Jeff Merkley will be the next U.S. Senator from Oregon, and he will be one of the most five liberal Senators we have.
He almost lost. We could have won this seat easily if Merkley had run a bit more of a conservative campaign. Or if the fucking Greens hadn't gotten 5% of the vote.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
How Ralph Nader Moves The Democrats Right
Below I pointed out how Naderism siphons voters off from the left and makes Democrats lose, and how this in turn makes progressive policy harder to accomplish. For example, Nader's "Medicare For All", which I and all other progressives agree would have an actual chance if there were 60 votes in the Senate. As it is, we probably won't be able to enact it. This is the fruit of Naderism.
But not only does Naderism hurt progressive policy options, it actually moves the Democratic Party to the right.
This, or something like it, is roughly what the ideological make-up of American voters and congresscritters:
This isn't exact, but let's say the median voter is the red line here. That means in a normal election between two candidates, a candidate must get all the voters up to the red line.:
Now, in an election where progressive voters are convinced to take Naderism seriously the median voter shifts, to the blue line here. Every left-leaning voter that is convinced to abandon the Democratic Party is a vote the Democrats have to make up. Nader's response would be that the Democrats should just move left — but it's much easier to make up the lost votes by moving 1% to the right rather than moving the 10% left needed to win back the Naderites.
If I were a Libertarian, whose policy preferences have been abandoned by both parties to a significant degree, I'd engage in tactical voting to encourage gridlock. I can understand the case for principled Libertarian votes. Naderism isn't like that at all. The Naderite or Green or Socialist critique of the Democratic Party is that the party isn't pure enough. They all fit together on a leftist spectrum, the Democrats are just interested in winning elections, so they have to be more conservative than fringe candidates. The harsh consequence of Naderism, however, is that it has the opposite result of its supposed goals.
If you want better liberals, compete in Democratic Primaries. When it comes to the general election, Naderism is generally a futile gesture, except when it succeeds, because then it's actively destructive to its own goals.
But not only does Naderism hurt progressive policy options, it actually moves the Democratic Party to the right.
This, or something like it, is roughly what the ideological make-up of American voters and congresscritters:
This isn't exact, but let's say the median voter is the red line here. That means in a normal election between two candidates, a candidate must get all the voters up to the red line.:
Now, in an election where progressive voters are convinced to take Naderism seriously the median voter shifts, to the blue line here. Every left-leaning voter that is convinced to abandon the Democratic Party is a vote the Democrats have to make up. Nader's response would be that the Democrats should just move left — but it's much easier to make up the lost votes by moving 1% to the right rather than moving the 10% left needed to win back the Naderites.
If I were a Libertarian, whose policy preferences have been abandoned by both parties to a significant degree, I'd engage in tactical voting to encourage gridlock. I can understand the case for principled Libertarian votes. Naderism isn't like that at all. The Naderite or Green or Socialist critique of the Democratic Party is that the party isn't pure enough. They all fit together on a leftist spectrum, the Democrats are just interested in winning elections, so they have to be more conservative than fringe candidates. The harsh consequence of Naderism, however, is that it has the opposite result of its supposed goals.
If you want better liberals, compete in Democratic Primaries. When it comes to the general election, Naderism is generally a futile gesture, except when it succeeds, because then it's actively destructive to its own goals.
Future'd
I watched the returns on MSNBC last night, so I missed the most awesome development of the Election Campaign.
Hologram Technology is fucking here.
Hologram Technology is fucking here.
Third Party Suck
It didn't matter on the topline this year, but in the four outstanding Senate races, the third party vote is larger than the difference between the two candidates.
In other words (MARC ERIKSEN THIS MEANS YOU), third parties may have prevented the Democratic party from having the majority it needs for super liberal reform. In other words, the practical consequence of Naderism is to hold the progressive movement back. Or, in still other words, progressives who vote and argue for third parties are just helping the Republicans.
But, if you've been paying attention, that's old news.
In other words (MARC ERIKSEN THIS MEANS YOU), third parties may have prevented the Democratic party from having the majority it needs for super liberal reform. In other words, the practical consequence of Naderism is to hold the progressive movement back. Or, in still other words, progressives who vote and argue for third parties are just helping the Republicans.
But, if you've been paying attention, that's old news.
SRSLY
Advice to Election officials: Next time start counting the absentee ballots as they come in, asshats.
Apparently Georgia didn't count any of its early votes, you know, early.
And what the fuck is Oregon's problem, anyway?
The election was yesterday, I should know how many Senators we have now.
Apparently Georgia didn't count any of its early votes, you know, early.
And what the fuck is Oregon's problem, anyway?
The election was yesterday, I should know how many Senators we have now.
Barack Hussein Obama
If Presidents renamed themselves after taking office like Popes do, I'm pretty sure Obama would be Abraham Lincoln II.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Open Letter #2
Dear Bryan,
You owe me $20. Cash or beer, delivered in front of as many mutual friends as possible.
<3
You owe me $20. Cash or beer, delivered in front of as many mutual friends as possible.
<3
Open Letter #1
Dear Uncle Jim,
You owe me $20. Cash or beer, delivered in front of as many family members as possible.
kthzbai
You owe me $20. Cash or beer, delivered in front of as many family members as possible.
kthzbai
Monday, November 03, 2008
New Toy!
I am now the proud owner of a 4"x3" stamp of Obama's face.
If you come to Cherokee now I can put a stamp of Obama's face on YOUR FACE! Tell your friends...
If you come to Cherokee now I can put a stamp of Obama's face on YOUR FACE! Tell your friends...
4%
My NaNoWriMo.
I'm going to write a novel in November. My pace will pick up after the election. Blogging will slack.
Add me as a buddy if you're doing it. I work better with competition.
I'm going to write a novel in November. My pace will pick up after the election. Blogging will slack.
Add me as a buddy if you're doing it. I work better with competition.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
