Democrats Keep Running to the Right
It's like the New York Times is doing my job for me. Their most recent article is about the recruitment of conservative candidates by Democrats in order to win elections in conservative districts.
Let me sum up this policy:
We can't convince people that our progressive platform is the best thing for the country, even though it is. While Republicans have implemented their policies, and failed miserably, instead of clashing with these policies head-on, we will adopt these policies as our own.
This strategy is an interesting way to pick up seats, but as the NY Times points out, it will lead to intra-party collisions after election day. When Pelosi tries to crack the whip on gun control, abortion, or other key issues, will only half her party listen?
This strategy will ultimately lead to the demise – re-birth if you are a conservative Democrat – of the Democratic party. Bad news for long-time Democrats who constructed their political beliefs out of the FDR legacy. Good news for the Green Party – since Democrats are slowly leaving their progressive values behind, a market will open for parties like the Greens.
Pelosi and her wing of the Democratic Party are going to be caught with their pants down in a year (Don't think of Nancy that way). They'll look around the room at the anti-choice votes, and pro-gun votes, and will only be able to shrug their shoulders and wonder what all their hard work was for.
Democrats will be divided amongst themselves and will certainly be out of step with the President. Should be a productive two years.
Let me sum up this policy:
We can't convince people that our progressive platform is the best thing for the country, even though it is. While Republicans have implemented their policies, and failed miserably, instead of clashing with these policies head-on, we will adopt these policies as our own.
This strategy is an interesting way to pick up seats, but as the NY Times points out, it will lead to intra-party collisions after election day. When Pelosi tries to crack the whip on gun control, abortion, or other key issues, will only half her party listen?
This strategy will ultimately lead to the demise – re-birth if you are a conservative Democrat – of the Democratic party. Bad news for long-time Democrats who constructed their political beliefs out of the FDR legacy. Good news for the Green Party – since Democrats are slowly leaving their progressive values behind, a market will open for parties like the Greens.
Pelosi and her wing of the Democratic Party are going to be caught with their pants down in a year (Don't think of Nancy that way). They'll look around the room at the anti-choice votes, and pro-gun votes, and will only be able to shrug their shoulders and wonder what all their hard work was for.
Democrats will be divided amongst themselves and will certainly be out of step with the President. Should be a productive two years.
The Columbus (Central Ohio) "left of center" are already split into four distinct subgroups.
1) Moderate-Establishment Dems as part of the Coalition of Democratic Organizations.
2) Party reform-minded moderates as part of Central Ohio Democracy for America, a few of whom are supporting Bob Fitrakis' independent campaign for Governor.
3) African American Dems, a few of whom are supporting Bob Fitrakis' independent campaign for Governor.
4) True Progressives, many of whom are supporting Bob Fitrakis' independent campaign for Governor.
Some former true Progressives have bolted from blind support of the Ohio Democratic Party toward recognizing the Green Party as an ideological alternative.
Some African American Democrats have bolted from blind support of the Ohio Democratic Party toward recognizing Blackwell Republicans as an ideological alternative.
A few individuals are attempting to revive the Central Ohio Democracy for America organization after a recent demise, including cancelled meetings, Steering Committee breakdown and subsequent months of inactivity.
I do not keep-up with the Coalition of Democratic Organizations because I have a fundamental disagreement with the propaganda and hackery they enable.
Posted by Dave Hickman | 4:58 PM
"Good news for the Green Party – since Democrats are slowly leaving their progressive values behind, a market will open"
Andrew, Democrats left behind their progressive values back in the Clinton/Bore years and have only moved farther away since. The markets there, it's just the corporate media and mental slavery that need to be overcome.
Real Democrats feel they need to stick with a party that already left them behind. Small victories will be key. It's happening in NY and other progressive states.
Ohio Greens just need to purge the party of the democratic shills that have kept the party stagnant since 2000.
Young leaders like you need to stay the course. It's going to be a long road but we shall overcome.
Posted by Anonymous | 6:23 PM
Rather than a purge, Anonymous, wouldn't the Greens do better to let the people with the will and energy to move the Green machine forward pedal it, and let the rest decide if they want to help or stay behind? I think we should put our energy toward using the opportunities we have as the seeds to grow more.
Dave, thanks for the information on Columbus. I see these developments as part of the natural evolution of American politics. As the Democratic Party decides where it wants to center its mass, some groups will break away from its gravitational pull. I actually find it encouraging that some African-Americans are comfortable voting for Republican candidates, even if it takes a Ken Blackwell to get them there. If they find that their political views transcend race and tradition, that's a positive step.
Posted by Josh Krekeler | 12:18 AM
Andrew, the problem with your logic is that polls show the reason that Republicans are so far behind is probably their abandonment of core conservative principles. How can we say conservative principles have failed if they were never tested?
A majority of people don't want more government from Republicans or Democrats; therefore, ant-deficit Democrats will do better than big spenders, especially the big-spender Republicans. Arguably, Iraq is more of a traditionally liberal foreign policy experiment (nation-building), and it definitely is expensive.
So is it really crazy for Democrats to run candidates who want to spend less and are oppose the war because of its costs in blood and treasure, rather than as an example of American imperialism?
Posted by Chris | 11:54 AM
Josh, it's time for people to lead follow or get out of the way. I do think there are some that should be purged. Those that don't want us to run candidates or any of the things that will build the party.
Those who not only didn't grow the party, but stiffled it for so long. I'm not saying all or most current members did this, I'm saying there are some that need to get out of the way still.
If you love democrats more than our best candidates. You're in the way.
Posted by Anonymous | 2:02 PM
Chris, you raise an interesting point. What is a conservative?
Barry Goldwater hated the religous-right. Was a hawk on Vietnam, wasn't opposed to gay marriage. I cna't remeber, but I'm pretty sure he was pro-choice.
Terms like conservative, liberal, republican and democrat don't mean anything. They are simply a distraction and a way for the ruling class to divide and conquer the rabble.
The media frames and defines these things as a way to keep this elaborate money laundering scheme in place.
Kerry and Bush had the same policies on the war, Patriot Act, NAFTA, allowing stolen elections, privatized health care. Kerry supported the gay marriage ban in Missouri and Clinton told him to come out stronger on the issue. So what's the differnce?
They told you Kerry was the #1 liberal and Pres. AWOL was very conservative.
Posted by Anonymous | 2:35 PM