Too often I am disappointed in my fellow progressives. As factionalism splits the left, the right usually wins. But sometimes it all comes together.

Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats (CBID) is a progressive, reform Democratic club that seems to do very well when its membership is together, but too often becomes paralyzed by factional infighting. During the petitioning season during the 2006 Democratic Primaries, CBID did wonderful work as all factions got behind the endorsed candidates. In the lead up to the primary, I saw many CBID people on the streets campaigning for their endorsed candidates. It was a good showing.

Since the primary, though various individuals from all factions at CBID have been busting their butts for Democrats, the club as a whole has been paralyzed by infighting. And, interestingly enough, it is hard for me to really see what the fighting is all about. It isn't really about ideology or what candidates to support. It seems to be personality conflicts that get in the way of club functioning DESPITE the considerable common ground all factions share.

The club Independent Neighborhood Democrats was split by some serious infighting this year with the club splitting over endorsed candidates. Their endorsements of David Yassky and Tom Suozzi in particular divided the club, leading to a year of near insignificance for the club. Yet, now that the contested primary is over, IND seems to be picking up, healing wounds, and moving on. The factions within IND keep the tensions low except in moments of actual ideological differences.

CBID, though far more together ideologically and more progressive than IND overall, has a more chronic problem with factions. And all factions seem to play a damaging role in the club.

Last night was a meeting of CBID where these factional differences seemed set aside so that they could get genuine business accomplished. And clearly the club was making up for lost time, even if somewhat belatedly in some cases.

The club received what looks like two rival slates of candidates for their upcoming elections, indicating that factional fighting is alive and well (FULL DISCLOSURE: my wife has been nominated for Corresponding Secretary by both slates, so I cannot be said to be a neutral party in this!). However, contested elections within a club are not in themselves bad things as long as the whole club can get behind the winners.

The club then moved on to spend some of the considerable sum that had been accrued in its treasury. The club's fundraising has gone well and costs are low, allowing a buildup of nearly $20,000. Since the elections are over, many have been wondering why so much has been accumulated rather than used during the elections. In a belated act of generosity, the club approved a series of disbursements to help cover the campaign debts of endorsed candidates Chris Owens, Bill Batson, Ken Diamondstone, Steve Harrison and David Galarza. I would say that the Harrison contribution is particularly critical because that is the one seat where a Republican still needs to be defeated and Harrison came close despite being massively outspent. If NYC Democrats start early with some fundraising, we can take that seat in 2008. For those interested in taking NY-13 from Bush's Lap Dog (Vito Fossella), please visit the NY13 Blog. Some questioned why these monies had not been approved WHILE THE ELECTIONS WERE IN PROGRESS. Here is where the factional infighting at CBID has harmed the club's effectiveness. Simply put, because of the infighting, CBID has been unable to get a quorum together to approve the funds until now. All the factions TOGETHER could have made a quorum at most meetings...but since the factions couldn't get along, no quorum was reached, so the funds were never approved during then actual campaign season. Paying off debt is very important for a candidate and each of these candidates will appreciate the money. BUT, from the club's perspective, giving after the fact reduces the perceived effectiveness of the club.

Additional funds were approved to help cover the accumulated debt of retiring Congressman Major Owens.

The second largest disbursement was $2500 to go to the legal fund of Develop, Don't Destroy Brooklyn (DDDB) to help their fight to defend Brooklyn and the rights of private property owners against the crony capitalist land grab of Albany in the service of Bruce Ratner. This comes at a critical time when DDDB's legal challenges to eminent domain abuse and Albany corruption kick into high gear and this disbursement shows the club's dedication to the community as a whole, not just to progressive Democrats.

The largest disbursement was $4950 (the legal maximum) as an early, yeast-like contribution to Jim Brennan's bid for Comptroller in 2009. Many, including myself, questioned the wisdom of such a large donation so far in advance when CBID hasn't even endorsed in the distant race for Comptroller. But the answer is simple: Jim Brennan and CBID have a very close, mutually respectful relationship and early money can make the difference for any campaign. So, strategically speaking, this is a good move on CBID's part, somewhat countering the "too late to matter" perception that some had of the monies given to Harrison, Diamondstone, Chris Owens, Batson and Galarza. I don't know Jim Brennan well as yet, so I felt some reluctance to take such a strong stand at this early date. But the club knows him well, like him well, and acted upon that, and their enthusiasm makes me more interested in getting to know Jim Brennan better.

After that was a rush of more symbolic votes. There was approval of a resolution condemning the Sean Bell shooting and demanding a full investigation and an end to racial profiling by the NYPD. Another resolution endorsing PB/OS voting machines over the horrible, over priced, unreliable and unverifiable DRE machines was also approved. This is a critical issue because he DRE machines represent such awful, insecure and unreliable technology that the National Institute of Standards and Technology has called for their decertification. There was some discussion about the problems with PB/OS and other paper ballot based systems. And it is true that election fraud can take place with such systems, but since fraud is not only easier with DRE and is almost impossible to detect with DRE, PB/OS was agreed to be the better of the two choices. PB/OS machines can be legally and independently recounted in the event of a dispute, while DRE machines cannot. But such recounts can only take place when we have good election boards and secretaries of state. So, nationally we need to eliminate partisan election boards, like the one in Florida that gave us Bush in 2000, and we need to elect honest, effective secretaries of state in EVERY state so we get no more Blackwells and Harrises who put partisanship over honesty.

Finally, I want to note that CBID had a good turnout of electeds: Major Owens, Jim Brennan, Velmanette Montgomery, Jo Ann Simon and Alan Fleishman among them (sorry if I left anyone out!). A good turnout and a good meeting for a club that can be great when they get beyond their internal, personality-driven conflicts.

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