Dems vs. Dems

The Washington Post reports that the Democratic party is essentially under attack by those of us in the lefty blogosphere. We're accused of trying to take the party too far to the left, of ignoring those mythical "centrist" voters that are out there just waiting for more Joe Liebermans, more Joe Bidens, more Ben Nelsons and Hillary Clintons, triangulating and arguing for flag-burning amendments and abortion restrictions and basically playing Republican-Lite.

"The bloggers and online donors represent an important resource for the party, but they are not representative of the majority you need to win elections," said Steve Elmendorf, a Democratic lobbyist who advised Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign. "The trick will be to harness their energy and their money without looking like you are a captive of the activist left."

The blogs-vs.-establishment fight represents the latest version of a familiar Democratic dispute. It boils down to how much national candidates should compromise on what are considered core Democratic values -- such as abortion rights, gun control and opposition to conservative judges -- to win national elections.

Many Democrats say the only way to win nationally is for the party to become stronger on the economy and promote a centrist image on cultural values, as (Gov. Timothy) Kaine did in Virginia and as Bill Clinton did in two successful presidential campaigns.

You know what? I'm goddamned sick and tired of weak-kneed, spineless, capitulating Democrats who are afraid of their own fucking shadows. Who the hell is Steve Elmendorf? Didn't he advise a campaign that ended up losing the election? Why should we listen to him now? The way Republicans win elections is by energizing their base. The Democratic base is liberal, and proudly so. Yet Democratic politicians would rather appeal to unicorns and fairies some huge alleged coalition of "moderates" out there than align themselves with the people who should be their first consideration -- which is why they end up losing elections, time after time, even when running against the most corrupt and ethically bankrupt opponents in the history of America.

As Elmendorf says, they're happy to take our money and let us post ads on our sites and work the phone banks and walk the precincts for them, but they'll be damned if they're going to actually do anything for us when and if they get elected. Criminey. I'm almost as sick of Democratic weakness as I am of Republican corruption. Where is someone I can vote for?