The "New" Democratic Party ?

[kentuck]

With Edward's endorsement of Barack Obama last night, was that the final nail in the coffin of the "old" Democratic Party? If Hillary is not on the ticket, will the "old" Democrats support the "New" Party? Just what would we define as the "old" Party?

First of all, they believe that every election hinges on either Florida or OH. They do not think outside of that small restricted box. If the Democrat cannot win both of those states, then the Republican will win the next election. It is sad that we have restrained our Party in such a detrimental way. They do not believe we can win any place in the West or in the South. That is "old" thinking.

The "new" Democratic Party believes that we can compete in all 50 states. Governor Dean was the father of this idea. We might call him the father of the New Democratic Party. Barack Obama adopted his strategy. That is why he is ahead of Hillary Clinton at the present time. Hillary thought she could take the old machinery and win the nomination with just a few of the biggest states and the battle would be over FL or OH? The New Democratic Party believes we can win even without FL or OH, but that we will compete for them like all the other states.

The difficult task ahead is to get the "old" Democrats on board with the "new" Party. This is the Party of the future. There are millions of new voters and they are inspired and motivated. They will not sit out the next election. They have made a personal decision that they must be involved in the choosing of our leaders. Progress will not be deterred.

Just as Obama said, he is the "empty vessel" into which all these hopes are poured. This is not a one-person show. This is a grassroots movement. We believe that most Democrats will join us when the battle is narrowed to the Democratic Party vs the Republican Party of the last 15 years. Some may break away into independent blocs, but by and large, we will be united as a Party by the upcoming general election.

The "new" Democratic Party believes in the same principles as the "old" Democratic Party but they believe in fighting much more aggressively for those principles, even as our nominee tries to break the old divisions created by George W Bush, Karl Rove, Newt Gingrich, and the like. We believe they must be defeated. We firmly believe that we can build a coalition of Democrats, Independents, and some Republicans that will defeat the fear-mongers and propagandists that have ruled for too long.

The "New" Party believes that we must change all the old habits and the old politicians that have corrupted our government. We cannot work with these people any longer. We are a Party that is ready to rebuild. Not only will we rebuild our Party but we will rebuild our government and tear down or replace those institutions that have sucked the life out of our government.

It is crucial that those "realists" that support the old system understand that we must make a wholesale change. We cannot fix this government by trimming at the edges. We should unite in that goal.

[CanonRay]

1. We need a 3,143 county strategy.

Fight 'em EVERYWHERE.

[BlooInBloo]

2. We're watching party realignment take place right before our eyes...

I.e., real CHANGE.

Another part of it is Obama 86ing 527s that would be for HIM!

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/05/david_brocks_toughtalking_thir.php

He's clearly got a good plan in mind, and knows how to wield power.

[kentuck]

8. May be?

:-)

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

3. The best thing about Obama is that he's not a Clinton.

The DLC, and the Clintons, took over the party with use of "triangulation" - adopting Republican issues, watering them down to be "not as bad", and selling them as the New Politics, Third Way, of attracting "moderate" voters.

In doing so, they made the slightly left "moderate" party a virtual clone of the slightly right "moderate" Republicans.

Obama, at least, has the potential of moving the party slightly more to the left and offering the country the opportunity to move away from the failed politics of the last 20 years.

He will have a daunting task just facing the wreckage that Bush is leaving behind. I fear that he will follow the political course of least resistance. But, despite that, there is the potential that the left will grow as a movement that will have more influence on who the politicians try to appease rather the their usual pandering to the "middle".

[kentuck]

6. Good point.

And the old Democratic Party cannot escape responsibility for the present condition of our government. By moving to the right with the radical Republicans, they did great harm to our nation. We cannot be a Party that goes along with war-mongers and money-changers. We have to fight for equality and against greed. Otherwise, we find our country and ourselves in the hole - just like we are right now. We should never compromise those principles and unfortunately, that is what Bill Clinton did in the 1990's. It was good for a while but it came back to bite us in the ass, big time.

[madfloridian]

4. We are seeing the use of the "old" words and themes...they sound artificial now.

It is tearing us apart right now...

[WA98296]

5. Keep in mind that "New Democrat" is a DLC coalition of House members

[kentuck]

7. It makes no difference what you call yourself...

It what you ARE that is important. There is a change in mindset that makes you a "new" Democrat - not just a change in name only.