Regressive Progressives

Left Wing Democrats, Right Wing Secret Weapon?

The 2020 Presidential Election is over a year away, but the Democrats find themselves facing a familiar foe—themselves. As always, the major divide is between Moderate Democrats and the smaller but vocal Progressive Left Wing of the party. (The Democratic Left were once called “Liberals,” but they became so unpopular that they had to change their name.)

Liberal/Progressive Democrats have long been the “True Believers” of the DNC, always questioning the commitment of other Democrats. In fact, they seem to prefer criticizing their fellow party members to actually defeating Republicans.

They want “change” above all else and have often refused to vote for Democratic candidates not as zealous as they are—preferring self-righteous pouting to helping a less than perfect candidate get elected. They would get “change,” but not change they had in mind.

So, it is with an uneasy sense of “Oh no, here we go again,” that I illustrate my point by offering the following review of key Presidential Campaigns since the mid-60’s—including their unintended, but very real consequences.

1968: Humphrey vs. Nixon. Left Wing Darling: Eugene McCarthy

McCarthy, who made ending the War in Viet Nam the centerpiece of his campaign, is miffed at not getting the nomination. He refuses to support Hubert Humphrey and the evil Democratic Establishment causing his disaffected supporters to stay home on Election Day.

Unintended Result: Richard M. Nixon is elected President by the thinnest margin in American history. He ushered in the extension of the Viet Nam War by four years, the bombing of Cambodia, the creation of an enemies lists, the War on Drugs, massive Presidential paranoia, Watergate, his own resignation, and Spiro Agnew.

1980: Jimmie Carter vs. Reagan. Left Wing Heart Throb: Ted Kennedy

Complaining that Carter wasn’t liberal enough, Ted Kennedy is irked at not getting the party’s nomination. He refuses to support Carter’s reelection, causing his disaffected supporters to stay home on Election Day.

Unintended Result: Ronald Reagan is elected President, ultimately serving two terms. He ushered in the undermining of labor unions, the de-regulation of business, especially the financial industry, the weakening of environmental laws, a budget deficit larger than all other budget deficits combined, CIA misadventures in El Salvador and Nicaragua, the Iran Contra Scandal, Oliver North, Roger Ails and, ultimately, Fox News.

2000: Al Gore vs. George W. Bush. Left Wing Instigator:  Ralph Nadar

Though not a Democrat, Nader, a long time “Progressive Activist” is perturbed at not being appreciated and runs as an independent. He accuses both parties of being in the pocket of corporate America, declaring that there isn’t a “dimes worth of difference between them” He siphons just enough votes away from Gore to muddy the results in the critical state of Florida.

Unintended Result: Florida is so close that it ends up before the Supreme Court which awards the Presidency to George W. Bush — mainly due to Reagan appointees in a hurry to get home for the holidays. He ushered in the attack of 9/11, a war in Afghanistan, another war in Iraq to counter Weapons of Mass Destruction we’re still looking for, the biggest financial crisis since the Great Depression, masses of people losing homes, more masses losing their jobs, and Dick Chaney.

2016: Hillary Clinton vs. Donald Trump. Left Wing Curmudgeon: Bernie Sanders  

Doing Nader one better, Sanders, an Independent, actually gets to run as a Democrat. Cranky at not being coronated by the party he hi-jacked, he wreaks havoc at the convention while his supporters chant “Bernie or Bust.” They predictably choose “bust” and either stay home on election day or cast a “protest vote” for Green Party candidate, Jill Stein.

Unintended Result: Donald J. Trump, an admitted sexual predator, tax evader, pathological liar, and junk food junky becomes President. He ushered in a massive tax give away to wealthy individuals and corporations, a Right Wing Supreme Court for most of this coming Century, the possible end of the Affordable Care Act, along with Voting, Gay, and Reproductive Rights, and a First Lady with an Eastern European accent worthy of Vlad the Impaler. 

This time around the DNC has almost two dozen candidates of all colors, genders, and beliefs, running for the Oval Office. Right on cue, Bernie Sanders, Mr.Progressive, has wasted no time attacking the front runner, Joe Biden, while  Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez is happily making phone calls urging Progressive Dems to run against, and bump-off, their Moderate brethren nationwide.

Democrats take heed. Never mind gerrymandering and massive financial contributions from guys named Yuri. The GOP’s real advantage has always been PARTY UNITY. Once the decision is made, the Republican rank and file will turn out on Election day and vote for a chair leg if told to.

That just may be the most important lesson of all.