July 26, 2007 12:05 AM UTC

Proud to be a Democrat

• 9 Comments
• by: Raf

Do me a favor. Take a quick look at the web pages for Sen. Joan Fitz-Gerald and Will Shafroth.

Now take a look at Jared Polis’ web page.

What’s the one thing that you see clearly on Jared’s page, but not on the Senator’s or Mr. Shafroth’s?

That’s right: self-identification as a Democrat.

If it’s obvious to you, it’s also obvious to others. Folks, for example, like Stu Rothenberg.

In his latest missive, Rothenberg wrote:

“Three main candidates are competing for the Democratic nomination to replace Rep. Mark Udall (D) in Colorado’s 2nd district, where Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) took 58 percent in 2004. But you wouldn’t know state Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald or Will Shafroth were Democrats from an initial look at their Web sites, while their opponent, former state Board of Education Chairman Jared Polis, is clearly a “Democratic candidate for Congress.””

Why? Why won’t the Senator or Mr. Shafroth identify themselves as Democrats? This is a district that Kerry carried with 58% of the vote, and that Gore carried with 57%. In a place like this, why wouldn’t you stand up and say, “I’m not just a Democrat, but a proud Democrat!”

I’ll be the first one to say that maybe that’s not something you do in Colorado Springs, though I would, having lived there. I’ve defended candidates in the past who’ve made the decision to shade their partisan identification, and I’ve worked for candidates who’ve done that.

But this is one of our bedrock districts as a party and as a movement. We need candidates who will stand up and fight for the things we believe in, and who will proudly embrace the name of the party they run under.

I’ve decided to work for Jared for many reasons, but one of the larger ones is that I’m tired of politicians who aren’t willing to defend the party that we belong to. We need candidates who will turn the page on the tired politics of appeasement, and who will proudly embrace their identity as Democrats.

UPDATE: I didn’t include this in my original post, because I didn’t have the poll in front of me, but here’s more evidence that candidates should run as strong, proud Democrats:

Zogby & Associates released a poll yesterday titled A Report Card on Prejudice in America. This poll was meant to look at the prejudices that Americans have, but it also looked at the impression that Americans have of their fellow citizens. The most stunning conclusion?

[Respondents] think most Americans believe…Republicans are most responsible for many of the world’s ills.

(emphasis mine).

Wait, wait, it gets worse. Here’s the breakdown by issue:

War: 62% blamed Republicans vs. 14% Democrats
Global Warming: 56% blamed Republicans vs. 10% Democrats
Prejudice: 52% blamed Republicans vs. 22% for Democrats
Poverty: 49% held Republicans accountable; 29% Democrats
Corruption: 47% blamed Republicans vs. 31% Democrats
Crime: On this issue, respondents reversed the trend, with 42% blaming Democrats vs. 23% Republicans

source: Zogby & Associates.

When you have numbers like these, it’s the height of folly not to emphasize that you belong to the party that will make things right. That’s why we’re making the point we’re making.

Full Disclosure: I am Internet Director for Jared Polis for Congress. You can donate to the campaign here and you can volunteer here. It’s your campaign, and we need your help.