A strong wind blowing from the left ?

[kentuck]

How bad would that be? If the Democratic Party were to split into two factions? It is doubtful that the "left" would garner enough votes to win. However, it would be able to speak more to the concerns of the people than the present Democratic Party.

It is also doubtful that the present Democratic Party could win without its left base. The Repubs would rejoice at such an idea. However, if the two factions joined to fight the Repubs in the general election, would they be strong enough to compete? Would it be possible for them to join the moderate wing of the Party after tough primary fights?

And what if the left faction got more votes than the moderate faction? Would the moderates join the "leftists"? Something to think about before we take that step - which is bound to be mentioned a little farther down the road.

[Walt Starr]

1. It would guarantee total and complete power for the Republicans

If the Democratic Party split right now, the consolodation of power by the Republicans would be complete by January of 2007 and they would be 100% capable of AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION AT WILL!!!!

In a nutshell, that's what the effect of a split Democratic PArty would be.

[Atlant]

3. Walt, I hate to break this to you, but...

Walt, I hate to break this to you, but the Democratic Party is split
right now; you only need to look at DU to see how deeply riven it is.

On one side, we have the "Throw out the Gays!" faction.

On another side, we have the "Fellate the handguns!" faction.

On another side, we have the "Out-macho the Republicans!" faction
urging bigger and better wars.

Then there are the "Just be bigger Jesus-mongers!" folks.

And then there are the folks that you and I would have recognized as
socially-responsible liberal Democrats who, as far as I can tell,
no longer have any place at the table or in the party.

In this election, at the last moment, I switched my presidential
vote from Green to Democrat. Based on the aftermath I've observed
(here and elsewhere), I'm certain I made a mistake.

We're riven straight through to the heart.

Atlant

[Walt Starr]

4. All political parties are factionalized

In the GOP you have the paleocons who are pissed off at the deficits and Iraq. You have the neocons who are pissed off that we haven't invaded Syria and Iran yet and you have the theocons who are pissed off that abortion is still legal.

Factionalization is not a split. Splitting is the act of rending apart into two new entities that are not the original single entity.

Both the Democrtats and the Republicans have been factionalized throughout their existance. This is the nature of political parties. Occasionaly a political party experiences a split, whereby the other party takes advantage to consolidate power.

[Teaser]

8. You mischaracterize the opinions of others...

with an unusual skill and panache.

I suppose in some quarters that might be a compliment.

[mortimer_az]

9. some of us prefer the term...

"blowing a gat"

...over fellating a handgun.

If we can't keep our own factions straight, how can we hope to win anything?

[Spazito]

2. It would negate the left ever winning the White House or Congress...

In Canada, the Liberal party has dominated ever since the right split into to separate parties. The recently united (for the moment, anyway) and we now have a minority Liberal government for the first time in 25 years.

[kentuck]

5. If they were to split, would it be possible to rejoin for the big battle ?

would be my question...

[info being]

6. Oh it would be just terrible

we might *lose*. Oh, wait, it wouldn't change anything.

I'm never voting Dem again unless I see a major fight in the next month.

[hertopos]

7. Actually, I came to that conclusion.

Let's forget about presidency. The most important thing should be local elections and congressional races. All we have to do is to make sure that Republican won't be single decisive majority. Then we don't even have to have a unified front. From state to state, both Green and organizations like DFA can win back local elections. That's should be our focus.

Honestly, DNC is not only too center but also strategically inept!!

Hertopos