MM: What’s needed is a discussion of how to use Sanders' campaign events to build the mass movement that is needed no matter who is elected. Sanders' events are drawing large crowds of people who want real change, and who are at least open to the possibility that the word “socialism” can have a positive meaning. How to take advantage of that is the only meaningful conversation to be had in relation to his campaign.
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In 1988 Jan & I were members of LRS, which threw itself into the Jackson Campaign. It was exactly the idea: use the campaign to help build a movement. I wa on the Jackson slate of delegates to the Convention. Also, it was through us that Jackson made his final speech of the Illinois campaign in Bloomington/Normal (central Illinois). We met several interesting people, & Jan got to run around with the Secret Service for half the day as they planned protection. We tried hard to inject ideas into the campaign but it didn't work. All the new contacts (Black and white) were too tied to the DP.
It has always been my feeling that the main factor in the collapse of LRS was that its members burnt themselves out in electoral work; not to spak of some members going plum dippy with the excitement of electoral work. Within a year, one Chicago member (once a Weatherman) was blathering that Daley represented the "Progressive Wing of the Bourgeoisie." I mean really.
There just aint no pot of gold at the end of that rainbow.
Carrol