THE LEFT ON THE MARCH, TO NOWHERE – AT 9:57 A.M. ET:  The left wing of the Democratic Party continues its kamikaze mission, with implied threats against President Obama, the most left-wing president in our history, for not being leftist enough.  From The Hill:

President Obama’s stark move to the middle will cost him. As in cash, and lots of it.

Democrats in Washington think President Obama is hurting his mighty fundraising prowess by repeatedly ticking off the people who helped Obama shatter fundraising records in 2007 and 2008.

The great strength behind Obama’s eye-popping quarterly reports were online contributions — about $500 million worth — and many Democrats think that area will take a hit as loyal Democrats express their disappointment with Obama by keeping their wallets shut.

To be sure, an extension of the Bush tax cuts, the failure to repeal “Don’t ask, don’t tell” and a fight with some unions and the left over a trade agreement with South Korea don’t make for sexy Democratic fundraising literature.

It will be hard for Obama to say, “Show me the money” when his allies feel like they’ve been shown the back of the president’s hand.

You know, I almost feel sympathy for the president.  And get this:

Even Hollywood, the great liberal ATM, could revolt over the president’s inability to overturn the ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the military, end the war in Afghanistan and close Guantánamo Bay.

Imagine not having Michael Moore on your side.  Why, the impact.  The anguish.  No more free tickets to premieres. 

COMMENT:  The Democratic Party, decades ago, was an engine of practical politics and electoral know-how.  It knew how to do things, not just say things.  Look at it today.  A group of adolescents is offended – one of their favorite words – by the need for Obama to compromise.  Whatever happened to the Soviet dream of one-party rule? 

As the story points out, some of the smarter Democratic pols believe that Obama's fight with the left will actually help him in 2012, and I'm inclined to agree.  Only 20% of Americans identify themselves as liberals.  The election will be won by appealing to the other 80%.

December 16, 2010