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Tracing the Web of Politics
Are you someone who tends to “vote for the man, not
the party”?
As mentioned in an earlier column, I made that
mistake when I cast my ballot for Republican Bill Weld for governor in
1990 and have regretted it ever since. Weld was smart, charming, and
seemed honest – and was much more likeable than the Democratic
candidate.
After Weld left for greener pastures, our corner
office has been occupied by Governors Cellucci and Romney. We’ve had
almost 16 years of Republican executive “leadership.”
In my view, these Republican governors have failed
to carry out our Commonwealth’s business responsibly. (Republicans seem
to get tired of the job quickly. They’re not very interested in
delivering public services.)
When you vote for a governor – whether a Democrat
or a Republican – you’re sending a message about your political views,
and you’re also lending your support to a party. Because, once elected,
that governor will be a lynchpin in his or her party across the state
and across the nation.
Parties are networks of people of like-minded
political views. They don’t agree with each other on every issue, but
they share a general philosophy.
Governors assist other members of their party in
numerous ways, including fundraising, promoting their party’s messages,
and supporting its tactics.
Take fundraising as a sign of linked support.
Governor Weld led the fundraising for California Republican Governor
Wilson (and Wilson was an early supporter of Republican President George
W. Bush). Weld donated to New York’s Republican Governor, to the
Republican who tried to defeat Democrat Hilary Clinton for Senate, to
Pennsylvania Republican Senator Arlen Specter, and even to the very
right-wing Pennsylvania Republican Congressman Rick Santorum. Governors
Cellucci and Romney gave substantially to the Bush-Cheney campaign.
Contrast the donations made by our last Democratic
Governor, Mike Dukakis: to Democratic Congressman Tierney, Democratic
Senator Kerry, and Democratic Senator Kennedy, to name a few. And, like
other governors, he has shared crucial advice, information, and contacts
with the goal of strengthening his party.
The behind-the-scenes efforts of all governors to
promote their party go far beyond their direct campaign contributions,
but these are the easiest to trace through public records.
Members of a party support each other,
understanding that they can accomplish more when they stick together.
There are times when they disagree, but even the most independent
leaders will not often defy their party– because they depend upon each
other to accomplish what their constituents elected them for. They agree
with their party’s goals.
So if you’re a Democrat at heart but you decide to
vote for a Republican, you’re indirectly lending support to the
Republican network.
We don’t know whom the Republicans will nominate
for governor next year, but the candidate will likely be clean-cut and
intelligent, and will probably avoid talking about why he or she is a
Republican – hoping you’ll vote without paying attention to the party he
(or she) is dedicated to.
Today Republicans control the White House, the
Senate, the House, the Supreme Court, and a majority of state
governorships, including California, Texas, Florida, New York, and
Massachusetts. We now have the perfect opportunity to observe the true
priorities of the Republican Party, since the Republicans aren’t forced
to compromise with Democrats very often these days: huge tax cuts for
the very richest Americans while running up an enormous irresponsible
deficit, which threatens the future financial security of the nation.
The priority of the Democratic Party, on the other
hand, is the common good. We believe in a society that fosters the
well-being of the people – people from all income levels, all ethnic and
racial and religious backgrounds, all ages.
That’s why during the last two generations the
Democratic Party pushed hard – usually with vehement Republican
opposition – to reduce poverty, increase access to health care, improve
public transportation, eliminate discrimination, prohibit child labor,
protect consumers, provide for the unemployed, expand employment,
improve working conditions, protect our air and drinking water, make
education available to all, encourage fair business, and strengthen our
national security through international agreements.
We were able to make progress on behalf of all
Americans and our posterity when Democrats were winning the Presidency
and the Congress.
Next time you vote for national or state leaders,
think about which party you wish to support. Don’t make the mistake I
made when Weld (R) ran against Silber (D).
In future columns, I’ll provide more reasons to be
a Democrat and vote for Democrats.
Catherine Bayliss is chairwoman of the Gloucester Democratic City
Committee and a member of the Democratic State Committee. |
Gloucester
