Mamdani was 3-0 last night for his Congressional nomination endorsements, and DSA candidates won many state level races in New York. It was a decisive win for true progressives in NYC.
A growing number of progressive voters are not only disgusted by Trump’s GOP, they are tired of ineffectual corporate Democrats. There is a reason the approval rating for the Democratic Party is not much better than Trump’s rating. Maybe that will change as the Party gets some new fresh ideas and energy from these new young, truly progressive leaders.
For way too long the Dem “big tent”has opened to the right and has at best obstructed the left side entrance. The corporate Dems rally against Mamdani in his race was only one example. Hopefully that will change too.
Finally, *finally!*, we're not freaking out about the s-word, socialism, or its parliamentary cousin, social democracy. The New Deal and what followed was (somewhat euphemistically) referred to as a "mixed economy," but it had many social-democratic traits. Unfortunately it was also racist AF, and that proved to be the faultline that allowed Big Capital to reassert control: Would we have had Reagan, Reaganomics, and everything that followed without the white working- and middle-class-and-up vote? And would we have got Trump I without the Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United decision and what journalist Dana Milbank calls "the 25-Year Crack-up of the Republican Party"? I doubt it.
It's long past time for us to pay closer attention to economic power. It's not one of the three branches of government, it's not in the Constitution, but it'll eat all of the above alive if given half a chance, and it's been doing exactly that.
Yes! I see this new movement as taking the best parts of the New Deal from an honest multicultural. diverse approach, adapted to 21st century needs and problems.
It's also important to recognize that multiculturalism and diversity are nothing new. Those very principles were built into our Constitution, and that wasn't even a secret at the time. James Madison candidly explained that diversity, equity and inclusion are essential to our Constitution. They are vital to the strength of our Constitution and our nation.
In Federalist No. 51 (https://guides.loc.gov/federalist-papers/text-51-60#s-lg-box-wrapper-25493427), Madison directly and expressly emphasized that our diversity is one of the vital strengths of our union, and diversity helps ensure equity and justice. Madison emphasized (repeatedly) that "Justice is the end [i.e., the ultimate goal] of government." So Madison expressly highlighted that diversity was essential to the security of both "civil rights" and "religious rights" and the security was provided by ensuring "the multiplicity of interests" and "the multiplicity of sects."
"It is of great importance in a republic not only to guard the society against the oppression of its rulers, but to guard one part of the society against the injustice of the other part. Different interests necessarily exist in different classes of citizens. If a majority be united by a common interest, the rights of the minority will be insecure. There are but two methods of providing against this evil: the one by creating a will in the community independent of the majority that is, of the society itself; the other, by comprehending in the society so many separate descriptions of citizens as will render an unjust combination of a majority of the whole very improbable, if not impracticable."
"Whilst all authority in it will be derived from and dependent on the society, the society itself will be broken into so many parts, interests, and classes of citizens, that the rights of individuals, or of the minority, will be in little danger from interested combinations of the majority. In a free government the security for civil rights must be the same as that for religious rights. It consists in the one case in the multiplicity of interests, and in the other in the multiplicity of sects. The degree of security in both cases will depend on the number of interests and sects; and this may be presumed to depend on the extent of country and number of people comprehended under the same government."
Diversity, equity and inclusion was the point of one of the best-known structural aspects of our Constitution, i.e., "federalism" (allocating limited power to the national government while (as the 10th Amendment expressly emphasizes) other "powers" are "reserved to the States respectively, or to the people"). Protecting diversity, equity and inclusion also is the point of the entire First Amendment.
Exactly. If you poll in an apolitical way and ask the right questions--ones that are not pinned to reflect one political side or the other--what you get is a true measure of people in the USA who largely embrace so-called progressive policies but which are in fact simply ones that benefit humanity as a whole rather than the monied interests of a few ultra-rich spoiled brat-boyz.
If the Progressives take over my party, I become an Independent. I will, of course, support Dem in the general against the MAGA and those who have let it flourish. But I find many Progressives to be ideologically rigid. That is what destroyed the Republican party. I am tired of being denigrated if I don't agree with Progressives on every issue. I don't want to be put in a box.
Yes. Mamdani has worked closely with the moderate Hochul on many successful initiatives already, and has even compromised with some right leaning leaders at times, including his police commissioner.
You don’t seem to understand that “moderate” or “centrist” are ideologically rigid boxes.
I guess Vote Blue No Matter Who is a one way street? Or the big tent should only open one way?
“Moderates” can accept that Mamdani is by far the most exciting, energy creating Democrat in the US today…or not. And it’s not just because of his own unique political skills.
(PS - pretty 'funny' to say you are against being ideologically rigid', then take a very openly rigid position yourself.)
Jason, I think you're only helping prove Joyce's point in multiple respects. Because she expressed opposition to being pigeon-holed, you attacked her as being "ideologically rigid." You (not she) also invoked labels that put people in ideologically-rigid boxes.
Joyce, not me, said she would actually leave the party if progressive candidates became more popular. what could possibly be more 'ideologically rigid' than that? She used the obvious 'pigeonhole' of the 'Progressive' label as a denigration.
Myself, like most progressives, have voted for moderate candidates over and over. Meanwhile, in NYC, when Mamdani clearly won the Democratic nomination, not only did big leading dems like Bill Clinton and Mike Bloomberg pour millions to support the candidate he soundly defeated, but 'moderate' Dems all across the city refused to support him. That is far from an isolated case.
Progressive voters and candidates are constantly, relentless, 'pigeonholed' by 'centrist' Democrats, and are constantly scolded by the party leadership.
Jason, you raise some fair points. So-called moderates sometimes offer little better than support for the usual suspects. Too often, "moderate" means merely supporting the kind of people who have been in power.
I also don't care for labels, in part, because they don't tell us exactly what anyone means by any label that they use.
You're not wrong..we use labels I suppose since it's a lot to describe every facet of everyone all the time..but fair enough.
I can say, in NYC, with this rae as well as last year's mayor's race, there are some specific issues that are deep dividing lines. Israel and the Occupied Territories of course is a big one here., but so is wealth inequality, affordability, and ICE, among other issues...in all these cases, the DSA candidates simply showed they held the views most aligned with their constituents.
But also, as others have said ehre, the DSA and its allied progressive groups put in the work, and are campaigning in an old fashioned grassroots, personal, street level style that is paying big dividends. As I mentioned above, i even got a personal call from my DSA affiliated Assembly candidate, who went on to win. Never in my life have I received a call like that.
Jason, you seem to have misunderstood Joyce's words. She clearly did not say anything even close to your misrepresentation that "she would actually leave the party if progressive candidates became more popular." She said, "If the Progressives TAKE OVER my party, I become an Independent" but she "will, of course, support Dem in the general against the MAGA and those who have let it flourish."
I agree somewhat with your sentiment. For example - and I am not from NY and not up on all the issues there - but I have thought highly of Rep. Dan Goldman from his work on the impeachment of Trump to his fairly frequent comments expressed in news interviews, and yet I see he’s been, shall we say, ‘run under the bus’. Again, I know nothing about the candidate who defeated him, but I would think someone like him would be a valued contributor to the cause of liberal, inclusive democracy.
Brad Lander has shown himself to be principled and steady in his stance and fight against Trump's policies, particularly ICE. He had run for (comptroller, if I'm remembering correctly) and even after he lost, he continued to show up at the courthouses of NY where ICE agents were appearing in order to arrest immigrants as they appeared for their appointments at the court. He was hassled and arrested at protests and continued to protect these vulnerable individuals and families.
The problem, I see is that by running good candidates against equally good incumbents, we are creating a division where there not need be one. It feeds into the media coverage as has been so well exposed by Ms. Rubin.
All of those who lost against the Mamdani endorsed candidates were "progressives" as well. Some had a record of accomplishments that demonstrate who they are, against the "Mamdani candidates" who had little or none.
I think we need to search for what exactly made the difference and if it was the endorsement; does it say that Democratic Socialism is more progressive than a Progressive?
Well, that's why we have primaries, so the base voters can pick their favorite candidate. No candidate is owed anything for incumbency.
Lander was NYC Comptroller (he did not lose), and before that he was a city council member for many years. He ran for mayor, but then joined forces with Mamdani through NYC's ranked choice vote system.
One big reason Democratic voters soured on Goldman is his opposition to Mamdani, refusing to endorse him even after he won the Democratic nomination, including a lopsided win in Goldman's district. He was also a major AIPAC recipient, where Lander (who is also Jewish) is not afraid to condemn israel's war crimes.
Again, the 'big tent' Democrats like Goldman claim to support only goes one way, and many voters are sick of it. And, for the record, it was not even remotely close. Lander beat Goldman by over 30 points..so it was not simply 'progressives' supporting Lander.
You should find out more about the candidate who defeated him then, since you know nothing about him. He is very much a 'a valued contributor to the cause of liberal, inclusive democracy.' who also is not afraid to criticize Israel's war crimes , has put his body on the line to fight ICE, and has a long history in NYC. The vote for Lander wasn't even close. Simply being against Trump isn't enough.
Brad Lander will be an excellent Congressman, who will fight Trump just as hard as anyone while also supporting issues base NYC Democratic votes believe in, and will also support progressive candidates like Mamdani, who Goldman refused to endorse even after he clearly won the Democratic nomination.
Good to know. Here in Minneapolis we have had some issues with DSA city and council members going well beyond solid progressive stances, with some being defeated as a result. Dialogue about where that elusive line is between the ideal and the actually possible is healthy.
I live in district 10. Mamdani helped these candidates but I want to caution against saying he’s the reason they won. Not because I don’t think he’s talented, but because I think we then lose sight of the real work it took to achieve these victories and how to replicate them.
Lander has had deep ties to this community for decades and shows up authentically for constituents. He did a great job on city council and as comptroller. Mamdani endorsed these candidates because they lead, he didn’t make them leaders.
I'd like to add something to what I wrote earlier. Although frustration with corporate Dems is an important factor in these wins, it may be less important than the fact that Mamdani, these other DSA and progressive candidates, and most importantly, their supporters, passionately believe in their ideas. They are for something and not only against something.
Neither corporate Dems or the GOP have a response to the old fashioned grassroots campaigning the DSA has led in NYC and elsewhere...with thousands of street level volunteers going door to door, talking to people everywhere...I myself got a personal phone call from my district's candidate, David Orkin, and we talked for several minutes.
These wins weren't the result of consultant-driven polling based triangulation, or dark money driven advertising. The DSA wins show what community politics can be and should be.
Yes. People are not happy with the mainstream Democratic party, not because it is "too left", but because it is "too right". By most definitions, mainstream Democrats are conservatives and Republicans are alt-right radicals. And most US citizens are central to far left. Progressives. With no party that represents them.
Great analysis by Ms. Rubin. The MSM refuses to report what is really going on. That's why we need independent voices like Substack. MAGA types hold views that are against the Constitution and against democratic values. MAGA types are not bothered that rights are bring stripped from citizens. MAGA types love to see "the other" perdecuted.
When you actually talk to people about their ideals, they generally want progressive/leftist policy, not the establishment garbage we've been dealing with all our lives. My family is conservative, but when I talk to them about what they think the role of government should be, they end up sounding like Mamdami leftists.
The legacy media, the traditional pundits, whatever you want to call passes for mainstream political analysis these days is not on target, as Ms. Rubin aptly points out. Because there is virtually no professional and widely available local political reporting, these national pundits are just recycling their preferred narratives. Talarico is slightly ahead of Paxton? The pundit take? Oh, well it's Texas, so he can't win. Where's Paul Harvey when we need him to give us "the rest of the story"?
As I head to the Texas Democratic Convention this week, let me give y'all some first-hand reporting from my perspective. First, it matters to Texans, both Democratic, Republican and everything in-between that Paxton is not from Texas and Talarico is an eighth-generation Texans. So much of Talarico's messaging subtly and not-so subtly plays up Paxton's carpet bagger status. This is local politics in action. National pundits miss this factor. So, that's just kind of a vibe thing, but I think it is going to matter. (The down-ballot races also pit native Texans against out of state MAGA opportunists)
Second, this is a verifiable fact. The Texas Republican convention had 7k sign up to attend. Actual attendance was probably less than 2k. Texas Democrats have 8,700 signed up so far. Will they all show? I don't know, but I'm watching hotels get filled up as the convention website tries to help people find places to stay in Corpus Christi. It might be worthwhile to watch us on CSPAN June 25-27 and see who y'all think has the most energy going into this election.
As for the state of progressivism in Texas, here's something to make you go "hmmm...." The Texas Democratic platform is the most progressive in the country, i.e. more progressive than Blue states. Progressivism/populism started in the Gilded Age in Texas and has never really gone away, if you know where to look. We have Bernie Sanders coming to address the convention. If Texans are so allergic to progressivism, would 8,700 people decide to come?
I would love you to be right, but this lifelong resident of the Northeast isn't so sure. People have been voting against their own interests in Texas for so long that I can't imagine that they have finally hit a breaking point. Paxton may not be a Texan, but he is just so horrible that I have a hard time thinking that Texas Republicans will vote against him; yup, ironic but......
The topic here is whether progressivism is popular. My post is narrowly focused on that. It provides my insight into a couple of material matters that support that thesis. As far as the future behavior of Texans, I see no point in arguing that hypothetical. I'm going to try to elect as many Democrats as I can regardless of popular theories about what people will do. Let's just find out what they do.
I don't think David was attacking you or post, Cynthia. He's merely pointing out that TX has been the Great White Whale of democrats for many election cycles, only to have those hopes dashed on Election Day. That said, I think the political climate has sufficiently shifted that Talarico has a real shot. Fingers crossed.
Thanks Jane. I understood that, and I acknowledge that it is a material fact that people have seen Texans voting like blithering idiots for a long time. However, the fact that David starts with stating he is in the Northeast begs the question as to whether he is following the national pundit narrative or willing to assess new facts and circumstances here and then wait for the outcome in this election. No offense was taken. I am just trying to engage in some constructive dialog.
Ms. Rubin’s premise here is that there are things happening in the middle of the country regarding progressivism which aren’t being seen. There are myriads of political insider stuff specific to Texas I could discuss as to predicting the election outcome. But ultimately, what Texans are and what they will do just seems unhelpful. They’ll do what they do. But, there is a progressive groundswell happening here, in my not so humble (ha) opinion.
I suspect there are all kinds of things going on in NC that aren’t visible to outsiders as well. Thank you for your kind words, Jane.
No worries, Cynthia. Appreciate your comment. I'm originally from the Mid-Atlantic, now living in NC. But please understand, the comments like the one from David come from a place of pulling for you - HARD - not trying to tear you down.
Why limit yourself? People have been voting against their own intersts across the whole country for years. This is one reason why we are in the condition we are in today.
Most TX republicans will vote for Paxton, but the question is whether enough won't, and there seems to a falling off in republican leaning because of the economy, but mostly over data centers. The other big question is where independents will fall, and right now Trump and the republicans are polling like ebola among Indies.
Ask people what they want and we pretty much all want the same things: universal healthcare, child care, a living wage, free education, Social Security secured, etc. seems only MAGA don’t want separation of church and state. All of US have a great deal in common with all of US in spite of the Division Propaganda touted by Trump & Associates. To say that’s progressive is a misnomer: that’s For The People who pay enough taxes to have all of this AND we need the billions of dollars immigrants pay into the system (many of them without any benefits). In America it’s all about money while tossing common sense and equal good into the propaganda fire.
All politics is (and are) local. It's nice that New Yorkers are happy. But here in Baghdad By the Sea, and in flyover America, be careful with what you wish (for).
The Democratic Party needs to have a bigger tent. We need to attract independents, even dissenting Rinos who are MAGA victims.
The election will be won or lost in places like Ohio and Iowa, where we need Rinos.
I live in MI, which is no longer a reliably blue state, so I know what you mean. But what appealing to a "bigger" tent quite often does is muddy or water down the message, in an effort to please the most number of people.
MAGAs do not do that. They are unabashedly their awful selves, and somehow people like Trump attracted Latinos, nonvoters, young men - even Black men! - and those who may like only ONE aspect of their programs, e.g. lower taxes, but vote for them anyway despite all the other baggage.
When it comes to Democrats, they are expected to present a comprehensive "package" of attractiveness, of sound thought-out policy - but not too wonky! - and if any part of it doesn't appeal to the multitudes, they're accused of poor messaging and being too "something" - too far left, not far left enough, and all sorts of variations in between.
And the media piles on.
Personally, I think it should be very simple. If you don't like all the lawlessness, the cowardly fecklessness, the incompetence, the turning away from science and evidence, or all of the other attributes of the modern-day GOP mess, then vote for Democrats. Don't expect perfection, don't expect complete alignment of all views, don't expect miracles! Just give them a chance to undo some of the damage and do some good for the country.
We have to keep the eye on the prize -- get rid of the tyrant first.
I used to do some work in MI, and the mentality in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo is completely different than say Detroit. Even a Gerald Ford Republican should oppose MAGA on multiple grounds. The message should be different in Amway country than in diverse urban areas.
I personally would vote for a yellow dog (preferably a golden retriever) than vote for ANY Republican.
Many RINOs discovered their inner progressive at the grocery store and at the gas station over the last months. Somehow, even for MAGAs, the “satisfaction” of a loudmouth boor president and sycophants who share one’s prejudices seems less attractive when you can’t buy food, fuel the car, or get adequate healthcare.
I've said from the beginning that when the personal pocketbook gets pinched, there would come a realization that what the people were supporting was harming them. This seems to have dawned on many.
Daniel, I think the people I know who are running for office in Florida understand that they need the votes of people who voted for Trump in 2024, They are leaning toward pragmatic and away from dogmatic.
Daniel, I think Leela Gray, here in St Pete, fully understands, as does Alex Vindman, and Bale Dalton.
Earle Ford, who's running for State CFO, could be the best retail politiician I've ever seen. He writes all of his emails himself, the only one so far as I can tell from the avalanch I get daily. If you get a chance, meet him.
We have some wonderful people runing this time. I'm very much encouraged.
I apologize for taking this space with Florida-centric observations hoping that they are within the bounds of what ought to be written here.
We have problems...Cuba,Venezuela are primary and everything else is secondary. We have 3 Batistianos representing Dem majority districts -- now reengineered by the DeSantis maps. We have a registration/purgation problem.
Daniel, I used Claude, but even it cannot tell me where Baghdad by the Sea is in the USA! Herb Caen coined Baghdad by the Bay, for San Francisco and someone else called Houston a similar name. What city does your Baghdad refer to?
I live in a red state, and although the news hasn't covered it, in the recent Republican primaries, all of the radical MAGA candidates lost to more "traditional" Republicans. In the main election, due to gerrymandering, of course these candidates will defeat the Democrats, but I think this is a good sign: rejection of alt-right radicalism across the board.
A message of good cheer! Thank you. I was obsessing about the concerted attacks on our right to vote/voting by mail—so I hope the progressives, lawyers, and independent pundits will prevail for freedom, the Constitution, and a pluralistic America. I am fired up to finish my current batch of voter postcards.
Trump is everything he's been described to be. A wind bag of anti-American insults plus his heinous executive orders chipping away at 80 years of social progress and equality in America. He's not just the "dotard" Kim Jong Un described. He's an outsized malevolent, zombie like force in our civilization. And what does he care about these days? Yes the $$$s. But also the global headlines..good (none) or bad (all). This is his daily/hourly dose of heroine. Apparently, being the most reviled person on the planet, really makes his day.
Let's hope democrats read your essay Ms. Rubin and take it to heart. It's way past time the "establishment" get their heads on straight about what We the People, at least a super majority of us are striving not just to protect against Maga but to reinvigorate and re-establish as who we want to strive to become as a nation. PPRI certainly has provided a terrific snapshot to lift up our hearts and strengthen our resolve.
Thanks a million for this uplifting post. We are a collection of communities wanting democratic ideals for our diverse population. We're happy to be Americans while trumpians are angry, rude & bitter.
The Republican party is hopefully going to learn that in November. Even in Alabama we have an Independent running in the U.S. Senate race. He has called out the Republican nominee on his voting record in the house. It will make the race interesting. People don’t like their rights being violated and fumbled with by the U.S. Supreme Court either. It’s past time to impose term limits.
Surveys do show that a majority of Americans like many progressive ideas. And yet surveys also show that the Dems remain insufficiently popular. What Mamdani and the progressives accomplished in blue districts will not necessarily translate to more hard fought districts, the gerrymandered districts, or an Electoral College which favors the Red states. Dems will need to champion the popular positions while avoiding making themselves easy targets for MAGA propaganda, something they haven't done well at in the past. I appeal to the left wing of the party to "read the room" and keep that in mind when coming up with things like "Defund the Police" and "Drag Queen Story Hour."
Flawed, not perfect Dem is at least an order of magnitude better than the Trump & Co packs of depraved sociopaths. Resist corrupt authoritarians & Vote Blue! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_i38-qjtbI Please, 86 47 & his capos with a Blue Tsunami.
I am really lucky - I have 2 senators from the Legion of Super Heroes - Ossoff and Warnock. Would that so many of the hand wringers in the party would take a cue and speak out. We are just going to have to hold the feet of the passive ones to the fire and demand that they do better. At some level, most of the rethugs know they are peddling unpopular nonsense, but they are so in thrall to tRump they just cannot break. That makes them easier for people to vote against.
Mamdani showed the way. The people want progressive. Me too!
Mamdani was 3-0 last night for his Congressional nomination endorsements, and DSA candidates won many state level races in New York. It was a decisive win for true progressives in NYC.
A growing number of progressive voters are not only disgusted by Trump’s GOP, they are tired of ineffectual corporate Democrats. There is a reason the approval rating for the Democratic Party is not much better than Trump’s rating. Maybe that will change as the Party gets some new fresh ideas and energy from these new young, truly progressive leaders.
For way too long the Dem “big tent”has opened to the right and has at best obstructed the left side entrance. The corporate Dems rally against Mamdani in his race was only one example. Hopefully that will change too.
Yes, ineffectual corporate Democrats whe seem to sleep through the most outrageous poltical assaults on the integrity of our democracy.
Finally, *finally!*, we're not freaking out about the s-word, socialism, or its parliamentary cousin, social democracy. The New Deal and what followed was (somewhat euphemistically) referred to as a "mixed economy," but it had many social-democratic traits. Unfortunately it was also racist AF, and that proved to be the faultline that allowed Big Capital to reassert control: Would we have had Reagan, Reaganomics, and everything that followed without the white working- and middle-class-and-up vote? And would we have got Trump I without the Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United decision and what journalist Dana Milbank calls "the 25-Year Crack-up of the Republican Party"? I doubt it.
It's long past time for us to pay closer attention to economic power. It's not one of the three branches of government, it's not in the Constitution, but it'll eat all of the above alive if given half a chance, and it's been doing exactly that.
Yes! I see this new movement as taking the best parts of the New Deal from an honest multicultural. diverse approach, adapted to 21st century needs and problems.
It's also important to recognize that multiculturalism and diversity are nothing new. Those very principles were built into our Constitution, and that wasn't even a secret at the time. James Madison candidly explained that diversity, equity and inclusion are essential to our Constitution. They are vital to the strength of our Constitution and our nation.
In Federalist No. 51 (https://guides.loc.gov/federalist-papers/text-51-60#s-lg-box-wrapper-25493427), Madison directly and expressly emphasized that our diversity is one of the vital strengths of our union, and diversity helps ensure equity and justice. Madison emphasized (repeatedly) that "Justice is the end [i.e., the ultimate goal] of government." So Madison expressly highlighted that diversity was essential to the security of both "civil rights" and "religious rights" and the security was provided by ensuring "the multiplicity of interests" and "the multiplicity of sects."
"It is of great importance in a republic not only to guard the society against the oppression of its rulers, but to guard one part of the society against the injustice of the other part. Different interests necessarily exist in different classes of citizens. If a majority be united by a common interest, the rights of the minority will be insecure. There are but two methods of providing against this evil: the one by creating a will in the community independent of the majority that is, of the society itself; the other, by comprehending in the society so many separate descriptions of citizens as will render an unjust combination of a majority of the whole very improbable, if not impracticable."
"Whilst all authority in it will be derived from and dependent on the society, the society itself will be broken into so many parts, interests, and classes of citizens, that the rights of individuals, or of the minority, will be in little danger from interested combinations of the majority. In a free government the security for civil rights must be the same as that for religious rights. It consists in the one case in the multiplicity of interests, and in the other in the multiplicity of sects. The degree of security in both cases will depend on the number of interests and sects; and this may be presumed to depend on the extent of country and number of people comprehended under the same government."
Diversity, equity and inclusion was the point of one of the best-known structural aspects of our Constitution, i.e., "federalism" (allocating limited power to the national government while (as the 10th Amendment expressly emphasizes) other "powers" are "reserved to the States respectively, or to the people"). Protecting diversity, equity and inclusion also is the point of the entire First Amendment.
My views exactly. Thanks for the clear and concise summary of the issue!
It’s nice to get a little good news these days!
Exactly. If you poll in an apolitical way and ask the right questions--ones that are not pinned to reflect one political side or the other--what you get is a true measure of people in the USA who largely embrace so-called progressive policies but which are in fact simply ones that benefit humanity as a whole rather than the monied interests of a few ultra-rich spoiled brat-boyz.
If the Progressives take over my party, I become an Independent. I will, of course, support Dem in the general against the MAGA and those who have let it flourish. But I find many Progressives to be ideologically rigid. That is what destroyed the Republican party. I am tired of being denigrated if I don't agree with Progressives on every issue. I don't want to be put in a box.
I don’t think Mamdani is ideologically rigid. He seems all inclusive to me which I think democracy is all about.
Yes. Mamdani has worked closely with the moderate Hochul on many successful initiatives already, and has even compromised with some right leaning leaders at times, including his police commissioner.
You don’t seem to understand that “moderate” or “centrist” are ideologically rigid boxes.
I guess Vote Blue No Matter Who is a one way street? Or the big tent should only open one way?
“Moderates” can accept that Mamdani is by far the most exciting, energy creating Democrat in the US today…or not. And it’s not just because of his own unique political skills.
(PS - pretty 'funny' to say you are against being ideologically rigid', then take a very openly rigid position yourself.)
Jason, I think you're only helping prove Joyce's point in multiple respects. Because she expressed opposition to being pigeon-holed, you attacked her as being "ideologically rigid." You (not she) also invoked labels that put people in ideologically-rigid boxes.
Um, no, you have it exactly backward.
Joyce, not me, said she would actually leave the party if progressive candidates became more popular. what could possibly be more 'ideologically rigid' than that? She used the obvious 'pigeonhole' of the 'Progressive' label as a denigration.
Myself, like most progressives, have voted for moderate candidates over and over. Meanwhile, in NYC, when Mamdani clearly won the Democratic nomination, not only did big leading dems like Bill Clinton and Mike Bloomberg pour millions to support the candidate he soundly defeated, but 'moderate' Dems all across the city refused to support him. That is far from an isolated case.
Progressive voters and candidates are constantly, relentless, 'pigeonholed' by 'centrist' Democrats, and are constantly scolded by the party leadership.
Jason, you raise some fair points. So-called moderates sometimes offer little better than support for the usual suspects. Too often, "moderate" means merely supporting the kind of people who have been in power.
I also don't care for labels, in part, because they don't tell us exactly what anyone means by any label that they use.
You're not wrong..we use labels I suppose since it's a lot to describe every facet of everyone all the time..but fair enough.
I can say, in NYC, with this rae as well as last year's mayor's race, there are some specific issues that are deep dividing lines. Israel and the Occupied Territories of course is a big one here., but so is wealth inequality, affordability, and ICE, among other issues...in all these cases, the DSA candidates simply showed they held the views most aligned with their constituents.
But also, as others have said ehre, the DSA and its allied progressive groups put in the work, and are campaigning in an old fashioned grassroots, personal, street level style that is paying big dividends. As I mentioned above, i even got a personal call from my DSA affiliated Assembly candidate, who went on to win. Never in my life have I received a call like that.
Jason, you seem to have misunderstood Joyce's words. She clearly did not say anything even close to your misrepresentation that "she would actually leave the party if progressive candidates became more popular." She said, "If the Progressives TAKE OVER my party, I become an Independent" but she "will, of course, support Dem in the general against the MAGA and those who have let it flourish."
I didn't misunderstand, you are just toning tone her obvious disdain for progressives.
"Take over' the party is semantic nonsense. No one is taking over anything.
Again, the fact that Joyce will only be in a party that adheres to her own
ideological rigid' definition says it all. DSA candidates are only a small part of the Democratic Party.
To only 'support Dems against MAGA' is part of what got us here in the first place. dems need to do more than not be MAGA,.
I agree somewhat with your sentiment. For example - and I am not from NY and not up on all the issues there - but I have thought highly of Rep. Dan Goldman from his work on the impeachment of Trump to his fairly frequent comments expressed in news interviews, and yet I see he’s been, shall we say, ‘run under the bus’. Again, I know nothing about the candidate who defeated him, but I would think someone like him would be a valued contributor to the cause of liberal, inclusive democracy.
Brad Lander has shown himself to be principled and steady in his stance and fight against Trump's policies, particularly ICE. He had run for (comptroller, if I'm remembering correctly) and even after he lost, he continued to show up at the courthouses of NY where ICE agents were appearing in order to arrest immigrants as they appeared for their appointments at the court. He was hassled and arrested at protests and continued to protect these vulnerable individuals and families.
The problem, I see is that by running good candidates against equally good incumbents, we are creating a division where there not need be one. It feeds into the media coverage as has been so well exposed by Ms. Rubin.
All of those who lost against the Mamdani endorsed candidates were "progressives" as well. Some had a record of accomplishments that demonstrate who they are, against the "Mamdani candidates" who had little or none.
I think we need to search for what exactly made the difference and if it was the endorsement; does it say that Democratic Socialism is more progressive than a Progressive?
Well, that's why we have primaries, so the base voters can pick their favorite candidate. No candidate is owed anything for incumbency.
Lander was NYC Comptroller (he did not lose), and before that he was a city council member for many years. He ran for mayor, but then joined forces with Mamdani through NYC's ranked choice vote system.
One big reason Democratic voters soured on Goldman is his opposition to Mamdani, refusing to endorse him even after he won the Democratic nomination, including a lopsided win in Goldman's district. He was also a major AIPAC recipient, where Lander (who is also Jewish) is not afraid to condemn israel's war crimes.
Again, the 'big tent' Democrats like Goldman claim to support only goes one way, and many voters are sick of it. And, for the record, it was not even remotely close. Lander beat Goldman by over 30 points..so it was not simply 'progressives' supporting Lander.
You should find out more about the candidate who defeated him then, since you know nothing about him. He is very much a 'a valued contributor to the cause of liberal, inclusive democracy.' who also is not afraid to criticize Israel's war crimes , has put his body on the line to fight ICE, and has a long history in NYC. The vote for Lander wasn't even close. Simply being against Trump isn't enough.
Brad Lander will be an excellent Congressman, who will fight Trump just as hard as anyone while also supporting issues base NYC Democratic votes believe in, and will also support progressive candidates like Mamdani, who Goldman refused to endorse even after he clearly won the Democratic nomination.
Good to know. Here in Minneapolis we have had some issues with DSA city and council members going well beyond solid progressive stances, with some being defeated as a result. Dialogue about where that elusive line is between the ideal and the actually possible is healthy.
(oh one point - Lander is not a DSA member..he was endorsed by the WFP and many other progressive groups)
I live in district 10. Mamdani helped these candidates but I want to caution against saying he’s the reason they won. Not because I don’t think he’s talented, but because I think we then lose sight of the real work it took to achieve these victories and how to replicate them.
Lander has had deep ties to this community for decades and shows up authentically for constituents. He did a great job on city council and as comptroller. Mamdani endorsed these candidates because they lead, he didn’t make them leaders.
Agreed! He helped I think but this movement is bigger than him.
I'd like to add something to what I wrote earlier. Although frustration with corporate Dems is an important factor in these wins, it may be less important than the fact that Mamdani, these other DSA and progressive candidates, and most importantly, their supporters, passionately believe in their ideas. They are for something and not only against something.
Neither corporate Dems or the GOP have a response to the old fashioned grassroots campaigning the DSA has led in NYC and elsewhere...with thousands of street level volunteers going door to door, talking to people everywhere...I myself got a personal phone call from my district's candidate, David Orkin, and we talked for several minutes.
These wins weren't the result of consultant-driven polling based triangulation, or dark money driven advertising. The DSA wins show what community politics can be and should be.
Yes. People are not happy with the mainstream Democratic party, not because it is "too left", but because it is "too right". By most definitions, mainstream Democrats are conservatives and Republicans are alt-right radicals. And most US citizens are central to far left. Progressives. With no party that represents them.
Great analysis by Ms. Rubin. The MSM refuses to report what is really going on. That's why we need independent voices like Substack. MAGA types hold views that are against the Constitution and against democratic values. MAGA types are not bothered that rights are bring stripped from citizens. MAGA types love to see "the other" perdecuted.
When you actually talk to people about their ideals, they generally want progressive/leftist policy, not the establishment garbage we've been dealing with all our lives. My family is conservative, but when I talk to them about what they think the role of government should be, they end up sounding like Mamdami leftists.
The legacy media, the traditional pundits, whatever you want to call passes for mainstream political analysis these days is not on target, as Ms. Rubin aptly points out. Because there is virtually no professional and widely available local political reporting, these national pundits are just recycling their preferred narratives. Talarico is slightly ahead of Paxton? The pundit take? Oh, well it's Texas, so he can't win. Where's Paul Harvey when we need him to give us "the rest of the story"?
As I head to the Texas Democratic Convention this week, let me give y'all some first-hand reporting from my perspective. First, it matters to Texans, both Democratic, Republican and everything in-between that Paxton is not from Texas and Talarico is an eighth-generation Texans. So much of Talarico's messaging subtly and not-so subtly plays up Paxton's carpet bagger status. This is local politics in action. National pundits miss this factor. So, that's just kind of a vibe thing, but I think it is going to matter. (The down-ballot races also pit native Texans against out of state MAGA opportunists)
Second, this is a verifiable fact. The Texas Republican convention had 7k sign up to attend. Actual attendance was probably less than 2k. Texas Democrats have 8,700 signed up so far. Will they all show? I don't know, but I'm watching hotels get filled up as the convention website tries to help people find places to stay in Corpus Christi. It might be worthwhile to watch us on CSPAN June 25-27 and see who y'all think has the most energy going into this election.
As for the state of progressivism in Texas, here's something to make you go "hmmm...." The Texas Democratic platform is the most progressive in the country, i.e. more progressive than Blue states. Progressivism/populism started in the Gilded Age in Texas and has never really gone away, if you know where to look. We have Bernie Sanders coming to address the convention. If Texans are so allergic to progressivism, would 8,700 people decide to come?
Thanks for the Lone Star insight. Loved Paul Harvey, “Good day.”
I would love you to be right, but this lifelong resident of the Northeast isn't so sure. People have been voting against their own interests in Texas for so long that I can't imagine that they have finally hit a breaking point. Paxton may not be a Texan, but he is just so horrible that I have a hard time thinking that Texas Republicans will vote against him; yup, ironic but......
The topic here is whether progressivism is popular. My post is narrowly focused on that. It provides my insight into a couple of material matters that support that thesis. As far as the future behavior of Texans, I see no point in arguing that hypothetical. I'm going to try to elect as many Democrats as I can regardless of popular theories about what people will do. Let's just find out what they do.
I don't think David was attacking you or post, Cynthia. He's merely pointing out that TX has been the Great White Whale of democrats for many election cycles, only to have those hopes dashed on Election Day. That said, I think the political climate has sufficiently shifted that Talarico has a real shot. Fingers crossed.
Thanks Jane. I understood that, and I acknowledge that it is a material fact that people have seen Texans voting like blithering idiots for a long time. However, the fact that David starts with stating he is in the Northeast begs the question as to whether he is following the national pundit narrative or willing to assess new facts and circumstances here and then wait for the outcome in this election. No offense was taken. I am just trying to engage in some constructive dialog.
Ms. Rubin’s premise here is that there are things happening in the middle of the country regarding progressivism which aren’t being seen. There are myriads of political insider stuff specific to Texas I could discuss as to predicting the election outcome. But ultimately, what Texans are and what they will do just seems unhelpful. They’ll do what they do. But, there is a progressive groundswell happening here, in my not so humble (ha) opinion.
I suspect there are all kinds of things going on in NC that aren’t visible to outsiders as well. Thank you for your kind words, Jane.
No worries, Cynthia. Appreciate your comment. I'm originally from the Mid-Atlantic, now living in NC. But please understand, the comments like the one from David come from a place of pulling for you - HARD - not trying to tear you down.
Why limit yourself? People have been voting against their own intersts across the whole country for years. This is one reason why we are in the condition we are in today.
Most TX republicans will vote for Paxton, but the question is whether enough won't, and there seems to a falling off in republican leaning because of the economy, but mostly over data centers. The other big question is where independents will fall, and right now Trump and the republicans are polling like ebola among Indies.
Ask people what they want and we pretty much all want the same things: universal healthcare, child care, a living wage, free education, Social Security secured, etc. seems only MAGA don’t want separation of church and state. All of US have a great deal in common with all of US in spite of the Division Propaganda touted by Trump & Associates. To say that’s progressive is a misnomer: that’s For The People who pay enough taxes to have all of this AND we need the billions of dollars immigrants pay into the system (many of them without any benefits). In America it’s all about money while tossing common sense and equal good into the propaganda fire.
All politics is (and are) local. It's nice that New Yorkers are happy. But here in Baghdad By the Sea, and in flyover America, be careful with what you wish (for).
The Democratic Party needs to have a bigger tent. We need to attract independents, even dissenting Rinos who are MAGA victims.
The election will be won or lost in places like Ohio and Iowa, where we need Rinos.
I live in MI, which is no longer a reliably blue state, so I know what you mean. But what appealing to a "bigger" tent quite often does is muddy or water down the message, in an effort to please the most number of people.
MAGAs do not do that. They are unabashedly their awful selves, and somehow people like Trump attracted Latinos, nonvoters, young men - even Black men! - and those who may like only ONE aspect of their programs, e.g. lower taxes, but vote for them anyway despite all the other baggage.
When it comes to Democrats, they are expected to present a comprehensive "package" of attractiveness, of sound thought-out policy - but not too wonky! - and if any part of it doesn't appeal to the multitudes, they're accused of poor messaging and being too "something" - too far left, not far left enough, and all sorts of variations in between.
And the media piles on.
Personally, I think it should be very simple. If you don't like all the lawlessness, the cowardly fecklessness, the incompetence, the turning away from science and evidence, or all of the other attributes of the modern-day GOP mess, then vote for Democrats. Don't expect perfection, don't expect complete alignment of all views, don't expect miracles! Just give them a chance to undo some of the damage and do some good for the country.
We have to keep the eye on the prize -- get rid of the tyrant first.
I used to do some work in MI, and the mentality in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo is completely different than say Detroit. Even a Gerald Ford Republican should oppose MAGA on multiple grounds. The message should be different in Amway country than in diverse urban areas.
I personally would vote for a yellow dog (preferably a golden retriever) than vote for ANY Republican.
Right on JL. Great comment.
Many RINOs discovered their inner progressive at the grocery store and at the gas station over the last months. Somehow, even for MAGAs, the “satisfaction” of a loudmouth boor president and sycophants who share one’s prejudices seems less attractive when you can’t buy food, fuel the car, or get adequate healthcare.
I've said from the beginning that when the personal pocketbook gets pinched, there would come a realization that what the people were supporting was harming them. This seems to have dawned on many.
Indeed! And better late than never I think…..
Daniel, I think the people I know who are running for office in Florida understand that they need the votes of people who voted for Trump in 2024, They are leaning toward pragmatic and away from dogmatic.
I wish that were true. I speak to some candidates who are oblivious to what it takes to win a general electon.
Our primary is in August. We should be reaching out NOW.
Daniel, I think Leela Gray, here in St Pete, fully understands, as does Alex Vindman, and Bale Dalton.
Earle Ford, who's running for State CFO, could be the best retail politiician I've ever seen. He writes all of his emails himself, the only one so far as I can tell from the avalanch I get daily. If you get a chance, meet him.
We have some wonderful people runing this time. I'm very much encouraged.
I apologize for taking this space with Florida-centric observations hoping that they are within the bounds of what ought to be written here.
From St Petersburg, Minneapolis by the Sea
We have problems...Cuba,Venezuela are primary and everything else is secondary. We have 3 Batistianos representing Dem majority districts -- now reengineered by the DeSantis maps. We have a registration/purgation problem.
Please check out Field Team 6.
Daniel, I used Claude, but even it cannot tell me where Baghdad by the Sea is in the USA! Herb Caen coined Baghdad by the Bay, for San Francisco and someone else called Houston a similar name. What city does your Baghdad refer to?
Miami. I stole it from a radio show from the 50's.
https://www.amazon.com/Miami-90-2Paths2-Murder-Novel/dp/1977222374
Besides murder meet:
- Foreign intrigue, spies and espionage.
- Cultural assimilation and hostility.
- Generational and inter-generational conflict.
- Dognapping and animal rights.
- Fire bombings.
- Riots.
- Abstract and symbolic cultural art.
- Public corruption fraud and Medicare fraud
- Jury trials and administrative hearings involving DNA and other scientific subjects.
- Foreign and domestic intelligence.
- Smuggling, illegal guns and drugs and illegal immigration.
- Remittances to Cuba.
- Grifters.
- Terrorist gangs.
- Unscrupulous police and politicians.
- Interaction between the State Department, Justice Department and other agencies.
- Social Security hearings.
- Greyhound racing.
- Advanced placement.
- PETA.
- Comparative religion.
- Non-violent direct action.
- Religious proselytization and conversion.
- Parochial vs. public education.
- Religious persecution.
- Santeria and Voodoo.
- Spells and trances.
- Gangsters and ganiffs.
- Eugenics, genetics, forensic evidence and expert testimony.
- Lukumi. Melungeons. Moors and Christians. Babalus and Rebbes.
I think he means Florida?
I live in a red state, and although the news hasn't covered it, in the recent Republican primaries, all of the radical MAGA candidates lost to more "traditional" Republicans. In the main election, due to gerrymandering, of course these candidates will defeat the Democrats, but I think this is a good sign: rejection of alt-right radicalism across the board.
Good job!
A message of good cheer! Thank you. I was obsessing about the concerted attacks on our right to vote/voting by mail—so I hope the progressives, lawyers, and independent pundits will prevail for freedom, the Constitution, and a pluralistic America. I am fired up to finish my current batch of voter postcards.
Yep! Voted for a progressive candidate for congress over centrist AIPAC funded Morelle here in Rochester, NY
😁👍🏼💙
Trump is everything he's been described to be. A wind bag of anti-American insults plus his heinous executive orders chipping away at 80 years of social progress and equality in America. He's not just the "dotard" Kim Jong Un described. He's an outsized malevolent, zombie like force in our civilization. And what does he care about these days? Yes the $$$s. But also the global headlines..good (none) or bad (all). This is his daily/hourly dose of heroine. Apparently, being the most reviled person on the planet, really makes his day.
Let's hope democrats read your essay Ms. Rubin and take it to heart. It's way past time the "establishment" get their heads on straight about what We the People, at least a super majority of us are striving not just to protect against Maga but to reinvigorate and re-establish as who we want to strive to become as a nation. PPRI certainly has provided a terrific snapshot to lift up our hearts and strengthen our resolve.
Thanks a million for this uplifting post. We are a collection of communities wanting democratic ideals for our diverse population. We're happy to be Americans while trumpians are angry, rude & bitter.
The Republican party is hopefully going to learn that in November. Even in Alabama we have an Independent running in the U.S. Senate race. He has called out the Republican nominee on his voting record in the house. It will make the race interesting. People don’t like their rights being violated and fumbled with by the U.S. Supreme Court either. It’s past time to impose term limits.
Surveys do show that a majority of Americans like many progressive ideas. And yet surveys also show that the Dems remain insufficiently popular. What Mamdani and the progressives accomplished in blue districts will not necessarily translate to more hard fought districts, the gerrymandered districts, or an Electoral College which favors the Red states. Dems will need to champion the popular positions while avoiding making themselves easy targets for MAGA propaganda, something they haven't done well at in the past. I appeal to the left wing of the party to "read the room" and keep that in mind when coming up with things like "Defund the Police" and "Drag Queen Story Hour."
Flawed, not perfect Dem is at least an order of magnitude better than the Trump & Co packs of depraved sociopaths. Resist corrupt authoritarians & Vote Blue! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_i38-qjtbI Please, 86 47 & his capos with a Blue Tsunami.
I am really lucky - I have 2 senators from the Legion of Super Heroes - Ossoff and Warnock. Would that so many of the hand wringers in the party would take a cue and speak out. We are just going to have to hold the feet of the passive ones to the fire and demand that they do better. At some level, most of the rethugs know they are peddling unpopular nonsense, but they are so in thrall to tRump they just cannot break. That makes them easier for people to vote against.