Herding Dems?

By Carter Bundy

“I belong to no organized political party. I’m a Democrat.” So goes the well-worn cliché attributed to Will Rogers, and for many of us, to borrow from Homer Simpson, it’s funny because it’s true.

The other cliché is that getting Dems together is like herding cats. That’s almost true, but most years, herding cats is easier.

This year, though, something’s going on, nationally and in New Mexico. Dems seem to be going out of their way to keep their differences professional and are avoiding the nastiness that has been a hallmark of Dem primaries for decades.

Senatorial courtesy

Exhibit A: Mayor Chávez graciously dropping out of the Senate race and immediately offering a generous statement of support to Congressman Udall. Talk about a race that had potential to divide Dems in the state.

Dems would have heard nothing but rural vs. Albuquerque, military vs. renewable energy, progressive vs. centrist and native New Mexican vs. New Mexican by choice for the next seven months.

Obviously the early polling wasn’t great for the mayor and played some role in his decision. Put it this way: Had he been up 20 or 25 instead of the other way around, does anyone think he’d have stepped down?

Whether he could or would have closed the gap all the way isn’t the point. The point is, Chávez could easily have made it a nasty, vicious primary, and maybe a very competitive one, too, that would have left the victor bloodied beyond recognition. And ripe for Wilson or Pearce to pick off.

Instead, barring unforeseen circumstances (and who in their right mind would argue that unforeseen means unlikely this year?), Udall is going to be the Dem nominee come June. He’ll have a solidly unified Democratic Party behind him, plenty of independent support and a big ol’ bankroll to help him weather GOP attacks.

Herding cats this ain’t.

Meanwhile, in the same race there are no signs that the GOP fault lines won’t be badly exposed: religious vs. more secular, urban vs. rural, 100-percent Bush lover vs. 90-percent Bush lover, enthusiastic warrior vs. indecisive warrior, etc. Both Wilson and Pearce have loyal constituencies, and each will have beaucoup bucks to make the battle an ugly one.

Tom’s waiting. The mayor just moved the Dems’ chances of picking up the seat from toss-up or leaning Dem to quite strong.

Presidential politeness

Exhibit B: At the national level, Dems are playing relatively friendly. Yes, there’s the despicable e-mail going around basically saying Obama’s a Manchurian candidate. Even though some Hillary volunteers were caught forwarding it, there’s no doubt it has nothing to do with the campaign. I received some of the same garbage from some otherwise upstanding Dem friends almost a year ago (sorry, friends, you know who you are, and it was wrong) and have trashed each one of those e-mails.

Obama and Edwards have gotten a bit snippy with Clinton, making the absurd allegation that she’s a corporate Dem (does anyone remember who viciously destroyed her universal health program? Most politicians don’t forget their friends – or enemies – and she won’t if/when she’s president).

By and large, though, the Dem presidential field has followed Governor Richardson’s lead in keeping the discussion to the issues and credentials.

On the ground here in Iowa, it seems most Iowa Dems are taking the governor’s advice to heart. More common than support for any one candidate is the line, “Wow, we sure are lucky/blessed to have so many good candidates to choose from.” Yeah, there’s ticky-tack stuff going on in the political rags and even a bit on the stump, but Dems have decided this is a year we’re going to win.

Contrast that with the absolute savagery Mike Huckabee is taking from GOP pros and voters alike. As he’s surged to success in Iowa and nationally, the gloves have come off and he’s being assaulted with a bunch of half-truths on everything from parole to promising programs in Arkansas.

Mitt’s taking a beating over, of all things, being religious. Did you ever think you’d see the day when large numbers of Republicans would trash a Christian for practicing his faith?

McCain is loathed by GOP pundits and some voters alike for taking a serious, balanced approach to immigration and campaign finance. Rudy… well, no need to pile on – that’s being done by his fellow partisans.

It seems New Mexico is leading the way for Dems all around the country when it comes to recognizing that debate is important, but that debates and circular firing squads are two different things.

Ronald Reagan is brought up at virtually every GOP debate and town hall. Ironically, his famous 11th Commandment to not speak ill of other Republicans has been adopted with a Democratic twist by Dems, while the GOP candidates seem to be quite unfamiliar with it.

With New Mexico Democrats leading the way, 2008 could be the year that proves Will Rogers wrong.

Bundy is the political and legislative director for AFSCME in New Mexico. The opinions in his column are personal and do not necessarily reflect any official AFSCME position. You can learn more about him by clicking here. Contact him at carterbundy@yahoo.com.