I know that I rant every few weeks or so about the need for the left to do more to match the right’s infrastructure, but today I have relatively good news.
As you probably know, for nearly a generation, conservatives have succeeded in creating a network of forward-thinking institutions such as think tanks, PACs, and activist organizations that have not only helped elect Republicans, but also helped shape the public debate in their favor. The left has been trying to close the gap, but it’s always tough to play catch-up.
But the Chicago Tribune’s Naftali Bendavid had a really good article this week that shows just how well the left has done in “creating institutions [liberals] hope will compete with conservatives in churning out appealing policy ideas.” Music to my ears.
“The flurry of activity reflects a Democratic despondency over Republican control of the White House and Congress,” Bendavid explained. “Many liberals view the array of conservative think tanks, foundations and publications as a big reason the GOP has managed to keep its ideas before the public.”
In fact, to read Bendavid’s report is to see just how much progress has been made in a fairly short period of time.
* Think tanks — Conservatives have dominated institutions of public policy research with enormous and well-funded entities such as the Heritage Foundation, the Cato Institute, and the American Enterprise Institute. But just this fall, the Center of American Progress opened its doors and, thankfully, it’s already having an impact.
* Media — Progressive activists are on the verge of unveiling a national radio network with liberal programming and are close to buying radio stations in five major cities, with 5 to 10 more on the way.
* Wealthy contributors — We’ll never catch up to the right’s numerous fat cats (Scaife, Coors, Olin, Bradley, Ahmanson), but we do have George Soros, and he really doesn’t like Bush.
* Legal groups — The right enjoys the enormous wealth and influence of the Federalist Society, but the American Constitution Society is making strides.
* Activist organizations — Conservatives have the religious right and the NRA, but we’re more than holding our own with MoveOn.org, 21st Century Democrats, Soros’ Americans Coming Together (ACT), and others.
PACs — They’ll have GOPAC; we’ll have PROPAC.
We still have a ways to go, but Bendavid’s Trib article does a good job explaining the current state of affairs and the efforts the left is making to create an effective infrastructure of its own. If this is a subject that interests you, be sure to check out this article.