Force the candidates into a progressive populist bidding war?

Am I the only one who has noticed that Kerry's and Edward's rise in the polls has coincided with their adoption of mildly radical, somewhat populist, tax-the-rich, anti-corporatist rhetoric? I like it a lot.

Here is an interesting theory/proposal: Whatever candidate is talking the most anti-corporate, the most progressive taxation, rhetoric, that is the one we vote for when it comes our time. Or more importantly, that is the one we support with money, time, or in the polls.

We have to make them get in a bidding war for our vote. THe trick is not to get attached any one candidate, but instead to get them to get progressive, liberal ideas into the public debate, and once in office, to change govt policy. Make them get into a bidding war for our support.

From the news shows this morning, it looks as if Bush in his SOTU will propose some sort of national health care initiative. This is actually good news for liberals who want cheaper health care for all Americans. If Bush does come out with such a proposal, in essence, matching the rhetoric of the Dem candidates, then the Dem candidates will have to go further, proposing more liberal healthcare proposals. And possibly proposing to pay for them with higher taxation on the rich and on corporations.

This is exactly what we want--a bidding war between the Dem candidates and Bush. Only good can come from it!

They do this for us every once in a while. Gore decided to "go populist" but he thought we were so stupid we wouldn't read the newspapers and find out Lieberman was going around to the corporations and saying it was all just "rhetorical flourishes". They'll do this and whoever wins will pick a "centrist" to balance out their own "liberalism". It's funny in a sad sort of way.

n/t

I have no idea what a progressive populist is.

wants to tax the rich more.

They have been saying the same things for many, many months.