2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: Hey DNC, we are big enough to be a third party... [View all]Amimnoch
(4,558 posts)If you do have that many, change the landscape of the DNC and Congress!
Primary Democrats who are weak on progressive and liberal causes with Democrats who are strong, and do what it takes to get them elected come the GE!
Get the vote turned out in the "purple" areas and change the numbers of D's vs R's!
I get your sentiment and frustration, but that kind of split weakens both those who leave for a 3rd party AND the Democratic party, and will really reinforce the Republican Party (unless Trump splits them as well).
As an example, look at the calls for Green party support that's popped up lately. As a separate party, they've made some progress in municipal/county/state levels, but on the national level has been virtually non-existent or of any real influence.
Just imagine, for a second, how this primary would look if all of the Green party was with Bernie, and progressive candidates along side of those who support Bernie and the more progressive candidates were Democrats? That would be a very large pool of strong progressives and liberals added to the existing number, and would make the voice so much more heard.
I'm not going to use that old talking point about Nader in Florida in 2000 as being the cause of 8 years of Bush. There was a LOT more at play than Nader's run (crooked assed government, voter disenfranchisement, judicial abuse). Nader's run wasn't the cause of Bush, but at the same time, if Nader hadn't have run, there would have been no Bush. In Florida alone, the numbers would have made the entire need for a recount unnecessary.
So, I say again, if you have those numbers.. don't split and harm yourselves and everyone else. Don't burn down your house and start over. CHANGE the landscape!