ABC News: Are Dems Pro-Life?

By GottaLaff

Did they not watch CSPAN today? Apparently not:

Are Democrats Now Pro-Life? As Convention Draws Near, New Talk of a Pro-Life Presence

That's some headline, for suresies! Of course Democrats are "pro-life". They're sure not pro-death. And they continue to be pro-choice.

An excerpt from the Democratic platform:

Abortion (called "Choice")

The Democratic Party strongly and unequivocally supports Roe v. Wade and a woman's right to choose a safe and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay, and we oppose any and all efforts to weaken or undermine that right.

Seems clear enough to me.

Health care compromise makes Hillary and Obama supporters happy

By GottaLaff

I told ya so! I told ya the Democratic Platform meeting was all touchy-feely swell!

Democrats shaped a set of principles Saturday that commits the party to guaranteed health care for all, heading off a potentially divisive debate and edging the party closer to the position of Barack Obama's defeated rival, Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Sing it with me: Kumbaya:

The party's platform committee moved smoothly through a range of issues for the fall campaign and approved a document that will go to the Democratic convention in Denver later this month for adoption.

There was little dissent — or room for it — in the day's meeting and a compromise on health policy took one flash-point off the table.

Obama, soon to be the Democratic nominee, has stopped short of proposing to mandate health coverage for all. He aims to achieve something close to universal coverage by making insurance more affordable and helping struggling families pay for it.

Advisers to Obama and Clinton both told the party's platform meeting they were happy with the compromise, adopted without opposition or without explanation as to how health care would be guaranteed.

In return for the guarantee, activists dropped a tougher platform amendment seeking a government-run, single-payer system and another amendment explicitly holding out Clinton's plan as the one to follow.

There now. That wasn't so hard, was it?

Why CSPAN made me cry

By GottaLaff

I flipped on CSPAN just as the Democratic Platform Committee meeting was getting started. I watched as Democrat after Democrat got up to amend amended amendments. I listened as Deval Patrick charismatically oversaw the proceedings. I breathed in the policies and inclusiveness that I thought were lost forever.

After 7+ years of the Bush regime, I'd forgotten what it could be like. I'd forgotten what listening was like. I'd forgotten that adequate care for seniors, the sick, and the needy could be possible again. I'd suppressed the feelings of optimism and hope, because every time I allowed a little to seep through my horror at the endless Bush crimes, those feelings dissipated like snowflakes on a warm car.

For the first time in a long time, I began to believe that our government could do more good than harm. I witnessed people accept the ideas of those with whom they didn't completely agree. I felt my body relax as a Hillary supporter made overtures of unity to Obama supporters.

The rotting corpse of the Bush administration will be replaced. If anyone out there really believes that McCain wouldn't perpetuate that stench, think again. If any Hillary voters truly equate a vote for McCain with a vote for Clinton, they're sadly mistaken.

After observing today's meeting, I teared up at the memory of what once was, and what could be. Despite the fact that no candidate could encompass all our ideals, that they're all flawed (Edwards...), including Obama, it is reassuring to realize that the window has finally opened widely enough to allow some fresh air in. And that made me cry.

First look at the Democratic platform

By GottaLaff

Platfrom, platform, platform!

Ta daaaa! The Democratic platform, via Marc Ambinder:

Here it is -- the draft of the 2008 Democratic National Committee platform. You're looking at it the version that was sent to platform committee members this morning. They'll amend and ratify it before the convention.

Platform 8 7 08 (2).pdf

Its title: "Renewing America's Promise."

The content is organized thematically. The platform emphasizes, among things, opportunity for women and goes into detail about a panoply of different economy, family and rights issues as they relate to women.

The platform divides into sections. The first is about the economy, entitled "Renewing the American Dream." Then comes "Renewing American Leadership," with a special emphasis on withdrawing from Iraq. Then: "Renewing the American Community." Then a brand new section that reflects Obama's campaign theme: "Renewing American Democracy," which opens with a section on ethics and governance.

In 2004, John Kerry's platform repeated the word "strong" in each title: A "strong, respected America.. a strong, growing economy, strong, healthy families," etc.

The preamble includes an olive branch to Republicans and independents:

And so, Democrats -through the most open platform process in history -are reaching out today to Republicans and Independents who hunger for a new direction and a reason to hope. Today, at a defining moment in our history, the Democratic Party resolves to renew America's promise.

Here's what the platform says about some hot topics:

D'oh! I teased you. Go here for the rest.

Napolitano sets up most open and inclusive Dem platform operation in history

By GottaLaff

Progressive ideas abound:

Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, newly named chairman of the Democrats' platform-drafting committee, on Monday announced plans for the process and immediately set up a competition with the Republicans for the most open and inclusive operation in history.

Three days ago, the Republican National Committee announced plans to create a Web site where any voter can offer ideas for what John McCain should run on.

Napolitano, an early backer of Barack Obama, said Democrats would have the same thing and, starting on Saturday, would have at least 1,000 sites around the nation where people could meet and discuss their ideas for the Democratic platform.

This is good. This is inclusive and good. This is smart, inclusive, and good. This is smart, inclusive, ambitious and good. This is...

Shut up, Laffy.