What's wrong with the system

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Time's blog covers the Donna Edwards primary challenge to Al Wynn. Here's Pelosi's response to the progressive blogosphere's fundraising for Edwards:
Pelosi's spokesman Brendan Daly is unfazed. "He's an incumbent. That's what we do," he told me when I asked him about Pelosi's appearance for Wynn. "We help our incumbents."
Yes, you do, despite the fact that this incumbent cast some very troubling pro-Republican votes AND there's a credible progressive challenger AND there's no chance that the challenger will throw the district to the Republicans. That is NOT effective leadership. I think the Iron Law of Institutions is in effect here: Pelosi seems more concerned about securing Al Wynn's vote should any challenge arise to Pelosi's Speakership than with shoring up the unity of the Democratic caucus or fighting for progressive causes.

I can understand Democratic party leaders distancing themselves from lefty activists when we want them to take unpopular positions (like on gay marriage, for example, though the numbers are trending our way). But it's heartbreaking to be disowned when we're trying to get the Democrats to do popular things, like end the Iraq war or stand up to a loathed Bush administration. Doing this would make the Democratic party more popular if recent polls are to be believed, and yet they don't do it. Either they're afraid of being called weak, or they're more concerned about making nice with Republicans so that their social gatherings aren't awkward or something. Or maybe the leadership doesn't actually believe in progressive values.

I understand the Democrats won't win every fight. But I do think they need to show up and fight. And that's why I'm doing a little bit to help change it. And I'll be doing even more to help the Democrats beat the Republicans. More AND better Democrats.

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