Katlaughing, I'm sure some Dems on this site who voice support for progressive candidates are also supporting them in the other world. I've met and talked with 3D folks who fit this description. Some of my best friends are progressive Democrats. ;-}

That said, most (not all) of the Dems I discuss these issues with off-line 1) repeat the same sorry derogatory assumptions about Nader's impact on Florida 2000 and don't let election & exit poll #s or anything confuse them, 2) even more sadly IMO, are not DP activists, or even active in union locals or other potential DP partner groups/initiatives, and 3) don't track voting records or stay tuned-in to any particular issues or candidates.

Why is this? It can't be just a passion for content-free political analysis. I don't think the idea of a informed, active Democrat with progressive values is a contradiction in terms, but at least in my little piece of the world they are a rare commodity indeed. Sadly, in some cases, Green Party members locally are more active in getting out the vote for progressive Dem candidates than the Democrats are. An example - absent some dramatic shift, I predict that in my county in Fall 2004, despite our disagreement with him about the Isreali/Palestinian situation, GPistas will do more lit drops, yard signs, phone calls, fundraising, etc. for Sen. Russ Feingold (D) than local Democrats. In a way, this is a pathetic statement. I'm not proud of it. I'm depressed about it. I wish local Dems had called us in January 2004 to tell us what the local campaign plan is, and that we could help if we wanted to...but they're probably too busy complaining about Nader screwing things up again.

- Merritt