Single Interest Groups and the Democratic Party

Endorsements of Senator Lincoln Chafee (R-R.I.) and other Republicans by interest groups such as the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL) and the Sierra Club have outraged many bloggers. The bloggers argue first, that the single-interest groups are acting irrationally and against their own interests, and second, that these groups should adopt an explicitly partisan stance of alignment with the Democratic Party. Both arguments are wrong.

The blogger's first argument goes thusly: no matter what other actions Chafee takes, he votes for Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) for Senate Majority Leader. This vote should be taken into account by the single-interest groups, and if they did so, would preclude them from ever endorsing a Republican.

to be continued ...