Recommended.
I suspect that everyone experiences DU in their own way -- and that includes their understanding of what the site is for. As an example, a related question might be: why did the fellows start DU? Opinions here vary: some think it was some young guys, connected to things political, that are “computer geeks,” and wanted to cash in; others believe they were inspired by the theft of the 2000 election to try to wake the grass roots up; some think they were operatives, hoping to harness the potential of the liberal-progressive community, for corporates’ sake; and others may never give it as much as a split-second’s thought.
Why, pray tell, have people joined here? There’s still lots of old-timers here. Something good has kept them. Others have left in disappointment. Others become meteors streaking through the discussions. Still others have become falling walt stars.
During presidential primary seasons, as you well know, this place becomes curious. Not curious enough, in many individual cases; they come to convert, or destroy, others. A rigid mindset is displayed, as if there is only one correct opinion on every question. Others are equally focused on supporting a candidate, and provide thoughtful, insightful analysis on both what they think is possible today, and/or what they hope to see tomorrow.
In my opinion -- for whatever it may be worth -- DU can and should be used in extremely positive ways. One, as your OP notes, is electing Democrats to public office. That’s an important goal, especially when we consider it in the generic sense of “Democrat versus republican.” Because it can be more complicated in non-generic, real life contests, the rules are such that in general elections, one cannot advocate for the Democrat’s defeat. That seems fair to me.
I’m not saying that because I am a life-time registered Democrat, I have voted the party line in every election over the decades. In many instances, local elections do not feature that generic Democrat vs. republican. In recent years, the number of registered independents has become far greater than registered Democrats. This includes the region’s Democratic Left. But the majority are registered republicans. Even the semi-splinter “tea party” continues to register as republicans.
Now, of course, to have Democrats win in local elections, there are two options: [1] to appeal to moderate republicans, and hope for their support; or [2] coordinate with the Democratic Left, and work to elect the best candidate possible. For a long time, the local party leadership has opted for #1, with limited success. In recent years, there’s been more emphasis on #2, with far greater success.
And that’s the type of thing that I would hope that there will be more discussions about. Again, it is trying to win elections -- but it is more. It’s discussing options that members of the Democratic Party have, on so many levels, regarding who they really want to work with. What other groups can we coordinate with? We are at a point in time where people need to master change, if our country is ever to regain its status as a constitutional democracy.
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