Third Way

[MineralMan]

92. We have Betty, Keith and Al because we worked to elect them.

It's that simple. They represent us because we elected them to do that. You're right. Many of the most vocal DUers won't tell you who their representatives are. Part of that is that they think keeping the area they live a secret somehow protects their anonymity. It doesn't, of course, but that's one reason. The other reason is that some of them live in places that elect the very worst republicans you can find anywhere. They're embarrassed by that. Often, there's not much chance for any Democrat to get elected in their districts, much less a progressive.

Often, since they can't do anything about their representation, they focus on national politics. Sadly, they forget that their own district's voters will vote for a Republican for President, so they're stuck there, too.

Then there are the swing districts, where a Democrat can get elected over a Republican. Sometimes. Not always, as in Betty and Keith's districts. Trouble is that any Democrat who can win in those districts won't be a progressive Democrat. He or she will vote with the Democratic caucus almost all of the time, though, so they're always better than the Republican who would win.

This country is deeply divided. In individual districts and for the presidency, it can be split almost exactly 50:50. That's true in a lot of districts. It's true in enough districts that those districts actually control which party controls Congress. Those districts also often control who is elected as President. Will those districts elect a progressive Democrat? Absolutely not. Will they elect a Democrat at all? Yes, they will. It's better if they do. Not ideal, of course, but better.

We need Democratic control of Congress. I'd far rather some Democrat who is a centrist but who will vote with the Democratic caucus was representing those swing districts. That gets lost in the ideological struggle DU always seems to be fighting. Too bad.

We have a Republican Congress right now. Both houses. We might have a Republican President if we don't take care. All three branches controlled by Republicans means that the ultra conservatives win. Centrist Republicans vote with the Republican caucus. And there's the rub.