Repeat After Me: This Was a Progressive Victory, Not a Conservative One

Despite the fact that American voters on November 7 repudiated the Bush Administration's radical right-wing conservative agenda, voting in Democratic majorities in both the House and the Senate, those in the media continue to insist that it was a victory for conservatives. Sounds crazy, right?

Well, tell that to Fox News, who says that the new members of Congress, though overwhelmingly Democratic, are actually conservative. Now, no one should be surprised that the Republican Propaganda Network would attempt to spin a complete domination of the GOP into some sort of victory. That's just how they roll. But Fox isn't alone in this strange attempt to spin the progressive victory away. The Washington Post, in its lead article about the election, claimed (without citing any examples) that America is "nation that leans slightly right of center." An interesting take, given that, as Media Matters notes, "the vast majority of policy proposals and issue positions backed by most national Democratic leaders enjoys the support of at least a plurality of Americans:

• Raise the minimum wage for the first time since 1997: The current federal minimum wage of $5.15 an hour means that a person working five days a week, 52 weeks a year would earn a mere $10,712 a year. Republicans have refused to raise the minimum wage without including massive tax breaks for the rich. According to a recent Gallup poll (subscription required), 86 percent of Americans would approve of such an increase of the minimum wage.
• Extend health coverage to the uninsured: Gallup found that 79 percent would approve of such legislation.
• Allow the purchase of imported prescription drugs, which are often cheaper: According to Gallup, 72 percent of Americans would approve.
• Implement the recommendations of the 9-11 Commission: According to Gallup, 62 percent of Americans would approve. "

Media Matters documents other examples of the media's attempted spin, and, equally importantly, refutes these bogus claims by noting that the new Democratic members of Congress in fact agree on a core set of progressive issues. For instance, meet the new Senator from Montana, "Conservative" Jon Tester.

So don't believe Gamblin' Bill Bennett, that fat-ass drug addict Limbaugh, or anyone else trying to make believe that a Democratic takeover is somehow a victory for conservatism. Instead, celebrate a victory for progressives, and a great new day for America.