General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThis post has nothing to do with any particular Democratic primary; but, my question ...
is playing out, big time, during this primary.
I have seen two, "I'm out of here" OPs, this morning. In each one, the poster spoke of having left, or no longer being members of the Democratic Party.
My question is: What does "being a member of the Democratic Party" constitute?
Chan790
(20,176 posts)*For some people it literally just refers to self-identification (such as "I will no longer consider myself a Democrat and won't automatically vote for them as the best option."
*For others it means they're going to change their registration (If I lived in an open primary state and wasn't a member of my local Democratic party organization...I'd probably do this. It benefits both progressives and Democrats here in CT to build-up left-of-center 3rd parties such as Working Families as there are an increasing number of locales here where knowing that the CT GOP organization is all but dead, conservatives have started targeting races for things like school boards and boards of selectmen to run as Democrats and see if they can get on the ballot to insure that there is no actually Democratic choice in an attempt claw-back conservatism locally from the brink of extinction.) to something like Working Families or Greens. In places like CT and parts of CA, there is a real possibility that one of these parties may actually displace locally or regionally the GOP as the main opposition.
*For some, it means they won't work or donate to get Democrats elected anymore. These are the ones I'd be concerned about losing. Money and volunteer workforce are the lifeblood of electoral success everywhere. Neither of the Presidential primary candidates would have been viable without armies of thousands behind them doing the work of trying to get their candidate elected and thousands more donating money to fund the campaign.
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)Do any of these instances require announcement ... I mean, other than to seek validation or venting?
Regarding the last case, that seems just as bad as voting FOR a candidate, just because they have a "D" after their name. Further, it seems rather short-sighted, if not, self-defeating ... our political landscape, i.e., the two party system, isn't going to change, anytime soon, and makes the likelihood of finding a Democratic candidate you would support, far less likely.
Chan790
(20,176 posts)They're venting publicly because they dislike the direction of the party. Which is fine...they have that privilege and this is a political message board...but it's not a meaningful act.
What they do in response from it may or may not be a meaningful act.
riderinthestorm
(23,272 posts)I'd also include those who self identify as Dems. I take a person at their word that if they say they're a Democrat, then they are.
bemildred
(90,061 posts)Which anyone can do.