With labels ranging from poutrage, troll, childish, naive, and many more, you would think that this community, and however it represents Democrats as a whole, are in a state of civil war. That's completely false. And while there have been some diaries and comments that indicate people are perhaps using the wrong tactics to achieve our shared strategic vision, I think overall, some air needs clearing, and I hope you'll agree.
So the first one to tackle is this - it's safe to assume that the vast majority of us who are active enough to write diaries and comments, including myself, are going to vote. The vast majority of that group are going to vote Democrat.
While enthusiasm ranges, I think it's a mistake to think that it ranges so low that there's a sizeable number of people active in this community who are going to sit this one out. So what does this mean?
In regards to Obama's comments today about "taking your ball and going home," it doesn't apply to you if you never intended to not vote. Don't be offended by it. Offense, admittedly, was my initial reaction, but in parsing his words more closely, although I've made no secret of my dissatisfactions with his administration, and with the Democrats in the Senate, I never indicated doing anything other than going out and voting Democrat (well, not going out - I get to mail my ballot in early here in Ohio). Thus, I decided there was no reason for me, or anyone else who always intended to vote "D" to be offended.
However, there does appear to be, based on my reading through of many of these criticisms of Obama, Democrats, or other expressions of general disappointment, a recurring stereotype of people who express disappointment as folks who are being overcome by their feelings. As far as I've found, most, if not all, diarists and commenters have indicated that, their disappointment aside, their vote hasn't changed. They're just doing it to prevent Republican control. This motive may differ from yours, but where it gets us is little different.
So I challenge everyone to temper their perceptions to match what seems to be the reality.
Those "whining," as Vice President Biden chose to put it, are not the enemy. Insulting them, and further alienating them is exactly what not to do. Respond to their dissatisfactions just as you would if you were going door to door in a GOTV effort. I would hope that your approach isn't to insult people, call them childish or naive, accuse them of never having helped the party, and then tell them to blame the other guy by voting against them. That's obviously going to persuade no one to act. It's not inspiring. So don't treat your fellow Democrats here like that.
And to those who feel disheartened, like myself to some degree, know that no matter what, the rest of the Party is still grateful for your vote, just as they would be grateful for a vote pledged by someone they persuaded at the front door. After all, even if we don't all agree about the quality of success so far, or who is to blame, we don't disagree that the alternative is worse, so let's stop pretending we disagree here.
However, this brings me to my final point. I don't like this talk about voting for Democrats because the alternative, Republicans, is worse. As true as it is, as admitted above, it misses the point. For the very reason we, as a party, are trying to make progress in healthcare, finance, immigration, gay rights, reproductive rights, and other issues, we should never stop trying to support candidates that are committed to these issues as we are. It's a false choice simply saying that any Democrat is better than a Republican. Democrats exist on a spectrum, and wanting "better" ones is perfectly reasonable - Progressives want progress, right? As long as those of us who want better democrats temper that idealism with reality once the primaries are over, but be ready to bring it back out for the next cycle, we can continue to improve the quality of our representation.
Stand together folks. We want the same things.