Article by Norman Solomon on Obama's detour, plus an interview with East Bay Congresswoman Barbara Lee about the Congressional progressive agenda. Lee interview is as interesting for what she doesn't say as for what she does. While her track record is exceptional -- she was the sole Congressperson to vote against the blank check resolution authorizing President Bush to use military force against anyone associated with terrorist attacks following 9/11* -- she refuses to publicly criticize, or even disagree with, the Democratic leadership, especially Speaker of the House and SF Representative Nancy Pelosi. When I met with Lee last year along with Brad Newsham ("Beach Impeach") and several members of Code Pink, Lee and her chief of staff got seriously winded when Brad and I asked why she hadn't publicly talked up impeachment (which bill she had actually co-sponsored) and had even refused to endorse an impeachment rally I was planning. Instead of honestly responding to the question, they instantly took umbrage that we should challenge her in any way, and sprang into attack mode. A surprising -- and ridiculous -- way to deal with constituents and activists.

http://www.truthout.org/article/obama-and-progressive-base

http://www.truthout.org/video/interview-with-rep-barbara-lee

My comment: This is a wonderful opportunity to bring news from political insiders in Washington to the people on the ground. Unfortunately, there is nothing new here. Congresswoman Lee, one of the staunchest progressive activists, is nonetheless unwilling to challenge her Democratic leadership, which has capitulated on funding the war, on refusing to raise impeachment, on domestic spying, and on and on. These failures have destroyed public trust in the Democratic Party, just as her candidate Obama is doing, even as we speak. Instead of softball interviews, Pitt should come better prepared with specific questions to challenge even our allies.

* Her explanation of that vote here is outstanding: http://www.daveyd.com/FullArticles/articleN887.asp

Labels: Barbara Lee, Democrats, Obama