Definitely not the time to say anything positive about tariffs. Their message should be: a) DJT's use of tariffs roils financial markets, b) causes business uncertainty and recession, and c) drives up prices for all Americans. Simple, Dems. Don't overthink it like you always do.
I think it is important to treat US citizens as intelligent and able to grasp nuance. I am tired of politicians who scream and yell, call those in the other party names and in general are not civil. Explaining reality and not promising a fantasy are more important than ever.
It's not nuanced views that I oppose, rather the timing. Talking about the potential virtues of tariffs at a time when Trump is destroying the US Economy with them only makes you a likely candidate for an out of context sound bite on Fox News/NewsMax/X: "See, even Elizabeth Warren thinks tariffs are good!"
My point is, at this moment, focus on the problem. The stock market crash, exacerbated inflation, the struggling economy, global instability, these are Trump's babies - call it that, over and over and over again. You win by hammering simple points home.
If you don't learn how to fight to win, you will always find yourself on the sideline. And on the sideline you don't get to set policy agenda. If you want to have a nuanced discussion on tariffs, do it when the country is not being burned to the ground by a man who knows nothing of nuance.
Calling these policies Trump's policies is not screaming and yelling - it's simply being truthful. My apologies if it appeared that way to you, but it was not my intent. I just don't find erudite discussions about generalities (tariffs as a general concept) useful in the face of specific applications of tariffs that are clearly having an extremely deleterious effect on the US and global economies.
Why can't these nincompoops (Democrats, and it does seem largely the female contingent this time around) just say this: "Trump's reckless and erratic tariffs are destabilizing the economy and the stock market. Trump's tariffs are inflationary - consumers are already paying more for groceries that they can afford - AND Trump's tariffs are collapsing the savings of everyday Americans."
The point is simple: Don't talk about tariffs WITHOUT talking about TRUMP!
TRUMP's tariffs...
TRUMP's trade war...
TRUMP's economy...
Get it?!?!
Jeez, I am so desperately tired of these eggheads who look for every nuance. It's like standing around watching your house burn down and commenting, "Ya know, fire is actually a creative force in nature, a natural cleansing agent that prepares the ground for new growth." Yeah it is. But now's not the time to wax philosophical. Get your kids and your prized possessions out of your house! Recognize the situation and it's urgency, save the nuance for later.
Normalizing him or his behavior by talking as though it was on the continuum of traditional politics is a mistake. Trump is an economic butcher, not a surgeon who is just removing more tissue than is necessary. He is not overplaying his hand while striving for a laudable result. For Trump, killing or crippling the patient is a desirable outcome not an unfortunate accident.
Like any other generalization, the title you chose for this contribution implies that you know it all, thus affirming that no Democrat is engaged politically to stop Trump. Let me simplify it (despite the risks involved) Democrats in Congress and the Senate are not the only powerful Democrats. There are some anti-Trump Republicans, but understandably, you do not wish to mess up with them. The group suffering from some form of political halfheartedness could benefit very much from your political insight if you directly and transparently communicate it. There is the type of voter with whom I identify (if you care to know) even though I have always been an independent voter with a left slant. You ignore us, but we are actively engaged. (I cannot drive or read comfortably, but I am still able to accomplish some reading and writing). We, all sorts of voters, indeed, are doing something that you obviously never mention because you may feel hopeless about us. I suspect that you know, better than me, how unrealistic and false may be generalizations. Why do you continue using the same writing approach about Democrats (you carefully never talk about Republicans)? Let me try to propose a possible answer: perhaps your role or your main purpose is to continue demoralizing those Democrats that may not have a clear political philosophy or ideology and only think political from their stance of self-interest. Why don't you show your true political color? If you did, you could widen your readership or audience. Do you admire Charlotte Corday? She likely led by example and thus did contribute to engaging women's political participation, even if she did it the wrong way by murdering Marat. Only one thing attracts me to your articles. You see, I have the fantasy that your writings may paradoxically mobilize other women to political participation (without killing anyone) which is very much necessary. Hope you intend to actively engage anti-Trump and pro-Trump women in a reasonable and civilized political conversation (Charlotte was a bit extreme, was she not?). The following will take to a persuasive discussion about generalization and polarization in journalism and their impact upon conservative people. (Thus not upon liberal-like individuals, a group with whom I identify a bit). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uESTx_WFYfE&t=251s&ab_channel=TrustingNews
It is astonishing to me that no one in the Democratic party is pushing back against this administration's gradual push to overturn freedom of speech in the voting booth, in our courts, at our law firms, as well as individual freedom of speech. No one is talking about the recorded conversation in the Oval Office where Trump bragged about the billions of dollars that his supporters had made on the sudden reversal of tariffs, which is considered Insider trading. No one is talking about the fact that any tariffs are a tax on the American consumers. As usual, they are scatter shooting and not focusing on the issues that are important to all Americans.
Love your headline. But shouldn't it be more along the lines of "Dems in disarray", which is so much more recognizable?
I dunno, there apparently is a political niche for a party that's terrible at coordination and messaging, and it is filled by the Dems. I'm sure there's a reason for that, it would take a PhD in political science to explain it, though.
This is a Dog Bites Man story. Please wake me up when there's something notable going on, like the Democrats find their ass with both hands and a map.
Democrats should loudly and openly attack the incompetence of Trump’s economic policies, the chaos and uncertainty, that he doesn’t know what he is doing on tariffs. And after that loud message, to say “I’m in favor of using tariffs to counteract unfair trade practices, as our laws allow, and we can be tougher on unfair trade practice according to the law, not random chaos.” While Democrats should capitalize on Trump’s mistakes to the maximum extent - and it’s obvious that Trump doesn’t know what he is doing - it is not reasonable to expect Democrats to reject tariffs outright, and not mention their importance as enforcement tools against unfair trade practices.
This communications debacle was foreshadowed by former Senator John Kerry when he said he voted for the Iraq war before voting against funding it. The Dems in Congress have not been able to put their subtleties aside and actually talked to people since Tip O'Neil was Speaker of the House.
Democrats can’t fully condemn tariffs because they aren’t free traders. They are social engineers and redistributionists. They are progressive populists. No matter how many times I tell MAGA that “populism” is progressive, NOT conservative, they don’t want to listen. Warren gave away the game. Progressives typically hate globalization and resent a booming stock market. It probably kills them that the Market is the only thing that seems to have any influence over Trump.
I think it's time to realize that some of the Dems are worthless. Can the Bulwark work on a list of politicians we would like removed? Can we sue them?
First, the 140 Insurrectionists in Congress need to be given a clean slate so they can vote vs the king and Mikey.
Even the new GOP are folding to the party and voting vs their constituents and common sense.
There was an insurrection - the king has the party cheating, lying and doing stupid things because they know they will be out of politics if found guilty. And the Senate and House judiciary committees protect them - with Thomas, Leonard Leo and the Federalist Society.
The current House bills vs law and the budget for the richest - are so wrong.
Why is Lauren Egan hired to bash the Democratic Party? Remember how Dana Bash – speaking of bashing – said that Kamala hadn’t “closed the deal”? Why is our media so full of Democrat haters and why do they get space on The Bulwark?
Definitely not the time to say anything positive about tariffs. Their message should be: a) DJT's use of tariffs roils financial markets, b) causes business uncertainty and recession, and c) drives up prices for all Americans. Simple, Dems. Don't overthink it like you always do.
What you wrote about Warren, Elizabeth?
"...she offered something more stylistic than substantive."
That's you projecting on to her. You are a lazy writer and so is Sommer, Will.
I'm done with both of you.
I think it is important to treat US citizens as intelligent and able to grasp nuance. I am tired of politicians who scream and yell, call those in the other party names and in general are not civil. Explaining reality and not promising a fantasy are more important than ever.
It's not nuanced views that I oppose, rather the timing. Talking about the potential virtues of tariffs at a time when Trump is destroying the US Economy with them only makes you a likely candidate for an out of context sound bite on Fox News/NewsMax/X: "See, even Elizabeth Warren thinks tariffs are good!"
My point is, at this moment, focus on the problem. The stock market crash, exacerbated inflation, the struggling economy, global instability, these are Trump's babies - call it that, over and over and over again. You win by hammering simple points home.
If you don't learn how to fight to win, you will always find yourself on the sideline. And on the sideline you don't get to set policy agenda. If you want to have a nuanced discussion on tariffs, do it when the country is not being burned to the ground by a man who knows nothing of nuance.
Calling these policies Trump's policies is not screaming and yelling - it's simply being truthful. My apologies if it appeared that way to you, but it was not my intent. I just don't find erudite discussions about generalities (tariffs as a general concept) useful in the face of specific applications of tariffs that are clearly having an extremely deleterious effect on the US and global economies.
Why can't these nincompoops (Democrats, and it does seem largely the female contingent this time around) just say this: "Trump's reckless and erratic tariffs are destabilizing the economy and the stock market. Trump's tariffs are inflationary - consumers are already paying more for groceries that they can afford - AND Trump's tariffs are collapsing the savings of everyday Americans."
The point is simple: Don't talk about tariffs WITHOUT talking about TRUMP!
TRUMP's tariffs...
TRUMP's trade war...
TRUMP's economy...
Get it?!?!
Jeez, I am so desperately tired of these eggheads who look for every nuance. It's like standing around watching your house burn down and commenting, "Ya know, fire is actually a creative force in nature, a natural cleansing agent that prepares the ground for new growth." Yeah it is. But now's not the time to wax philosophical. Get your kids and your prized possessions out of your house! Recognize the situation and it's urgency, save the nuance for later.
Normalizing him or his behavior by talking as though it was on the continuum of traditional politics is a mistake. Trump is an economic butcher, not a surgeon who is just removing more tissue than is necessary. He is not overplaying his hand while striving for a laudable result. For Trump, killing or crippling the patient is a desirable outcome not an unfortunate accident.
Like any other generalization, the title you chose for this contribution implies that you know it all, thus affirming that no Democrat is engaged politically to stop Trump. Let me simplify it (despite the risks involved) Democrats in Congress and the Senate are not the only powerful Democrats. There are some anti-Trump Republicans, but understandably, you do not wish to mess up with them. The group suffering from some form of political halfheartedness could benefit very much from your political insight if you directly and transparently communicate it. There is the type of voter with whom I identify (if you care to know) even though I have always been an independent voter with a left slant. You ignore us, but we are actively engaged. (I cannot drive or read comfortably, but I am still able to accomplish some reading and writing). We, all sorts of voters, indeed, are doing something that you obviously never mention because you may feel hopeless about us. I suspect that you know, better than me, how unrealistic and false may be generalizations. Why do you continue using the same writing approach about Democrats (you carefully never talk about Republicans)? Let me try to propose a possible answer: perhaps your role or your main purpose is to continue demoralizing those Democrats that may not have a clear political philosophy or ideology and only think political from their stance of self-interest. Why don't you show your true political color? If you did, you could widen your readership or audience. Do you admire Charlotte Corday? She likely led by example and thus did contribute to engaging women's political participation, even if she did it the wrong way by murdering Marat. Only one thing attracts me to your articles. You see, I have the fantasy that your writings may paradoxically mobilize other women to political participation (without killing anyone) which is very much necessary. Hope you intend to actively engage anti-Trump and pro-Trump women in a reasonable and civilized political conversation (Charlotte was a bit extreme, was she not?). The following will take to a persuasive discussion about generalization and polarization in journalism and their impact upon conservative people. (Thus not upon liberal-like individuals, a group with whom I identify a bit). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uESTx_WFYfE&t=251s&ab_channel=TrustingNews
It is astonishing to me that no one in the Democratic party is pushing back against this administration's gradual push to overturn freedom of speech in the voting booth, in our courts, at our law firms, as well as individual freedom of speech. No one is talking about the recorded conversation in the Oval Office where Trump bragged about the billions of dollars that his supporters had made on the sudden reversal of tariffs, which is considered Insider trading. No one is talking about the fact that any tariffs are a tax on the American consumers. As usual, they are scatter shooting and not focusing on the issues that are important to all Americans.
Love your headline. But shouldn't it be more along the lines of "Dems in disarray", which is so much more recognizable?
I dunno, there apparently is a political niche for a party that's terrible at coordination and messaging, and it is filled by the Dems. I'm sure there's a reason for that, it would take a PhD in political science to explain it, though.
This is a Dog Bites Man story. Please wake me up when there's something notable going on, like the Democrats find their ass with both hands and a map.
Lauren, I hope that you will respond in some fashion to Josh Marshall's take on your column, which he summarized as "vastly overstated."
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/commit-to-not-being-stupid-about-tariffs
Democrats should loudly and openly attack the incompetence of Trump’s economic policies, the chaos and uncertainty, that he doesn’t know what he is doing on tariffs. And after that loud message, to say “I’m in favor of using tariffs to counteract unfair trade practices, as our laws allow, and we can be tougher on unfair trade practice according to the law, not random chaos.” While Democrats should capitalize on Trump’s mistakes to the maximum extent - and it’s obvious that Trump doesn’t know what he is doing - it is not reasonable to expect Democrats to reject tariffs outright, and not mention their importance as enforcement tools against unfair trade practices.
This communications debacle was foreshadowed by former Senator John Kerry when he said he voted for the Iraq war before voting against funding it. The Dems in Congress have not been able to put their subtleties aside and actually talked to people since Tip O'Neil was Speaker of the House.
responded Brian Tyler Cohen, the co-founder of Chorus, a Democratic digital group. “Why Democrats insist on squandering every moment is beyond me.”
They squander it because they have no killer instinct.
True.
Democrats can’t fully condemn tariffs because they aren’t free traders. They are social engineers and redistributionists. They are progressive populists. No matter how many times I tell MAGA that “populism” is progressive, NOT conservative, they don’t want to listen. Warren gave away the game. Progressives typically hate globalization and resent a booming stock market. It probably kills them that the Market is the only thing that seems to have any influence over Trump.
I think it's time to realize that some of the Dems are worthless. Can the Bulwark work on a list of politicians we would like removed? Can we sue them?
First, the 140 Insurrectionists in Congress need to be given a clean slate so they can vote vs the king and Mikey.
Even the new GOP are folding to the party and voting vs their constituents and common sense.
There was an insurrection - the king has the party cheating, lying and doing stupid things because they know they will be out of politics if found guilty. And the Senate and House judiciary committees protect them - with Thomas, Leonard Leo and the Federalist Society.
The current House bills vs law and the budget for the richest - are so wrong.
I did not read the article. How do I unsubscribe from only this newsletter?
Why is Lauren Egan hired to bash the Democratic Party? Remember how Dana Bash – speaking of bashing – said that Kamala hadn’t “closed the deal”? Why is our media so full of Democrat haters and why do they get space on The Bulwark?
Well the truth might be a vector