I continue to be amazed that the Dems get labeled “left” or “center-left” when by my memory at age 75 the party sure seems center-right. The far right has managed to drag the party in that direction year after year. I agree labels don’t much matter, except that some Dems get to pearl-clutching when modern Social Dems advocate many policies FDR would embrace.
In your age range, Cecil and I agree fully. I was very active in the Civit Rights era,for accountability, education for all women's rights, etc. etc. Unitl I was 21 I was the property of my father under the law. How many battles we have wond over time. Bu, "The left" currentlly holds little resemblance to what we risked our lives for...women, children, education, open housing, equalit y,making all rape a crime, etc. etc. We have fought long and hard only to see and hear so many rights challenged, revoked, and dragged along, scraping the pavement along with the pearls.
Heather Cox Richardson made a very similar point yesterday during her end-of-day talk about politics. We need to get around candidates with a message and agenda for voters who, willing to work hard at whatever they do, want a shot at the American dream. The individual is less important than the ability of the person to work on the Democrat’s big agenda, and plenty of people can do that.
For myself, I learn about how Democrats are screwing up through legacy media, which I don’t trust (I most recently found myself thinking that Vance might not be so bad after reading a NYTIMES article—but he’s as bad as they come.) The bashing of the Democrats sounds like a broken record to me. So then I don’t know what to think. Which is why I read alternative outlets like The Contrarian.
I like the way Jen Rubin highlights good leadership among Democrats. It’s often eye-opening, certainly refreshing.
Please send this thoughtful message to Dem leadership. People are angry about so much that’s taking the country down. Their candidates just need to be themselves, speak for themselves (not consultant- speak) & read the room. The best candidate is still the one suited to their particular district , state. Pay attention, people!
The Dems have been breaking themselves into factions and squabbling among themselves for decades. Jill really makes the case for them to "Let it go, Democrats" and work together.
(She also quotes G. Elliott Morris, who really seems to know his stuff and has a Substack of his own that I find very worthwhile.)
When the law, the facts & science don’t matter; when criticism of or resistance to the MAGA con, grift, extortion & thuggish violence is a criminal conspiracy… Please 86 47 & his capos with a Blue Tsunami. #VoteBlue!
Dems shoot themselves every time Maine every time. Arguing about what type of Democrat - when are they going to actually stand for something outside of “ Not Him”
When I read that "many voters don't know the difference" among the various political factions such as progressive, etc., I think it demeans voters. Aren't we the people this article is reaching out to? Is that really the way to go?? You also state that "progressives and democratic socialists sometimes drop inflammatory positions they know will turn off voters where they’re running." And what happens after they finish running? Have those positions evaporated or will they return to bite them and us?
People who read political columns most likely know all the details about political factions, but others are way too busy to notice or care. Beyond that, the definitions are getting blurry as MAGA and Trump drive more people (like me, a pretty boring mainstream lib) to insist on big goals and dramatic changes (noted in the piece). As for inflammatory positions, the candidates who revised their views tend to be young, so that's maybe opportunistic but also understandable. My bet is that the new positions will not evaporate. You need to compromise to get wins in Congress, and in a two-year election cycle, you really need those wins.
The dems should be the party of 1. Love your neighbor and help protect their rights, 2. The rising tide lifts all boats, and 3. We help protect your environment and health.
I continue to be amazed that the Dems get labeled “left” or “center-left” when by my memory at age 75 the party sure seems center-right. The far right has managed to drag the party in that direction year after year. I agree labels don’t much matter, except that some Dems get to pearl-clutching when modern Social Dems advocate many policies FDR would embrace.
In your age range, Cecil and I agree fully. I was very active in the Civit Rights era,for accountability, education for all women's rights, etc. etc. Unitl I was 21 I was the property of my father under the law. How many battles we have wond over time. Bu, "The left" currentlly holds little resemblance to what we risked our lives for...women, children, education, open housing, equalit y,making all rape a crime, etc. etc. We have fought long and hard only to see and hear so many rights challenged, revoked, and dragged along, scraping the pavement along with the pearls.
Heather Cox Richardson made a very similar point yesterday during her end-of-day talk about politics. We need to get around candidates with a message and agenda for voters who, willing to work hard at whatever they do, want a shot at the American dream. The individual is less important than the ability of the person to work on the Democrat’s big agenda, and plenty of people can do that.
For myself, I learn about how Democrats are screwing up through legacy media, which I don’t trust (I most recently found myself thinking that Vance might not be so bad after reading a NYTIMES article—but he’s as bad as they come.) The bashing of the Democrats sounds like a broken record to me. So then I don’t know what to think. Which is why I read alternative outlets like The Contrarian.
I like the way Jen Rubin highlights good leadership among Democrats. It’s often eye-opening, certainly refreshing.
Please send this thoughtful message to Dem leadership. People are angry about so much that’s taking the country down. Their candidates just need to be themselves, speak for themselves (not consultant- speak) & read the room. The best candidate is still the one suited to their particular district , state. Pay attention, people!
The Dems have been breaking themselves into factions and squabbling among themselves for decades. Jill really makes the case for them to "Let it go, Democrats" and work together.
(She also quotes G. Elliott Morris, who really seems to know his stuff and has a Substack of his own that I find very worthwhile.)
Very incite full article. Thanks for your very reasonable and informative message.
When the law, the facts & science don’t matter; when criticism of or resistance to the MAGA con, grift, extortion & thuggish violence is a criminal conspiracy… Please 86 47 & his capos with a Blue Tsunami. #VoteBlue!
Dems shoot themselves every time Maine every time. Arguing about what type of Democrat - when are they going to actually stand for something outside of “ Not Him”
When I read that "many voters don't know the difference" among the various political factions such as progressive, etc., I think it demeans voters. Aren't we the people this article is reaching out to? Is that really the way to go?? You also state that "progressives and democratic socialists sometimes drop inflammatory positions they know will turn off voters where they’re running." And what happens after they finish running? Have those positions evaporated or will they return to bite them and us?
People who read political columns most likely know all the details about political factions, but others are way too busy to notice or care. Beyond that, the definitions are getting blurry as MAGA and Trump drive more people (like me, a pretty boring mainstream lib) to insist on big goals and dramatic changes (noted in the piece). As for inflammatory positions, the candidates who revised their views tend to be young, so that's maybe opportunistic but also understandable. My bet is that the new positions will not evaporate. You need to compromise to get wins in Congress, and in a two-year election cycle, you really need those wins.
The dems should be the party of 1. Love your neighbor and help protect their rights, 2. The rising tide lifts all boats, and 3. We help protect your environment and health.