A Short Note On The Democratic Party And The Progressive Left....

[Zorra]

155. "When a Democrat "moves to the center," he is adopting a conservative position

-- or the language of a conservative position. Even if only the language is adopted and not the policy, there is an important effect. Using conservative language activates the conservative view, not only of the given issue, but the conservative worldview in general, which in turn strengthens the conservative worldview in the brains of those listening. That leads to more people thinking conservative thoughts, and hence supporting conservative positions on issues and conservative candidates."

"Democrats moving to the middle is a double disaster that alienates the party's progressive base while simultaneously sending a message to swing voters that the other side is where the good ideas are.' It unconsciously locks in the notion that the other side's positions are worth moving toward, while your side's positions are the ones to move away from. Plus every time you move to the center, the right just moves further to the right."

- George Lakoff

I agree, we lefties could be a bit nicer to Democrats who are moving to the center; guilty as charged, your honor. I suppose I just have such a horror of fascism that I see any move to the right as a deadly threat, and maybe go about trying to stomp it out in a grossly ineffective direct manner.