Probably the simplest reason why is because I agree with the Party platform of Socialist Party of the United States, not all of it, but the large majority of it. I could point out disagreements here and there, but largely, I'm a Democratic Socialist at heart, of the party of Eugene V. Debs.
However, I'm also a realistic political animal in this country, and realize that to most folks in this country, with the possible exception of Vermont, an openly Socialist candidate would never get elected to a federal office, Bernie Sanders being the sole exception of course. As such, with the field of candidates being so limited in my area and the nation at large, I vote for Democratic Party candidates more than any other party.
Being pragmatic isn't easy, I can never claim to absolutely agree with any Democratic candidate, however, I do believe that leftists such as myself need to influence the party both in and out of the party itself. Others have taken up the call to influence the Party from within, I choose to try to do it from the outside. I would never advocate for third parties to act as spoilers only, but rather they should give the larger two parties something to think about, and influence them that way. Basically this is a general position I hold that is similar to the Democratic Socialist of America, the link is at the right.
However, I'm also a realistic political animal in this country, and realize that to most folks in this country, with the possible exception of Vermont, an openly Socialist candidate would never get elected to a federal office, Bernie Sanders being the sole exception of course. As such, with the field of candidates being so limited in my area and the nation at large, I vote for Democratic Party candidates more than any other party.
Being pragmatic isn't easy, I can never claim to absolutely agree with any Democratic candidate, however, I do believe that leftists such as myself need to influence the party both in and out of the party itself. Others have taken up the call to influence the Party from within, I choose to try to do it from the outside. I would never advocate for third parties to act as spoilers only, but rather they should give the larger two parties something to think about, and influence them that way. Basically this is a general position I hold that is similar to the Democratic Socialist of America, the link is at the right.
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