in that political parties are made up of the people who participate.

If enough of our kind of people participate, and if we can gain enough power within the party at the basic levels (state and local offices, for example), then we can shift the entire party in our direction.

We can, I think/hope, both oppose and decry the politics of appeasement and spineless pandering, empower the progressive factions in the democratic party, and eventually eject the "leaders" in the party who are so gutless as to betray so many loyal constituents.

What are the other options, given that the third parties are so pitifully weak and eternally divided amongst such a small fraction of the populace?

I am a longtime supporter and activist for socialism, and have been in socialist political groups, and have never ever seen the kind of strength that would be needed to affect the kinds of changes to our society that I would love to see.

The only way that I see to affect those changes is to shift the democratic party and to use that shift to make more political room for those alternative parties at the same time.

It is not a particularly appealing option, but, to me, it seems like the most practical one.

particulary when this party has not stopped promoting anti-choice candidates. I think their actions speak louder than their words... they want to be Republicans and attract Republicans voters... so let them have 'em. I am not Republican so I will not vote for them.

I certainly respect your position, but I do not see how it furthers progress or even hinders regress.

if voting for a dem does not further progress or even hinder regress regarding my reproductive rights, why vote dem?

perhaps, if the dems, because of their own neglect, lose their traditional core voters for an election or two they will stop taking us for granted. it's easy for them to reach out to republican voters if they can safely assume that the progressive voters will fall in line out of a lack of viable alternatives. but lets say, instead, that women and men concerned about reproductive rights simply refuse to vote for anti-choice candidates, instead of just holding our noses and voting for them because "at least this dem is good on labor or environment or ...." maybe then, after some considerable losses, the dem pols will be forced to abandone their fruitless attempt to garner anti-choice votes at the expense of women's lives.

if I join another party my voice will not be stifled. What good is it being a Democrat if they believe in nothing ecspt getting themselves elected and big campaign checks for consultants.

Why it would be important to leave the party is that the two main parties will "agree not to to discuss" important issues while they pocket the corporations money.

At least going to a third party will force a debate. And in particular the issue of Roe which affects the rights of 50% of the population and the majority of Americans do not believe it should be overturned.

Once the Democrats "shed" it's issues it will just be a shell selling its vote to the highest bidder like they just did with CAFTA.

I've never understood the logic of "Vote for what You don't Beleive in so you can Win What you don't want." I mean, if the point is to be a winner, shouldn't we all just vote Republican and be done with it?

First post here.

If I had to choose between Casey and Santorum, I would sit it out.

Here is my take on what is happening. You know how we snicker when Bush just gives lip service to the radical fringe element of today's GOP? Well, increasingly I am hearing that I'm a member of a "special interest group" or "fringe element" that's weighing down the poor, old Democrats. Just today on mydd I read an opinion that control of the party needs to be "taken back" from "radical special interest groups" like NARAL and LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens).

Supposedly I'm supposed to throw my vote to a man who feels that I shouldn't have the right to make decisions about my own body because he has a (D) next to his name. Then, I get to wait on the sidelines and beg for scraps. And have the GOP'ers laugh at me because some important Democrat is just giving me lip service. After all, as we are repeatedly reminded on these boards, we have no other choice except to vote GOP, right? Bullyism at its finest -- either go with this nebulous "ideology-free" program (even though you know better), or get nothing!

Now, most of the women I work with have no idea what's going on politically. They know nothing about legislation in Wisconsin, or blue-state governers vetoing birth control options or "pro-life Democrats". None of this has impacted them directly ... yet. It is in my best interest to see more women aware and involved. So, I will do precisely *nothing* to protect them from the realities of the political landscape. In fact, I found myself relieved at nominee Roberts vs one of the Trojan Horse "Ediths" because women are starting to notice.

Take a look at the gay community, another "special interest" group that so many "progressives" are willing to abandon in the name of political expediency. Recently, I read that a ballot referendum against same-sex marriage has been introduced in MA. I am sickened at how the gay community is being treated like a political football. I believe that in ME, out-of-staters are promoting anti-gay measures on an annual basis to counteract equality legislation. This is the future I see for pro-choice women if we allow ourselves to be marginalized as Democratic handmaidens. Political ping-pong balls.

I am not going to enable this nonsense by voting for or donating to any candidate/party that infringes on the civil rights of others. For many female, hispanic, black, LGBT Americans, civil rights is not a 'special interest' or 'single-issue' -- it's our personhood, our identity, our lives. While it may seem like an uphill struggle today, I see a third party emerging, driven by civil rights -- a check/balance against the tyranny of the *minority*.

As far as netroots activism is concerned, I see no reason to direct my money via an "ideology-free" conduit to "Dems who are not afraid to oppose and act like Dems!" without a clear elucidation of what that means these days. I prefer to use my extra funds to support local infrastructure like my fire dept, etc. Outside of local community, I am inclined to donate to ACLU and DAV. They are able to explain to me without equivocating why my donation is important and how I am make a difference without having to sacrifice myself for the cause. And I don't have to add that annoying $0.01.

Thanks, all.

For many female, hispanic, black, LGBT Americans, civil rights is not a 'special interest' or 'single-issue' -- it's our personhood, our identity, our lives.

exactly!

Supposedly I'm supposed to throw my vote to a man who feels that I shouldn't have the right to make decisions about my own body because he has a (D) next to his name.

The very reason the site was started. Welcome!

i will use a litmus test from here on out, that i compare every candidate against, and it is reproductive rights weighted. if they don't cut it? no vote. no donations to state or national parties either. perhaps i'll donate through emily's list or something like that, otherwise it goes to NGOs that support what i believe in.

Look what Pataki did to the women in New York!