Reply #10: Your Proposition, Sir, Contains A Fundamental Error

[The Magistrate]

The D.L.C. has no interest at all in getting along with Republicans; their interest is to defeat them. They believe a set of tactics different from those that appeal to you will best serve that end.

The D.L.C. believes that the Democratic Party leaves itself open to certain lines of attack from the Republicans that demonstrably do resonate with a large bloc of voters who, on calculation of immediate self-interest, really ought to be voting against Republicans. They believe that by not emplying certain sorts of rhetoric, they will strip the Republicans of one of their chief weapons. Whether or not that calculation is a good one is another matter, but whether or not it is correct, it is far from a desire to get along with Republicans.

The D.L.C. also believes that extreme partisan activity and obstructionism are unpopular with the people, particularly with so called "swing voters", and so takes the view that pressing action on such lines will back-fire. They believe it is more popular with such groups of voters to get something done that Democratic politicians can take credit for, and so demonstrate to the people that Democrats can accomplish something. They view co-operating with some Republicans as a necessary price to pay on occassion for this gain. Again, whether or not this calculation is correct, and in my view it is not, is immaterial: it is far from a desire to get along with Republicans and collaborate with them.

"LET'S GO GET THOSE BUSH BASTARDS!"