The Political Wind Is Blowing.

[kentuck]

And it is the wind of change. The Republican Party is in shambles. They have proven themselves unable to govern, despite their superior claims of leadership in foreign policy and handling of the economy. They have proven their words to be nothing but hot air. Their obvious dislike for government made it impossible for them to govern effectively. They have forfeited their rights as a legitimate political Party.

On the other hand, the Democrats will most likely reap the benefits of the Republican's downfall. Barack Obama will most likely be the first black President of the United States. Democrats will probably increase their margins in both the House and the Senate. Thank you George W Bush!

However, the winds of change are in the Democratic Party also. By default, they win the right to govern in the next election. But it is a temporary position for the Party. Democratic supporters are not happy with the present Democratic Party either. The Party is only getting a temporary reprieve from the voters.

If they do not change, their heads will be on the political chopping block also. Democrats are not happy with the leadership of Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi. They are very discouraged with their failure to stand up for the American people. Their patience has run out. They want change.

If they do not change, they will find themselves wandering in the wilderness by the next election. The depressed and disenchanted Democrats will be looking for another alternative. This is the last chance for this Democratic Party. If there are no results, and soon, there will be a Third Party movement. The base of that movement will be the present liberal and progressive base of the Democratic Party. Their well of support has run dry. Take heed.

[DCKit]

1. DLC! DLC!

:sarcasm:

[kentuck]

2. Well, maybe I am wrong?

Maybe the liberals, progressives, and leftists are perfectly content with the status quo? Nothing has to change? What other choice do we have, right? :shrug:

[LWolf]

3. You're not wrong.

I predict the change that we will see is this:

The Democratic Party will consolidate its new position on the center/right of the spectrum.

The left will leave in massive defection to 3rd parties.

The republicans? What will they do, when the Democrats have co-opted their positions, and the old "liberal" bugaboo is out the window? They'll reform themselves into something. I'm not sure what. What will offer enough people enough opposition to Democrats to give them a comeback, when the Democrats have shifted to adopt the positions of their traditional base?

Will they swing over to the left? I have a hard time swallowing that one. Perhaps they'll absorb the libertarians, and build a base from there.

[SidneyCarton]

5. 3rd parties?

For the sake of the American Left, I hope they at least consolidate into one party. That will be bad enough for the left, breaking into several parties is essentially atomization, that will render them both powerless and irrelevant, every RWer's wet dream for the last 30 years.

[LWolf]

7. Yes.

I know that this is an on-going discussion out in the real world.

Not here, as such a discussion would violate DU rules.

I think that it would be the "new" Democratic Party's wet dream, as well. It's certainly working hard to distance itself, anyway.

[Beausoleil]

4. We need a progressive takeover of the Democratic Party

Similar to the neo-con takeover of the Repugs. We shall, however, require more responsible and responsive leadership and not vacuous slogans and dishonest agendas.

[wvbygod]

6. Whomever makes the biggest middle class will always win

I would not rule out the repubs or the disgruntled taxpayer. Look for the the minority
party to move tax bill dates closer to election day and other sly moves to focus the
people on the wastes of government.

[kentuck]

8. I doubt that DU will be part of the change.

Most DUers will continue to be part of the status quo of the present Democratic Party. They will accept the leadership as it is and be content with the facade of change, ever shifting farther and farther to the right...It pains me to say it, but...