Just what is a Democrat? As its candidate for sheriff, the Monroe County Democratic Committee chose Todd Baxter, a conservative, Republican-turned-Democrat. Baxter defeated Republican incumbent Patrick O’Flynn. But some Democrats were outraged by the selection of Baxter, and one of them, Gary Pudup, ran a write-in campaign and has continued to speak out. In this guest commentary, he explains his views. (Mary Anna Towler’s Urban Journal returns next week.)
Congratulations to the Democrats nationwide for making a statement on November 7 rebuking the policies of President Trump. The election of a transgender candidate, an outspoken gun-control candidate, and two governors are a ray of light on the edge of darkness.
Likewise, here in the home of Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony, progressive Democrats are celebrating the election of candidates in Henrietta and Pittsford, and of progress against the Republican juggernaut in Greece. The County Legislature is also one shade closer to blue. Yet there was a choice by local party leaders that raised concerns about what it means to be a Democrat.
Democrats everywhere are struggling to define themselves, seemingly unable to come up with anything better than being the “Better Deal.” They have yet to articulate a description of what it means to be a Democrat. Simply being against something is not a sustainable platform. Yet stymied in their quest to be all things to all people, they are in danger of becoming nothing to everyone.
It has been said that there is no litmus test to define what it means to be a Democrat. The Greatest Generation, however, was led by Democrats who held onto power not only by being against Japanese imperialism and Nazi fascism, but also by being unwavering in their support of the Four Freedoms of FDR. The belief in the Four Freedoms of speech, of worship, from want, and from fear was the glue that held the Democrats and the nation together.
Eleanor Roosevelt expanded the Democratic platform to include the Four Basic Rights: the rights of equal education, of equal pay, to justice under the law, and to full access to the ballot. Everyone knew what it meant to be a Democrat.
There must be more to winning than simply rebuking Mr. Trump. Winning should move our shared values forward. Good people must agree at some point on a basic set of ideals, that no one should go bankrupt paying for health care for a spouse or child, that women should not have to constantly refight the battle for comprehensive health care, that immigrants should be celebrated and refugees welcome, that organized labor has done more for the well-being of the middle class than any tax break for the wealthy, that more guns are not the answer to gun violence, that every person has worth and dignity and something to offer to our greater good, that government is not evil but a force for good, promoting the general welfare.
These are not litmus tests but shared values that push us beyond supporting a candidate merely for the sake of winning.
It is the responsibility of an organization’s leadership to establish a vision and clarify ideals. The local leadership did neither in putting a self-described “conservative who is a Democrat” at the top of its ticket. We need to stop and reflect on what it truly means to be a Democrat. Which is more important, our values or bragging rights?
The New Deal, the Great Society, and the fight for Civil Rights, Gay Rights, and Women’s Rights are part of the proud tradition of the Democratic Party.
Are we willing to be faithful to our ideals as the descendants of Douglass and Anthony and stand fast? Or will we be bystanders to history as we run anyone we think can win? Anthony would never live to see the day women were enfranchised, yet she persisted. So should we.
Democrats scoffed at White House Chief of Staff John Kelly for saying there should have been a compromise on the issue of slavery to avoid secession. Perhaps this is the test for Democrats today. The question we should be asking ourselves is: How much of our tradition are we willing to compromise to win one local seat?
This article appears in Nov 29 – Dec 5, 2017.
“Likewise, here in the home of Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony, progressive Democrats are celebrating”
Yo, Gary, you do know that Fredrick Douglas was a Republican and SBA was anti- abortion, right? Hardly “progressive”
Johnny – Given that the Republicans were the more liberal of the two major parties during Douglass’ heyday, it’s hardly surprising that he joined that party.
It is amusing however to watch today’s GOP desperately trying to grab some reflected glory from the accomplishments of the liberals, progressives and moderates who belonged to the party in the past and who wouldn’t touch today’s Republican Party with the proverbial 10 foot pole.
If it were 1860, I’d accept that Baxter qualifies as a Democrat. However, 167 years later, his decision to “grace” us with his presence is an embarrassment to the party and action should be taken by the county, state and or federal Democratic Party officials to reject him out-of-hand. As the saying goes, “With friends like him, who needs enemies?”
If democrats actually stood for what people want, higher minimum wage, health care for all, free college, increase taxes on corporations and wealthy, than maybe they wouldn’t be struggling.
If the choices are republican and republican lite, why would I vote for lite?
Whether electing Todd Baxter was an act of crossing party lines or not, I can hope people remember this. Just maybe, when the next election rolls around, the same Republicans who voted for a Democrat and the Democrats who voted for a Republican can consider voting for an independent, Libertarian or Green. Because party doesn’t matter, right?
“Johnny”, yes of course I am aware that in 1861 the Republican Party was the party of Union, Federal Supremacy, and Abolition. However, Douglass first supported the Radical Democracy Party in 1864 and was then a member of the Equal Rights Party, a party focused on progressive politics.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Do…
Regarding Anthony and abortion, I hope you will take the time and reread the essay, there is no mention of abortion. No one I know likes abortion, yet it is generally accepted Democrats favor comprehensive health care for women and their right to make their own medical choices which in turn would reduce the need for abortions. I suggest you visit the Susan B. Anthony house and ask to speak with Deborah Hughes to get some expert insight into the matter.
There is no valid argument that neither of these Rochestarians were progressives.
To be clear, there are shared values and the party leadership is responsible to ensure that candidates they ask us to support are at least somewhat in align with them. As Mr. Baxter has said himself, he does not agree with any of the stated values. We trusted the party and they let us down.
@Gary Pudup, Susan B. Anthony was unambiguously pro-life. Over the summer I conducted extensive research on “The Revolution,” the newspaper Susan was the proprietor of and Elizabeth Cady Stanton edited. You can read excerpts from the newspaper that demonstrate her pro-life stance here: https://www.newwavefeminists.com/og-feminism
I’d also recommend contacting Carol Crossed, a Rochester resident who is also the President of the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum that’s based in Adams, Massachusetts. Here’s the link to their website: http://www.susanbanthonybirthplace.com
As a pro-life woman and a progressive democrat and feminist, I’m elated that a pro-life Democrat has been elected. I have always identified as a democrat because I feel Democrats, more than Republicans, defend the rights of those who are most vulnerable in society. Promoting women’s rights, gay rights, and immigrant rights, condemning racism and restrictive social welfare policies, Democrats generally act in a way that promotes every individual’s human dignity. However, I have always struggled to understand how the party reconciles these virtues with their support for abortion. There are ways we can promote the dignity and rights of both women and their unborn children. If Baxter is committed to protecting ALL people, regardless of race, sex, or developmental age, he should not be stripped of his identity as a “Democrat.” In my opinion, he’s fully embracing everything being a Democrat stands for, and possesses the qualities desperately needed in a sheriff. I look forward to seeing the difference he can make in Monroe County.