Rep. David Zuckerman is considering doing what some thought he’d be the last Progressive Party politician to do; follow the example of State Senator Tim Ashe and use the Democratic Party primary as his path to office – in this case, (possibly) the office of Lieutenant Governor. Those of us who are surprised are surprised because, since his most recent re-election effort for State Representative in which he was challenged by Democratic opponents, Zuckerman has been the Progressives’ most strident partisan warrior – relentlessly scornful of the Democratic Party in sweeping, collective terms. He has been crusading against what he repeatedly calls the “myths” in circulation about the Progressive-Democratic conflict, and “myths” apparently refer to any perspectives on the matter that do not match his own.

This is a politician who would seem to face a very difficult time getting self-described Democrats to vote for him. And yet, it may well be important for Vermont that they do just that.

In simplest terms, the functional challenge in our winner-take-all voting system to multiple parties is the disparity created on the General election ballot. If there is one candidate of “the right” on a November ballot and two candidates of “the left,” you have, in effect, two elections happening simulaneously; a General Election for the office, and a Primary election on the left. These two elections are fundamentally incompatible (for obvious reasons) without some form of preference voting system (such as IRV). The push, then, is to try to decouple the left’s primary from the November ballot and – like it or not – for now, the clear path of least resistance and greatest participation for such a process is through the Democratic Party primary election.

These are the unyielding electoral mechanics we have often found ourselves talking about on this site, and it is precisely because of this reality that I was supportive of Tim Ashe’s foray into the Democratic Primary. All the talk at the time of him “hijacking” the Democratic Party process was, in any objective sense, parochial nonsense, as self-selecting Democratic voters were free to make the choice of who they deem to be a legitimate candidate regardless of anybody’s rumpled feathers over the crossing of social and institutional norms. Tim Ashe did precisely what he needed to do, and in doing so increased the Progressive Partiers’ impact on public policy as well as made the Democratic Party that much better, to the benefit of all Vermont.

But Ashe clearly recognized that – to be successful – he would not simply have to break with institutional dogma (and perhaps the first deadly sin of pride) himself, he would have to allow others to do so as well, joining him in the dogma-free niche he was carving out. He did this in a couple key ways.

First, If a self-identified Democrat wanted to support him he would let them support him. He did not demand that accept his worldview, back off from what he perceived as “myths” about Progressives that were actually just different opinions, or accept that by supporting him, they were actually engaging in some sort of process of accepting the Progressive Party on his terms. He would simply allow the voter to support him based on whatever personal, subjective calculus that voter was making about him.

Very simply, he did not demand that each individual voter either meet with his personal approval, or possibly agree to say 3 Hail Marys and an Our Father as penance for being such a meanie Democrat for all these years.

Second, he had to learn to listen, and in listening, accept the diversity of opinions among voters. Sure there are points of fundamental principle that matter. If I were running for something and somebody told me they supported me because they hoped I’d take point in rounding up all the homosexuals into prison camps, I’d set them straight. If they wanted to support me because they thought I was trustworthy, even though they were a lifelong Dem-hating Republican, that’s a disagreement at a different level. I wouldn’t feel the need to browbeat him into accepting my view of partisan institutions. I’d just say thanks.

The fact is that many of us on the left (and the right, for that matter) can’t differentiate between trivial disagreements and significant ones. We feel passionate enough about our opinions that we can’t abide dissenting ones, and we create a dynamic where all points of disagreement are created equal. We scream just as loudly about differing views on the Income Tax as we do about racism.

And that’s neither reasonable, nor sustainable.

A key part of leading successfully is listening to those you want to lead. If all we do is correct and cajole in a rigid, unyielding way – well… let’s just say that fundamentalist preacher might be a better career option than elected official.

Simply put, Ashe understood that he needed the votes. That it was he asking for something of them (voters), and thus, was not in a position to make demands. He was offering himself as an option and working hard with a strong message to persuade. He did not (that I could see from Washington County, at least), simply put up a Dem shingle and then either demand or expect that those whiny Dems would just fall into line the way he thought they should. He asked for their votes, thanked them for their support, and asked for their help in talking to their neighbors. Just what you’re supposed to do.

If David Zuckerman goes this route, it will be very important for the left that he do well and that it be a positive experience – whether or not that means ultimately winning. Many of us will see such a move as a very important one for the health and well-being of Vermont politics. And many of us will probably work hard to support him.

It will be up to Representative Zuckerman to decide whether or not he will actually let us.