But the Good News

Grass-roots progressive activism is not only alive and well but perhaps more dynamic than at any time in the last twenty years. Progressives got out the vote for Democrats and Independents – overriding the much-overestimated Rove machine. Also, take a look at what happened to conservative ballot initiatives in several red states. South Dakotans defeated a broad-scale ban on all abortions, 56 to 44 percent. Arizonans voted down a ban on same-sex marriage. Missourians voted in favor of stem-cell research.

The challenge now is for progressive activists to remain active. Congressional Dems won’t be courageous unless activists at the grass roots make them so.