Yeah, and the title space here does not allow me to add these jewels---a done for, in the bag for the establishment, former shadow of itself, anti gate crasher, hypocritical, Republican lite crusher of progressive dreams…all that and more!!!
And yeah, I have heard all that here, and many more times than once. Many more. So of course it’s always head scratching how many who feel that way remain here to tell us they feel that way. On a regular basis.
Guess there’s always that matter of eyeballs and how many of them. Also there’s that matter of platform, which this site gives its right side to every single day, and on which many of our most ardent site critics have the equivalent of a twice to thrice weekly “column.” Where else are you going to get this? Yep, that is indeed the rub of all those who wanna hate it here, but can’t quite depart.
I too have my issues with the Democratic party. Still, It’s the best game in town for me. I too have my issues with the Daily Kos, but again, it’s the best game in town for me. As it apparently also is for many who proclaim to detest it, and yet show up here over and over again.
That’s OK, even good. I really do not relish living in a bubble, and I am stimulated by those here who are full of punch and vigor, who insist on allowing this site to host their harshest words, who are always here to remind us this is about policies, not a team win. I need and welcome that.
What I don’t welcome, and struggle mightily with, is a certain amount of dancing on the head of a pin that goes on here, as if everyone out there is all about the latest Bernie/Hillary tiff, the latest slight to either, the latest smack down between each other.
I am out in the real world every single day, professionally and/or socially, and it’s WAY different out there than here. For instance, sometimes when I try to fill even sympathetic folks in on what happened in Nevada as factually as I can---they know something happened and are mildly curious--- I don’t get far before they get this glazed over look in their eyes when it comes to the details.
This place DWELLS on details, over and over again. But that is NOT how the real world around me reacts to politics at all. AT ALL. There is both an openness to a point, and then a closed/can’t involve myself to that point aura out there.
We ARE here, a good mix of the “base.” By which I mean those in support of a more Democratic, progressive government. And yeah sure, we span the spectrum on that as to where we land on it. But we all keep up and know more than the average bear out there, which is a strength, but can be a weakness when we don’t understand how to message all our “smarts” in the real world.
One thing I do know is that it IS and WILL BE ultimately up to us here, and other like minded folks and sites to see that Donald Trump does not become the next president of the United States. To see to it that we win back the senate and at least best our standing in the house. We ARE the base, for whatever our disagreements.
Maybe THAT’S why we hang in here, despite what seems a gulf of disagreement between us.
This diary is NOT about arguing about how far Bernie should take this. Or really about Bernie or Hillary per say. Some of us here have moved on to the general, others are still involved with the primaries, and wherever YOU fall is fine with me---as long as you can do two things at a time. BOTH, see the primaries thru, AND not lose site of what’s happening on the other side while you’re doing that.
Because I just gotta say, if you’re watching the news I’m watching, Trump is well into general election mode, and only uses Bernie in vomit worthy and obvious ways. But mostly, he is all about tearing down Clinton, every day in every way. And as we all know, he is a master at controlling the news cycle.
In other words, he’s ahead of the game for right now. No judgement involved in saying this, just the truth. Republicans have given up. They know he will be their candidate, and you’ll see that in tightening poll numbers between now and the general.
I think that the Daily Kos is a good place for us all to put our stuff in the mix master and see what comes out. A place that allows FAR more freedom of voice than it is given credit for, imo, but also INSISTS on its foundational reason to be. WHICH right now includes supporting the Democratic presidential candidate, no matter how disappointed you are it didn’t go your way.
Yes, It IS a site dedicated to the strength, hopes and future of the Democratic party, as freaking imperfect as it is. And no matter what anyone says, THAT HAS BEEN CRYSTAL CLEAR from day one here.
This site DOES support progressives, but it also supports centrist Democrats. It even supports blue dog Democrats, occasionally, when it has had to, to get something back in return. This is not new. This is not a sell out. This is what this site has always been.
So I guess, If you’re going to detest this site, and say it’s not what it once was, etc. etc.--- I’d ask you to ask yourself... how honest am I being about what this site is and has been by its very clear acknowledgment since day one? I’d ask you to ask yourself if YOUR bias effects how you feel about the better things this site offers. I’d ask you why you don’t or can’t seem to leave. I’d ask why this imperfect crazy place still remains the hub of Democratic sites.
I’d say, it’s because it has NOT wavered from its original intent. And when push comes to shove, that perennially draws many of us, no matter our contentions with the Democratic party.
We know it’s STILL the best game in town.