Rolland E. Kidder

 

 

The tails that wag the political dogs

 

By Rolland Kidder

 There has been a lot of "hoopla" recently about how the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) are taking over the Democratic Party. At least that is what conservative tabloids like the New York Post and their allies would make you think.

 In truth, the history of the Democratic Party, at least in New York State, is that there has always been a "free-for-all," especially in New York City, between the liberal wing of the Democratic Party and what are called the "regulars,"--those with a more centrist view of politics.

Back when Franklin Delano Roosevelt was Governor of New York and then President of the United States--a new political party was created in New York State called the "Liberal Party." That was done, in large measure, to give the liberal segment of the party a voice in state and local politics without upsetting the larger, governing party of regular Democrats.

Since then we have seen "liberals" become "reformers" and, for a while, they renamed themselves as the "New Democratic Coalition." Then they became "progressives," and now, they are calling themselves "Democratic Socialists." But, these terms essentially describe the same group of people--they are passionate advocates who want change, want government to take the lead, and they often look first to government for solutions to human problems rather than to the private sector.

As the Democratic Party is the dominant political force In New York City, political power there flows back and forth between these two groups--the liberals (reformers) vs. the regulars. Nothing has really changed much in that regard.

The liberal/reformer influence in the Democratic Party spans, but to a lesser degree, the whole country. This wing of Democrats often can influence or dominate primary elections…but it does not usually win general elections. Democrats who want to become President or to be elected to high office usually have to have at least one foot in the "middle of the road" in order to be elected.

The Republican Party has a similar issue going on in that their "right wing" can greatly influence their primary elections. Usually, though, when a conservative wins the White House in a general election, it is because they have appealed to middle-of-the-road voters--think of Ronald Reagan, a Republican and former Governor of California who was supported by what were then called "Reagan Democrats."

The difference right now, of course, is that the MAGA right wing of the Republican Party has taken control in Washington--and that is not normal for the Republican Party or for the country. We are now seeing in real time what can happen when "the tail" of a political party is not only "wagging the dog" but has become the dog.

We are now under the control of a President who says one thing today, and the opposite tomorrow, often reversing himself, and blaming others when he fails. Donald Trump is no Ronald Reagan. He is good with rhetoric but not with governing--his approach is to govern by edict, not through consensus.

So, the overall lesson is that both political parties in our country have very vocal, outspoken minorities--one left and the other right--that can dominate the news cycle. These "tails" are not going away--they will continue to be a part of our political life.

What the Nation needs right now; however, is to get our politics back to the center where most of the people live.

 

This article was published in the Jamestown Post-Journal

August 15, 2026