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RobertEarl

(13,685 posts)
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 03:27 PM Mar 2014

The Liberal Left is the Base of the Party

Last edited Thu Mar 27, 2014, 06:51 PM - Edit history (1)

Without an active Liberal left, the party would be all republican.

So when you see someone start attacking the Liberal left on DU, you can figure they are here to cause division and to keep activists from GOTV.


****************
Well, they got me. I advised someone: don't fuck with me, and the jury got its knickers in a wad. So I can no longer post here. Really? You can't tell advise someone to not fuck with you?

137 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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The Liberal Left is the Base of the Party (Original Post) RobertEarl Mar 2014 OP
Links? frazzled Mar 2014 #1
You consider yourself Liberal left? RobertEarl Mar 2014 #7
links? JaneyVee Mar 2014 #11
Links? RobertEarl Mar 2014 #62
Sure ... frazzled Mar 2014 #63
Cool RobertEarl Mar 2014 #64
Message auto-removed Name removed Mar 2014 #22
Are you one of those who call leftists "corporatists" frazzled Mar 2014 #58
Welcome to DU, Blazer RobertEarl Mar 2014 #65
Remember when Republicans set out to demonize the word "Liberal"? Maedhros Mar 2014 #75
I am member of the Democratic Party. Labels are useless as they are not easy to define and lumpy Mar 2014 #129
We are all liberal left here. CJCRANE Mar 2014 #2
I know who it is! Capt. Obvious Mar 2014 #5
Not nonsense at all from me RobertEarl Mar 2014 #10
I'm not about to jump through a hoop on your demand. nt CJCRANE Mar 2014 #13
See? RobertEarl Mar 2014 #61
So am I. You are not the only liberal on here. CJCRANE Mar 2014 #67
That's fine RobertEarl Mar 2014 #69
Because you are making it like a McCarthyite witch hunt. I've been here a long time CJCRANE Mar 2014 #72
Using the McCarthy word now? RobertEarl Mar 2014 #82
You started the namecalling and you know it. This whole OP is just a big call out. CJCRANE Mar 2014 #83
This message was self-deleted by its author CJCRANE Mar 2014 #84
It seemed like more of an invitation than a Ed Suspicious Mar 2014 #79
It's a game. When did you stop beating your wife? CJCRANE Mar 2014 #80
I don't think we are all liberal left here. progressoid Mar 2014 #100
obama has high approval among liberal dems, he does horrible among conservatives JI7 Mar 2014 #3
That sounds true to me Progressive dog Mar 2014 #36
funny thing, a lot of these "trolls" held the same views they did on 1/19/2009 as they do today.. frylock Mar 2014 #86
du rec. xchrom Mar 2014 #4
Obama's approval ratings with liberal democrats sufrommich Mar 2014 #6
It's 88.9% Capt. Obvious Mar 2014 #8
LOL n/t fleabiscuit Mar 2014 #93
The liberal democrats you refer to have not been vetted by DU's ... JoePhilly Mar 2014 #16
You certainly do not represent the Libeal base RobertEarl Mar 2014 #17
I represent myself and don't make sufrommich Mar 2014 #20
You represent yourself?? RobertEarl Mar 2014 #24
You're just reaching for whatever sufrommich Mar 2014 #26
Just repeating your words RobertEarl Mar 2014 #71
so aside from representing yourself Bodhi BloodWave Mar 2014 #118
Interesting. Did you know that many of those groups formed a coalition before the last election sabrina 1 Mar 2014 #128
You might want to re-aquaint yourself with this link: Raine1967 Mar 2014 #28
This^^^^^ nt riqster Mar 2014 #45
I'm half tempted to post the entire link as an OP, but these days, Raine1967 Mar 2014 #50
They probably are all just lying about being Liberal, Progressive dog Mar 2014 #39
Obama is at something like 85% approval among liberal Dems. DanTex Mar 2014 #9
what percentage of people here do you believe to be anti-Obama.. frylock Mar 2014 #89
Well, I certainly don't think 85% of people here approve of Obama. DanTex Mar 2014 #97
So you'll be working to GOTV for Democrats in 2014, right? JoePhilly Mar 2014 #12
Been doing it since 2006 RobertEarl Mar 2014 #21
You should take responsibility for your own emotions. JoePhilly Mar 2014 #23
I'm a bit confused...How does.. SunsetDreams Mar 2014 #29
Joe and I go back a bit RobertEarl Mar 2014 #33
Since when it is a personal attack SunsetDreams Mar 2014 #44
Let's try this ... you just accused me of a personal attack ... JoePhilly Mar 2014 #66
Didn't warrant a jury RobertEarl Mar 2014 #68
Haven't you already determined that you get to decide who the "liberal base" refers to? JoePhilly Mar 2014 #70
Please stop with the personal attacks!!!! zappaman Mar 2014 #73
And you should see the ... JoePhilly Mar 2014 #74
Post removed Post removed Mar 2014 #78
You crack me up. JoePhilly Mar 2014 #81
Bahahaha, locked out of his own thread... giftedgirl77 Mar 2014 #104
Poster is now on a bit of a vacation. zappaman Mar 2014 #112
Plus there is no actual discussion of policy CJCRANE Mar 2014 #34
OP knows best. zappaman Mar 2014 #46
Exactly. SunsetDreams Mar 2014 #48
well if it's too hard and you're not enthusiastic enough to do it treestar Mar 2014 #40
Stop confusing the Liberal Left with the Ideologues posting crap on DU. KittyWampus Mar 2014 #14
yup, in fact i'm pretty sure many of them are right wing trolls JI7 Mar 2014 #15
yep. people here since 2002 are right-wing trolls.. frylock Mar 2014 #91
There you go RobertEarl Mar 2014 #19
That only works when you self-appoint yourself as a liberal monitor and then call out others CJCRANE Mar 2014 #31
Divide? Yep RobertEarl Mar 2014 #38
"The fake liberals who post here". Who made you the liberal monitor? CJCRANE Mar 2014 #41
you don't have the credibility to categorize DUers in these little boxes you feel they belong it. dionysus Mar 2014 #49
Sure I do RobertEarl Mar 2014 #59
Another lookup; fleabiscuit Mar 2014 #95
you have no clue what people here think.there's so much 24/7 criticism coming from every conceivable dionysus Mar 2014 #120
+1 redqueen Mar 2014 #25
Ding! Ding! Ding! Thread Winner! Tarheel_Dem Mar 2014 #96
Hey you! Number23 Mar 2014 #126
I think the TOS are a mere suggestion rather than a mandate these days. But I don't own the joint. Tarheel_Dem Mar 2014 #135
Might be good to define "liberal left" - different factions... polichick Mar 2014 #18
As someone that identifies as a liberal, GiveMeMorePIE Mar 2014 #27
UNREC brooklynite Mar 2014 #30
aren't democrats, by definition left wing? frylock Mar 2014 #92
Zell Miller and Dennis Kucinich. progressoid Mar 2014 #103
Kucinich? yes. frylock Mar 2014 #106
Zell headed "Democrats for Bush" progressoid Mar 2014 #113
Miller left the party, and Kucinich is sui generis Recursion Mar 2014 #121
The only division I see here being created SunsetDreams Mar 2014 #32
Says who? This is the flip side of saying that the bible thumpers are the base question everything Mar 2014 #35
Gawd RobertEarl Mar 2014 #47
The party is a big tent treestar Mar 2014 #37
"Without an active Liberal left, the party would be all republican." QOTD nationalize the fed Mar 2014 #42
Not really, moderates are the base of the party. Rex Mar 2014 #43
Were they the base, they would turn out to vote RobertEarl Mar 2014 #51
But the moderates have the numbers liberals just don't have. Rex Mar 2014 #52
I agree. It's misleading to suggest that the base is liberal. polichick Mar 2014 #54
It is a numbers game RobertEarl Mar 2014 #56
I don't know if they're the "base" of the party or not, if we're looking at sheer numbers. Common Sense Party Mar 2014 #53
That is what I meant, sheer number size. Rex Mar 2014 #55
Without moderate and conservative Democrats as well as a good number of Independent voters ... spin Mar 2014 #57
Nice spin, spin RobertEarl Mar 2014 #60
I sat down to watch Monday Night Football in December of 2006. ... spin Mar 2014 #99
Awesome post! SunsetDreams Mar 2014 #108
Thanks for your support. (n/t) spin Mar 2014 #109
Did it EVER occur to you that it just might work the other way? Raksha Mar 2014 #101
That's a fair question. ... spin Mar 2014 #117
Liberal left here..... Bobbie Jo Mar 2014 #76
My point? RobertEarl Mar 2014 #90
FWIW CJCRANE Mar 2014 #77
Post removed Post removed Mar 2014 #85
I've been here since 2002, I think I'll be here a while longer. CJCRANE Mar 2014 #88
Looks like his luck ran out. OilemFirchen Mar 2014 #98
But not before he edited his OP! CJCRANE Mar 2014 #102
Somebody fucked with him. OilemFirchen Mar 2014 #107
Well, he was banned from the E & E forum zappaman Mar 2014 #114
Holy shit Cali_Democrat Mar 2014 #124
Beats me. zappaman Mar 2014 #130
I support and vote for, the Democratic Platform. LanternWaste Mar 2014 #87
Let's hope not. BKH70041 Mar 2014 #94
ok i'll bite questionseverything Mar 2014 #111
so what are your top issues? grasswire Mar 2014 #115
Take your poison money to the TeaPubliKlans, that sounds more up your alley TheKentuckian Mar 2014 #123
There's a name for Democrats like you SwankyXomb Mar 2014 #133
liberal leftist, in my compass chart with a splash of anarchism on my own, who knew? juxtaposed Mar 2014 #105
True. But the Greens and other far-left progressives aren't part of the base of the party, pnwmom Mar 2014 #110
Right: "liberal" ... NOT "LIBERTARIAN"! baldguy Mar 2014 #116
Depends on what you mean by "base". Compare DU candidate support to the primaries Recursion Mar 2014 #119
We're still far enough off an election that JoeyT Mar 2014 #122
Actually the base is comprised primarily of women and people of color BainsBane Mar 2014 #125
Has anyone else noticed the OP's edit? Number23 Mar 2014 #127
Weird. zappaman Mar 2014 #131
Ya...that cracked me up! Cali_Democrat Mar 2014 #132
Oh please, everyone knows it's Reagan Democrats who are the base of the party Fumesucker Mar 2014 #134
lol! The "Principled Corporatist Democrats". Zorra Mar 2014 #136
You forgot historylovr Mar 2014 #137

frazzled

(18,402 posts)
1. Links?
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 03:30 PM
Mar 2014

Or is this just your impression? Is there a survey or something?

And how do you define "liberal left"? I consider myself a part of the liberal left, but some people here think I'm full of it. Some posters here call themselves "liberal left" and I see them more as retrograde Paulite libertarians. If you're asking for self-identification, I think you're barking up the wrong tree.

 

RobertEarl

(13,685 posts)
7. You consider yourself Liberal left?
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 03:39 PM
Mar 2014

Last edited Thu Mar 27, 2014, 05:34 PM - Edit history (1)

That is not my impression of frazzled.

Maybe you can tell me why my impression is wrong? What is it that I have missed that makes me think you are not Liberal Left?

You want people to think you are LL, so here's your chance to lay it out.

I doubt you will, tho, because it would be too much to ask.

As for me? Totally anti-war. Complete civil rights across the board. Anti-coddling bankers, the BFEE, the polluters.
I demand our government represent the least among us in a way that brings them up, gives them hope and ensures a clean future.

Ok, your turn.

 

RobertEarl

(13,685 posts)
62. Links?
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 05:24 PM
Mar 2014

Links to you being a Liberal Leftist? I have none. Wished I could find one. Maybe you have one?

frazzled

(18,402 posts)
63. Sure ...
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 05:28 PM
Mar 2014

I see no difference between your description and one I would ascribe to myself (excepting, perhaps "tone&quot . Since the 1960s I have participated in many actions, on the street and through writings, against unjust wars such as Vietnam and Iraq (I marched against both wars); I have supported all civil-rights movements (for African Americans and Latinos, for women, for LGBT) as a matter of conscience and principle for more than fifty years; I am for strong regulation of banking and industry, to protect consumer rights and worker's rights; I vigorously opposed almost every aspect of the Bush administration (as well as Nixonian events such as Watergate, the coup in Chile; almost everything Reagan ever did, most especially Iran Contra); I am committed to government oversight of the environment as well as personal responsibility in ensuring the integrity of the environment. I oppose the death penalty; I've worked on the ground, traveling to canvass in strange neighborhoods, to elect deserving Democrats. I've phone-banked on issues; I've stood in the snow and cold to demonstrate for sensible gun-control. Et cetera.

Where I perhaps differ--and where you may think me "un-leftist" is that over the years I have also become somewhat of a realist, accepting that incremental changes in the right direction accrue over time to achieve more than mere criticism or rejection; accepting that perfection is not possible in our form of government--but that we always strive for what is right; and always trying to check my impulse for hyperbole through research and thought.

While I have tempered my language and actions somewhat over the years (I don't, for example, wear a Mao button anymore, and have tempered an inclination to grand assertions, having learned that they are often come back to bite you), but I have never, ever, compromised my values.

Sometimes I think people equate the degree of liberalism or "leftism," if you will, with the amount of bombast and pugilism one emits. That is not me. I'm an ardent interlocutor and conversationalist on political issues. I verbally assaulted a famous actor once (name withheld) who bummed a cigarette from me and then started rambling on about how necessary the imminent attack on Iraq was going to be. I engaged on a number of occasions in verbal fisticuffs with a famous economist, who endearingly called me "the communist." I defend my beliefs. But I don't shout slogans, and I don't demand one-hundred-percent perfection from our elected officials in this one-hundred-percent imperfect world. I'll even say something nice about Bush: he sincerely cared about AIDS in Africa, and accomplished a fair amount in that area.

 

RobertEarl

(13,685 posts)
64. Cool
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 05:33 PM
Mar 2014

So what progress can we make, today?

And do you believe LL are the base, or just a splinter in the heel of the well-heeled?

Because really, no one give as shit what we did, all that matters is what are we gonna do.

Response to frazzled (Reply #1)

 

RobertEarl

(13,685 posts)
65. Welcome to DU, Blazer
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 05:39 PM
Mar 2014

It is rather odd that some would conflate LL with Paul. Yet it has been done many times.

I chalk it up to them being confused. Probably too much fox news in their intellectual diet.

 

Maedhros

(10,007 posts)
75. Remember when Republicans set out to demonize the word "Liberal"?
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 06:02 PM
Mar 2014

Every time a Republican appeared on television, they made sure to insert a sneering, vitriolic reference to "Liberals" into their soundbite. And it worked. After a while, all they had to do was call something "Liberal" and there would be a knee-jerk negative response. Liberals even began running way from the term themselves, to avoid the false negative associations implanted into the public consciousness by the Right.

Here on DU the same thing is happening, only the sneering and vitriol are directed at "Libertarians". And it has sunk in. Now, all that posters need to do is to accuse someone of being "Libertarian" to deflect their message or denigrate their character. Say something critical of the President or the Party? YOU ARE A LIBERTARIAN!!!11!1!!

It's background noise, best ignored (in the most literal sense).

lumpy

(13,704 posts)
129. I am member of the Democratic Party. Labels are useless as they are not easy to define and
Fri Mar 28, 2014, 02:21 AM
Mar 2014

easily pasted on anyone who is not in agreement with other opinions. If I was to be labeled I would probably be, to some, either a mishmash of liberal left, conservative left, corporate lefty or any other lefts. Good evening.

CJCRANE

(18,184 posts)
2. We are all liberal left here.
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 03:30 PM
Mar 2014

Trying to claim there is a liberal left on one side and Republicans on the other is nonsense.

The only person I see attacking the liberal left is a certain persona.

 

RobertEarl

(13,685 posts)
10. Not nonsense at all from me
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 03:41 PM
Mar 2014

Now I can think of nothing nice to say about your view. Maybe you don't know what being Liberal really means?

Here is your chance to define it. Proceed, CJ.

 

RobertEarl

(13,685 posts)
61. See?
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 05:13 PM
Mar 2014

I am proud of being a Liberal Leftist. I would hope everyone here would be. And they'd shout it out what makes them LL.

For those not proud, well, maybe one day.....

CJCRANE

(18,184 posts)
67. So am I. You are not the only liberal on here.
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 05:49 PM
Mar 2014

I just don't jump through hoops on a false premise.

 

RobertEarl

(13,685 posts)
69. That's fine
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 05:52 PM
Mar 2014

I don't know why you have to complain about it in post after post, tho.

I think being proud of being a Liberal and shouting it out, especially on DU, should be easy to do. For you, it is a hoop. Oh well.

CJCRANE

(18,184 posts)
72. Because you are making it like a McCarthyite witch hunt. I've been here a long time
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 05:56 PM
Mar 2014

and I see no reason to allow someone to think they are the arbiter of what is liberal and what is not.

 

RobertEarl

(13,685 posts)
82. Using the McCarthy word now?
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 06:16 PM
Mar 2014

Be proud of your Liberalism, CJ.

Shout it out!! My advice would be to stay away from the name calling tho. It reflects poorly upon you. I never gave you much thought before, but I'll remember your words here and your replies. Yep.

CJCRANE

(18,184 posts)
83. You started the namecalling and you know it. This whole OP is just a big call out.
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 06:17 PM
Mar 2014

Good luck to you.

Response to RobertEarl (Reply #82)

Ed Suspicious

(8,879 posts)
79. It seemed like more of an invitation than a
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 06:10 PM
Mar 2014

demand, but maybe well get along better if we all engage in a round of "You're not the boss of me!"

CJCRANE

(18,184 posts)
80. It's a game. When did you stop beating your wife?
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 06:13 PM
Mar 2014

I don't agree with the premise of the OP that there is a small group of self-appointed liberals and the rest are Republicans.

progressoid

(49,824 posts)
100. I don't think we are all liberal left here.
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 07:09 PM
Mar 2014

In fact, many proudly defend their conservative leaning nature.

JI7

(89,172 posts)
3. obama has high approval among liberal dems, he does horrible among conservatives
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 03:33 PM
Mar 2014

and of course conservative trolls have to pretend to be from the left if they come on something like DU to avoid being banned.

frylock

(34,825 posts)
86. funny thing, a lot of these "trolls" held the same views they did on 1/19/2009 as they do today..
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 06:20 PM
Mar 2014

it's all documented here on DU. feel free take a look.

sufrommich

(22,871 posts)
6. Obama's approval ratings with liberal democrats
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 03:35 PM
Mar 2014

is over 80%. Posters on DU don't really represent the liberals of the democratic party nor the democratic base.

JoePhilly

(27,787 posts)
16. The liberal democrats you refer to have not been vetted by DU's ...
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 03:46 PM
Mar 2014

... high priests of liberalism.

Without such authentication, no such poll can be considered worthy.

 

RobertEarl

(13,685 posts)
17. You certainly do not represent the Libeal base
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 03:47 PM
Mar 2014

As you claim: "Posters on DU don't really represent the liberals of the democratic party"

We see it differently. I see most posters on DU as representing the Liberal base of the party. It is clear you do not.

So what do you represent?

sufrommich

(22,871 posts)
20. I represent myself and don't make
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 03:51 PM
Mar 2014

generalizations about the dem base, it's easy enough to see who the base is,it's minorities,women,young people,union workers,retired people,teachers and middle/working class people.The base are the people who consistently vote for democrats.

 

RobertEarl

(13,685 posts)
24. You represent yourself??
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 03:55 PM
Mar 2014

Yeah, there's your sign of party unity.

I guess you don't feel yourself a part of the party?

 

RobertEarl

(13,685 posts)
71. Just repeating your words
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 05:55 PM
Mar 2014

I get that you want to deny your own words. If I said as much I'd be running from them too.

I run not from my words. I stand behind them. It is easy to do being a true Liberal.

Bodhi BloodWave

(2,346 posts)
118. so aside from representing yourself
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 11:02 PM
Mar 2014

who do you represent?

Your parents, siblings, neighbors, city, county?

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
128. Interesting. Did you know that many of those groups formed a coalition before the last election
Fri Mar 28, 2014, 02:11 AM
Mar 2014

including Liberal Orgs, Advocacy Groups, SS eg, for the elderly, the poor etc warning the Dem Party that while they have traditionally been supportive of the Dem Party and would vote Democratic in that election, they would 'no longer be taken for granted and the Dem Party should not take their votes for granted' unless they began protecting SS, angry at the insinuation that SS had anything to do with the deficit. Unions, tired of their issues being dismissed etc.

The Coalition also makes huge donations, collectively to the party, which they stated could no longer be counted unless they were INCLUDED in decision making. They held one meeting that I am aware of and collected huge sums of money, in the millions airc, deciding that they now must start taking care of their own issues.

I am looking forward to hearing more from them.

Hopefully their message will get through. And the next time there are big issues that affect them, they will be invited to the 'table'. There have been plenty of Corporate reps at that table, but few Liberal/Progressive groups if any.

It is foolish to deny that the party is splitting, that Corporatists have way more power now in this party than the base.

Times are changing, the working class isn't doing so well, Wall St criminals have not been prosecuted, they have been 'bailed out' while ordinary people, victims of their corruption, have been left to fend for themselves.

Denying the disgust the general public has on all sides for DC is foolish. We have only one party, so something has to be done to make sure that party represents those who elect them.

Raine1967

(11,589 posts)
28. You might want to re-aquaint yourself with this link:
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 04:01 PM
Mar 2014
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=aboutus#communitystandards

It is the responsibility of all DU members to participate on our discussion forums in a manner that promotes a positive atmosphere and encourages good discussions among a diverse community of people holding a broad range of center-to-left viewpoints. Members should refrain from posting messages on DU that are disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate. These broad community standards of behavior are maintained through the combined efforts of members posting and serving on citizen juries, using their own best judgment to decide what behavior is appropriate and what is not.

Members who cannot hold themselves to a high standard risk having their posts hidden by a jury of their peers, and being blocked out of discussion threads they disrupt. Those who exhibit a pattern of willful disregard for the Community Standards risk being in violation of our Terms of Service, and could have their posting privileges revoked.


It appears that you may be unhappy that there are members of DU that don't meet YOUR standards.

BOLD FACE MINE.

Raine1967

(11,589 posts)
50. I'm half tempted to post the entire link as an OP, but these days,
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 04:26 PM
Mar 2014

to be really honest, I suspect an OP like that would be accused as META or whining about DU.

Progressive dog

(6,861 posts)
39. They probably are all just lying about being Liberal,
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 04:12 PM
Mar 2014

after all they voted for Obama and other Democrats. They even still like the President.

DanTex

(20,709 posts)
9. Obama is at something like 85% approval among liberal Dems.
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 03:40 PM
Mar 2014

So if this is in reference to the anti-Obama crowd here, it's hardly representative of the liberal wing of the Democratic party. The idea that being a liberal Dem means screaming at the president every time you get a paper cut is a myth.

frylock

(34,825 posts)
89. what percentage of people here do you believe to be anti-Obama..
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 06:23 PM
Mar 2014

as compared to the percentage of people here that are anti-conservative policy? what percentage of anti-Obama posters here do you think voted for the man? twice?

DanTex

(20,709 posts)
97. Well, I certainly don't think 85% of people here approve of Obama.
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 06:54 PM
Mar 2014

At least not the vocal ones. Maybe there's a silent majority thing going on. My point is that the OP is trying to imply that the anti-Obama stuff here is from the "liberal left", whereas in fact the liberal left largely approves of Obama.

As to whether people are actually anti-Obama? Based on the absurdity of some of the criticisms (most notably and recently, calling Obama names about ACA before actually researching what ACA does, or insisting that there was some chance of getting single payer if not for Obama), either the outwardly anti-Obama people are severely deluded, or they are letting animus against Obama cloud their judgement.

 

RobertEarl

(13,685 posts)
21. Been doing it since 2006
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 03:52 PM
Mar 2014

But folks like you make it harder and harder to get enthused.

Now don't that make you feel good?

JoePhilly

(27,787 posts)
23. You should take responsibility for your own emotions.
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 03:55 PM
Mar 2014

Last edited Thu Mar 27, 2014, 05:44 PM - Edit history (1)

That will make you feel better.

I already feel fine, and I will have no trouble getting "enthused" for my GOTV efforts.

SunsetDreams

(8,571 posts)
29. I'm a bit confused...How does..
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 04:04 PM
Mar 2014
So you'll be working to GOTV for Democrats in 2014, right?

That's what I'll be doing.


Deserve or even warrant this?

"But folks like you make it harder and harder to get enthused."

For asking if you would be working to GOTV for Democrats in 2014?



With respect to your OP:

The only division I see here being created is folks trying their hardest to put labels on people at DU, no matter "which supposed side" is doing it.
 

RobertEarl

(13,685 posts)
33. Joe and I go back a bit
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 04:08 PM
Mar 2014

Joe did not stick to the topic, instead he pulled a personal attack out of his ass. Typical response from him.

SunsetDreams

(8,571 posts)
44. Since when it is a personal attack
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 04:15 PM
Mar 2014

to ask "So you'll be working to GOTV for Democrats in 2014, right?"

I don't see a personal attack. Maybe you can enlighten me.

JoePhilly

(27,787 posts)
66. Let's try this ... you just accused me of a personal attack ...
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 05:44 PM
Mar 2014

If you think I replied to you with a personal attack ... alert on that post, and let a Jury decide.




 

RobertEarl

(13,685 posts)
68. Didn't warrant a jury
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 05:49 PM
Mar 2014

I don't put much faith in the jury system anyway.

Your response was meant only to elicit a negative personal response. It is the way you operate here and frankly your style is embarrassing to DU and hardly worthy of any reply other than what I have posted here.

You could discuss the idea about the liberal base, but you have declined to do so. Good day, Joe. Remember to vote for democrats in the coming election.

JoePhilly

(27,787 posts)
70. Haven't you already determined that you get to decide who the "liberal base" refers to?
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 05:54 PM
Mar 2014

As some in this thread have pointed out, the President has about 90% support from liberal Democrats. Pretty good sized base there I think.

And yes, I'll be voting for every Democrat on the ballot.

I'm assuming you will be as well ... correct?

Or is asking you that a personal attack?

Response to JoePhilly (Reply #70)

JoePhilly

(27,787 posts)
81. You crack me up.
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 06:16 PM
Mar 2014

I was referring to the general election ... did you know that not every incumbent has a primary challenger?

In the primary, I too will vote for my preferred Democrat. And then in the General I will vote for every Democrat I can.

Will you do the same in the general?



CJCRANE

(18,184 posts)
34. Plus there is no actual discussion of policy
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 04:08 PM
Mar 2014

just the OP unilaterally deciding who is, and is not, a liberal!

treestar

(82,383 posts)
40. well if it's too hard and you're not enthusiastic enough to do it
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 04:13 PM
Mar 2014

stay home or find a party that makes you fired up.

There are plenty of liberal Democrats willing to work on elections. No one is begging you not to desert us.

JI7

(89,172 posts)
15. yup, in fact i'm pretty sure many of them are right wing trolls
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 03:46 PM
Mar 2014

pretending to be from the left .

frylock

(34,825 posts)
91. yep. people here since 2002 are right-wing trolls..
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 06:24 PM
Mar 2014

whatever it takes for you to get to sleep at night.

 

RobertEarl

(13,685 posts)
19. There you go
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 03:51 PM
Mar 2014

It is my opinion that your wrds right there are divisive and meant to keep activists from GOTV or influencing public opinion. STOP, you say. F that, I say.

Folks can begin to see just what I am saying as more of you complain about the Liberals on DU; trying to put them down and call them names. Thanks, kitty.

CJCRANE

(18,184 posts)
31. That only works when you self-appoint yourself as a liberal monitor and then call out others
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 04:06 PM
Mar 2014

as not being liberal.

As I said before, we are all liberals here. You are the one trying to divide people.

 

RobertEarl

(13,685 posts)
38. Divide? Yep
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 04:11 PM
Mar 2014

I am attempting to explain for newcomers the difference between the base of the party - the Liberal Left - and the fake liberals who post here. Very good, CJ. You caught me!

CJCRANE

(18,184 posts)
41. "The fake liberals who post here". Who made you the liberal monitor?
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 04:14 PM
Mar 2014

So a poster is only a liberal if you say they are?

 

RobertEarl

(13,685 posts)
59. Sure I do
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 05:03 PM
Mar 2014

I know Liberals from cons. It's not rocket science.

And while I am here, let me just say that most of the so-called 'Obamabots' are liberals.

fleabiscuit

(4,542 posts)
95. Another lookup;
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 06:36 PM
Mar 2014

Obamabot
A person who supports Obama and is willing to vote for him but doesn't know a thing about him.
It's just a label for someone who doesn't know anything about Obama. You call them a Obamabot because they just spew out their support but have nothing else to show.


I'm still not sure. Knows nothing about him personally, or on policy? Why would someone do that "...bot" thing?

dionysus

(26,467 posts)
120. you have no clue what people here think.there's so much 24/7 criticism coming from every conceivable
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 11:18 PM
Mar 2014

angle, a lot of folks don't feel the need to add to the perpetual outrage chorus.

polichick

(37,152 posts)
18. Might be good to define "liberal left" - different factions...
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 03:48 PM
Mar 2014

have different "liberal" policies in mind.

 

GiveMeMorePIE

(54 posts)
27. As someone that identifies as a liberal,
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 04:00 PM
Mar 2014

I wouldn't want to live in a world in which President Obama's most vocal critics actually liked a President. Gives me chills to think about.

brooklynite

(93,834 posts)
30. UNREC
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 04:05 PM
Mar 2014

Once again, apparently only left wing Democrats are "REAL". For some reason though, millions of "FAKE" Democrats keep insisting on voting. Maybe a purity test is in order?

frylock

(34,825 posts)
92. aren't democrats, by definition left wing?
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 06:26 PM
Mar 2014

are you saying that there are right-wing dems? or is this one of those "fringe far-leftist emoprog firebagger" callouts?

progressoid

(49,824 posts)
113. Zell headed "Democrats for Bush"
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 08:07 PM
Mar 2014

As a Democrat he wrote, "Lord, those current presidential candidates in my party! They are good, smart and able folks but if I decide to follow any of them down their road, I'd have to keep my left turn signal blinking. All left turns may work on the racetrack, but it is pulling our party in a dangerous direction."


Did he ever drop his designation as a Democrat?

Recursion

(56,582 posts)
121. Miller left the party, and Kucinich is sui generis
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 11:31 PM
Mar 2014

Kucinich was elected in '96 as an anti-choice white ethnic rust belt industrial Democrat, keep in mind, and didn't "see the light" (*ahem*) and change to a pro-choice position until his Presidential run nearly a decade later. And then he took a job at Fox. I mean no insult to him when I say this, but a good comparison would be Jerry Springer (in his political, not showbiz, career) -- though Springer, as a Jewish immigrant from the UK, also defies some typical white ethnic Democratic stereotypes. Both made gains in traditionally Republican districts in the 70s and 80s using what would become the Carville playbook: solid ethnic white and minority coalitions combined with pocketbook issues that peeled away just enough WASP women to win (see Clinton, William J.)

His national profile as the knight errant of the left was certainly a good thing to see, but it bore little to no relation to how he actually got to where he was -- after he took OH 10, the GOP never mounted another serious challenge to him until the recent redistricting, which left him free to construct whatever national profile he wanted. In that sense you could see his OH coalition as the last gasp of the pre-Reagan rust belt Democrats, a constituency we have more or less conceded as of now.

SunsetDreams

(8,571 posts)
32. The only division I see here being created
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 04:06 PM
Mar 2014

...is folks trying their hardest to put labels on people at DU, no matter "which supposed side" is doing it.

question everything

(47,263 posts)
35. Says who? This is the flip side of saying that the bible thumpers are the base
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 04:08 PM
Mar 2014

of the Republican party.

The art of politics is compromise. If you start determining who is "pure" and who is not, you lose the game.

Look at Romney and McCain.

But, of course, you are entitled to your opinion. Many held similar opinions in 1968 and in 2000 and we lost to Nixon and to Junior.

There are many DINOs in Congress that I don't like. But they let us keep control of at least the Senate. If we will lose the House thanks to the likes of you, you can kiss the Supreme Court goodbye for generations. The youngest Justices are all Republicans.

 

RobertEarl

(13,685 posts)
47. Gawd
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 04:18 PM
Mar 2014

You are blaming me and the Liberal Left for the republicans controlling the house?

As for nixon and junior the country reacted to us Liberal Left who were anti-war, pro civil rights, etc. We Liberal Left were hated by the conservatives and they did everything they could to make sure our message was distorted and demeaned. But guess what? The Dirty Fucking Hippies were right.

And there you go, blaming all the bad on the Liberal Left. Makes me puke. Thanks a lot.

treestar

(82,383 posts)
37. The party is a big tent
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 04:11 PM
Mar 2014

No section gets to call the shots. It is hard to herd the cats.

The dividers are the ones who claim to be the purest left.

Attacking the party and its officeholders would not be trying to cause division? Those were the people elected. That says a little more about that base of the party than just some people on the internet.

 

Rex

(65,616 posts)
43. Not really, moderates are the base of the party.
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 04:15 PM
Mar 2014

That is why we lost seats in 2010, low moderate turn out. That is the group we need to get energized for 2014.

 

RobertEarl

(13,685 posts)
51. Were they the base, they would turn out to vote
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 04:26 PM
Mar 2014

As you said, they did not. They are not the base, the moderates are the wishy washy, quicksand like half-asses that are easily twisted by Fox news.

The Liberal Left cares too much to sit on their asses and not vote. The problem is our activism is being hurt by the fake liberals who have been attacking us. We thought some of them were our friends. They are not, hence this thread so that others may understand what we are up against. Some even showed up on this thread attacking the Truth!

 

Rex

(65,616 posts)
52. But the moderates have the numbers liberals just don't have.
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 04:31 PM
Mar 2014

I say they are the base, because of sheer number size. You are correct, 90% of people that identify as liberal voted in 2010...but the numbers are a lot lower than the number of moderates that turned out to vote...even though the percentage of moderates was a lot lower that turned out to vote, then say 2006.

Moderates, by how many vote (low or high) are still more than liberal voters.

 

RobertEarl

(13,685 posts)
56. It is a numbers game
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 04:56 PM
Mar 2014

The largest swing voters are the independents. How the independents vote is what carries elections.

The Liberal Left GOTV in 2006, and 2008 and we won. In 2010 and 2012, the LL was not very enthused and we did not work so hard so we ended up losing some seats. We voted, we just didn't beat the streets like we did before.

Our LL issues are being delegated to the rear by the president and our congresscritters, and by some posters on DU. We are the activists for progress, and we are hated by fox and the conservatives and even put down by other democrats. No wonder we have lost enthusiasm, eh?

Common Sense Party

(14,139 posts)
53. I don't know if they're the "base" of the party or not, if we're looking at sheer numbers.
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 04:32 PM
Mar 2014

But I think they're a sizeable chunk, yes.

And there are plenty of moderates among Independents, and that's where I am.

Many moderates are disgusted by how right-wing the Republican Party has gone and want a middle-ground, solutions-oriented approach to our national problems.

spin

(17,493 posts)
57. Without moderate and conservative Democrats as well as a good number of Independent voters ...
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 05:00 PM
Mar 2014

and a few Republicans disgruntled after eight years of Bush the Younger, Obama would not have won his first Presidential election or for that matter the second.

In order to put a President in the Oval Office or to gain control of both the Senate and House (or just one) the Democratic Party has to be a BIG TENT.

Limiting the Democratic Party to only the Liberal left would turn it from Big Tent it now is into a little Tepee.

Of course if you wish the Democratic Party to maintain the power and punch it currently has and to continue to move our nation down a more liberal and progressive path, you have to realize that you may have to accept that some in our party will have more moderate or more conservative views than you do.

Even if you get the majority of people in our nation to vote for extremely liberal Democrats and elect them to Congress, you will find it very difficult to elect true liberals in the lower populated rural states. If these states elect Republican Senators, they can stop liberal ideas from passing in the Senate as each state gets two and only two Senators . The lower populated states have the same voting power in the Senate as the states with the much higher population. Therefore if you want to get anything done in Congress it would help if the party ran a more moderate or even conservative Democratic candidate in the Red states.

A "Blue Dog" Democrat is always better than a Republican.

 

RobertEarl

(13,685 posts)
60. Nice spin, spin
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 05:11 PM
Mar 2014

In 2008, sitting in the party headquarters, looking around at the people staffing the HQ and working the phones, it became quite evident that almost everyone there was a Liberal Leftist. I saw no cons in there working.

On the streets, the moderates were embarrassed that we were actively campaigning for Obama. And NC went for Obama in 2008. Then we LL were beat down, shunned and made fun of and Obama lost NC in 2012.

You can spin it all you want, make all the excuses in the world, but the facts are the LL is what got Obama elected. Because of our activism. You want dems to win this year? Support the LL and we stand a chance.

spin

(17,493 posts)
99. I sat down to watch Monday Night Football in December of 2006. ...
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 07:03 PM
Mar 2014

The Chicago Bears were playing the St. Louis Rams.

Obama did the lead in to the game. I was so impressed that I called my son-in-law and my daughter into my living room and rewound my DVR so they could watch it.



After they did, I told them, "You are looking at the next President of the United States."

Obama is without any doubt in my mind the best orator I have ever witnessed running for the office of President and also ran an incredibly well managed campaign. First he destroyed the coronation of Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primaries. That was no small achievement considering that Hillary had the very powerful Clinton machine to back her and the support of most moderate and conservative Democrats. He has a lot of inspiring ideas and gave most people the hope that he would be one of our few great Presidents.

Hillary would have beat John McCain so it wasn't any surprise to me when Obama won the Presidency. The nation was sick and tired of the Republicans and the Bush the Younger administration who pushed us into a totally unnecessary and costly war in Iraq for little or no reason. Our economy had tanked and we were on the verge of another Great Depression. In the latter days of Obama's first campaign for President, I began to suspect that McCain had decided he really didn't want the job.

The Republicans foolishly picked another loser to run against Obama in 2012. Mitt Romney is so rich that he lacks the ability to connect with average people. How many Americans have a elevator for their cars in their four car garage? Most American voters dislike and distrust many members of the 1% and feel this uber upper class is one of the main reason our nation is in the economic mess it is and why the middle class is in danger of extinction.

But while Obama is a great campaigner with good ideas, he has faced enormous difficultly implementing his polices. His greatest achievement was the passage of the ACA but the roll out has proven to be a fiasco. I feel that eventually "ObamaCare" will prove very popular to most Americans just as Medicare is. Unfortunately this will take time, perhaps years, and a lot of work.

The very liberal group of the Democratic Party may win the next Presidential election if they can come up with another candidate with the charisma of Obama. While possible, I feel that such candidates are few and far between.

Of course the Republicans might decide to run an ultra conservative member of the Tea Party. Or they might decide to nominate Jeb Bush. If so they will most likely lose the next Presidential race. Members of the Tea Party are far too conservative to appeal to most voters and few want to see another Bush in office (or for that matter another Clinton).

So perhaps a very liberal candidate does have a chance in 2016. But our most important immediate concern should be the upcoming midterm election. In my opinion, I feel that if we wish to keep control of the Senate and gain seats in the House we have to welcome moderate and conservative Democrats and not drive them from our ranks.

United we win. divided we may fail.


SunsetDreams

(8,571 posts)
108. Awesome post!
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 07:30 PM
Mar 2014

This should be it's own OP. Brava

I had not seen that video before, thank you for sharing.

Raksha

(7,167 posts)
101. Did it EVER occur to you that it just might work the other way?
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 07:09 PM
Mar 2014

Re "Of course if you wish the Democratic Party to maintain the power and punch it currently has and to continue to move our nation down a more liberal and progressive path, you have to realize that you may have to accept that some in our party will have more moderate or more conservative views than you do."

For years, every single fucking election cycle, I've been hearing that--and acting on it too. Finally in 2012 I decided I was through voting for the proverbial lesser of two evils. As I've said several times already, I voted for Jill Stein for president, Democratic Party for everything else.

But for years before that, I allowed myself to be brainwashed by the self-proclaimed "moderates" and "realists" in the Democratic Party that I had to vote for the candidate who was allegedly the "electable" one, the candidate who would appeal to the centrists and swing voters. And the whole time, the party and the country swung inexorably to the right, until finally it was to the right of most of the electorate and under the near-total control of the corporatists, the banksters and the globalists--in other words, the kleptocracy.

ALWAYS the advocates for the squishy center and the conventional wisdom used the same canned argument you just did: "You may have to accept that some in our party will have more moderate or more conservative views than you do."

WHY is that argument never turned around? YOU just might have to accept that some in our party (many, in fact) are to your LEFT, and have more liberal and even socialist views. Would you consider supporting a candidate who is more liberal than you are? Have you ever even been asked to?

Sounds strange, doesn't it?

spin

(17,493 posts)
117. That's a fair question. ...
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 09:51 PM
Mar 2014

Of course I can support a candidate who may be far more liberal than I am and have in the past.

On some policies Obama is far more liberal than I am and in some areas I am more liberal than he is. I voted for him.

There was a recent test on DU that supposedly determined how liberal or conservative you are. I scored to the left of a moderate Democrat and to the right of a very liberal Democrat, right in the middle between moderate and very liberal.

I'm not opposed to all socialist programs. Social Security and Medicare are socialist programs. I currently benefit from both and I'm damn glad they exist. I was actually hoping for a socialized healthcare system such as exists in many nations as I feel "for profit" healthcare is inherently evil. I have seen far too many people with serious healthcare issues who were unable to afford medical treatment or even sometimes the cost of an office visit to a doctor because their employer provided health insurance had a high deductible. If we do indeed live in the "Greatest Nation in the World" I can see no reason why the citizens who work to make this country as "great" as it is can not afford treatment for their medical and mental issues. I favor a single payer healthcare system or Medicare for all.

I also feel that the government should finance the higher education of qualified students and also job training for those who do not wish to obtain a college degree. The taxes paid by well educated people and those who hold good paying jobs would offset the initial cost. Our nation would greatly benefit in the long run. I know several people who are burdened with educational loans and find them almost impossible to pay off. If the cost of higher education is allowed to continue to sky rocket only the well off will be able to send their children to college. "For profit" higher education is hindering our nation and negatively impacting our economic future.

I support unions and since the Reagan years, union power has declined. Perhaps that's why the middle class is shrinking and the greedy 1% are growing richer and richer. If our nation hopes to continue to lead the world, we need a large and strong middle class. Ronald Reagan's trickle down economic policy has greatly benefit the wealthy but many in our society are growing tired of being pissed on. I'm one of them.

I am also a strong supporter of a total overhaul of our immigration laws. We should welcome immigrants from all over the world because if our nation is the "great melting pot" of the world it will once again benefit in the long run.

Our current immigration system has allowed businesses to benefit from a new slave class that they can underpay and mistreat. "Illegal" immigrants from Mexico and South America often face danger and even death crossing our southern border. We often rely on such people to work in jobs that we are unwilling to do and their work is critical to many industries and farms. They greatly enhance our lives and they deserve to receive a fair wage, full protection under our laws, healthcare when necessary and the opportunity to become citizens of our nation.

But many very liberal people who post here most likely would not view me as a "good" Democrat because I am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment. While I do not support another assault weapons ban and feel it would do little good to reduce gun violence in our nation, I have no problem supporting some major changes to our national gun laws. I support universal background checks and proof of firearm safety training for anyone who wishes to purchase a firearm or ammunition. I also support law enforcement efforts to curtail the smuggling of stolen firearms into the inner streets of our cities and feel that anyone convicted of "straw purchasing" a firearm for a felon or a smuggler should face a LONG prison term. In fact I feel they should be charged as an accessory to any crime committed with the weapon they purchased.

The Founding Fathers set up our government so rapid change is almost impossible. Over the years Democrats have gradually moved our nation in a liberal direction. This will continue as long as our party has power.

I understand why liberal Democrats are often unsatisfied with the rate of progress that they are able to make but expecting major chances overnight is unrealistic at best under our form of government.

What I fear is that we may split like the Republican Party. If the minority of the very liberal members of our party attempt to take over and run the party, we may find ourselves in the same quandary the GOP is currently facing. If the Tea Party had simply broke away from the parent Republican Party they would not pose any more threat than the Libertarian or the Green Party. Instead they are trying to gain full control of the Republican Party and are having some success. That will most likely work to our advantage in the upcoming midterm elections and possibly in the next Presidential race. A party that is fractured down the middle is a weak party and eventually the Republicans will learn this lesson.

Of course I might be wrong and you might be right. Perhaps pushing a very liberal agenda is the best approach. I personally feel it's a noble effort but will probably prove as futile as Don Quixote tilting at windmills. I favor a more slow and steady approach. Our nation today is far more liberal than in the 1950s and 1960s when I was growing up. If our party remains strong our nation will be even more liberal over the next 50 years.

Time will tell.




 

RobertEarl

(13,685 posts)
90. My point?
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 06:23 PM
Mar 2014

It is the activist Liberal Left who are to blame for the progress this country has made. And if the cons could do away with us, the party would just be like the republican party.

CJCRANE

(18,184 posts)
77. FWIW
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 06:04 PM
Mar 2014

I could go and do the same on FR.

Tell everyone I'm the most conservative of conservatives and that the posters are all RINOs and they're the problem.

Then ask them to prove they're true conservatives. Of course, whatever they said they wouldn't be as conservative as me. That would stir them up wouldn't it?

There's no proof that the OP is the most liberalist of liberals or that someone posting on FR is the ultimate conservative. It's all self-appointed and an easy way to divide people.

It's a fun game that you can play on any political meesage board.

Response to CJCRANE (Reply #77)

 

LanternWaste

(37,748 posts)
87. I support and vote for, the Democratic Platform.
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 06:21 PM
Mar 2014

I support and vote for, the Democratic Platform. How others feel compelled to interpret that or define me with ambiguous or meaningless labeling done simply for the sake of labeling, will be given all the consideration they're actually worth.

BKH70041

(961 posts)
94. Let's hope not.
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 06:34 PM
Mar 2014

I've made no secret I'm a big money donor to the Democratic Party ($100K+/yr). I'm in the Asheville area, as I see you say you live near the Great Smokies.

Me and others like me in the state are not interested in progressive populists having anything to do with the party. They need to find their own. Until the party leaders start discouraging their voice being included, there is going to be a severe lack of money available for candidates this coming year. The Hagen campaign has been calling me and other big money contributors begging for money. Begging. Not happening. Not until the State, and really the National, Party gets it's act together and starts purging the perpetually useless progressive populists. That's just how it is.

TheKentuckian

(24,934 posts)
123. Take your poison money to the TeaPubliKlans, that sounds more up your alley
Fri Mar 28, 2014, 01:10 AM
Mar 2014

If the national party is too populist for your flavor then go piss outside the tent instead of pissing in it, Rainbow Reaganism is a travesty. Whatever you yearn for must be despicable, on a good day.

pnwmom

(108,925 posts)
110. True. But the Greens and other far-left progressives aren't part of the base of the party,
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 07:35 PM
Mar 2014

by their own choice, and plenty of them participate here, too.

Also, DU has been shown repeatedly to be much more to the left than the liberal base of the Democratic party. IOW, DU often doesn't speak for the liberal base -- just the segment farthest on the left.

Recursion

(56,582 posts)
119. Depends on what you mean by "base". Compare DU candidate support to the primaries
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 11:11 PM
Mar 2014

The left a la what you see here on DU is basically a non-factor in any aspect of US politics. Consider DU's support levels for, say, Kucinich or Gravel (or dare I say Nader?), compared with the votes they receive. The more hinged left of national politics is of growing importance in the Democratic coalition, but you should also remember it's only since 2011 that self-identified liberals outnumbered moderates among Democrats, and we're still much smaller than moderates + conservatives.

Compare the trend among Democrats:



To the trend among Republicans:



When we're 70% of the Democratic party like that, we can talk about being a "base" in the way that the right is for the GOP. As it is, though, our party remains a coalition party, where the "base" such as it is is the squishy middle.

JoeyT

(6,785 posts)
122. We're still far enough off an election that
Fri Mar 28, 2014, 12:32 AM
Mar 2014

"WE DON'T NEED THE LEFT! FUCK THEM ALL!" is the order of the day. Then if the election goes well, the "See! We did it without the left! Told you we didn't need them!" meme will kick off. If it doesn't go well, "The left cost us the election! Traitors!" will be hauled out.

BainsBane

(53,001 posts)
125. Actually the base is comprised primarily of women and people of color
Fri Mar 28, 2014, 01:53 AM
Mar 2014

The very ones told their concerns don't matter and don't even qualify as politics.

People who think the two parties are the same are not the base. People who think Obama is as bad as Bush are not the base. To be the base, one has to vote Democratic, canvass, and care that Democrats are elected. Regardless of what they call themselves, people who sit around all day and complain about the Democratic Party are not the base. In fact, many have said they are not even Democrats and applauded those who have left the party, so I don't know how they could be considered the base.

Number23

(24,544 posts)
127. Has anyone else noticed the OP's edit?
Fri Mar 28, 2014, 02:08 AM
Mar 2014
Well, they got me. I advised someone: don't fuck with me, and the jury got its knickers in a wad. So I can no longer post here. Really? You can't tell advise someone to not fuck with you?

Has a blaring transparency page meaning that he won't be posting for a while but was somehow able to edit his own post. How interesting.

Fumesucker

(45,851 posts)
134. Oh please, everyone knows it's Reagan Democrats who are the base of the party
Fri Mar 28, 2014, 08:17 AM
Mar 2014

You know, principled moderate centrists.

Zorra

(27,670 posts)
136. lol! The "Principled Corporatist Democrats".
Fri Mar 28, 2014, 11:02 AM
Mar 2014

Or PCP, the hallucinatory animal tranquilizer of the Democratic party.

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