POSTED AT 12:00 AM ON Jan. 9, 2008 | PRINT | Email | SHARE | COMMENTS (0)

Every election cycle is dominated by a theme around which political campaigns build their momentum. Undoubtedly, the buzzword in 2008 is “bipartisanship.” Whether pledging to bridge divides or healing the partisan atmosphere in Washington, candidates are eagerly tapping into a supposed shared sentiment – one that disapproves of the current political status quo. A political reform movement called Unity ’08 even goes so far as to lobby for a bipartisan ticket to the White House.

Senator Barack Obama’s victory speech in Iowa was especially emblematic of the current tone of conciliation among some Democrats. In the address, Obama emphasized the need to move away from a political movement that is marked by division, and instead “make it about addition.”

As an unapologetic partisan, I am always perplexed by this constant desire on the part of some Democrats to work with Republicans, in spite of their general incompetence. Consider the last seven years, which have been marked by the war in Iraq, warrantless wiretapping, Hurricane Katrina, torture, a burgeoning federal debt and assaults on social programs. There is no question that after years of Republican control, this country is broken – proof that a conservative ideology makes for great theorizing but not much else. As I see it, unraveling Republican mistakes will ask for a president to take bold steps, not kowtow to centrist demands. Addressing the health care crisis, for example, will require Democrats to stand up to the insurance and drug companies, not bring them to the “table,” as Obama has suggested. Real change will ask for an emphasis on a strong progressive agenda, not a sanitized version that is currently being promoted by some.

And therein lies the rub. Despite its benefits, partisanship is often maligned by political observers. Partisanship allows for the ideological distinction between the two parties, thus presenting voters with a clear choice. The creation of successful social programs, like Social Security, has been the direct result of strong partisanship.

Supporters of bipartisanship will point to the large number of independents in the electorate as proof of the need for unity and temperance. However, the idea that this country is home to a significant fluid political center is just a myth. Recent opinion polls show that a large swath of the American public is concerned about the war in Iraq, health care inequity and economic troubles. These same polls also demonstrate that the public trusts Democrats to do a better job of addressing these issues.

So, how did we progressives get here? How did we move away from a proud, liberal tradition to one that is more than willing to rubber-stamp President Bush’s proposals, thereby blurring the line between the two parties? President Bush’s radical polices have surely contributed to a surge of “can’t we all just get along” chatter. In the end, though, the current political situation is largely our own doing. And I’m afraid that for progressives everywhere, the election of Obama will do more harm than good.