What exactly is a "real Democrat" anyway?

I would agree that Joe Lieberman clearly has no loyalty to the party in that he basically told us to shut up and "not undermine" the president as if somehow criticizing the president was against the law.

However, that issue aside for the moment, what exactly constitutes being a real Democrat? Do they all have to be ideologically consistent with the furthest left members of the party? Do they have to agree on all of a certain set of issues? A certain percentage of that set of issues? What exactly makes a Democrat a Democrat in your estimation?

"Do they all have to be ideologically consistent with the furthest left members of the party? Do they have to agree on all of a certain set of issues? A certain percentage of that set of issues?"

No, they don't. But that's IMO. :)

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They care about tax cuts and preserving the corporate control of the economy. That's it at their core and that's what it has always been. They supported tariffs when they thought it was in the interests of business and now they support free-trade for the same reason, but with different motivations.

Democrats on the other hand, I'm not sure what the hell the party actually stands for at its base right now. There are even those who don't really believe in a fair economy in the party now.

we have hillary sponsoring a flag burning bill, dems publicly attacking the party chairman, etc. but i do know ,if we can't get it together we won't win many more elections.

is someone with concern and shows compassion for those disenfranchised, someone that may not always agree with how civil liberties are applied but understands that what is good for one is good for all, someone that understands history and is quick to realize it when it repeats, someone who is an independent thinker and recognizes the dignity that is all human life, someone that actually gives a crap about the environment and has the foresight to realize the future....

Thank you.

Perhaps, we can add the question, what defines the anti-Democrat?

When Constitutional rights are eroded, in the name of War and security, and that is extended to core Constitutional rights such as certain civil rights, rights to privacy, rights against unlawful imprisonment, rights against illegal search and seizures, rights to free speech (after receiving a "person of interest" letter from the FBI), and rights of Habeas Corpus, and that are being readied to deny public rights to governmental accountability for electronic voting machines, then I believe the onus is met for being labeled an anti-Democrat.

I'll be back in a while to continue the dialog.

the very antithesis of what Democrats should be. He essentially is telling the Democrats to surrender their right to criticize government which is THE most essential political right outside voting itself.

<I would agree that Joe Lieberman clearly has no loyalty to the party in that he basically told us to shut up and "not undermine" the president as if somehow criticizing the president was against the law.>

IMO, Lieberman and other rightist dems show loyalty to the GOP and neocons. They are pro-war and don't really care about economy - jobs and deficits. This is what matters.

So, those who are against the war and really care about economy are OK.

If you don't vote for the Democrat on election day, you're not a Democrat. If you do, you are. End of story.

Liberals support this:

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

There is a difference.

....down the street on your way to work when you see a ten dollar bill on the ground....

....if you put your foot on the bill and when no one is looking you pick it up and put it in your pocket, you're a Republican....

....if you pick it up and put it in you pocket after holding it for 5-10 minutes in plain view, you're a Democrat....

....if you spot the bill on the ground and keep on walking, you're a Real Democrat....

party is to our nation's well-being and therefore will not compromise with them on any issue that will harm the economic, social, or environmental health of the nation or on matters of civil liberties.

Someone who NEVER uses the excuse "I voted for that bill because it was going to pass anyway."

Someone who has a set of core principles and doesn't betray them just because some Beltway consultants or lobbyists advise it.

Would it be somebody who protects reproductive rights, stands up for the environment, promotes racial equality, fights for health care for the poor and children, and stands up for the rights of women, gays, and the disabled? (let's call him or her A)

Would it be somebody who calls for a Consitutional amendment to ban flag burning, promotes school prayer, opposes reproductive choice and thinks habeas corpus shouldn't apply in death penalty case appeals? (let's call him or her B)

Would it be somebody that Business Week praised as being a "Rockefeller Republican" because of the special deals he gave IBM and other big businesses, who told CNN "we have to win" the war and called for a bipartisan deal with Bush? (lets call him or her C).

I'd love to know.