The Evil of Two Lessers?

[Steve Perry]

funny--i think one of the reflexive
motives of both major parties, so
thoroughly conditioned that it's not
particularly conscious anymore most
of the time, is to *discourage* 
broader public participation in
electoral politics, which would after
all introduce an element of instability. and property party
political economy being what it is,
each would rather lose this or that
election to the other than to 
undertake any gambits that might
mobilize elements of the sleeping
masses in any significant number.

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-lbo-talk at lists.panix.com
[mailto:owner-lbo-talk at lists.panix.com]On Behalf Of Doug Henwood
Sent: Monday, August 14, 2000 9:09 AM
To: lbo-talk at lists.panix.com
Subject: Re: The Evil of Two Lessers?

Carrol Cox wrote:


>Doug Henwood wrote:
>
>>
>>  It's pretty damn weird, considering that the moralists lost the
>>  impeachment battle. Where's this shit coming from?
>
>Most political battles (electoral or non-electoral, left or right) are
>won not by reaching new people but by mobilizing the people one already
>has. (That number expands or contracts behind one's back, one's own
>actions not having much to do with it.) And in electoral politics that
>means getting people to vote -- which in turn requires generating
>enthusiasm and energy among the core cadre. Apparently, rightly or
>wrongly, Gore & Bush both think that the way to energize that cadre is
>through moralism.

To my previous I should add... Maybe the mainstreamers have a lesson 
for the radicals here - that energizing your core cadre isn't enough, 
and that you need to reach out for converts. Works for them; might 
work for us.

Doug