So some do not consider us real Democrats? Want us to leave the party?

[mwooldri]

33. Just who/what is a Democrat anyway?

Who is the elected leader?
What is the party manifesto?
What are the party's positions on XYZ?
Who is keeping everyone in line?

This is a leadership contest folks... pure and simple. The winner gets to guide the party's main positions.

The problem with American politics is that there really are only two big political parties. You could argue that the Democratic Party and the Republican Party are basically each a coalition of factions that have a loose common cause and have some ties in common. I suppose an argument could be constructed that likens Bernie Sanders supporters to the Democratic Party in the way the Tea Party is likened to the Republican Party. The Tea Party folks could have gone off and formed their own party but they wouldn't have nearly had the influence that they have if they went it out alone. Same thing if "Bernie Sanders Supporters" did the same thing.

The GOP and the Tea Party need each other. Likewise the Bernie Sanders Supporters and "more traditional" Democratic Party supporters need each other. Alienate the Bernie Sanders supporters in the event of Bernie not getting the nomination and risk letting the Republicans in... and vice versa should Bernie win. I don't want any PUMA nonsense.

As party leaders change, people do come and go. In Europe, those who are "out" may well go and form their own party, only to find themselves in a coalition government with those they split from a few months or years later. With American politics, it's who will be in the spotlight in the big-tent party at the time a leader is chosen.

Put me on record for disagreeing with BKH70041.