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Increasingly Divided Democrats Causing Problems for Their Party
Townhall.com ^ | July 24, 2015 | Michael Barone

Posted on 07/24/2015 7:55:43 AM PDT by Kaslin

America's two major political parties have a difficult task: amassing a 51 percent coalition in a nation that has always been -- not just now, but from the beginning -- regionally, religiously, racially and ethnically diverse.

George W. Bush's Republicans in 2006 and 2008 were not able to hold together the 51 percent coalition that re-elected him in 2004. Barack Obama's Democrats in 2014 were not able to hold together the 51 percent coalition that re-elected him in 2012.

And, while the media and the voters are transfixed by the antics of Donald Trump, and speculating on possible damage to Republicans, Democrats are having some trouble holding their coalition together in the run-up to 2016.

That trouble was apparent at last weekend's Netroots Nation conference. Martin O'Malley, the former Maryland governor whose candidacy has made few ripples so far, was faced with "Black Lives Matter" protesters. His response, one that almost all Americans would agree with: "Black lives matter. White lives matter. All lives matter." At which point he was booed off the stage.

Similar treatment was given to Bernie Sanders, the Vermont senator who's been challenging Hillary Clinton's lead in polls in heavily white Iowa and New Hampshire. Sanders emphasizes economic issues -- single payer health care, a 90 percent top income tax rate -- but he appeals primarily to gentry liberals.

"It would be a terrible mistake for the progressive movement to split into a 'black lives matter' movement and an 'economic justice' movement," laments Clinton administration Secretary of Labor Robert Reich. But the fact is that the different priorities of gentry liberals and black activists, two heavily Democratic constituencies, are sparking heated arguments.

There may be some heated arguments as well over how to respond to the recently released videos of high-ranking Planned Parenthood officials discussing the sale of fetal body parts. The blithe statements that fetus's bodies should be crushed in ways preserving the option of selling livers, hearts and lungs for $30 to $100 strikes many as grisly.

Some liberals have rushed to Planned Parenthood's defense. The videos were taped by abortion opponents operating under false pretenses, they say, as if that made them inauthentic. And they deny that the fetal parts are sold at a profit (which is illegal) though the officials seem unconcerned about the possibility that their fees will exceed expenses.

The 2012 Obama campaign appealed to single women by suggesting that without Obamacare's contraception mandate, contraceptives would somehow be unavailable -- a favorable way to frame the abortion issue. But the Planned Parenthood videos are, in the words of Democratic columnist Kirsten Powers, "stomach-turning stuff."

Most mainstream media outlets are carefully avoiding the subject, as The Federalist's Mollie Hemingway points out. The New York Times and Washington Post ran 773 stories on the Confederate flag over the last month but only 31 on the Planned Parenthood video. Heavily pro-choice newsrooms have no appetite to discredit the nation's leading abortion provider, but may be forced to as members of Congress hold hearings and propose legislation.

Then there is the issue of sanctuary cities, highlighted by the murder on July 1 of Kathryn Steinle by a five-times-deported illegal immigrant whom the San Francisco sheriff set free rather than turn over to federal authorities.

Democrats have defended sanctuary city policies by arguing that illegal immigrants won't cooperate with law enforcement if they're afraid of being deported. But, for some, the San Francisco murder was too much. House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, with evident sincerity, decried San Francisco's action. So, perhaps more tactically, did Hillary Clinton.

But some Hispanic leaders and liberal city officials defend sanctuary cities' policies. And so, as congressional Republicans press the issue, Democrats are likely to be split.

It is natural for a party's wingers -- right-wing Republicans or left-wing Democrats -- to be restive near the end of their party's president's second term. They take his accomplishments for granted and lament goals not achieved. Barack Obama's increasingly leftward lurch has encouraged the party's left wingers to angrily air their views, often in terms unappealing to those outside their narrow groups.

The result is tension between the party's major constituencies and highlighting of positions unpopular with the larger general electorate. Shouting down speakers who say "all lives matter" is not popular. Neither is the sale of fetal organs. Nor are sanctuary cities.

Republicans certainly have their problems, not all of them labeled Trump. But so do the increasingly divided Democrats.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: berniesanders; democratparty; democrats; demonraticparty; dems; election2016; hillaryclinton
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1 posted on 07/24/2015 7:55:43 AM PDT by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

<<< Sanders emphasizes economic issues — single payer health care, a 90 percent top income tax rate >>>>

Single payer Obamacare failed miserably in the kooks home state, and 90% tax rates are pure Marx.


2 posted on 07/24/2015 8:01:05 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer (The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.)
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To: Kaslin

BUT, the dems will bury all hatchets and march lock-step in the general (except for the die-hard greenies).

Burying the hatchet? This is something pubbies seem to have a hard time managing...


3 posted on 07/24/2015 8:01:09 AM PDT by jonno (Having an opinion is not the same as having the answer...)
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To: Kaslin

Hmmm... I remember the Dems were having a field day when they were claiming the Repub party was dividing....


4 posted on 07/24/2015 8:03:27 AM PDT by ObozoMustGo2012
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To: Kaslin

It’s time the rank and file Democrats start putting up a mirror to themselves vis-à-vis their party.

There are too many who still cling to the outdated notion that Democrats are “for the working man”, or are “for free speech”, or even “for American values”. While the republicans have their problems, at least they’re not pushing policies to abolish everything that makes this country great and unique, while simultaneously promoting the worst evils of humanity. I don’t know how any Christian can affiliate themselves with the Democrat party as it exists today with a clear conscience. Kennedy’s dead and his party died shortly after. It’s time to wake up to what the Democrats stand for now - not what they might have stood for once upon a time last century.


5 posted on 07/24/2015 8:12:51 AM PDT by chrisser (This space for rent.)
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To: chrisser

BTTT


6 posted on 07/24/2015 8:14:13 AM PDT by Kaslin (He needed the ignorant to reelect him, and he got them. Now we all have to pay the consequenses)
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To: Kaslin
"It would be a terrible mistake for the progressive movement to split into a 'black lives matter' movement and an 'economic justice' movement," laments Clinton administration Secretary of Labor Robert Reich.

Well blame your Fearless Leader there, Munchkin Boy, seeing as he's intentionally whipped up racial tensions in this country to the level of a 19th. century Caribbean slave revolt.


7 posted on 07/24/2015 8:30:20 AM PDT by Buckeye McFrog
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To: Kaslin

As important as the groups that are fighting are, I think the groups that aren’t even in the discussion could be a factor. I’ve seen almost no union or environmentalist discussions on a number of liberal/D/progressive boards that usually have a lot.

Maybe those groups have picked one of the other groups to side with for this election. Or maybe their discussions are just not visible because of the fighting threads. But for years, both of those groups have posted a lot and been disappointed with the Ds and have felt deprioritized vs. illegal immigrants, gays, social justice advocates, and even each other. Even when issues are discussed there’s infighting with groups (e.g. global warming/solar/wind vs bird lovers or huge subsidies to people like Musk and helping “the rich” buy cars) and not simply hatred for the Rs.

Ds will get the majority votes from those groups but may not get the over-the-top endorsements and money that union and environmental groups have provided in the past and thus lower turnout. A few years ago Trumka even said “maybe it’s time to look at the Rs since D policies are hurting job growth at home (e.g. Obamacare and taxes)”. There’s no way he’d endorse an R president in the generals but an underwhelming endorsement of the D and less money and holding back “union enforcers” from events could be significant.


8 posted on 07/24/2015 8:32:35 AM PDT by LostPassword
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To: Kaslin

that boy in the White House intentionally caused the disruptions


9 posted on 07/24/2015 8:38:19 AM PDT by bert ((K.E.; N.P.; GOPc.;+12, 73, ..... No peace? then no peace!)
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To: Kaslin
" amassing a 51 percent coalition"

The new number may end up being 35-36%.

And, I contend that will be good for the country.

It will diminish the overall power of POTUS and make it far easier to goad Congress into doing their job.

Budget fights, USSC Nominations, Impeachment etc. become FAR easier in a multi-polar political environment.

10 posted on 07/24/2015 8:50:54 AM PDT by Mariner (War Criminal #18 - Be The Leaderless Resistance)
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To: chrisser
"I don’t know how any Christian can affiliate themselves with the Democrat party"

OR the Republican party.

The Republicans are, arguably, more evil then Democrats. The reason is that they share all the same objectives, but they LIE to us during election season to get our vote.

And Social Conservatives fall for it.

Each and every time.

11 posted on 07/24/2015 8:54:54 AM PDT by Mariner (War Criminal #18 - Be The Leaderless Resistance)
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To: Kaslin

The Democrat divide won’t be anything compared to the divide in the GOP if Bush gets the nomination.


12 posted on 07/24/2015 8:56:05 AM PDT by DoodleDawg
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To: Kaslin; All
Republicans certainly have their problems, not all of them labeled Trump. But so do the increasingly divided Democrats.

True, but the democrats will always have the cover, hiding behind the increasingly-complicit mainstream media...it makes a big difference, as we have seen in the last 30-40 years.
13 posted on 07/24/2015 8:57:00 AM PDT by notdownwidems (Washington DC has become the enemy of free people everywhere)
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To: LostPassword
"A few years ago Trumka even said “maybe it’s time to look at the Rs since D policies are hurting job growth"

Trump will carry white, blue collar/union/democrats in every state.

14 posted on 07/24/2015 8:57:59 AM PDT by Mariner (War Criminal #18 - Be The Leaderless Resistance)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Hey, Trump likes single payer, too.

http://www.ontheissues.org/Celeb/Donald_Trump_Health_Care.htm


15 posted on 07/24/2015 9:04:35 AM PDT by randita (...Our First Lady is a congenital liar - William Safire, 1996)
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To: Kaslin

But I thought democrats were always unified.


16 posted on 07/24/2015 9:12:05 AM PDT by CPT Clay
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To: Mariner

Go Bernie, go!


17 posted on 07/24/2015 9:12:46 AM PDT by CPT Clay
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To: CPT Clay

Well actually I believe they stick together.


18 posted on 07/24/2015 9:25:19 AM PDT by Kaslin (He needed the ignorant to reelect him, and he got them. Now we all have to pay the consequenses)
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To: Kaslin
This guy is might popular.

Vermont, right? Vermont politics are so weird.

A bunch of, typically, old socialists who made their money elsewhere and thinks it's cool to live a seemingly "normal" lifestyle--the kind that takes affluence to actually live.

19 posted on 07/24/2015 9:28:38 AM PDT by riri (Obama's Amerika--Not a fun place.)
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To: Kaslin

Democrats have become so Marxist at the top that the more moderate Democrats, if they actually exist, can not dare to speak out or object.

However, in the ballot box they can settle the difference and show the split from the radicals in a very big way.

Hillary loses.

Nice.


20 posted on 07/24/2015 9:35:31 AM PDT by RitaOK ( VIVA CRISTO REY / Public education is the farm team for more Marxists coming)
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