Example: Most progressives endorsed the war in Yugoslavia. Many no doubt did so because the war is being waged by "their" President. If they were in a separate party, they would feel no compunction to endorse "their" president's war -- in fact, they'd have an incentive to criticize, in order to better distinguish themselves from their left-of-center competitor.
In short, a big difference.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Michael Perelman [SMTP:michael at ecst.csuchico.edu]
> Sent: Monday, May 03, 1999 12:59 PM
> To: lbo-talk at lists.panix.com
> Subject: Re: Dems
>
>
>
> Nathan Newman wrote:
>
> > My question for Michael and other anti-Dems is what difference is
> there
> > between the role of the left Dems in the US Congress versus the
> Communist
> > Parties in France and Italy or the Greens in Germany supporting the
> ruling
> > coalition?
>
> None, given the current confluence of "new democracy".
>
> At the same time, I recognize the "progressive" votes that Nathan
> listed. The
> question comes down to the old strategic consideration: do we accept a
> temporary
> "loss" today in order to strengthen the progessive forces in the long
> run.
>
> __
>
> Michael Perelman
> Economics Department
> California State University
> michael at ecst.csuchico.edu
> Chico, CA 95929
> 530-898-5321
> fax 530-898-5901
>