In fact, these movements inevitably and however reluctantly engage in "lesser evil" politics because what the left is prone to regard as trivial ideological differences between the liberal and conservative parties can nevertheless have large consequences for their cause, particularly in the less visible regulatory and judicial arenas.
You'll find few activists in any of the movements mentioned above who, in relation to the Supreme Court, for example, will concede that it makes little or no difference whether the composition of the court is determined by a Republican or Democratic administration. The same holds true for the NLRB, the EPA and a host of other regulatory agencies. Of course, the strength of such appointments ultimately depends on the scale and effectiveness of mass protest, but this has more to do with the nature of the period, the balance of forces, and the combativity of the masses within capitalist society than with the character of the leadership of the movements and the parties. Idealists invariably focus on the latter to the exclusion of the former.
CB: Below is another example of "Democrat" judges making a profoundly important progressive decision. The "Republican" judge dissented.:
Appeals Court Strikes Down Michigan Law Barring Use Of Race In College Admissions Doug Mataconis · Friday, July 1, 2011 ·
The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision today striking down a Michigan law passed via referendum which barred the used of racial preferences in college admissions:
A federal appeals court on Friday struck down Michigan’s ban on the consideration of race and gender in college admissions, saying it burdens minorities and violates the U.S. Constitution.
The 2-1 decision upends a sweeping law that forced the University of Michigan and other public schools to change admission policies. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the law, approved by voters in 2006, violates the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause.