All purpose news and politics thread part v: The quickening

[kidfresh512]

I would say that Americans will vote for progressive agenda. But it matters how it is sold to them. If we let the Right characterize it as Socialism (i.e. Comunism) it will fail. Burt if proposed as expanding things they want, The New Deal, Social Security, Medicare, employment benefits, it can win. Americans now approve of Gay marriage by 63%.
For instance, Medicare for all. If we expanded Medicare to allow anyone over 55 to buy in, and made sure through Medicade that everyone under 26 were covered, it would open the door to full coverage. It would also have an easier time getting passed.

And this is what they don't get. To get anywhere near this point to start opening the door. YOU MUST GET RID OF GOP. At all levels of government they must be put in their place and forced to obscurity. Too often we hear the "moderates" are just like republicans line which is total horse****. There could not be a clearer picture of the stark differences and levels of what the trump GOP will accept and cover up now.

To even suggest that centrists and moderates are "just like them" is insane. The exit polling clearly shows you Democratic voters believe in the fundamentals of Universal Healthcare, and Climate initiatives and Gun reform etc. They can be moved to progressive policies. The only concern is how fast and who can get it done.

If you don't get rid of GOP at all levels it doesn't matter. They don't believe in any of those progressive ideals. They will not be moved on them if you don't force them too by keeping them from power. And that only happens if all of us who think they are crazy focus on what matters and vote their happy asses out consistently.

[TheDarman]

I'm hoping that Biden will choose a younger Progressive running mate if he becomes the nominee. As many of the fringe left have already accepted that Biden has one foot in the nursing home, the prospect of a Progressive being a heartbeat away from the Presidency might convince some of them to vote for him.

They are adamant that anyone who would allow themselves to be tied to Biden is a centrist, establishment shill that loses all credibility of their record up to that point. Warren’s a snake, Harris is a cop, and Biden wouldn’t pick a guy older and whiter than himself as his VP, so Bernie is out. At this point, it isn’t a movement any more than Trump’s candidacy is. It’s cult worship of one elderly white guy who people see as being able to solve all their problems.

[worstblogever]

I think Schumer needs a primary too. Or at the very least to not be in charge if the Senate flips, he doesn't even come across as half the leader Pelosi does.

I want AOC to primary Schumer. And win.

[Kirby101]

Schumer's seat is secure, NY likes him fine. If the Dem's take the Senate, that's up to all the Dem Senators as to who should be leader. And it's not about ideology, it's about who can keep all the Senators in line with the Party. that is why McConnell is so effective.

[worstblogever]

Schumer's seat is secure, NY likes him fine. If the Dem's take the Senate, that's up to all the Dem Senators as to who should be leader. And it's not about ideology, it's about who can keep all the Senators in line with the Party. that is why McConnell is so effective.

I think he is secure... unless it was AOC. She's the one progressive that I think could upset an establishment Democratic veteran.

[Tendrin]

I think he is secure... unless it was AOC. She's the one progressive that I think could upset an establishment Democratic veteran.

Chuck is 69 years old. It's unlikely Schumer has more than another term in him at best and AOC has a lot to prove as a Rep before she can even start thinking about a Senate run.

[PwrdOn]

I'm hoping that Biden will choose a younger Progressive running mate if he becomes the nominee. As many of the fringe left have already accepted that Biden has one foot in the nursing home, the prospect of a Progressive being a heartbeat away from the Presidency might convince some of them to vote for him.

This is a bit naive, no? The point of the Biden campaign is to STOP the progressive movement in the Democratic party and bring it back to its centrist, establishment "roots." Putting a progressive on the ticket that will become president in the not at all unlikely event that Biden becomes incapacitated while in office would be tantamount to just nominating Bernie. And if the whole reason for nominating Biden is electability, having a progressive in the second slot will turn off moderate swing voters just as much as having a progressive leading the ticket, because everyone knows that they're being groomed to take over, since I'm not seeing Biden running for re-election under any circumstances.

And make no mistake, having someone like Stacey Abrams backdoor her way into the White House when Biden steps down for health reasons is a step BACK for women in this country. Whoever the first woman president is MUST win the office fair and square in an election, and I'm sure Abrams and all the other VP possibilities recognize this.

[Tendrin]

This is a bit naive, no? The point of the Biden campaign is to STOP the progressive movement in the Democratic party and bring it back to its centrist, establishment "roots."

The point of the Biden campaign is to win the presidency, while also maintaining a moderate image for the party.

I fully expect Biden to nominate someone to who's left as a nod towards unifying the party.

[TheDarman]

The point of the Biden campaign is to win the presidency, while also maintaining a moderate image for the party.

I fully expect Biden to nominate someone to who's left as a nod towards unifying the party.

I think it would be naïve for Biden to do what Hillary did and have a moderate liberal like Tim Kaine with him on the ticket. I expect he understands there needs to be some kind of olive branch. And, let’s face it, one day the liberal section of the party with inherit it, should they stick around. Biden’s Administration should be a breeding ground for the next wave of party leaders. That includes gearing up a VP who is ready to take on the job after Biden leaves—my guess after one term.

My hope is he picks someone who ran this time. They thought they were ready for this office themselves, now they have the chance to demonstrate their fit for two years before running for it again.

[Tendrin]

I think it would be naïve for Biden to do what Hillary did and have a moderate liberal like Tim Kaine with him on the ticket. I expect he understands there needs to be some kind of olive branch. And, let’s face it, one day the liberal section of the party with inherit it, should they stick around. Biden’s Administration should be a breeding ground for the next wave of party leaders. That includes gearing up a VP who is ready to take on the job after Biden leaves—my guess after one term.

My hope is he picks someone who ran this time. They thought they were ready for this office themselves, now they have the chance to demonstrate their fit for two years before running for it again.

Biden definitely needs someone who represents the future of the Democratic party who also doesn't scare voters leery of 'socialism'.

[Lord Falcon]

I think it would be naïve for Biden to do what Hillary did and have a moderate liberal like Tim Kaine with him on the ticket. I expect he understands there needs to be some kind of olive branch. And, let’s face it, one day the liberal section of the party with inherit it, should they stick around. Biden’s Administration should be a breeding ground for the next wave of party leaders. That includes gearing up a VP who is ready to take on the job after Biden leaves—my guess after one term.

My hope is he picks someone who ran this time. They thought they were ready for this office themselves, now they have the chance to demonstrate their fit for two years before running for it again.

Yup. Much as I love Buttigieg, he doesn't add enough to what Biden already brings to the table.

Kamala Harris is demographically perfect, not old, and is a team player who brings a lot of VP-role strengths. But despite being a California democrat, I don't know if her history as an AG turns off the liberal wing despite her other qualities.

Warren is old, though healthier than Bernie and sharper than Biden. Her occasionally terrible political judgment would not matter so much as a VP. And she's simply the Dem's most credible liberal economy wonk. She's also burned bridges with Bernie, so I don't know how well she'll work on that front.

Lori Lightfoot, as highlighted to me by another poster, looks absolutely incredible in almost every way. But she's barely been Mayor of Chicago for two years.

[Kirby101]

I think he is secure... unless it was AOC. She's the one progressive that I think could upset an establishment Democratic veteran.

AOC is very popular in NYC, but New York is a big State and she is probably too progressive for elsewhere. She also needs more than one term in Congress to run. I would rather her move up the ranks to a leadership position in Congress.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

I like AOC but given this climate of people loving dumb asses and celebrating this dumbassery , she would not make it far in a general election. Its gonna take some years of hard struggle and those who put the dumb asses on a pedestal to realize how bad their decisions backfired. So yeah give it some years and hopefully things change.

[aja_christopher]

This is a bit naive, no? The point of the Biden campaign is to STOP the progressive movement in the Democratic party and bring it back to its centrist, establishment "roots."

The goal is to win the most votes and defeat Trump.

If Sanders could win the most votes, you wouldn't have to waste so much time attacking Democrats while arguing his case.

[Darkspellmaster]

I've heard Stacy Abrams and one of the squad members as options. I've heard Duckworth bandied about, too.