Democrats have all the spontaneity of the House of Windsor. Or, closer to home, they’re closer to what Republicans once were, a party that falls in line not in love.
Democrats have all the spontaneity of the House of Windsor. Or, closer to home, they’re closer to what Republicans once were, a party that falls in line not in love.
The progressive block is one small piece out of many, many other groups that make up the American “left”. The democrats are in the undesirable position of having to juggle the sometimes competing interests of all these little blocks, which ultimately means that nobody is ever truly happy with the direction of the party except for those in the largest blocks (i.e. liberal moderates).
Notice, though, that the moderate is never required to compromise, but it’s always the progressive who is. Either they are a large enough faction to matter and have their demands met, or they aren’t. It’s that simple.
Yes, because they have to please the moderates or else they won’t win. Progressives are just big enough to tip the scales in a major election against an opponent with a sufficiently energized base, hence the occasional bone throwing. Progressives need to grow their base and mainstream their ideas if they want to have serious sway (see the religious right 1980s -> now). Unfortunately, this process usually happens on a generational timescale, and without the level of conviction that comes from absolutely balls-crazy religious brainwashing, people tend to get discouraged and give up after a few election cycles.