General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Centrists are by no means even close to a threat to Democracy. Lack of centrists is [View all]PDittie
(8,322 posts)You wouldn't have deals with conservative Democrats -- like the "Cornhusker Kickback", to use one example -- if that were accurate.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patient_Protection_and_Affordable_Care_Act#Senate
It would be accurate to say that the GOP enforces a stricter caucus discipline overall than Democrats; testament to Nancy Pelosi's 'flexibility' on pro-life Dems like Dan Lipinski. Only when a Republican is retiring (Jeff Flake, Trey Gowdy just this morning) -- or facing death, such as McCain -- do they begin to tell the truth, especially when it deviates from Republican orthodoxy.
The Democrats nearly always begin negotiations from a weaker position because of their centrists. (I understand the rationale: w/r/t to Cornhuskers, 'a Ben Nelson is better than a Ben Stasse'.)
But this is NOT the fault of those Democrats on the left side of the party. They are not radicals, and your calling them that -- lumping them in with Republican radicals on the extremist, racist, far right in a false equivalency -- is divisive and unhelpful.