UPDATED: Vote Deadline Extended to Name Our Populist Movement within Democratic Party

[EEO]

This discussion thread was locked by demwing (a host of the Populist Reform of the Democratic Party group).

Last edited Sat Nov 22, 2014, 03:40 PM - Edit history (8)

UPDATED: Poll Deadline Has Been Extended From 3 Days to 2 Weeks
Formerly Titled: Olympus Isn't All About Thunder - Time to Settle on a Name and Move On

Olympus in reference to the recent thread titled Stealing Thunder. Thunder represents the lightning to come. We need to concentrate on the lightning - the policies we want to see enacted, and how we want to best educate our fellow Americans so they are informed and motivated voters (I have suggested PSAs, mass e-mails, phone calls, etc.). We need to get beyond the thunder and get to the lightning - defining ourselves. Americans need to know everything from Social Security is solvent to we want Universal Healthcare (spelling out what that is), and "Obamacare" was a conservative think tank idea that does not go far enough because it leaves people without healthcare.

I have been open to discussion on naming, but at some point this discussion must end. Throughout this discussion I have supported the Roosevelt Party (represented by a blue rose and in honor of the three notable Roosevelts in our history), The Democratic Wing (represented by a blue wing), or the Party of Social Responsibility (symbol open to discussion). All have their strengths and weaknesses, and there have been other suggestions.

In an attempt to resolve this issue I have created a poll that gives everyone three days to vote on various name I have seen suggested. I would like consent to adopt whatever name wins in the end. If I neglected to add one of the many names suggested over the last days that can be resolved by write-in votes, which will be counted and compete against those listed.


THIS POLL IS TO NAME A NEW POPULIST MOVEMENT WITHIN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, NOT TO RENAME THIS GROUP OR FORM A THIRD PARTY. WHAT FORM THIS MOVEMENT TAKES IS UP TO THE GROUP. I BELIEVE WE SHOULD FOCUS MAINLY ON EDUCATION AND OUTREACH TO VOTERS AND IDENTIFYING/SUPPORTING PROGRESSIVES IN THE PARTY WHILE EXPOSING REPUBLICANS IN DEMOCRATIC CLOTHING.

My vote is for The Roosevelt Party: The records of FDR, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Teddy Roosevelt taken together cover many of the ideals liberals hold dear. While those ideals were limited by the era they lived in, the name Roosevelt can help us lead the Democratic Party back to the left through educating our fellow Americans how socialism is one of the things that makes America great. Liberals should be known as Roosevelt Democrats, as should politicians who have records in line with liberal ideals.

ManyGoldstein's Argument (Post 23):

Roosevelt Democrats

I think the name, like a good headline, should:

1. cut through the noise (make people say "huh?" when they first see it)
2. say something about what we're up to
3. be a good way to start a conversation with people
4. fulfill 1-3 in a way that they work for all Americans, not just political junkies

"Democratic Wing" would work great for political junkies, but I think it will confuse others (i.e., doesn't meet 4 above).

"Roosevelt Democrats" is great for 1-4. The Roosevelts in question did so many great things, great Progressive/Liberal things, and the results were fantastic: those are stories that I like to tell. "Why am I a Roosevelt Democrat? Do you know that in FDR's first term, because of Liberal policies, unemployment halved and the economy grew at three or four times the rate it's growing now? Let's talk about the policies that made this happen, and why we need them again today."

"They did X and it worked. Everytime X has been tried, it worked. Doesn't it make sense to do X?" Those are the arguments that win people's hearts and minds.

Both Teddy and Franklin were flawed, as are all people, and there will be some nitwits (even on DU!) that will fling poo at 'em. But both, as they aged, improved, and also one person's poison is another person's meat. For example, some people (not me) feel that the US developing atomic weapons was an awful thing, but to others it could be seen as a sign that Roosevelt Democrats will do what's needed, when needed.

And by including Teddy, Franklin, and Eleanor, it sends a great message about inclusion: Democrats and Republicans, men and women. They were not people of color, but did work hard to advance the ball for all Americans. Whatever we call ourselves, we'll not perfect America either, but we'll fight hard for all.

13 votes, 1 pass | Time left: Poll closed
	The Roosevelt Party
	1 (8%)
	The Democratic Wing
	4 (31%)
	The Populist Progressive Party
	3 (23%)
	The Citizen's Reform Caucus
	0 (0%)
	The Progressive Caucus
	2 (15%)
	The Social Democrats
	1 (8%)
	Other (Please Declare Your Preferred Name in Comment)
	2 (15%)
	The Populist Reform Group
	0 (0%)
	1 DU member did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll