It isn't. We have a huge example of the problem that this approach generates here on the health care issue.
We have lots of people that SAY they are Democrats, but are fighting against a key component of the Democratic platform, Health Care Reform.
Fighting hard enough to betray the party procedurally in the Senate.
Yet, the American electorate hears "The Democrats control everything."
We control everything, and can get nothing done, because our tent is too big. We let people say they are Democrats who then pander to corporate interests, and fight the party on legislation to make people's lives better.
We need REAL democrats, then MORE REAL DEMOCRATS. You can't win people who aren't trying for the same goals. The other way around has left us vulerable, and most likely heading to huge defeats in 2010, and maybe 2012, in my opinion. We need to stop saying "Any Democrat is better than a Republican." I think we have just seen the proof that this is not true.