Reply #8: It is still early in the primaries.

[leftrightwingnut]

I think that your concerns are overblown for 2008. Isn't this typical, messy Democracy at it's finest? I think that internal division during the primaries is par for the course, no? And, yes, that infighting *always* provides fodder for the Republicans.

So what?

Those differences and that infighting are something to be *proud* of. And it *can* be spun to our advantage.

The Democratic Party still, in my opinion, better represents the democratic ideal simply because its members and candidates are not lock-step together on the issues. The Republican Party primary appears to (at least to me, based entirely on msm reports) have pre-decided the issues, and the candidates are simply demonstrating who is best at standing up for those issues.

After the primaries, and all voices have been heard, addressed and deals are made, the Democratic Party always manages to pull itself together for the general election.

So it is important to speak up strongly and be divisive now!

Otherwise, how can we be heard?

I am afraid that, this early in the primaries, some use the "circular firing squad" and "Divide and Conquer" memes as a defense for the anointed one(s) in the Democratic camp. A way to make it easy for them. It seems a bit too convenient.

In my opinion, the lock-step, "get-on-board" mentality "for the good of the country/party/'us'" is exactly what is wrong with America today. It is exactly why we hate the "repugs", right?

Nothing is more repugnant to me than being told, during the primaries, to shut up because "it will fracture the party."

If *anything* will divide the party, and produce luke-warm endorsements -- if it happens at all - it will be when someone tells one or more candidates to shut up for the good of the party.

So, please tell me: is not supporting the front-runner and attacking the front-runner bad for the Party? Bad for America?

It is the responsibility of the front-runners to cut deals with the other candidates so that no one feels disaffected.

It is the responsibility of the front-runners to guarantee party unity, not the other way around.