Political Parties: are they Factions, or are they rife with Factions?

In Federalist 10, we saw James Madison address the threat of tyranny of faction. Madison claimed that in a large commercial republic, there would be no single group large enough to get its way -- that there would always be divisions so smaller groups would have to compromise in order to get things done.

Madison's definition of a faction, "A group of people united and actuated by some common impulse," invites us to think of political interest groups or parties. (keep in mind, parties and groups may not like this, since Madison does continue to say, "adverse to the rights of other citizens, or to the aggregate interests of the community."

One of the great goals of politics is to unite enough people to get your way. A couple recent articles point to the challenges of this.

1. 'St. Jack' and the Bullies in the Pulpit

Jack Danforth wishes the Republican right would step down from its pulpit. Instead, he sees a constant flow of religion into national politics. And not just any religion, either, but the us-versus-them, my-God-is-bigger-than-your-God, velvet-fist variety of Christian evangelism.

As a mainline Episcopal priest, retired U.S. senator and diplomat, Danforth worships a humbler God and considers the right's certainty a sin. Legislating against gay marriage, for instance? "It's just cussedness." As he sees it, many Republican leaders have lost their bearings and, if they don't change, will lose their grip on power. Not to mention make the United States a meaner place.

Danforth is no squalling liberal. He is a lifelong Republican. And his own political history shows he is no milquetoast.

2. In congress, it is the leadership in the parties that work to keep the memberhip together. So politicos have been following with great interest the succession of Tom DeLay as House Republican Majority Leader. That race was won today by Rep. John Boehner of Ohio

Boehner campaigned as a candidate of reform, and said his experience as chairman of the House Education and Workforce Committee had demonstrated his ability to pass major legislation.

Blunt had been a temporary stand-in for DeLay, who is charged with campaign finance violations in Texas.

DeLay and Blunt have been instrumental in raising funds that help to keep the Republicans in the majority. DeLay's indictment is for engaging in money laundering in his campaign finance efforts. Last May an article in the Washington Post (excerpted below) documented how Blunt has also been a heckuva fundraiser. That got him second place.

House Majority Whip Exerts Influence by Way of K Street

By Thomas B. Edsall
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, May 17, 2005; A19

House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), the man one step behind Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) in the Republican leadership, has built a political machine of his own that extends from Missouri deep into Washington's K Street lobbying community.

Blunt, who entered politics as a protege of former senator John D. Ashcroft (R-Mo.), has assembled an organization of whips and lobbyist vote counters that has delivered more than 50 consecutive victories for the GOP leadership on tough fights over issues including tax and trade bills, District of Columbia school choice and tort reform -- without a single defeat.

Working outside the glare of public attention, Blunt has maximized the organization's influence by delegating authority to Washington business and trade association lobbyists to help negotiate deals with individual House members to produce majorities on important issues.