Because NEITHER party speaks to the issues of their lives. BOTH parties serve monied interests and established vote/fundraising operations.

Americans want universal healthcare. Americans want a peaceful nation. Americans don't want corporations suckling the lifesblood of their hard work dry. A GENUINE LEFTIST LEADER could have a real impact on this country, if given the chance. RFK became more popular as he moved left, and would likely have continued in that direction if they hadn't killed him. FDR made huge strides for the American people by moving left, and arguably made this a stronger and more just nation.

It's going to happen eventually or this country will finish off the last vestiges of freedom that we still possess. Putting off the injection of a vital left into the political conversation serves only the demands of wealthy investors and the warmongers. A healthy politics requires ALL frequencies on the political spectrum to have a chance to shine in the halls of gov't, NOT just the far red and redish-purple end.

"Whenever a Voice of Moderation addresses liberals, its sole purpose is to stomp out any real sign of life." - James Wolcott

LBJ got the party in line w/ the help of the righties being challenged from the left.

You have an interesting way of reading history.

"Whenever a Voice of Moderation addresses liberals, its sole purpose is to stomp out any real sign of life." - James Wolcott

I would firmly disagree with the notion that the DLC and blue dogs are a "decided improvement". They're just as racist and probably more misogynist. (of course they, like all the 'new democrats' have their tokens. I would likewise dispute the notion that the southern Democrats or the country as a whole has overcome the little racism problems and certainly not their gender problems.  Indeed it seems to me that the regressive social attitudes of the south dominate the Democratic party power structure just as much as the GOP's.

I must say that my focus of the past few years of listening to, observing the behaviors of and occasionally interacting with Democratic party operatives and strategists has made me a firm Independent. The Fpagers on TNH and DK (and their abused wives and co-workers) have and continue to provide the material for a great book on what precisely is wrong with the Democratic party and that is useful but it's a little like looking at a long dead body infested with maggots. Unpleasant work but someone should do it.

Look at all of the bloodthirsty talk that comes out of most of the "leadership". They love to talking about killing, bombing, standing by Bush against foreign critics, rubber-stamping EVERY war crime the Israelis embark in.

Worse, the true liberals will end up frozen out of most of the powerful positions, and Bush will get to slather the "bi-partisan" label on the next two years.

They WILL NOT fight back for us, not the greater majority of these hacks, and you can absolutely count on Casey, Webb and many of the other newbies to eagerly contribute to the further militarization of our country.

"Whenever a Voice of Moderation addresses liberals, its sole purpose is to stomp out any real sign of life." - James Wolcott

Like so many other arguments you claim to know well you do not appear to know this one either.

Under the surface lies the valid question "Whose  rights are we willing to compromise and/or sacrifice, temporarily, to accomplish this?"

The answer to this is glaringly apparent.
Womens rights.  
Not mens rights.
Womens.

And who got to decide this?
Men, of course.
I don't remmber being consulted on this decision.
I don't know of any other women who were either.

You brilliant male political stragetists decided it all for us.

And it sounds to me like it is very difficult for you to understand why we couldn't  just go along with your convinction that you know whats best for all of us.

But to do so  would require a level of trust in "powerful men in powerful positions"to  protect womens rights,  that no sane woman I know, who has lived many years could POSSIBLY muster up.  

There is not ONE SHRED of factual history of this ever happening. MB.  Not until forced to consider out rights, were our rights ever even considered by men in power, and you know it.

It is beyond ludicrous for you or any other strategist to expect  this, and, in my mind, exhibits your basic ignorance of the history of the fight for the hard won womens rights you are so causally willing to barter with now.

Not for lack of places to learn about it either. Along with many others at Kos, we did our best to be heard, and it earned us only an invitation to leave.

I know your intent is pure: you all want what's best for us ALL. But until you  are more willing to listen to ALL of us,  and grant equal credibility to ALL  genders and generations, you are operating from arrogance and chosen ignorance, in my opinion.

ONward!