The opposite of "good" is "perfect"

[yardwork]

It seems to me that some of us are getting too obsessed with purity. If a Democrat doesn't do exactly what we think they should do, we turn on them.

"He/She didn't vote for (against) ________! I'll never support her/him again! She/He/It is just as bad as the Republicans - even worse!"

Come on. There's only one Democrat who is as bad or worse than a Republican, and that's Zell Miller. He is truly deserving of our scorn. The rest of the Democrats need our encouragement, not our scorn.

Yes, it's disappointing when so many of them appear to be spineless wimps who care about nothing beyond their next reelection. But they are our spineless wimps! These things need to be done delicately.

Notice that the Republicans don't have this problem. They are loyal to a fault. Take John McCain. I'm sure he hates W's guts, but he publicly supported him.

Notice that Bill Clinton (yes, I hear the groans, but he IS the only Democrat to be elected to the presidency twice in my lifetime, despite relentless personal attacks - so maybe we should take a look at how he did it) said nice things about both W and Kerry.

By all means send firm letters to our elected Democratic representatives and to the media. By all means let's hold our feet to the fire. But let's not throw the Democrats out with the Republicans.

[ConservativeDemocrat]

1. It's the "enemy" of the good.

Other than that, what you say is completely correct. Remember too, that we need to appeal to many Republican and Independent voters who may also see us as the lesser of two evils. At the very least, we shouldn't be deliberately insulting.

- C.D. Proud Member of the Reality Based Community

[yardwork]

3. I'm trying avoid the use of "enemy" these days, but you are right!

[stray cat]

2. I'm against the radical republicans

Democrats and even moderate republicans have my support and my input. As far as I'm concerned my only political enemy is the radical right and liars who support them. Of course, I think Zell Miller also fits in the enemy category.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

4. I don't expect perfect. Just stop selling out.

How Clinton did it, was to have Ross Perot as a spoiler in '92, and a corpse as an opponent in '96.

The Dems have bought into the "triangulation" BS of becoming Republicans to capture the "middle", with the result that all they do is lose. Not only the presidency but the congress.

[ulysses]

5. right.

The "purity" or "perfection" claim has always been a canard.