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Two factions of the Democratic party

This is my crude and evolving understanding of two factions within the Democratic party:

old corrupt machine politicos
  • Chicago, New York and the South
  • believe in absolutely nothing
  • easily switch between leftist and moderate agendas
  • will say anything to get elected
  • able campaigners
  • uses classism, racism, sexism, etc. (i.e. "War on Women", "War on minorities", etc.) to keep the electorate divided
  • Some major sub-factions: Unions, Jewish lobby
  • Examples: Harry Reid, Hillary Clinton, Elijah Cummings


idealistic progressive left
  • the West Coast
  • radical leftist technocrats & community organizers
  • seeking to push their agendas, either by winning elections, or otherwise (judicial activism, executive orders, municipal ordinance and statute, etc.)
  • truly believe that classism, racism, sexism, etc. are real (i.e. believe in "War on Women", "War on minorities", etc.) and works to end them
  • Some major sub-factions: greens, civil libertarians
  • Examples: Cory Booker, Barack Obama

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