Why We Must Demand Our Candidates Tell Us What They Stand For

As I turn this blog over to Matt Singer for the next few days, just a note to all who are interested in the Brown-Hackett controversy - let's remember one thing. The reason I bring up all these issues about Hackett criticizing Brown for Brown's progressive positions is not because I like Sherrod Brown - its because if we have a primary, we as progressives must try to use that primary to make sure the candidates - BOTH candidates - let us know where they stand on issues. Because beyond the glitz and style and charisma, a Senator's only real power is their vote - and we need to know where they stand and what votes they will cast.

We know where Sherrod Brown stands on every issue - he has a long voting record fighting for progressive causes. The same cannot be said of Hackett, who has changed positions even on the one issue that was supposed to define him - Iraq. That means that we MUST pressure him to tell us where he stands, especially if he is criticizing his opponent for being "a very liberal Democrat."

The point is not whether we like one candidate or another personally (although that seems to mark the blind loyalty in the blogosphere to Hackett, despite his lack of any issue positions). The point is to get these guys - and especially the unknown - on the record, so we know what we are getting. If we don't demand to know, we may get something we don't want (say, another Ben Nelson). Additionally, if we DO demand to know - as I have tried to demand of Hackett - we get the benefit of forcing an unknown to tell us where he stands, and hopefully, take progressive positions, like Hackett finally did on the war. Without that pressure, however, we ask nothing of candidates in return for our votes. And that would be a tragedy, especially in a primary where issues are supposed to matter. That is the point - to start creating an ideological movement by asking something of those who are running for office. That goes for Brown, it goes for Hackett and it goes for everyone else running for office.

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