We progressives often complain that the Democratic Party and its preferred candidates are not only not progressive enough but actually end up being right-of-center on many important issues. We wish that we had genuine progressives for whom we could vote; however, we don't always vote for them when we get them out of fear that doing so will hand the victory to the Republicans. So, what do we do about it?

I need some reader input on this one, because I am feeling increasingly stuck. Here's my question:

Is there any way that progressives can move the Democratic Party to the left that does not involve losing at least a few big elections through some sort of campaign designed to withhold support from whichever right-of-center candidate they inevitably seem to run?

I'm not trying to be flippant by asking such a question. I have looked at it every way imaginable, and I cannot come up with a solution that does not involve a willingness on our prove by that we cannot be taken for granted by withholding votes (or voting third party), even if it results in handing at least a few elections to the Republicans.

Frankly, I can see the merit of arguments on either side of this issue. The Democratic Party has been taking us for granted, and the current administration has even gone out of its way to distance itself from us. Perhaps a long-term strategy is necessary where we show the Democrats that we will not go along with centrist candidates any longer. On the other hand, most of us are so used to voting for the lesser of two evils that I can see why this would be a hard sell. We have seen the Republican plan for America and want no part of it.

Is there an answer I'm not seeing? Can we move the party to the left in a meaningful way without pulling our support in such a drastic way?

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