But is the fracturing coming from poor leadership, or is it coming because the newly engaged grassroots demand it? Nobody will self-identify with the phrase "manufactured dissent", but I suspect the average politically engaged person would tell you that politicians are a bit too chummy with each other and it's good when activists make them confront tough issues to see where their values really lie. (Did you hear about the Schumer protest this week, where a pile of random staffers occupied his office to demand he take a harder line on climate negotiations?)