcome that I want.

Norman Horowitz

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