John Edwards and the Coming Progressive EraRandy Shawbyline‚ Dec. 20‚ 2006Responses to my above column arguing that 2006 was the start of a new progressive era raised two issues that deserve further discussion. First, many noted that John Edwards would also be a President who supported progressive movements. This is absolutely correct. Edwards would be a great president, but for reasons discussed below I do not see him defeating Obama or Gore. Second, a surprising number of people focused on the ideology of these latter two potential presidents rather than accepting my premise that grassroots movements are the chief agent for national progressive change. With Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne also arguing yesterday that “2006 is looking more and more like one of history's hinge years,” it is up to activists, not politicians, to fulfill these expectations. |