Netroots Nation: The battle for the soul of the Democratic Party

[vostok]

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's rise is a symbol of the progressive insurgency in the party


The first year and a half of Donald Trump's presidency has been rough on American progressives.

With nationwide mid-terms drawing near, however, they're feeling a flicker of something rarely

experienced in the 633 days since election night 2016. Hope.

Tom Steyer, the hedge fund billionaire turned left-wing political activist, posed a question to the

crowd at the annual Netroots Nation conference.

"How many people in this room think that the Democratic establishment in Washington is

listening to you and doing what you want them to do?"

Among the several thousand grass-roots progressives in the New Orleans audience,

just a few hands went up.

"Me neither," Mr Steyer responded. "I don't see a single constructive

thing coming out of Washington, DC. Not a thing."

He then launched into a sweeping condemnation of not just Donald Trump,

but also Democratic Party politicians - even ones scheduled to speak later

at Netroots - who he said were insufficiently willing to support his calls to remove the president from office.

Mr Steyer was throwing red meat to a crowd whose animosity toward Mr Trump was palpable.

But a funny thing happened - they didn't seem to want it.

At similar conservative gatherings of right-wing loyalists held as Republicans clawed their way

back to power over the course of the Obama presidency, attacks on their party's "establishment"

drew shouts of approval. Texas Senator Ted Cruz, in his 2016 presidential campaign,

elicited some of his biggest applause when he went after Republican congressional leaders.

Mr Trump's rise can be directly attributed to this anti-establishment fervour.

At Netroots on Thursday night, however, the left-wing audience had no such interest in eating their own.

With the Democratic Party at its lowest ebb of power in a generation,

their more immediate focus was made apparent when Mr Steyer asked - rhetorically -

what the Democratic Party's "real plan" was.

"Take back the House!" someone in the back of the hall shouted.



more here: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-45039974

 

[Bugeye]

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's rise is a symbol of the progressive insurgency in the party


The first year and a half of Donald Trump's presidency has been rough on American progressives.

With nationwide mid-terms drawing near, however, they're feeling a flicker of something rarely

experienced in the 633 days since election night 2016. Hope.

Tom Steyer, the hedge fund billionaire turned left-wing political activist, posed a question to the

crowd at the annual Netroots Nation conference.

"How many people in this room think that the Democratic establishment in Washington is

listening to you and doing what you want them to do?"

Among the several thousand grass-roots progressives in the New Orleans audience,

just a few hands went up.

"Me neither," Mr Steyer responded. "I don't see a single constructive

thing coming out of Washington, DC. Not a thing."

He then launched into a sweeping condemnation of not just Donald Trump,

but also Democratic Party politicians - even ones scheduled to speak later

at Netroots - who he said were insufficiently willing to support his calls to remove the president from office.

Mr Steyer was throwing red meat to a crowd whose animosity toward Mr Trump was palpable.

But a funny thing happened - they didn't seem to want it.

At similar conservative gatherings of right-wing loyalists held as Republicans clawed their way

back to power over the course of the Obama presidency, attacks on their party's "establishment"

drew shouts of approval. Texas Senator Ted Cruz, in his 2016 presidential campaign,

elicited some of his biggest applause when he went after Republican congressional leaders.

Mr Trump's rise can be directly attributed to this anti-establishment fervour.

At Netroots on Thursday night, however, the left-wing audience had no such interest in eating their own.

With the Democratic Party at its lowest ebb of power in a generation,

their more immediate focus was made apparent when Mr Steyer asked - rhetorically -

what the Democratic Party's "real plan" was.

"Take back the House!" someone in the back of the hall shouted.



more here: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-45039974

There is a sub set of liberals that are turned off by the slathering attacks of the far left that will support center repubs. Also a sub set of repubs that hate Trump and will vote against him and possibly against the gop in midterms. Should be interesting, hope no one bets their account!

 

[UncleBuck]

There is a sub set of liberals that are turned off by the slathering attacks of the far left that will support center repubs. Also a sub set of repubs that hate Trump and will vote against him and possibly against the gop in midterms. Should be interesting, hope no one bets their account!

there are no center republicons

you guys are running nazis and endorsing pedophiles

 

[abandonconflict]

Center-Repub = only a moderate Putin supporter.

 

[UncleBuck]

Center-Repub = only a moderate Putin supporter.

will state, if forced, that they are "very concerned" about the allegations against roy moore "IF TRUE"

 

[Huckster79]

The ultra progressives and mainline dems need to make sure they can live under the same tent.

the ultra progressives need to not give up on good things for the sake of purity, as in even if a dem isnt far left, if they are most viable choice you support the shit out of em!

Mainline dems need to make room for and not work against the ultra progressives and when they are most viable support the shit out of them...

Its obvious the left is moving left, it jjst is... the mainlines can add some wisdom and caution to this young blood lets reach for the sky progressivism... and both portions can flourish. Fighting like we are polar opposites will lead to further success of conservatives to control the narrative...

 

[Padawanbater2]

The ultra progressives and mainline dems need to make sure they can live under the same tent.

the ultra progressives need to not give up on good things for the sake of purity, as in even if a dem isnt far left, if they are most viable choice you support the shit out of em!

Mainline dems need to make room for and not work against the ultra progressives and when they are most viable support the shit out of them...

Its obvious the left is moving left, it jjst is... the mainlines can add some wisdom and caution to this young blood lets reach for the sky progressivism... and both portions can flourish. Fighting like we are polar opposites will lead to further success of conservatives to control the narrative...

Moderates refuse to support progressives, even if they have a better chance to win

So, moderates are just as much an enemy to progress as Republicans

If we unite under them, modern history shows we will lose to Republicans, since they refuse to unite under us, they'll be treated just like Republicans. The only "purity test" I have is they don't accept corporate/PAC money

 

[UncleBuck]

moderates are just as much an enemy to progress as Republicans

what a naive and stupid thing to say

 

[ttystikk]

The ultra progressives and mainline dems need to make sure they can live under the same tent.

the ultra progressives need to not give up on good things for the sake of purity, as in even if a dem isnt far left, if they are most viable choice you support the shit out of em!

Mainline dems need to make room for and not work against the ultra progressives and when they are most viable support the shit out of them...

Its obvious the left is moving left, it jjst is... the mainlines can add some wisdom and caution to this young blood lets reach for the sky progressivism... and both portions can flourish. Fighting like we are polar opposites will lead to further success of conservatives to control the narrative...

This would be a logical strategy in a rational world, but that does not describe today's Democratic Party.

They're addicted to the same donor cash that has infected the Republican Party.

They're encouraged, even directed, to attack their Left flank because they know that's the biggest threat to the status quo that corporate and donor class money has so carefully constructed.

The other 90% of us are pretty fucking tired of being overtaxed, underpaid and ignored by our government.

Until and unless the establishment Democrats figure that out, the Progressive Left will continue to recognize them as the biggest enemy to progress and representation of the majority of Americans.

Hope that helps.

 

[ttystikk]

what a naive and stupid thing to say

What a reactionary and distracting thing to say, especially since you already know it's a bold faced lie.

 

[ttystikk]

Moderates refuse to support progressives, even if they have a better chance to win

So, moderates are just as much an enemy to progress as Republicans

If we unite under them, modern history shows we will lose to Republicans, since they refuse to unite under us, they'll be treated just like Republicans. The only "purity test" I have is they don't accept corporate/PAC money

Agreed, on all counts.

 

[UncleBuck]

unless the establishment Democrats figure that out, the Progressive Left will continue to recognize them as the biggest enemy

what a naive and stupid thing to say

 

[Padawanbater2]

what a naive and stupid thing to say

The pragmatism you support over Democratic principles ensures 17 Senate Democrats vote with Trump and the GOP to deregulate banks after the biggest financial collapse since the great depression. It also ensures 40 Senate Democrats vote with Trump and the GOP to increase the military budget under a president "the Resistance" claims is controlled by Vladimir Putin. It ensures Republicans will still control the Senate when moderates like Heitkamp are voted out in November, giving Trump a full term. It ensures judges like Brett Kavanaugh get confirmed without a fight.

Pragmatism over principles

 

[UncleBuck]

The pragmatism you support over Democratic principles ensures 17 Senate Democrats vote with Trump and the GOP to deregulate banks after the biggest financial collapse since the great depression. It also ensures 40 Senate Democrats vote with Trump and the GOP to increase the military budget under a president "the Resistance" claims is controlled by Vladimir Putin. It ensures Republicans will still control the Senate when moderates like Heitkamp are voted out in November, giving Trump a full term. It ensures judges like Brett Kavanaugh get confirmed without a fight.

Pragmatism over principles

that sounds bad

how many toddlers did they put in concentration camps?

 

[Padawanbater2]

ESTABLISHMENT! dems, whatever that even means

Why are you trying to debate a topic of which the subject you admittedly do not understand?

 

[Padawanbater2]

that sounds bad

how many toddlers did they put in concentration camps?

The pragmatism you support ensured 30 million Americans remained uncovered under the ACA and more than 45,000 Americans died annually as a result of lack of coverage

How many kids in concentration camps have died so far? More than 360,000?

 

[travisw]

The pragmatism you support ensured 30 million Americans remained uncovered under the ACA and more than 45,000 Americans died annually as a result of lack of coverage

How many kids in concentration camps have died so far? More than 360,000?

The pragmatism he supports kept 30 million people from having insurance?

You sure it wasn't immigration status? That Kaiser study said like 7 million people didn't get insurance because they were in the country illegally.

Did the pragmatism he supports keep the 5 million people that live in states that didn't expand medicaid from picking up insurance too?

If you tried really hard, I bet you could come up with a few things the current administration did to fuck up enrollment, couldn't you?

Lastly, your 45000 death per year figure is total bullshit.

Dr. Steffie Woolhandler, one of the six authors who wrote the nearly 10 year old study your citing, admitted it isn't possible to prove causation, or that someone dies because they do not have insurance, from this kind of observational analysis.

Hell, even your own candidate doesn't use your ridiculous number.

 

[Huckster79]

Moderates refuse to support progressives, even if they have a better chance to win

So, moderates are just as much an enemy to progress as Republicans

And it happens in reverse too at times... i say anyone just left of Trumpism has to fite together right now, we can fight with each other later, first and foremost we must make sure our Republic survives so we have the historic framework of our institutions left to have the debate of public option vs medicare for all as an example. If we loose our fragile democracy to autocracy it wont matter

And dont get me wrong, im all for reform within the party and a push to tne left.... i dont think medicare for all nor tuition free public universities are radical ideas, rest of the civilized world would call that center left at best...

 

[doublejj]

Moderates refuse to support progressives, even if they have a better chance to win

So, moderates are just as much an enemy to progress as Republicans

If we unite under them, modern history shows we will lose to Republicans, since they refuse to unite under us, they'll be treated just like Republicans. The only "purity test" I have is they don't accept corporate/PAC money

I think i found the shirt for "progressives"....

 

[Padawanbater2]

And it happens in reverse too at times... i say anyone just left of Trumpism has to fite together right now, we can fight with each other later, first and foremost we must make sure our Republic survives so we have the historic framework of our institutions left to have the debate of public option vs medicare for all as an example. If we loose our fragile democracy to autocracy it wont matter

And dont get me wrong, im all for reform within the party and a push to tne left.... i dont think medicare for all nor tuition free public universities are radical ideas, rest of the civilized world would call that center left at best...

I don't think the argument is whether or not Democrats/progressives should unify to defeat Trump and the Republicans, it's which strategy actually produces results that will lead to that end? The moderates had 8 years to convince everyone their strategy was better and it resulted in the Democratic party losing control of the House, Senate, Presidency, and stacking the court with likely two more conservative judges with Kavanaugh in the the batters box waiting for 3rd base coach Manchin to wave him home

From this, holding 257 seats in 2008 when Obama was elected:

To this, losing 63 seats after two years of Obama being president, to 193, and Democrats controlling both houses of Congress for 7 months, from Jan 20, 2009, to Ted Kennedy's death on Aug 25, 2009:

Those are the results you get when you utilize a moderate Democratic strategy over the course of your Democratic administration. The Entire South was decimated, the Rust Belt in shambles, the South West, gone. Even Colorado swung right.

Meanwhile, actual progressive candidates who support working class issues, who visit red districts and actually speak with the voters there and talk to their concerns about their access to healthcare, their stagnant wages and rising prices, their cost of rent and higher education for their kids are getting voted into office all across the country, even in traditionally deep red districts because these issues transcend party lines and voters pick up on whether or not a candidate is telling them what they think they want to hear or whether or not they actually believe what they're saying. Candidates like Lee Carter in Virginia's 50th, James Thompson, who is currently polling 7% ahead of Republican incumbent Ron Estes in Kansas' 4th, Ben Jealous in Maryland facing popular Republican Governor, Larry Hogan, Nixon in NY going against Cuomo, and of course Ocasio-Cortez defeating Joe Crowley in NY's 14th.

Oddly, the Democratic Establishment, the DCCC has refused to endorse any of these candidates, even the ones who've already won their primaries who face Republicans in November, and they've never endorsed a progressive over an Establishment/corporate Democratic candidate, ever. So when they call for "unity" to defeat Republicans, it's all lip service. Establishment Democrats would rather lose to a Republican than win with a progressive. This is evident by Steny Hoyer's attempt at muscling out Levi Tillemann's bid in Colorado's 6th, by the DCCC breaking spending records supporting Jon Ossoff in Georgia's 6th, releasing opposition research about Laura Moser in Texas' 7th. etc.


So it begs the question, why should we, as a party, continue to support moderate Democrats when the results show they can't win elections in red districts/states against Republicans? Moderates and even many Republicans support the policy positions espoused by progressives. The results speak for themselves.