Where's the leader?

Adrianna Huffington has written about "the wishy-washy messaging of the Democratic Party." Her point may make some national party leaders angry, but they better listen up.

Hillary has lost most of her standing with progressives because she is trying to be Republican Lite. She wants the presidency so bad she is watering down her message so much it's hard to know for sure what she believes. We think she really doesn't know what she believes.

Harry Reid never met a position he really liked. Ditto Nancy Peolsi.

Why are not the Democratic Party leaders taking advantage of the situation? Why have they not developed a clear cut message, hammering in the public forge until it's strong as steel? Why are they tone deaf?

Why are we, the rank and file, tolerating this lack of backbone, of gumption, of grit?

Oh, there are many theories. Our favorite is the conspiracy theory: they're all in it together. The Republicans and Democrats have a secret agreement, and it's the Republicans' turn to wreck the country.

We didn't say we believed it, it's just our favorite, and makes as much sense as any other.

We're afraid the truth is much uglier: Democrats have not elected leaders. Until they do, they will forever be the minority party.

With apologies to Patrick Henry: Give us leadership, or give us death (of the Democratic Party).

There can be no middle ground.