The great question on the minds of the people gathered tonight outside the Capitol, and, I suspect, at the more than 150 similar anti-war vigils nationwide was, "Are the Democrats for real?"
Tonight, Reid, Pelosi, and Carl Levin, for at least one glorious instant, became the "Fighting Dems."
"I want everyone here tonight – every American from coast to coast – to know that we won’t stop fighting until we end this war," Reid said. "That is what this night is all about."
Statements like that should give us reason to celebrate how far the peace movement has come. Reid, Pelosi, and others gave full throated support to the goal of ending the Iraq war and did it not to Katie Couric but to a passionate crowd of progressive activists - and brought upwards of 40 Democrats, including most of the top leadership, with them. I will never forget the huge pack of senators and congressmen descending from their air-conditioned Capitol aerie at 9 pm in a 90 degree night to be with a crowd of progressive activists.
They are finally coming to us.
But is it for real? Is this but a sweaty, noisy, passionate tryst? Will the fight and the love last a midsummer's night or endure till the war is finally over?
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