Internecine War?

During the mid-term elections of 2018 a surprisingly large number of Democratic candidates said they would not vote for Nancy Pelosi as speaker of the house. To what can we attribute this opposition to Nancy Pelosi within her own party? Could it be that the Republican Party's unrelenting efforts to vilify Ms. Pelosi were that effective. There is probably some truth in that contention, particularly in districts where Democratic candidates were trying to win over independents and the misnamed Trump Democrats, but that vilification does not explain why some liberal candidates also said they would not vote for Pelosi as speaker of the house. The opposition of freshmen representatives to Speaker Pelosi is not explained by ideology either because Speaker Pelosi has some impressive liberal bonafides. So what is going on here? Is it simply a matter of young Turks saying thanks for your service but it is our turn now; give us the reins and get out of our the way?

In regard to what is now being called the squad (Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Taib, and Ayanna Pressley) the Washington Post reports Nancy Pelosi as saying:

“Their ability to work together — or refusal to — will have major implications for Democrats as they seek to oust President Trump and retain their majority in next year’s election. Pelosi knows that fate of her majority rests with the moderate Democrats who captured Republican-held seats in last year’s midterm elections.”

This quote is a strong clue in regard to answering the questions I posed above, but before I try to explain that I should inform you of where I am coming from. I am an old progressive who has become increasingly frustrated with a Democratic Party that has allowed itself to be pulled farther and farther to the right and away from its base as it struggles to compromise with an opposition party that has become more and more nihilistic and has absolutely no interest in compromise. Meanwhile the wealth gap continues to increase by leaps and bounds, leaving threatened members of the middle class to ask if and when they will be put on the endangered species list and become eligible for some protection from the rapaciousness of the wealthiest one percent. Needless to say that I am just one of a multitude of people now complaining about the miasma of corruption and greed, and the increasing political and economic power being amassed by an oligopoly that wants it all.

Nancy Pelosi is the epitome of the established leadership, and she is taking some heat for how that leadership is perceived.  From where I sit it is perfectly understandable if a younger generation thinks we have failed them, and that the old way of doing things is not working. There is a sense of urgency, and it is not just liberals who feel that way; it is also the Trump chumps, and even many people who call themselves independents because they seldom pay enough attention to know the differences between the parties. But the impatience and anxiety of liberals in general and younger liberals in particular does not mean there is an unbridgeable gap between generations or ideologies in the Democratic Party. Which is to say that contrary to the desire and belief of Republicans there is no internecine war within the Democratic Party at this time. As the Washington Post pointed out, the squad has not tried to form an organized opposition group like the freedom caucus, nor has it called Pelosi out for setting aside liberal priorities such as Medicare for all. The problem for Democrats is that the dispute between Nancy Pelosi and Alexandria Ocasio Cortez in ongoing. We need a reconciliation between Pelosi and the squad, and we need a party that is not so afraid of losing elections that it will not do what is right for this country!

To Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic Party leadership let me say: Do not be timid or afraid of your constituents.  Do not pander to their fears or their worst instincts. Have the courage to sell a positive, progressive agenda that will make a real difference in the lives of people who are not billionaires. Sell the hope, the dreams, and the realistic aspirations that make America so dynamic and great.  Do not tell the young to wait.  Invite everyone to move boldly forward as the party of great ideas and great deeds.  And when the Republicans shout socialism remind the voters that Republicans still call Social Security, Medicare, The Affordable Care Act, the Minimum Wage, and Unemployment Insurance "socialistic" programs.  Furthermore do not shy away from pointing out the moral depravity of the Trump Administration and the Party that refuses to condemn that depravity! Demanding human decency is a duty we all share!