Leftist Blogs Indicate Intraparty Rift? Well, DUH!

Publius' Forum ^ | 1/26/06 | Warner Todd Huston

[Mobile Vulgus]

Jimmy VandeHei is a quick study. In an Op Ed in the Washington Post this Saturday ( Blogs Attack From Left) he has reached the astonishing conclusion that "liberal Web logs" and the Internet have become "a powerful political force" with the Democratic Party these days.

Where has Mr. VandeHei been?

Here is the laugh line from VandeHei's Op Ed:

"Democrats are getting an early glimpse of an intraparty rift that could complicate efforts to win back the White House: fiery liberals raising their voices on Web sites and in interest groups vs. elected officials trying to appeal to a much broader audience."

"Getting an early glimpse"? "Could complicate efforts"? Where was he when the Democratic Underground or the DailyKos was pushing Democrats to attack Bush and Republicans two elections ago? Is he just now noticing that Blogs are a political force?

[Mobile Vulgus]

Here are some interesting points. The article is saying that it isn't the liberal bloggers that are driving the Dems left, it is the Party leadership that have been extreme since McGovern doing it.

The liberal blogs are just reacting to 30 years of ever more leftward leaning of the Dems.

In othr words, DailyKos, you ain't a driving force for anything but merely a victim of leftism.

[the lone wolf]

"In othr words, DailyKos, you ain't a driving force for anything but merely a victim of leftism."

You said they are victims, Kos will get a woody.

After all, is there anything better for a Leftist than being a victim?

[woofie]

WE are all victims....there, I said it

[TChad]

After all, is there anything better for a Leftist than being a victim?

Actually, leftists prefer to be part of a victim group than to endure actual victimhood themselves. All the perks, none of the unpleasantness.

[PittsburghAfterDark]

I have yet to see the fundamental splits in the right that exist in the American left.

We do not have elements of our base engaging in what is tantamount to outright political warfare with our elected officials and party leaders. The only two issues that even come close are border security/illegal immigration and Harriet Meirs. The first is a disconnect with nearly every American and every political leader trying, in vain, to not appear racist. Harriet.... Harriet WHO? Yeah, thought you remembered her.

You'd be hard pressed to find a party more at odds with its vehement disillusioned and radical base in historical context than you find Democrats with the liberal blogosphere. A term I loathe as message boards and blogs are two different things and most people writing thoughts on politics on the net are not blogging.

The last time there was such a split with the left and their party was 1968 and that gave us Nixon. When they went even more out on the fringe with McGovern... well, 1972 wasn't pretty.

I don't think this Democratic party can survive their vocal online members. Too many of them are too angry, too fed up and too disgusted with them for not being aggressive enough for someone NOT to take their money and form another "major" third party.

We suffered it when many on the right fell for Perot in 92 and 96. The left is going to see their equivilent in 2008 and 2012.

[RayChuang88]

We suffered it when many on the right fell for Perot in 92 and 96. The left is going to see their equivilent in 2008 and 2012.

I think because the far Left is well-funded, they may very well start up a Progressive Party very soon and that will officially split the Democratic Party in two.

[cgbg]

I think because the far Left is well-funded, they may very well start up a Progressive Party very soon and that will officially split the Democratic Party in two

My take on what is happening here is that an old Leftist strategy has continued into the Internet age and has caused unanticipated results.

The traditional Left (Communists and fellow travelers) utilized the Pressure From Above, Pressure From Below tactic.

Pressure From Above were leaders (FDR, LBJ, leftist judges) ramming social change down the throats of the citizens while the leftist media set up an echo chamber of applause.

Pressure From Below was street agitation and theatre, "peace" and "civil rights" marches with some violent factions as well.

On the surface it appeared the two groups had little in common--the "above" group wore suits and ties and had conferences in high-end resorts while the "below" groups had long hair and smoked dope.

It all worked because the two groups didn't have to deal with each other very much. Both were aware of the other but most did not see the coordinated strategy.

The Internet and blogs have allowed the "below" group to start to use their "protest" tactics on the "Above" group in an effort to gain ascendancy within the Left. Leftist newspapers like the New York Times and Washington Post, for example, are now overrun with Leftist criticism (which always demands total obedience and conformity). The media is used to setting the agenda and not having others dictate one to it. This is a major shock for them as has many editors and reporters saying they now hate their jobs because of the emails and the blogs.

Likewise the leftist politicians are under intense pressure from the "below" folks. Every speech and action is subject to criticism and demands to "reeducate" the wayward Senator or Congressman.

This demoralizes Leftist leadership as they now have to fight both the Republicans/conservatives and their own base.

While the Republican "power structure" has issues with its base as well the Republicans are better able to work out the issues because the Leftists "from below" are self-righteous, whiny and unwilling to compromise their Utopian (Dystopian! :-)) ideals while the grassroots Republicans are better rooted in the real world.

I project chaos on the left, perhaps multiple parties (Green, antiwar, a violent faction or two) as instant communications turns them on each other in an out of control feeding frenzy.

Since they are the enemies of our property, liberty and ultimately our lives such a development is a cause for celebration.

[cgbg]

Good morning. Welcome to Free Republic. :-)

[Gil4]

Are you lost? Let me help: DU

Bye!

[Graybeard58]

because the Leftists "from below" are self-righteous, whiny and unwilling to compromise their Utopian (Dystopian! :-)) ideals while the grassroots Republicans are better rooted in the real world.

I have spent as much time as my stomach will allow, observing at D.U., you are correct, it is dominated by all out, give no quarter socialists/communists, their views are constantly pulling the democratic party ever leftward. While there are view points expressed on this forum that may seem a little out of the main stream of political thought, there is no comparison to the extremism of the left.

Another dagger in the heart of liberalism will come if and when there is another vacancy on the Supreme Court. This country was founded on "conservative values" and it's starting to come back to its roots, despite the high pitched whine of liberals. It is the whine of the dying liberal demon and it is music to my ears

[Caipirabob]

Well yeah, if you're looking for a difference between sane and completely friggin' "dance with the moonbats" INSANE!

[bcsco]

Geez! Why do these lurkers have to appear when I'm sleeping? I miss all the fun.

[GWB00]

Interesting assessment. I am digesting your points. I think the Harriet Miers situation demonstrates how the the folks Below in the conservative movement managed the situation. Things did not get out of control and they did not turn on President Bush or the leaders of the party who were trying to build support for her. The message was received and everyone moved forward and now in 72 hours we will have SCOTUS Justice Alito.

[GWB00]

Another dagger in the heart of liberalism will come if and when there is another vacancy on the Supreme Court.

Wait until the President nominates Janice Rogers Brown for the position. A black woman! This will send them faster over the cliff.

[ThanhPhero]

Theyshould be left up for a while. long enough for me to read them. They are always entertaining.

[jiggyboy]

Good analysis.

We on FR have a few long-standing opposing views -- evolution vs. creation for example -- and some momentary ones as well -- Terri Schaivo and a recent case of a search warrant (actually the lack of one) in a library come to mind -- where there is heat but not hate.

The left doesn't have many important issues where two completely different views are tolerated within the party -- or even allowed to be posted on their boards. The name-calling begins immediately and does not let up.

I agree with you -- the radical wing of the Democratic Party will either simply destroy the party from within, cleave off and form a new one, or admit what everybody knows and simply swell the ranks of the Socialist Workers' Party or the Communist Party by a few million. I myself see that happening so that they are in place, recognizable as a new group, for the 2016 presidential election.

[Mobile Vulgus]

Well, it is way too early to say that the Dem. Party can't survive their moonbats. I do agree with you that they won't survive as they used to be unless one thing happens... they get a strong and popular leader that drags the party kicking and screaming back to the center.

It COULD happen quite easily. But it will take a guy that is extremely independent and has a popularity well and away FROM the Party regulars itself.

Eisenhower is an example of a guy with enough popularity free of Party label. Colin Powell could be today (not that he is running, just an example).

[Gil4]

This one wasn't all that much fun - not even worth a full zot. More of a zit.