Nathan Newman Preaches The Word on Harriet Miers

In the best reason I have seen so far for Democrats to fight against the nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court, Nathan Newman argues that her pro-corporation tendencies far outweigh the possible centrism on some social issues.

I'm still not sure at all that Democrats should oppose Miers at this point for the sole reason that it's better to let Republicans fight amongst themselves. And I still don't think that any nominee is going to be better than Miers, either on corporate issues or social issues. But Newman does highlight perhaps the greatest weakness of the Democratic Party today, which is ignoring economic issues. Sure Democrats talk about economics during election time and sure they opposed Bush's social security plan. But what is the Democratic program on economic issues? Where do they really differ with Republicans on the role of corporations in American society? On outsourcing? There is no question that there are serious differences between Democrats and Harriet Miers on economic issues. It is conceivable certainly that a Roberts court that includes Miers could witness a rollback in minimum wage legislation and of the few remaining effective pro-labor laws in this country. And that is a good reason to oppose to her.

I guess my greater concern past the Miers nomination is what the Democratic position is on economic issues. What's the message to give to working-class voters? Hell, the party rarely even talks about the working-class anymore. How often did you hear the words "middle-class" come from the Kerry campaign? How often did they discuss the "working-class?" The difference was significant. So what has replaced economic issues at the core of the Democratic Party? Social libertarianism and opposing the use of the US military under almost any circumstances. While the need to preserve the remnants of Roe v. Wade, to fight for equality for gays, and to fight against the war in Iraq are paramount, I have to believe that it is necessary to wrap all of this up in an economic framework in order to rebuild a winning political coalition. Newman rightfully is angry that Democrats are giving Miers a free pass without even examining her positions on business and labor. I, and presumably Newman as well, see this as emblematic of the problems within the Democratic Party today.