Ten months of reality has somewhat dampened that feeling within me. Though I have been largely happy with Obama’s performance so far, I’m discouraged by the success that the shrieking opposition on the right has had in vilifying the president and his agenda. I can understand not agreeing with the principles of something like healthcare reform. In fact, I too very much worry about the effectiveness of allowing the inefficiencies of bureaucracy to encroach on the healthcare system. But a big part of what appealed so much to me about Obama’s candidacy was the prospect of embracing pragmatism in favor of partisan bickering, and this has not been the case. I don’t doubt that Republican political calculations are largely to blame, but this is disappointing nonetheless.
Now, following decisive Republican victories in the Virginia and New Jersey governor races, I cannot help but feel a little glum about Democrats’ chances in next year’s midterm elections, when many more seats will be at stake. Though I strongly agree that the punditry is overstating the predictive value of these results and that, more than anything, the suffering economy is to blame for the anti-incumbent mood of the electorate, this is still a lousy day to be a liberal.
Perhaps most demoralizing was Maine’s rebuke of a law that legalized same sex marriage in the state. As I’ve stated before, I can’t understand how reasonable people can justify opposition to marriage equality. It’s truly an issue of facilitating the happiness of people who love each other. Nothing more. Though feeling crushed, Andrew Sullivan helps to put this in perspective:
I am heart-broken tonight by Maine, and I'd be lying if I said otherwise.
Somehow losing by this tiny margin is brutalizing. And because this is a vote on my dignity as a human being, it is hard not to take it personally or emotionally. But I also know that the history of civil rights movements has many steps backward as forward, and some of those reversals actually catalyze the convictions that lead to victories. A decade ago, the marriage issue was toxic. Now it divides evenly. Soon, it will win everywhere.
I know for many younger gays and lesbians, this process can seem bewildering and hurtful. But I'm old enough now to be able to look back and see the hill we have climbed in such a short amount of time, and the minds and hearts we have changed. Including our own.Finally, today also marks the 30th anniversary of the start of the Iranian hostage crisis. Though I’ve meant to several times, I’ve never quite gotten around to writing about last spring’s election in Iran. The ongoing unrest there suggests that something powerful has been ignited within the populace. As they protest their repressive government and organize around what they believe is right, I’m struck by the parallels to Obama’s rise. The circumstances are, of course, completely different, but the unifying sense of empowerment is the same. While it’s impossible to predict the ultimate outcome of this movement, as a young Democrat feeling somewhat jaded by current events, it is heartening to be reminded of the ability of hope to change the world.