The Digger

"Political parties in the United States are nonideological, mass-based coalitions that by their very nature are best understood as vehicles for winning elections—nothing more and nothing less." Excerpt: "There are few controversies in American politics more enduring than the argument over whether the Democratic Party should be a “big tent” on the issue of abortion and welcome candidates and officials who oppose reproductive rights. The debate recurs every four years over the terms of the Democratic Party’s platform, and it simmers consistently beneath the surface of the party’s generally strong support for reproductive rights and access to abortion services. The controversy has flared with particular intensity in recent months in response to Sen. Bernie Sanders and DNC Chair Tom Perez offering their support to “prolife” Democratic mayoral candidate Heath Mello in Omaha, Nebraska. Perez backed down pretty quickly in the face of outrage among prochoice activists wit...

"A CNN/Des Moines Register  poll  released Saturday showed that former Vice President Joe Biden would likely win the Iowa caucuses if they were held tomorrow. He was followed by Bernie Sanders in second place, and Texas Congressman Beto O'Rourke in third." Here's  Bloomberg : The poll shows Biden leading among a field of 20 potential candidates, followed by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and Texas Representative Beto O’Rourke.  The poll asked likely caucusgoers who their top choice for president would be among potential candidates for their party’s nomination. [...] The Iowa poll found 32 percent of likely caucusgoers prefer Biden, with 19 percent selecting Sanders as their first choice, and O’Rourke at 11 percent. Featured lower in the list of possible Democrats were Senators Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris and Cory Booker. Featured lower in the list of possible Democrats were Senators Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris and Cory Booker.