How do we take back the Democratic Party? There have been numerous

[rhett o rick]

threads about how the Democratic Party has many Senators and Congress People that are in the pockets of big business. The responses are to vote them out or take control from them. This all sounds great, but how?? Tell me how do we do this. We can blog our brains out but doing it is another thing altogether. For example, Sen Cantwell from WAshington State is up for re-election. She is far from progressive. She has accepted lots of money from big businesses. There is no way in hell that any other Democrat will run against her. So what can I do? The Demo Party will back her because she is an incumbent. I think this is typical. How do we get progressive candidates on the ballot?? How do we vote out the Republican Light Democrats???

[eridani]

1. If you aren't a PCO, why not?

The only way this is going to happen is by people being active in the party and getting more progressive people in the pipeline.

[Selatius]

2. The only real answer is campaign finance reform

Abolish the current finance system. Replace it with a fully taxpayer-subsidized system. The only money that should be involved is the people's money.

Here is one way:

http://www.caclean.org/materials/watch.php

As far as the Democratic Party is concerned; I'm not happy with just two fucking choices at the ballot box. I advocate constitutional reforms of our government. I would push for a form of proportional representation or a mixed system combining constituent representation and proportional representation.

I would support any reform that will make it easier to destroy the two-party duopoly.

[Douglas Carpenter]

19. I agree -- but in order to abolish the campaign finance system

and pass consitutional reforms we first have to take back the Democratic Party.It's the only mechanism available under current circumstances. I wish we had other alternative. But that is what we have to work with for the time being.

p.s. I love Noam too

[marbuc]

3. Grassroots fundraising

money talks, whether it be one $1,000 check, or ten $100 checks. The progressives will take back the party when they are organized enough to raise money. Dean proved that it can be done, so do it.

One comprehensive progressive think tanky organization (a liberal DLC)would help too. Progressives now have many single issue groups, but none that unifies them all in an organized fashion.

[freethought]

4. Get out there and knock on f_____g doors! n/t

[applegrove]

5. Isn't the Democratic message finally getting through? I thought we

were doing okay. Hillary & all are speaking to Big Oil.

[welshTerrier2]

11. "Hillary & all are speaking to Big Oil" ???

do you have sources for this statement?

[OneBlueSky]

6. here's how . . .

we get every liberal and progressive group in the country to participate in a revolutionary grassroots movement . . .

the demand of the movement will be that any Democrat who wants our votes must agree to not accept corporate money of any kind, for his/her campaign or otherwise . . .

millions of hand-written (or typed and hand-signed) letters will flood the offices of all Democratic candidates up for election demanding that they agree to take the pledge . . . or else . . .

those who refuse will have primary opponents who WILL take the pledge . . .

THAT's how we take back the Democratic party . . .

[Bernardo de La Paz]

7. You prefer a Republican?

[rhett o rick]

15. Hell no. But I also don't want some Democrat that is a Republican Light

Beholding to big corporations.

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ladylibertee]

9. "How do we take back the Democratic Party?

We let the REPUBLICAN Party keep running people away.

[rhett o rick]

10. The Freeper comment wasn't called for. And the answer isn't just to

vote for Republicans in Democrat clothing. I want to take the Democratic Party back from the rich, back to the working class. I would like to take control away from the corporations. Just because they call themselves Democrats doesn't mean they support true Democratic values. It doesn't mean they aren't owned by the corporations. I don't think we will ever have election reform because the people that need reforming won't do it. Besides it is easy to undo. We have had election reform in the past only to be changed back by other Congresses. Raising money from the working class to compet with big money is folly.

[welshTerrier2]

12. i agree ... cheap shot on an important topic ...

elected Democrats are very badly out of touch with the majority of "little" Democrats ...

at a time where a rapidly growing majority of Americans, let alone Democrats, want to end the insanity in Iraq, most elected Democrats continue to do little more than tap dance and equivocate ...

it's time to warn them that if this continues, we will no longer support them ... if we can find progressives Dems to run against them, we will ... if not, we will vote for progressives in other parties ...

[Don1]

13. You're Right.

We have the same problem in Connecticut with Lieberman. He is an incumbent. His primary challengers are dropping out like flies due to lack of funds. I am not even sure if anyone is left.

I don't know what the answers are either.

[rhett o rick]

20. I heard someone say it is time for the guillotines. I am not a revolution-

-ary, but do know what they mean.

[Douglas Carpenter]

14. examine how the right took over the GOP

The current right wing dominance of the Republican Party grew out of the Barry Goldwater campaign of 1964. (see Rick Perlstein's book, "Before the Storm: Barry Goldwater and the Unmaking of the American Consensus" available on Amazon at:http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0809028581/qid=1126876965/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-2418796-8084644?v=glance&s=books )

Out of this humiliating defeat the movement grew. They built the networks, the media (I personally think the most important part) infrastructure, and activated activist to build a presence within the GOP.

In contrast, when grassroots activist took over the Democratic Party infrastructure in 1972 and nominated one of the greatest real Democrats of all times, George McGovern, (The main rift in those days was a rift between the peace movement and the labor movement. Now these two movements largely get along just fine.) they lost by almost the same percentage as Goldwater in 64--but everyone just seemed to give up or get involved outside of electoral politics. It then became a cliche that real progressives with grassroots campaigns will lead to humiliating defeats. We even hear that sometimes here on DU--33 years later. In the mid to late 70.s DNC Chair, Robert Straus even dismantled almost the entire grassroots mechanism, relying instead on large corporate donors and expensive media campaigns. This approach continues throughout the 80's and 90's and to a large extent to this day. Only recently have things began to shift. I am not a "Deaniac". But, I have to credit him and his campaign for helping to restore grassroots democracy.


Someone once said that victory belongs to those who want it the most.

[Douglas Carpenter]

16. nominated because this is just soo important

[OzarkDem]

17. Dean's group - Democracy For America

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/

Instead of contributing to Dem Senatorial Campaign Committee or the Dem Congressional Campaign Committee, I'm going to contribute to DFA, who funds candidates that stand for Dem ideals.

I have to admit, I don't like the candidates DSCC and DCCC have been promoting in the last few years, more of the same.

[oc2002]

18. We need a CONTRACT WITH AMERICA blue print as a part of all Democrats

..elect that need to follow. This would outline that the candidate accepts certain foundations of governing for the PEOPLE not for CORPORATIONS as a key elements of the contract.