We can do better than Hillary Clinton.

[BlueCaliDem]

310. It's not what they want. It's what can WIN for the general good.

NOBODY is going to get the perfect candidate. Nobody. To keep undermining the candidate that's closer to their ideals is just plain stupid and it's the reason why the Democratic Party suffers the ping-pong results in elections, unlike the Republican Party.

We {Democrats} believe we are a democracy because we want to work together toward the general good, and nobody, nobody, can claim with a straight face that having another Republican win the WH and Republicans control Congress again, is working toward the general good of this country.

You're right, though, that centrists don't make up the whole of the Democratic Party, but like it or not, they are the majority. That's what needs to be kept in mind when we go cast our votes, or decide to stay home because there aren't any candidates worthy of our vote.

This is in interesting and insightful piece regarding the divide in the Democratic Party ranks:

" . . . explain why Democrats are unable to translate the party's persistent voter identification advantage into sustained congressional and White House dominance. In the report, "Family Feud: Democratic Activists v. Democratic Voters," I explain that the Democratic coalition is more divided between activists and rank-and-file members than are the Republicans. Most Democrats are moderates, and this has not changed in 40 years. Party activists are liberals.

<snip>

If Democrats on the left want a progressive revolution in America, they need to understand that it will not happen from the top down. They need to find areas where activists and non-activists overlap. They need to facilitate the change that the vast and vital center is seeking. If they can accomplish that, then perhaps moderates will become open to a more progressive government. Then, when the people are ready, Democrats can help facilitate the change.
Right now, however, Democrats need to focus on how they can win consistently, and that requires engaging the party's moderates. It does not mean abandoning core beliefs or giving up on efforts to influence opinion. But it's easier to influence opinion when you win elections.
My research suggests Democrats can embrace the middle and win, but if Republicans push too hard to embrace the middle, they will lose too many of their activists and non-activists. The key to victory for Democrats is to force Republicans to fight for the middle — it's a win-win strategy for Democrats, as they grow their coalition and divide the Republicans.


Read more: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bs-ed-democrats-20120226,0,3286100.story#ixzz2SHXrBOuK