Reply #14: There are a lot in touch with the people

[Armstead]

I want to be inspired too, but has to go beyond personality. Clinton was (is) inspiring in many ways, but in terms of substance, he helped to sell us down the river by ignoring the monster in the corner.

I can think of many democrats and independents who are bettr in touch with the people.

If you want an example of a grassroots politician who has both a tough but ultimately inspiring progressive message who is also in touch with "the people" is Bernie Sanders. Also John Edwards is getting there these days. Russ Feingold has a good grasp of it. So do the more traditional Democrats like Ted Kennedy and Tom Harkin....The list goes on an on.

The main thing, iMO, is that we need politicians who are willing to acknpowledge the core issue today, which is the concentration of wealth and power, the dominance of monopolistic corporate interests and the destruction of the middle and working class and the abandonment of the disadvantaged.

That's something moderates have to acknowledge, if you want any positive real change in the status quo, both politically and economically.