The Challenge

It seems obligatory to make note of the Democratic challenge to the Ohio electors by Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones and Senator Barbara Boxer. While it wasn't something I was particularly exercised about one way or another going in, on balance I'm glad it happened and Jones and Boxer deserve every accolade we can bestow. It's value as an exercise in focusing attention on the kind of election reform that should be a rallying point for Democrats in the new Congress was sufficient to make it worthwhile, regardless of the certainty of the final outcome.

Hunter at Daily Kos offers a particularly insightful observation, writing that he was...

...impressed by how prepared the Democratic speakers were, in both houses, and how very unprepared the Republican speakers were. While Democrats were citing example after example of actual vote suppression efforts, partisan electioneering on the part of state officials, etc., etc., Republicans who got up to speak mainly read from newspaper clippings or otherwise strutted and blustered about. It seems fairly clear that the Republicans weren't actually expecting a contest, and were unprepared for it.

In fact, the debates in each chamber that were forced by the action of Jones and Boxer leave the impression that this was an effort that was coordinated on a much broader level than their respective offices. Members of both houses came to the floor with facts, figures and speeches that reflected more polished eloquence than would be expected if this were truly an eleventh hour decision by Boxer to stand with Jones. Maybe I'm overly hopeful, but I'd like to think I see the work of Reid and Pelosi in play, in a way that portends good things for the future. John Kerry's email message on the eve of the occassion, referring to what he called a "formal protest" might be evidence that he was aware of, and perhaps involved in, a coordinated effort, as well.

At any rate, our Congressional Democrats did us proud, even if there's some quibbling about who did what on the final vote. The final vote was never the issue. The debate, and the focus on the need for election reform, was the issue, and it was (at least on our side) a good debate and a fine focus.

Speaking of quibbling, let me full endorse another remark by Hunter.

...it's high time we stopped calling people "sellouts" when they don't think or do exactly as we would on every single issue. This is national politics we're talking about, not whether Cindi gets to join our afterschool mall walk. God help Obama when the blogosphere suddenly learns he has opinions on things.

If you'll pardon the expression, dittoes, Hunter.