Two reclist diaries up right now, complaining about ‘hippie punching’ and ‘establishment Dems attacking the left.’
Ironically, the two (in)famous writers of those posts are two of the most (in)famous for bashing Democrats and Democratic leadership here on Daily Kos. One, ‘Subir’, is on record saying the intention is not to work with the Democratic Party, but to ‘occupy’ it, take it over.
So, why the pearl-clutching when you’re pushed back on? When it’s pointed out that you’re acting like an asshole and aren’t helping unify a Party with shit turnout rates in so many elections?
The same thing is happening with the Democratic House now. The ‘squad’ has been agitating since before they even took office — criticizing other Dems, supporting primaries against sitting Democratic reps in contested districts, DEMANDING thing from Party leadership that has not been earned.
Pelosi finally blew her lid publicly, saying quite ungracefully what is true: it doesn’t matter how many Twitter followers a rep has, because they have ONE vote, and Pelosi has to worry about all Democratic votes.
And hoo boy, the ‘squad’ can’t take a punch. Even though they are just fine publicly criticizing leadership. Even though they’ve allowed their surrogates and staff to bash women of color on Twitter. Hoo boy, the pearl clutching and moaning has been loud and long.
We have to work together. To work together, you work for credibility and respect within the team you’re on...you don’t just start yelling and demanding things. No one owes YOU shit, you have to EARN their help.
THAT’S why so many Dems are turned off (at least partially) by AOC, even though we like her ideas and her fight with Republicans, whom we’re actually supposed to be fighting: AOC came in DEMANDING things, the ‘JUSTICE DEMOCRATS’ came in DEMANDING things, and attacking those who wouldn’t give it right away.
Thats not how you win, not how you build consensus. Bernie is struggling this time around and lost in 2016 for the same reason — he hadn’t built enough within the team he was running to lead.
Here’s what matters; can we please get back to GOTV now, and keep our arguments behind closed doors, at the very least?