One of my blogmates over at The Next Hurrah said of the nomination of Harriet Miers: “There is no need for the Dems to be deferential here.”

If the party had banners like samurai cavalry, this is the slogan that ought to be emblazoned on every one of them.

Instead, based on high Democrats’ comments so far, it seems the leadership is already furling its flags, breaking its swords and hobbling the horses before the battle has been engaged. Pathetic.
Early on, I was one of those who argued in favor of filibustering John Roberts, even though I knew it was unlikely to happen. After Rehnquist died, I was still down with the filibuster, but it was obviously not going to happen, and I came to accept the tactical argument that, paradoxically, having many Democrats vote in favor of Roberts would actually strengthen their hand when the confirmation hearings for center-rightist Sandra Day O’Connor’s replacement took place. They could legitimately argue that Roberts was, at worst, another  Rehnquist. Voting for him, especially given the inevitability of his ascent, would obliterate GOP talking points about Democratic “obstructionism,” and give them leverage over the Next Nominee.

And now, from Markos and a host of others, I’m learning that Miers’s nomination is actually proof that the tactic has worked, that Bush has been forced to avoid offering up a red-meat nominee acceptable to the rightwingholes, that we  actually have a victory on our hands. After all, it’s clear from listening to the screaming of Right www.Land and other reactionaries that they don’t like her. Calloo, Callay. Oh frabjous joy. The rightwing in high dudgeon is so satisfying. Score one for our side.

After all, if Bush’s base deserts him over this nominee, maybe it will take his poll numbers down another 5 points, or even 10. And wouldn’t that be delightful?

Sheesh. Are we so desperate that even the most Pyrhhic victory can raise our spirits?

Personally, I love seeing Bush’s poll numbers in the Dumpster. Given the number of people who have been killed in Iraq, the number let die in New Orleans, the amount of money transferred to the rich and corrupt, the amount of treason committed by this Administration, it is a little bit encouraging to see that a majority of Americans  don’t think the guy is doing such a good job. A little late to learn this, but finally is better than never, I guess.

But unless Bush resigns under pressure, or gets impeached and convicted – possible, but unlikely – we’re stuck with him for another three years. And he could very well replace yet another Supreme Court justice, or even two, in those three years. Will the Dems roll over and play dead for those nominees as well? Oh no, it’s argued. By then the Democrats will control the House and the Senate and we’ll be able to say no to anything and everything.

Good grief. And people used to call me a Pollyanna.

Philosophically, I’ve been a far-left social democrat for four decades; pragmatically, just like my radical grandpa urged me, I’ve been a diehard Democrat. For this I’ve taken no end of shit. But I have not wavered.

I’ve argued with fellow radicals who have said there is no difference between the parties and apathetics who have asked what the party ever did for them. I’ve supported compromises, and tactical maneuvering and slick strategy with the thought that these would keep this or that outcome from being worse than it could be. I’ve bit my tongue and backed Democratic candidates who gave me ulcers because the alternative seemed so much worse.

I’ve suffered deep gouges in my principles to further the cliché that politics is the art of the possible. I’ve worked for radical policy change outside the electoral process and worked to elect the most liberal/left primary candidates. Yet, when the crunch came, I closed ranks and pressed reluctant others to do the same. For 40+ years, I’ve gone along with the politics of half a glass (or a quarter-glass) in hopes that some day it might be close to full.

But, frankly, if the Dems do what the leadership seems poised to do – let this nomination sail through without a screaming fight – I’m done with the party.

Not that I’ll never vote Democratic again. There are Democrats who I still count on my side, whose principles align with mine, and whose willingness to speak up when so many are silent will make me cast my ballot for them. But walk precincts, contribute money, argue with fence-straddlers? I’ll be using that energy elsewhere.

I know the argument. Many say the Democrats can’t win this battle. Even if Meirs gets filibustered, they say, Bush will just appoint someone else equally as unqualified, equally a crony, and maybe ideologically worse than she might be. Better to retreat now and fight another day.

And when, pray tell, might that day come?