shouldn't Democrats veer left, not right?

[Syrinx]

Half the blue dogs were put down.

The yellow dogs, the progressive caucus, went virtually unscathed.

I say we follow the msnbc model.

Respond to a need in the market.

If you detatch labels, most people prefer progressive policies.

Preach hard from the left. And they will come.

[Lasher]

1. Is grits groceries?

Does a bear shit in the woods? Is the Pope Catholic?

[cali]

2. the electorate is pretty much a mindless, ignorant and easily persuadable

blob.

Beyond that, the zeitgeist of this country is so deeply influenced by right wing religion, that that more than any preference for progressive policy stances, dominates the "thinking" of the electorate.

We should move left and stand for what we believe in, not because the electorate prefers this or that political governing philosophy but because standing for policies that benefit the poor and the middle classes and against the fascist tilt, are the the right things to do.

[babylonsister]

3. Hey...

how are YOU? Long time, no see, cali. Nice to see you around. :hi:

[cali]

7. hi, sis

nice to see you too. I'm doing well, but I haven't been around much. the truth is, I haven't had much to say. I've checked in from time to time and read posts but man, it's all so frustrating. hope all is good with you, sis.

[JackRiddler]

4. Yes, but don't just veer, march.

Stand up for your beliefs. You're describing the formula that has made the Republicans so successful that they can win an election two years after destroying the economy.

[pgodbold]

5. Spin the wheel to the left and floor it. nt

[Ichingcarpenter]

6. The Road is so damaged now that the middle

is the shoulder, because of the deterioration of our civil liberties, infrastructure and democracy.

I will drive on the left now.

[Warren Stupidity]

8. Democratic 'leadership' solution to everything: veer right.

Win big? veer right. Lose big? veer right. Close election? veer right.

It is our leader's version of the Republican Solution To All Problems: the Tax Cut.

[slackmaster]

9. 2+2=5

But only for very large values of 2.

[muffin1]

10. Agree 100%

:thumbsup:

[MannyGoldstein]

11. You are not versed in the Way of the DLC (tm)

The answer to any and all questions is:

"Go right! Hard right! Lose Congress!"

[elocs]

12. Certainly, if you think that the left represents the beliefs of most Americans,

because the right believes the same thing of themselves.

Half the Blue Dogs lost to Republicans because they were in conservative districts and they're unlikely to be replaced by another Democrat, certainly not a Progressive one.

The Yellow Dogs went virtually unscathed, now why might that be? Well, let me hazard a guess--they represent very Democratic districts and therefore they are pretty safe. This should not be rocket science.

Preach hard left and there will be a rude awakening. I can remember my first presidential vote for George McGovern in 1972 and I don't want to go through that again. Yes, it's nice to have progressive policy purity but the reality is that it is the winners who govern and determine the direction of the country while the losers shake their fists while congratulating themselves on how righteous they are.

[Ichingcarpenter]

13. So you advocate... appeasement

Whatever.

OK.... you say its a No Win situation and swallow the red pill.

I will not lay down.

[MannyGoldstein]

14. A majority of Americans are in favor of:

- Medicare for all
- Increasing the minimum wage
- Getting out of Iraq and Afghanistan
- Increasing taxes on the wealthy
- Not slashing Social Security
- Not bailing out banker bonuses
- Government creation of jobs

And so forth.

If elected Democrats had delivered these things, we'd have picked up many seats in Congress just as we did in 1934. But, as Dr. Dean predicted, the Democrats failed to deliver change, so the electorate opted for more change.

[social_critic]

15. I'm a very moderate individual

But I support your list, except for "government creation of jobs". That's a little too vague for my comfort, and I prefer to see government size reduced, rather than increased.

As for the democrats moving to the left, it would be a mistake. What's needed is a move to change the way districting is carried out, so that candidates who are more middle of the road can emerge. Polarization is bad.

[MannyGoldstein]

17. worked well for FDR, no? nt

[elocs]

16. Except for the President, our representatives are not elected by the majority of Americans,

but by each individual congressional district or state. Which is why Blue Dog Democrats get beaten by Republicans in conservative areas and Progressive Democrats get reelected in safe Democratic areas.