Who Are The “Dems”?
The Democratic Party has been subjected to considerable criticism in recent months. While I agree with some of the criticisms, I think that they would be more constructive if they were more clearly focused. That is, which particular Democrats are we criticizing? The fact that we Democrats are less unified than the Republicans, complicates the task.
Let me explain. Forgive me for being academic, but I am, well, academic
A political party is a broad based coalition seeking to gain and exercise political power(hopefully for a good purpose) . I would not be a Democrat if I did not think that our party was overall, pursuing a good purpose.
Yet, there several components to the Democratic Party. Full disclosure, this paradigm was initially conceptualized by political scientist Frank Sorouf. I am applying it to the contemporary Democratic Party
The Party In Government
This refers to Democrats who hold positions in government. The most visible of these are Congressional Democrats. I suspect that when people criticize the “Dems”, this is who they are referring to. However, there are also Democrats serving in state legislatures, and in state executive positions: governors, attorneys genera, secretaries of state, etc.
The Party Organization
This includes: the Democratic National Committee, fifty state Democratic Committees, and about 3,000 county Democratic Committees.
The party organization also includes groups like: the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee DCC, Democratic Senate Campaign Committee DSCC, Democratic Governors Association, Democratic Governors Association DGA and the Democratic Attorneys General Association.
The Party In The Electorate
In its broadest sense, the Democratic Party consists of tens of millions of voters who identify in some way with the party. Many of these Democratic voters are loyal partisans. Others are “leaners”.
In updating the paradigm, some other components should be added.
Party Operatives
Think James Carville, David Axelrod, Rachel Bitecoffer. In the old days we would have called them campaign managers. I remember in my activist days being told that “the job of the Democratic Party was to elect Democrats”. That the purpose of a campaign was to get “fifty percent plus one” on election day. These folks are Machiavellians, and that is not a bad thing. Their job is to develop and implement strategy: a plan to achieve a goal. The thing is, these operatives do not always agree on strategy and tactics. I doubt that all Democratic operatives agree with Carville’s strategy of playing dead and waiting for Trump to self-destruct. I know that I don’t, but then, I’m not an operative. Although, I worked with many in the past.
Grassroots Party Activists
They do the “grunt work”. They walk precincts, they do voter reg, they do GOTV, they do phone banking(or text banking), they travel to swing states where their efforts will make the most difference, they attend rallies and town halls, the march, they demonstrate, they picket, theybelong to local Democratic clubs, if young they participate in college clubs. They are activists!
Big Donors (2024)
Seven individuals and 3 married couples donated at least $12 million eachMichael Bloomberg topped the list with $43 billionOf course, Elon Musk spent at least $133 billion getting Trump elected Another 23 individuals(or couples) donated at least $1 million
This does not include those who gave over 1 mil to both parties.The Party also received millions in corporate donations I’m trying to track down the exact figureNeedless to say, the Reps received more Thousands of individuals made sizable donations(over $3,000)
For the record I favor taking big money out of politics. But for now, this is the game that we have to play. Until we gain the power to change it.
Small Donors (yay, that’s us)
In 2024 The Harris Campaign raised $467 Million in donations under $200. Much of that was raised by Biden before he dropped out
Interest Groups
The party is also a coalition of interest groups
Groups that make financial contributions
Groups whose members participate in Democratic campaigns
Groups that endorse Democratic candidates
Groups whose values and interests align with the Democratic Party
Civil Rights, Civil Liberties, Labor, Pro-Choice, Women’s Rights
LGBT+, Environment, Gun Safety, etc
Yes, these groups do not always agree
Believe me, I am not saying that Democrats should never be criticized. I find James Carville annoying.I have mixed feelings about John Fetterman. I did not hide my disagreement with Biden’s Gaza policy. I am angry at those who kept us in the dark regarding Biden’s declining health.
But on the other hand, I am proud of what many of our elected Democrats are doing at the state, local, and national level(Governor Newsom Mayor Bass, Bernie Sanders and AOC., Corey Booker, Tim Murphy, Democratic Attorneys General) I am proud of my friends who traveled to Nevada and Arizona last fall to knock on doors. I stand with the millions who participated in the No Kings Protests.
P. S. I realize that the Anti-MAGA Movement is broader than the Democratic party. There are many independents and a few principled conservatives who oppose the cruel policies of this administration.
The Struggle Continues