A Progressive Lesson

Today's WaPo on proof the Virginia Governor's race being (of course) a referendum on Obama: a disgruntled Democrat named Chris Ann Cleland.

For Cleland, it was another example -- one of many this day -- of the broken promises of a president who she thought would be different. Obama pledged to change a Washington culture that favored corporations and the connected and instead lift families such as the one sitting next to Cleland out of their economic funk. Rather, she said, Obama has backed billions of dollars to banks that continue to "act like they're broke" and started the country down a path that Cleland said she thinks will lead to more grief for the middle class.

"He's just not as advertised," she said. "Nothing's changed for the common guy. I feel like I've been punked."

There is no empirical evidence at this point in Virginia's race for governor showing that huge numbers of voters think like Cleland and will respond by sending a message to Washington. But Obama's policies are nonetheless having immediate consequences in the campaign as the candidates adjust their strategies to account for the president's controversial domestic agenda, which has overshadowed many state issues.

Gosh, six whole months and Chris Ann here is ready to give up on Obama and is of course considering turning to the Republican Party that largely created the mess that she bemoans.

But the real lesson here is not that Obama is horrible, but that Democrats have not followed through on their progressive promises.

Stephanie Slater, 44, a neighbor of Cleland's who leans Republican, voted for Obama on the strength of his character and because of his positions on education, energy and health care. She recalled brimming with confidence after Obama's historic inaugural address.

"When he gave that speech that day, I was in awe. I was really inspired and thought, 'Wow, this is a guy who can do it,' " said Slater, a medical transcriptionist and mother of three.

But she has been disturbed by the large Wall Street bonuses that Obama doesn't seem to be able to halt and his inability to rein in credit card companies that raise rates even on those with good credit. Although she is trying to be patient, she said she is losing faith in the Democrats running Washington.

"Honestly, at this point, I have to say I'm worried. I haven't come across one person that seems to have been helped," she said. "If I don't see a spark, a light at the end of the tunnel, I may be voting Republican [for governor]."

Hey, there's a concept. Maybe Democrats coming through on real health care reform, real economic reform, real mortgage reform will keep voters like Cleland and Slater in the D column.

If Democrats act like Republicans and sell out to corporate interests, they will be punished for it by the voters. It seems to me the Blue Dogs are trying to put themselves out of a job. You were elected to change the system, not to sell out to it more efficiently than the Republicans did, guys.

Here endeth the lesson.