I thought we had moved on and realized that cannibalism isn't what we need. But I guess not. I am really completely sickened and upset at the nearly constant childish feud between those who supported Dean and those who supported Kerry. Or for that matter those who think the Dems are too leftist and those (like me) who proudly wear the "liberal" label. Troll rating and name calling go back and forth with idiocy from both sides.
Simply put, THIS is why we are losers. It's not Kerry, it's not Clinton, it's not Dean...it isn't even Leiberman. It's because for some reason we have all started expecting some kind of ideological purity from all Democrats.
The Democrats represent a far wider range of interests and ideas than the Republicans. That is our strength and our weakness. But what makes it our weakness more than anything is when we tear our own party apart over our diverse ideas. Who the hell are we (as individuals or as a group) to define what makes a person a Democrat. Barney Frank is a Democrat. So is Joe Leiberman. (Even I won't say Zell is...so let's leave him aside for now). I bet Joe and Barney get along just fine. I bet Kerry and Dean don't get along so badly either. Why the hell do we fuck it up?
Criticism is fine. Criticism is healthy. Criticism is what we need right now. But the kind of bile thrown around (ewwww!) here from both/all sides is just plain stupid.
Here's an idea. Maybe what the party needs is to accept some differences of opinion within its ranks. This is something the DLC needs to learn just as much as DailyKos and DFA. If we don't learn it, then I think we will remain losers. If we stop demanding absolute purity of ideology (why call Obama a total failure just because he won't challenge the electors? why call those who want to challenge the electors "fraudsters?") and we start working together, I bet we'll start winning big time.
Since the election, here in Brooklyn I have been bringing together the local DFA, New Democratic Majority and Kerry people. We all want to focus on the future--2005 mayor's race, 2006 Senate and Gov races, etc. Some critcisms go back and forth, but each side is RESPECTFUL of the other and willing to accept differences in the name of cooperation. We will probably support different candidates in the future...but that's FINE. For now we want to increase the visibility and effectiveness of the party AS A WHOLE.
I fully intend to fight the local party machine which excludes progressives. Not to destroy it, or take it over, but to force it to take notice of a wider range of Democrats. I fully intend to support DFA, but not if it starts acting the way some Deaniacs do and starts getting nasty towards all who aren't Dean.
So PLEASE folks. Just STOP it.