Because the republicans are raving douchebags and the democrats have no spine (or like things the way the are?), that's why:

Self-identified Independents surge in poll. Personally, I think many democrats are happy with the status quo and would rather see republicans win than have true progressives move to DC and ruin their party (in every sense of the word). Fuck 'em. We have more democrats, now we need better ones. And if that doesn't work, then maybe, finally, we can have a real progressive party? Yeah, I like to dream big.

Comments

[JDM]

The Democratic Urban Labor Farm Socialist Party. We'll run Segolene Royal.

[gmb]

JDM: I wish. But I'd settle for a Democratic Socialist Party headed by Bernie Sanders. Sure, he may not look as yummy in a sweater set, but his heart and mind are in the right place. GMB

[Spartacus]

Where can I sign up?

[JDM]

Um, we're working on it. For the Nassau DULFSP Committee, I think the Merrick Firehouse at Meadowbrook Ave and Little Whale Neck Rd as soon as Segolene gets it together for the first patisserie sale.

[gmb]

Spartacus: I don't know, but if you find out...tell me, 'kay?
JDM: I like your willingness to take the initiative. Hey Spartacus, JDM's got you covered. GMB

[Lisa Golden]

I'd love to see what a real progressive party looks like. I think I'd have to leave the U.S. to really find out, though.

[gmb]

Lisa: Who knows? If the republicans continue on their course, they could go the way of the whigs. Then the democrats can fully embrace the false "middle," leaving room for a party that actually represents what most (thinking) people want. It could happen. Yeah, I know. GMB

[Kelso's Nuts]

Segolene Royal lost an absolutely UNLOSEABLE election against Sarkozy by doing the same thing that kills Democrats: she ran to the center.

It takes real talent to lose an election in France which was a referendum on Bush's war policy and the right to bargain collectively.

She went into that thing with every single Muslim in France and every single working French person in hand and she farted around trying get the DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS guy's endorsement by proving that she wasn't a "socialist." She proved that alright! [nb: he's become very conservative for some reason].

For what it's worth I think Robert Wexler looks pretty cute in a sweater! He also has some other qualities Obama lacks: integrity, a penis and testicles.

[Kelso's Nuts]

@ LISA: I have some experience in foreign progressive politics having been involved in a campaign here in Panama just recently [Shh! Don't tell Obama. Having done that is a felony in the USA if I ever came back].

From this experience of walking the wards and paying for the vans and box lunches to get people to register, I have a sense of what could make this work for you in the US. You have to get American men to commit to progressivism. Without that, forget it. If you yield on ONE ISSUE ONLY you can crush Obama like a grape. You have to adopt the libertarian position on gun owners' rights. That's it.

The rest of it is easy. You present LGBTQ rights as an issue of personal freedom and political courage. Look, every 8th or 9th deer hunter in OH and PA has a gay or lesbian son or daughter whom he loves.

Same drill with Roe V Wade. Same drill with Pot. Same drill with criminal justice reform.

Go strong on veterans' issues. Go strong on unions. Strength is what works.

It's the finessing and flip-flopping and prissiness that drives men beserk about the Democrats.

My experience here colors my view, though, I'm sure.

Progressive politics down here always involves a candidate who has taken some serious blows like having been a political prisoner during the Robert Gates "dirty wars" era. It doesn't involve images and who uses racist words and who doesn't.

Progressive politicians are instrumental progressive polticians down here and it's not all pretty. These women and men are tough, tough, tough customers for real. They ALL enjoy hunting and fishing and meeting every voter on the peoples' terms not at staged events with a hundred zillion security guards.

Pretending to not enjoy hunting or fishing if you like it so as to distinguish yourself as some kind of sensitive Buddha is a concept no Latino progressive could begin to comprehend.

Being progressive has nothing to do with Starbucks Barista bullshit. If you're a feminist down here you SAY YOU'RE A FEMINIST PROUDLY. You organize a sisterhood for pay parity. You do real things that help people.

You don't fuck around with pleasing the center. If you campaign on a policy of kicking out Cargill or Vivendi and guaranteeing a low cost of food staples you better deliver.

If you're gay, YOU SAY IT without embarrassment or beards or whatever. Man, Cesar Gaviria is the guy who killed Escobar and he ran and won openly gay as a real progressive.

Being progressive on the environment is not like loving Al Gore or something. You allocate money to clean up toxic areas and you DO IT no matter whom you have to bribe.

Being progressive is all about delivering for "el pueblo" and being strong and steadfast. You also have to KNOW ABOUT ECONOMICS. Without fail. You can have advisers but you have to know your projected budgets and shit like that COLD.

It's not a kind of politics Americans would like I don't think.

I saw what Herrera went through. She's beyond tough but she and Gaviria co-chair the OAS Peace Commission. Being for peace, being for human rights, being for gay rights is seen as strength not weakness.

There are no image makers and consultants to help. That stuff you leave to the right wing to worry about. As a real progressive, you just have to get out there and do it. And you don't raise money at fussy little dinners. You find the bankers and money movers who hear the progressive message and you get your campaign funds in a brown paper bag. I'm totally serious.

[gmb]

Kelso: Interesting stuff. I realize that I did not know that Segolene Royal was running towards the center against Sarkosy. Probably distracted by her stunning good looks (yes, I am willing to admit that)...and her socialist label. As for real progressives...yeah, we don't have a real viable progressive party. Yet. Will it come? I don't fucking know. And your last paragraph--brilliant. I think more than anything, many of us are looking for authenticity. Enough with the fucking "slick" messaging. Give me a clear talker any day. Thanks, Kelso. GMB