Reply #48: And I object to political parties without meaning.

[ReadTomPaine]

This shouldn't be an employment program for future lobbyists and political commentators. Without Democratic discipline, principle and structure there is no party, just careerists buying tickets on the gravy train. That is precisely the problem now. Someone has to draw the line, and as loyal Democrats, we are the ones to whom this duty falls.

There is a place for those who share conservative republican beliefs, but that place is not by the side of Democrats.

Regarding your edit, I don't want GOP votes long term, I want them to have a real party.

We have plenty of missing and disenfranchised liberal voters that have to start getting courted and counted first. That's a bigger priority than selling out a party platform to political opposition. We are not Republicans. They already have a party, the problem is that it has been co-oped. Just the act of proper leadership with strength and conviction will keep a fair number on our side anyway. That was the key to Paul Wellstone's broad appeal.