Here’s a near perfect example, in the context of the current presidential election, of how progressives maintain a powerful grip on the Democratic party, via threatening to withhold support and votes if party leaders don’t hew to the progressive line. At a time when the party is desperately trying to prevent the election of an authoritarian/fascist figure to the White House, some progressives are prioritizing political purity over political pragmaticism . That’s the can’t-live-with-them side of the modern progressive left. They can be complete political imbeciles. 

And, yet, the can’t-live-without-them side of the modern progressive left is that some progressives are oftentimes right on both the issues and political pragmatism, such as Bernie Sanders urging Kamala Harris to focus more on the plight of the working-class and less on the further demonization of Donald Trump..

Moving forward, the bold and mighty Hub Blog is going to try to start differentiating, when possible, on a case by case basis, between “pragmatic progressive” positions, such as Bernie’s stance above, and “purist progressive” positions, such as pro-Palestinian fanaticism or trans-rights activists who see no room for any compromise. It’s the purist progressives who are harming Democrats, insisting on fealty to radical positions that end up hobbling Dem candidates in general elections.

Fyi: The NYT has more on pouting purist progressives who just don’t get that what Harris is trying to do is win an election.