"Moderate" Democratic politicians and/or policies: Ideology or strategy?

[Pushed To The Left]

I have always wondered if the "moderate" or more conservative Democrats are that way because they feel they need to do so to get elected (especially if they are from a reddish state), or are they actually moderate/conservative ideologically? For example, I and many Democrats I talk to support single-payer health care, same sex marriage, and marijuana decriminalization. Those seem like very reasonable, common-sense positions but they are still considered "political suicide" for many Democratic politicians. I remember hearing Thom Hartmann talking about a 2000 Democratic Presidential candidate (he said he wouldn't reveal the candidate's identity) who believed in single-payer health care, but would not say so during the campaign because he felt it would destroy his chances. On the other hand, there are some Democrats who take moderate-conservative positions and don't have to. The same California voters Dianne Feinstein needs to get elected also vote overwhelmingly for the much more progressive Barbara Boxer. Feinstein could move left and still get re-elected very easily.

Why do you think Democrats take "moderate" and conservative positions?

[harun]

1. Other: Campaign contributions (aka: sellouts)

[Jackpine Radical]

2. 5. They are bought & paid for by corporate interests.

[scarletwoman]

3. Other -- What Jackpine Radical said. (nt)

[Cynical Guy]

4. Other -- What scarletwoman said. (nt)

[MrModerate]

5. Combo -- they are "genuinely" right-of-center and/or need to appear that way . . .

To get elected. Feinstein is a case in point. Despite her political history, which you'd think would drive her to being a staunch liberal, she's a DINO of the broadest stripe . . . and yet gets overwhelming support even in Northern California, where you'd expect fury because of her quisling positions on issues that really matter to that constituency. CalDems are, I think, afraid of losing the seat (grid knows why!), and so have supported her for years because she wins elections.

Others among the conservadems are embarassments to moderates in the party and are nothing but faux dems. They apparently only took on the D party label because the 'Lican party opposition in their districts/races was so hopeless that the right-leaning electorate was ready to elect a "Democract" as long as that dem adhered closely to 'Lican party core principles.

[LWolf]

6. Other: see #2. nt

[AndyTiedye]

7. Blackmail

The Repiggies still have all that blackmail stuff they got from the Bush-era NSA.

[Laelth]

8. I can't vote. I hope it's strategy. n/t

:dem:

-Laelth

[Individualist]

9. See post #2