After these primaries end, the Democratic Party will rally behind our nominee, as we did in every other election. I have no doubt about that, as I know many here remember. This is not a new thing, though this has escalated quicker than I remember. But I believe the narrative that these fights do no real damage is a false one.
Every two years, we are reminded that the left is a part-time political force. The midterm elections have proven us powerless to maintain an established majority, despite favorable demographics. I’m sure there are many reasons for this, but I would like to advance a shallow reductionist generalization.
We have become a party of personality, rather than a party of principle. This isn’t to say that the left is lacking in defined principles. Instead I suggest that the left is not engaged in Democratic politics on a full-time basis. Unless we our lured into the fold by charismatic leaders, we’d just as soon retreat to the role of spectators.
Whether you support Bernie or Hillary, we should own some responsibility for how shitty our support really is. Neither nominee has much to work with, and we all know who is to blame. Our current president has been knifed in the back in both 2010 and 2014. You may say it isn’t you, but the numbers don’t lie. Some of us aren’t showing up. Hell, hardly any of us are showing up.
I’ll take the blame here. I voted in both midterms, but fuck if I knew who my state senator was until I had to figure out my caucus location here in Wichita (I recently moved here). I have no idea which down ticket candidates need my help.
We aren’t doing a very good job of building a political party. Expecting to be entertained and pandered to is a piss poor substitute for civic engagement. Spending energy warring with fellow Democrats is just downright disgraceful.
So dkos has become unreadable at this point. Instead of focusing on electing progressive majorities, we are trying to raise up a godhead. It doesn’t take much thought to realize that isn’t a constructive goal for a political party. Would one of you responsible down ticket devotees please enlighten me how to become a good party member, so I can focus on something other than the dribble passing for political engagement? I am hoping admitting I have a problem is the first step.