Do you realize how entrenched these factions are? Nothing, and I mean nothing materializes overnight. Surely you realize that. The DLC was not even a "force" overnight. In fact, I find the DLC to be a transitional organization headed for its past due date--scampering to hold on to southern party members to win presidential elections as the party changed finally, from the FDR coalition. (Even it had to change; it is now the "pro-business" centrists, who are not necessarily conservative. You could be Blue Dog conservative but if you're populist, you don't make it. Some good pro-choice folks are DLC. Neither example is 100% good for me, but not 100% bad for me either.)

Look at the Democratic party. As much as some of us wish for the second coming of FDR, the party was ruled and run by segregationists. It was rooted out, but not all at once. In fact, you could argue that it didn't get fully uprooted until 1994 and the triumph of the Gingrich class. With the Republican in the majority, there was no reason for the most conservative Members to stay with the Dems.

So the party had to evolve. There were a lot of fits and starts, there continues to be fits and starts. There is opportunity to make this party a more progressive one. But it will not happen overnight, and we're fighting on multiple fronts: the MSM and their propaganda of what "received wisdom" is, the repubs, hell, even other "Democrats."

It depends on how you view progress. No, Howard Dean didn't win the presidency, but he stirred excitement and pioneered a new way of fundraising and organizing. He was able to win leadership of the DNC. Was he able to win every battle there? No. But he was able to make substantive changes.

Same with Barack Obama. He took on the DLC-Clintonistas and won. But he is smart enough to know that he will need some of them to win a general. He is smart enough to know that he must persuade other people who may be good people, but have swallowed rethug propaganda in whole or in part to win a general. It does not happen overnight. He will not be able to do everything I want him to do, but if he doesn't get into office, I'll have an even longer wait--and that's what is unacceptable.

As always, YMMV. But to say voting doesn't "help" because your dreams did not come true after one election cycle--well, I just don't understand. When has change EVER been easy in this country? There are no halcyon days to return to--just a long slog to make the country better than it was yesterday.  

Can't hear ya, Peach!