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brooklynite

(96,882 posts)

6. Because there aren't enough progressive voters...

Fri Jul 25, 2014, 02:28 PM

Jul 2014

We have two national, broad-based parties. The Democrats are center-left, the Republicans are center-right. Over time, the boundaries of both have shifted (the Republicans most notably in the past 20-30 years). However both parties recognize that most voters are clustered in a broad center. When Democrats have gone too far left (McGovern) they've lost badly; when Republicans have gone too far right (Goldwater) ditto.

Bottom line, there aren't enough ultra-progressives to stock a progressive party that would be anything more than a minority influence on the Democrats, just as there aren't enough Tea Party/conservatives on the right.

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Why isn't there a Progressive Party? Or is there? [View all] riseabove Jul 2014 OP

Starting a viable national party geek tragedy Jul 2014 #1

Because there are no progressive politicians? leftstreet Jul 2014 #2

We meet over in the secret Nader forum. Orsino Jul 2014 #3

It's a faction of the Democratic Party, for the most part Chathamization Jul 2014 #4

In short, because politicians are bought... polichick Jul 2014 #5

Because there aren't enough progressive voters... brooklynite Jul 2014 #6

ftfy PowerToThePeople Jul 2014 #8

repubs, repub-lite and a few fringe elements either way nt msongs Jul 2014 #9

...says the person posting on a liberal-left blog brooklynite Jul 2014 #12

Which is why those labels are basically meaningless Armstead Jul 2014 #14

You don't know that. Half the people don't vote n/t leftstreet Jul 2014 #18

What do YOU think? pinboy3niner Jul 2014 #7

Seems like money to me, but Progressives are seemingly gaining in numbers riseabove Jul 2014 #17

The Democratic Party used to be Progressive, since 1980 or so they made a right turn. hobbit709 Jul 2014 #10

Progressive Democrats of America KamaAina Jul 2014 #11

Thanks for the link. riseabove Jul 2014 #16

There is a smattering of small parties but the two majors are conservative and radical regressive TheKentuckian Jul 2014 #13

You really should watch your PBS... TreasonousBastard Jul 2014 #15

Thanks for all the replies, poltical history to me is so confusing. riseabove Jul 2014 #19