Progressives Are Too Harsh on McNerney

If a right-wing redneck from a rural part of San Joaquin County doesn’t embrace Jerry McNerney, it doesn’t exactly surprise me. Among the farmers and ranchers in SJ County, hating Democrats is simply part of their inbred DNA. They are as conservative as they come in California, and such things as “change” and “open-mindedness” are not their strong suit. Hating liberals is to be expected from this crowd.

The far left is a different story. Some of the “progressive” blogs that once supported McNerney in his 2006 campaign have turned their backs on the man because he didn’t follow their agenda 100% of the time. McNerney could vote in the “progressive” bloggers’ interests on 99 out of 100 votes, but the one time McNerney doesn’t follow their agenda, they want to make him walk the plank. Recently, some bloggers took issue with McNerney’s votes on the Iraq War and medical-marijuana law. While some disappointment with McNerney on these issues may be justified, the reaction from some bloggers and activists was nothing short of ridiculous. They were so quick to sell McNerney down the river, exhibiting no sense of loyalty to one of the truly nice guys in politics. It is almost as if they forget that McNerney’s main job is to serve his constituents, not the constitution of The Progressive Connection or Firedoglake. Maybe these "progressives" would be better served if they manufactured a robot that could run for congress and advance their cause on every single issue. They wouldn’t have to deal with a guy like McNerney, who has a mind of his own. The bloggers’ uncompromising nature is almost akin to a Christian conservative. Enough with this “for us or against us”, black-and-white worldview! Long live McNerney!!!