The Great Democrat Divide

Those Were the Days

For those of us old enough to remember, so many of us watched one of the most popular TV shows of the 70’s, “All in the Family”. The intro showed Archie and Edith seated at a piano singing a song that talked about the way things used to be. Even as time marches on, most of us enjoy a good dose of reminiscing about “back in the day”.

In the aftermath of the 2016 presidential election, pundits, TV talking heads, and “experts” still like to ramble on about the deep rift in the Republican Party. They will talk to anybody willing to watch and listen for any length of time about the “establishment” and the “populist” wing of the Party. Will that great divide ever be breached? Is Donald Trump the guy to do it? And maybe the unspoken question to be asked of all these media types, just exactly how much enjoyment are you getting from talking about this divide that you are desperately hoping will sink the Republican Party for good?

But as usual, there is another tale of a great divide, another part of the story that the media will not talk about. It is the massive divide between the old and the new Democrat Party. Since the butt-whoopin’ the Democrats took on election night, this has become much more apparent, but given the state of denial currently being enjoyed by Democrats will they attempt to repair it? Will they even acknowledge it?

Recently on the “The Cats Roundtable” podcast hosted by Radio Host John Catsimatidis, the guest was former Connecticut Senator, and vice presidential candidate Joe Lieberman. Lieberman spent twenty-four years in the Senate as both a Democrat and later an Independent. Lieberman is seen by many on both sides of the aisle as not extreme or radical but level headed and thoughtful. During the interview Lieberman was asked by Catsimatidis his thoughts on the election and the present state of the Democrat Party. Lieberman stated that he had been a Hillary supporter, not surprising, but he also said that his fear of the future of the Democrat Party is “…there will be a real attempt by the ‘left’ left of the Democrat Party to take over the Party, and I don’t think that’s the way to go to make it an effective Party”.

There are many people whose response to Lieberman may be, “Newsflash Joe, that has already happened.” But to quote another famous Democrat, is the fundamental transformation complete? And if so, where do guys like Joe Lieberman go?

Granted things like generations and culture bring about change. But still many Americans old enough to remember a Party that included John Kennedy, who at his inauguration implored his fellow Americans to “ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country” and former Georgia Democrat Senator Zell Miller who spoke at the 2004 Republican Convention. Miller rattled off an extensive list of weapons and defense systems voted against by Senator and Democrat presidential candidate John Kerry, then proceeded to ask,” This is the man who wants to be Commander In Chief of our U.S. armed forces? U.S. forces armed with what, spitballs?” He brought down the house.

Where have Democrats like John Kennedy, Joe Lieberman, Zell Miller, and in the present day one might argue former West Virginia Governor now Senator Joe Manchin, gone? Many of these folks and others like them will tell you that they did not leave the Party, the Party has left them. Manchin has floated the idea of switching Parties. Has the Democrat Party already swung so far to the Left that good Americans like these have been forever replaced by the likes of Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, the outgoing Harry Reid, and yes Barack Obama? Are they outnumbered by people that Zell Miller described as “the Party that thinks America is the problem not the solution.” Where have the Democrats who favored low taxes, a strong military, a solid economy and stood up for enduring American values gone?

There are also things like changing demographics. It is why Democrats want a steady stream of immigrants flowing across the southern border. It will ensure a generation of new voters who will be told that America is inherently racist, sexist, bigoted homophobes, and it is up to them to continue the fundamental change.

Will those Democrats who are just too fair minded, level headed and dare we say it, too conservative to realize they are outnumbered and just give up and go away? Will they become Republicans or Independents? Democrats still don’t believe that Americans truly wanted drastic change, and that Hillary Clinton was a deeply flawed candidate to say the least. If nothing else they appear to be doubling down on the message they say did not get out.

Whenever a Republican president is elected, liberal Democrats always make sure the issue of homeless people takes center stage. The Democrat Party may want to take a look at its own homeless problem.