alternative hippopotamus

progressive cyberdadaism from our nation’s capital

April 1, 2007

Imagine There’s a Third Party

by AltHippo @ 1:24 pm. Filed under 2008 Elections

It’s easy if you try.

While I wrote this post before seeing the Matthew Dowd Mia Culpa, nicely dissected at Digby’s place, it’s interesting to see some of the blogosphere reaction to the NYT piece, and note that I’m not alone in my frustration with Democratic Party’s “outreach” strategy.

Middle Earth Journal:

Many if not most of the Democrats that won in 2006 were real Democrats - progressives who did not try to pander to the mythical middle. Many of them were opposed by DLC approved candidates in their primaries. [ed: I will follow up with the post’s author to find out who he’s referring to here.] That’s why I have wondered if the biggest panderer of them all, Hillary Clinton, can win a presidential race. I remain convinced there will be at least one and probably two strong third party candidates in 2008. They won’t win but they will decide who does.

Seeing the Forest:

Ever since 1988, the controlling DLC faction has oriented Democratic campaigns toward moderate and independent “swing voters”. This actually worked in 1992, but only at the Presidential level, and the rabidly partisan Gingrich Republicans gained control of Congress in 1994. Pursuing his centrist strategy, Clinton further weakened Congressional Democrats by working against them and relying on Republican votes to get his program through.

Let’s forget about polling for a second. Yes, that appears to have driven Rove/Dowd’s base-turnout strategy. I’d like to suggest there’s a simpler, more essential issue. People want and need to be listened to. While I don’t agree with the folks that make up Bush’s base, and even find their views dangerous, I certainly understand their loyalty. Of course they believe that Bush cares about people like them. His actions tend to support that view. It’s not surprising that they would turn out in droves. This is a president who has not just supported them, he’s celebrated them.

People like me are motivated our beliefs. When you talk about values voters, it’s important to remember that progressives have values, too. While it’s true that fear of the boogey man in the form of another bushie presidency is a motivating factor, the idea of a third party that shares my values is also attractive.

Come to think of it, when exactly did the word “idealist” become a pejorative, anyway?

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