ONE NATION

There have been voices of reason calling for an alternative coalition to the regressive Tea Party movement for months now. Something that better represents the thinking, more intellectual progressive majority in our electorate. Sure we've seen smaller groups forming and working on specific issues but they act as fractured as the Conservatives once were. That may change as we head into the election season.

The Washington Post has an article focused on just this effort: In an effort to replicate the tea party's success, 170 liberal and civil rights groups are forming a coalition that they hope will match the movement's political energy and influence. They promise to "counter the tea party narrative" and help the progressive movement find its voice again after 18 months of foundering.

Even the newly formed Coffee Party, with it's desire to engage voters on serious issues without the divisive undertones, have found it hard to work on issues alone. The history of "sibling rivalry" as noted in the article, is well documented and has stalled much of the needed influence in legislation for decades. The "One Nation Coalition" might serve as the adult in the room that sits all the groups down and forces them to work together.

Traditionally, minorities and young voters all but disappear during midterm elections. This is when the WASPs among us have the most impact on general elections. We all know this. Those who wish to keep the country moving in a progressive direction cringe at the thought, while those who pine for the good ol' days of Hula Hoops & Davy Crockett, march to the polls in droves.

What most of us have come to terms with is the idea that the general public, thinks the new President, regardless of which party affiliation, is expected to fix the wrongs of the previous administration during the early years of their first term. Those of us who pay attention, know it takes longer than that depending on what you perceive as wrongs. The party opposite of the President is expected to use that electorate lethargic reaction to it's benefit. For this, I cant blame the Republicans; they are doing a great job heading into November.

What helps them is the sad reality that the jobless rate is 15.4 percent for blacks and 12.4 percent for Hispanics, compared with 8.6 percent for whites.Those who supported Obama the strongest are also the voting base hit the hardest during the very disaster that he inherited. My Republican friends know this and admit, it's just what they need to get at least one of the houses back this fall.

The Post also printed: Liberal leaders see "much of the progressive agenda at risk in this election," said Paul Starr, a professor of public affairs at Princeton University and co-editor of the American Prospect. "There is no choice but for these groups to get together. The historical pattern is that voter turnout falls disproportionately among minorities and young people at these midterm elections, so they are fighting a historical trend."

The effort has a historical parallel in a story that Obama has told on the campaign trail. According to the story, when labor organizer and civil rights leader A. Philip Randolph met with President Franklin D. Roosevelt to press his issues, Roosevelt told Randolph that he agreed with him, but that Randolph should "go out and make me do it."

Lets see if this "One Nation" effort has the impact that they think it will.