Democratic Oak Tree

Are you someone who tends to “vote for the man, not the party”?

As mentioned in an earlier column, I made that mistake when I cast my ballot for Republican Bill Weld for governor in 1990 and have regretted it ever since. Weld was smart, charming, and seemed honest – and was much more likeable than the Democratic candidate.

After Weld left for greener pastures, our corner office has been occupied by Governors Cellucci and Romney. We’ve had almost 16 years of Republican executive “leadership.”

In my view, these Republican governors have failed to carry out our Commonwealth’s business responsibly. (Republicans seem to get tired of the job quickly. They’re not very interested in delivering public services.)

When you vote for a governor – whether a Democrat or a Republican – you’re sending a message about your political views, and you’re also lending your support to a party. Because, once elected, that governor will be a lynchpin in his or her party across the state and across the nation.

Parties are networks of people of like-minded political views. They don’t agree with each other on every issue, but they share a general philosophy.

Governors assist other members of their party in numerous ways, including fundraising, promoting their party’s messages, and supporting its tactics.

Take fundraising as a sign of linked support. Governor Weld led the fundraising for California Republican Governor Wilson (and Wilson was an early supporter of Republican President George W. Bush). Weld donated to New York’s Republican Governor, to the Republican who tried to defeat Democrat Hilary Clinton for Senate, to Pennsylvania Republican Senator Arlen Specter, and even to the very right-wing Pennsylvania Republican Congressman Rick Santorum. Governors Cellucci and Romney gave substantially to the Bush-Cheney campaign.

Contrast the donations made by our last Democratic Governor, Mike Dukakis: to Democratic Congressman Tierney, Democratic Senator Kerry, and Democratic Senator Kennedy, to name a few. And, like other governors, he has shared crucial advice, information, and contacts with the goal of strengthening his party.

The behind-the-scenes efforts of all governors to promote their party go far beyond their direct campaign contributions, but these are the easiest to trace through public records.

Members of a party support each other, understanding that they can accomplish more when they stick together. There are times when they disagree, but even the most independent leaders will not often defy their party– because they depend upon each other to accomplish what their constituents elected them for. They agree with their party’s goals.

So if you’re a Democrat at heart but you decide to vote for a Republican, you’re indirectly lending support to the Republican network.

We don’t know whom the Republicans will nominate for governor next year, but the candidate will likely be clean-cut and intelligent, and will probably avoid talking about why he or she is a Republican – hoping you’ll vote without paying attention to the party he (or she) is dedicated to.

Today Republicans control the White House, the Senate, the House, the Supreme Court, and a majority of state governorships, including California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Massachusetts. We now have the perfect opportunity to observe the true priorities of the Republican Party, since the Republicans aren’t forced to compromise with Democrats very often these days: huge tax cuts for the very richest Americans while running up an enormous irresponsible deficit, which threatens the future financial security of the nation.

The priority of the Democratic Party, on the other hand, is the common good. We believe in a society that fosters the well-being of the people – people from all income levels, all ethnic and racial and religious backgrounds, all ages.

That’s why during the last two generations the Democratic Party pushed hard – usually with vehement Republican opposition – to reduce poverty, increase access to health care, improve public transportation, eliminate discrimination, prohibit child labor, protect consumers, provide for the unemployed, expand employment, improve working conditions, protect our air and drinking water, make education available to all, encourage fair business, and strengthen our national security through international agreements.

We were able to make progress on behalf of all Americans and our posterity when Democrats were winning the Presidency and the Congress.

Next time you vote for national or state leaders, think about which party you wish to support. Don’t make the mistake I made when Weld (R) ran against Silber (D).