This diary is intended as an open question, directed to anyone who agrees that reform is needed in the current Democratic party. Kos and others here have repeatedly and strongly made the case for reform, championing a Dean DNC and generally saying that "we tried it their (Clinton/Kerry/etc.) way and it didn't work, so now we're changing it." I largely agree with this sentiment, and feel that reform is needed if we're ever to really succeed.
But then it hit me: isn't this the same battle as Dean's presidential candidacy? And if it fails again, what then? Do we pick up the pieces and move on to support the status quo regardless?
I really don't have an answer to that, which is why I'm posting it here, because I hope someone does. If reforming the Democratic party fails yet again, what do we do? Do we keep on supporting them, even though they're abusing us almost as much as Republicans abuse their religious base? Do we try to break off, or just support truly progressive Democrats, or even move on to support or perhaps form another party?
I agree that it is time for change in the Democratic party, but it is a very old institution and is in many ways very resistant to change. Old habits die hard, and while I don't like to admit it I'm betting that Clinton and Kerry and the other "establishment" folks will succeed in getting Vilsack as head of the DNC. Dean will be shut out yet again, for being too short and too angry and too progressive (not liberal, progressive). I don't mean to sound like a portent of doom, but it's almost exactly what happened before with Dean's presidential candidacy, and it could easily happen again.
So, what then?