In your recent essay on Michael Harrington you have much of the story correct. You also have some significant errors. Since the bi lines says that you are writing a book on Michael, I take a few moments to correct your issues.
BTW. it is interesting that you seem to recognize and understand Michael’s Catholic background.
Re: the North Star. I am a member of the NS Steering Committee and the co- editor of the NS blog.
( i was an editor of the DSA blog Democratic Left from 2015- 2018).
George Fish is a member of North Star. He does not speak for North Star. Note that his post on Michael Harrington on our blog is immediately followed by a post from Maurice Isserman..
On our blog we post items from NS members, opinion pieces. They do not necessarily reflect NS.
I have been in DSOC and then DSA. I worked with Michael on a few items.
Few people who actually worked with Harrington, or with DSA refer to themselves as Harringtonites. That is a George Fish inappropriate description. I encourage you if you continue to discuss North Star to describe us accurately. For example, See our statements.
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Some places where I disagree, but I recognize your advocacy position,.
You overstate the realignment strategy and history. While your view about working with liberals, Ted Kennedy, etc., is accurate, your description of the control of the party is less well formed. You argue that the DP is controlled by the capitalist class. True enough.
the difference is that the DP in 1980- 1988, was contested terrain. The consolidation of capitalist class control occurred with Bill Clinton and the DLC.
Harrington’s view of realignment was more realistic prior to the decline of organized labor and the growth of control of the party by finance capital.
Many of us thought that realignment meant, not taking over the DP, but that the party would split, and a left would emerge from its ashes. Such as the Labor Party. We were wrong. Instead, the DP split, and the control by the DLC/CLInton party was strengthened. Thus, you can not take an argument about realignment from 1978 and apply it accurately after 1992. It was, and is different.
BTW. You mention that DSA did not support the Jackson campaign. That was true in 1984. but not in 1988. We endorsed and worked hard for Jesse in 1988 still functioning within the realignment strategy. We hired staff and worked to build a Labor for Jesse movement.
I encourage you to continue your writing on this topic. And, I encourage you to be more careful in your selection and uses of sources.
Best wishes.
Duane Campbell
NS network.
