Regional Democratic Party Coalition

The Democratic party is experiencing major decay. The other day I wrote an editorial about the North v. South cancer that 140 years after the Civil war still rots out our national politics. For some reason those of us in the West, Northwest, Southwest, and Midwest are supporting this noxious environment in Washington by contributing to these parties.

I think I may have come up with an idea that can counter the Republican party. Regional Democratic Parties for state/local level positions that form regional coalitions for states with common ideals in the electorate. The Democrats have always been a coalition party. Why not exploit that as a the strength it really is. Each region will have it's own Dem party, which well then put forth elected officials to the federal level as congress persons and senators. On the Federal level they act in the best interest of the state (and regional party) that they represent. For example, if Midwestern, and Southwest states require more conservative representatives then that specific region's Democratic party can run somebody of that ilk. All the regionals will cooperate at the Federal level to obtain a majority within the houses (thereby tipping power back to the Dems, as well as all of those committee chair positions.) However, bill voting will remain autonomous and non-party affiliated. It's a coalition which respects the rights of individual states representation, while assuring the Republicans lose their majority.

-CitizenRob
LiberalTimes.com

Sometimes I wonder if silence means people agree, it's often easier to be a critic than a supporter. Does anybody see any flaws in this idea?

Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D) said a couple of days ago that we should follow a 50 state strategy. Someone on DU said that Howard Dean had said the same thing a while ago.

I wish we had thought of that 20 years ago. The perceived Democratic "national" platform has killed us in the South, Midwest, and we're even starting to lose support in the Great Lakes region.

We have to either shift the entire party to the right on cultural issues, or adopt a regional approach. Either approach will allow us to be seen as the "moderate" party most in touch with middle America's values. The repugs will be seen as the extremists they really are.

This is a great idea. I suggest you run with it. I doubt that you will find much support for the idea on DU, as most of the members are part of the ultra-left wing of the Democratic Party. They want to stick with the national party platform format.

Here's a wake up call to the Dem leaders: shift the party to the right and you'll lose California. This is why we need to break the party into a regional party. If the midwest needs somebody who is both populace, and evangelical, they can have that without hurting the rest of the Democrats across the country.

Cause seriously, bay area voters are NOT happy with the Democratics right word lurch over the past few elections. I'm ready to vote green unless the Dems start to represent my interests, which they haven't for a while now.

I was looking at the issue from the perspective of getting more conservative/moderate votes in rural areas. But you do have a good point about Dems from California and Washington getting more of what they want from their elected officials through this approach. I don't know how Oregon would play in this scheme though. Some states would still have to approach things on a state level, rather than a regional level.

Anyway, this approach would serve to break-up the perception that the Dem Party is controlled by a national cultural agenda. People in different regions could vote for BOTH their economic and cultural interests.

Take this idea to the DNC. Now is the time. They are looking for a different strategy to make the Dems competitive again.