A Party, not a Cause

Submitted by cutter on

Everyone interested in creating a strong roots based Democratic Party should read E.J. Dionne's column in todays Washington Post.

He addresses some of the conflicts we are seeing between Howard Dean and the DCCC and why it is important for the Democrats to create a party that is active all the times, not a group of special interests that just come together for a Presidental election.

Comments

on target

Submitted by Robert P. on

this has been the feeling in the netroots for some time, glad to see the traditional media catching up.

If you understand this, you can understand the polemics over the past few months between Howard Dean, the Democratic National Committee chairman, and Rep. Rahm Emanuel, the leader of the party's campaign committee for this fall's House elections.

Emanuel has expressed frustration over how much DNC money Dean has spent in his effort to create strong party organizations in all 50 states -- money that congressional Democrats believe should be saved for this fall's key contests.

Dean argues, correctly, that Democrats will not be truly competitive if they are strong in only 18 or 20 "blue" states. Emanuel argues, also correctly, that this year offers Democrats their best chance in 12 at winning one or both houses of Congress. The party, he says, can't afford to fritter money away on long-term dreams.

Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me

I like this section

Submitted by TarGator on

The odd result is that Republicans, who defend individualism in theory, act like communitarians where their party is concerned. Democrats claim to be more community-minded but act like radical individualists in their penchant for candidate-centered, one-cause-at-a-time politics.

NARAL

Submitted by Robert P. on

is the best example of that. Still supporting Lieberman even though every indication is that he will push farther right and maybe even give up on the Democratic party if he wins.

Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me

Yep.

Submitted by Leslie H on

Many little sections of our party are still one-cause-at-a-time centered, like barn-happy horses focused on one thing and one thing only.

Kos' theory is that our side got used to being in the Congressional majority, where little splinters could afford to break off and act like parties unto themselves. But it's 2006 and some of them STILL don't get that we're no longer the majority and if we want to get back into the majority, we've got to quit acting like we never lost it.

I'll give you an example right here in my backyard. There are those around here who are none too happy with my Democratic Congressman. They want him to do what they want him to do on one single issue -- period. And he won't. Period.

Now, that one issue is a big issue, and I don't happen to agree with my Congressman on that one single point, but then again, I don't happen to agree with his opponent on ANYTHING dang thing. So, Hell yeah I support the Democrat!

"They took all the trees and put them in a tree museum Then they charged the people a dollar 'n a half just to see 'em. Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got till it's gone? They paved paradise and put up a parking lot."