Conservative activists, victorious (so far) in New York's 23rd, seek to challenge moderate Republicans across the country for competitive seats. This isn't the first time a party has had an ugly struggle over its purpose and meaning. The difference is that the features of the current system force these debates into the public light, whereas they used to happen behind closed doors (smoke-filled rooms and all that). From the party's perspective, having these ideological squabbles out in the open is a bit like the party equivalent of wearing your dirty underwear on the outside of your clothes - is the liberation worth the embarrassment? Plus, it's a little gross for everyone else. Conservative insurgency robs the Republican Party of its main advantage as the out-party: its message. It might be a little more small-d democratic to let the "people" determine the direction of the party, but the purpose of political parties is not to provide an inclusive organizational structure, it's to provide the electorate with meaningful choices at the ballot box.
Although it might look like a grassroots victory in the short term, the fact that the Republican Party seems to be publicly imploding instead of behind-the-scenes brokering is actually bad for American democracy.
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I'm kind of afraid they are going to go full bonkers wingnut in 2010 and still pick up seats because employment will be at 10%+ and the Dems are defending tons of really conservative districts that they had no business winning in the first place. They'll think this vindicates Palinism, but really it will seal their fate in the long run because they're swimming against an unstoppable demographic tide if they can't figure out how to get sane and tolerant enough to appeal to hispanics, people under 40, women, etc. Oldy and Whitey isn't a promising political coalition for the 21st century.
ReplyDeleteAs a partisan Democrat, that's awesome(and I won't much miss the Blue Dogs who are most likely to lose), but as someone who wants a healthy democratic society in the long run, it's pretty scary.
Yes, Jared, exactly what I was getting at- the possibilities for the Dems are endless, but for the Dems to remain a party that I even sort of like, there has to be some level of competition, plus the whole democracy thing. Party structure and hierarchy is a pretty good way to balance representation and competition.
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