The Whole Point of a Democracy
I claim the helplessness and haplessness and electoral weakness of the Democratic Party derives in large part from party leaders taking the approach Levitz is so keen to defend. There really is no such thing as the Democratic Party anymore. The party's fortunes are just a referendum on how much the public hates Republicans at any given moment. Fortunately, Republicans govern so terribly that, while elections have been free and fair, even an empty suit, "Generic Democrat", has often been competitive.
I'm so depressed about the direction we're headed that I can barely read or think about it, but this article lays out a strong case for principles over polls. Mr. Waldman is one of the few people that still seems to me to be writing sensibly and about what's important.