I didn’t know they had Democrats back then.
“(T)he first step in the revolution by the working class is to raise the proletariat to the level of ruling class to win the battle of democracy.”One thing about communists is that in the beginning, they always talk up democracy, but only in a certain context. Later on, you get more candid talk once the power is entrenched, e.g. this from Lenin:
— Communist Manifesto, chapter 2
“What will be the course of this revolution? Above all, it will establish a democratic constitution, and through this, the direct or indirect dominance of the proletariat.” …
“In America, where a democratic constitution has already been established, the communists must make the common cause with the party which will turn this constitution against the bourgeoisie and use it in the interests of the proletariat—that is, with the agrarian National Reformers.” …
— The Principles of Communism
… “ Dictatorship is a state of intense war. That is the state we are in. […] Until the final issue is decided, this awful state of war will continue. And we say: ‘À la guerre comme à la guerre—we do not promise any freedom or any democracy.’” …That was from the Third Congress of Comintern; and Lenin actually quoted Engels there.