Why the Dems have to move to the center, Chapter 18,898---
This is probably the most tiresome song getting played over and over again on "The Bulwark".
In the first place it is already too late to tack FURTHER to the center in any convincing manner. The entire Biden agenda that has so far passed in Congress is almost entirely centrist...…
Why the Dems have to move to the center, Chapter 18,898---
This is probably the most tiresome song getting played over and over again on "The Bulwark".
In the first place it is already too late to tack FURTHER to the center in any convincing manner. The entire Biden agenda that has so far passed in Congress is almost entirely centrist... and yet no matter how often this is pointed out it isn't enough to overcome the creeping socialism canard.
The culture war issues being battled are mostly state and local issues--- and if leftists in Portland are somehow the problem of moderate Democrats in Virginia there is nothing to be done.
In the second place it really doesn't matter--- Democrats could go to the center right of Joe Manchin and they would still be misrepresented as communists, socialists, baby eating transgender lesbians by the GOP and half the country has already accepted that as true.
So the ONLY issue that needs to be decided is whether or not this country remains a democracy or becomes Hungary and Poland. IF white suburban voters are more concerned about inflation than preserving democracy then LET them vote Republican.
Totally on point. No one thinks THEIR Congress/Senator is a/the problem; it’s only those outlier’s in either party, i.e. AOC, MTG, as an issue and MY Congressman/Senator will be that check/balance on THOSE crazies, so a voter MUST continue their ideological choice and not think/vote proactively about small d democracy future.
"The entire Biden agenda that has so far passed in Congress is almost entirely centrist.." Exactly. But what about the Biden agenda that didn't pass Congress b/c it was too far to the left? You don't think that colors voters impression of Democratic candidates?
How many people do you know from High School who are in their late sixties, early 70's who have to scramble to get food on the table every night? Who wouldn't have any healthcare if not for Medicare? Most of the people I went to HS with in Appalachia are in that boat. So to me the 'Build Back Better' agenda sounded just fine. It's about time America had a little bit more of the old fashioned FDR diet again. Half of my HS class is dead. Most of them died of poverty. They didn't need to die like that. Our area was decimated by Reagan and his idiotic 'Trickle Down' economics which decimated every single local business in the Poconos (PA.). I highly resent ALL Republicans because I have seen what their policies do to real people.
It’s always an admonishment for Dems to move to the center (further right) at the same time Republicans have moved to the fascist right. And yet, the countries with the highest quality of life are definitely left leaning social democracies. So basically we are advised to give up our hopes for making life less of a daily grind, here in the U.S., and just give in to a brutal version of unrestrained, unregulated nationalistic capitalism. Our future looks very bleak.
A thousand times no. The assumption that Trumpism is some sort of far right conservative philosophy could not be more wrong. Some of the people most opposed to Trumpism are those conservative intellectuals.
If the republicans were running on anything like a platform with ideas and policy proposals and the like, then maybe the endless criticism for the Dems to move to the center would make sense.
But the republicans don't have policies. Or ideas. Take the VA governor's race, e.g.: that entire race can be summed up in one buzz phrase: critical race theory. Which isn't taught in any elementary, middle or high school in America.
The republicans tried to paint a middle-off-the-road, highly qualified Black female jurist as soft on kiddie porn during the SCOTUS confirmation hearing. Despite the fact that her judicial record is in line with republican appointees all over the country.
The GOP is out of ideas, so they're running a smear and grievance campaign. I wish our Bulwark friends would tell us where on the political spectrum the Dems could move to counter that. I'm all ears.
The Republicans are winning because of one entity and that is #FoxNews. I do not know WHY @JoeBiden is not shuttering Fox and kicking Murdoch out of the US. Fox News is destroying American Democracy!
I wish our Friends on the Bulwark would turn their energies to actually advising Democrats in how they can expose Republicans more effectively. It's clear that the GQP has become the party of zero work ethic, where do-nothing Republican Reps and Senators never legislate on anything. They spend their time and energy running after fake news stories trying to paint Demorcrats as being as foolish as they are. Hey GQP - Democrats don't run around with hair on fire screaming about Q-Anon Conspiracies! The Bulwark needs to tell Republicans to get THEIR house in order.
I couldn't agree more, Victoria. Democrats have not had the messaging machine - nor the killer instinct - that republicans have when it comes to winning elections. That's why, even though they represent a minority of the country, republicans remained competitive.
I love the folks here at the Bulwark, and I appreciate hearing their points of view even when I don't entirely agree. It finally feels like conservatives and non-conservatives can exchange opinions without rancor. But, you're right, fellow current/former republicans need to talk some sense to their own - because the republicans sure as hell won't listen to anybody else.
Oh, so very, very correct. The taste of totalitarianism is strong on the tongue of American voters. The irresistible aroma of nihilism wafting from the GQP kitchen is alluring beyond measure. And if tacking to that ever elusive center were effective, well, Democrats would end up being where Dixicrats were decades ago. And, yet, still not center enough.
Life in GB is actually fine. I was there for 2 years studying at Cambridge. I didn't have any problems. At least they don't have idiots like MTGreene and Matt Gaetz running around, with people stupid enough to take them seriously!
Well, you guys DID get Brexit, which is kind of MAGA-lite. But ya, doesn't seem to be generally as bad there--but I wonder how much of that is because of the differences between the political systems.
My wife is Canadian and lives there (I live in the US during my work year and there during summers), so my escape route is prepared. I feel sorry for those who will be trapped in the oncoming shitshow.
I'm grateful to discover there are Democrats who understand my dilemma. I've been trying to figure out how to get of of the US since the fateful day when millions of Americans lost their minds and voted for the drug-addicted #FoolOfNYC. What were they thinking?
Why the Dems have to move to the center, Chapter 18,898---
This is probably the most tiresome song getting played over and over again on "The Bulwark".
In the first place it is already too late to tack FURTHER to the center in any convincing manner. The entire Biden agenda that has so far passed in Congress is almost entirely centrist... and yet no matter how often this is pointed out it isn't enough to overcome the creeping socialism canard.
The culture war issues being battled are mostly state and local issues--- and if leftists in Portland are somehow the problem of moderate Democrats in Virginia there is nothing to be done.
In the second place it really doesn't matter--- Democrats could go to the center right of Joe Manchin and they would still be misrepresented as communists, socialists, baby eating transgender lesbians by the GOP and half the country has already accepted that as true.
So the ONLY issue that needs to be decided is whether or not this country remains a democracy or becomes Hungary and Poland. IF white suburban voters are more concerned about inflation than preserving democracy then LET them vote Republican.
Give them the government they deserve.
Totally on point. No one thinks THEIR Congress/Senator is a/the problem; it’s only those outlier’s in either party, i.e. AOC, MTG, as an issue and MY Congressman/Senator will be that check/balance on THOSE crazies, so a voter MUST continue their ideological choice and not think/vote proactively about small d democracy future.
What a great point!
Sorry if this is not grammatically correct or rushed to get to the point, etc….a few Tanqueray & tonic in on this warm spring day.
Sounds perfect!
"The entire Biden agenda that has so far passed in Congress is almost entirely centrist.." Exactly. But what about the Biden agenda that didn't pass Congress b/c it was too far to the left? You don't think that colors voters impression of Democratic candidates?
How many people do you know from High School who are in their late sixties, early 70's who have to scramble to get food on the table every night? Who wouldn't have any healthcare if not for Medicare? Most of the people I went to HS with in Appalachia are in that boat. So to me the 'Build Back Better' agenda sounded just fine. It's about time America had a little bit more of the old fashioned FDR diet again. Half of my HS class is dead. Most of them died of poverty. They didn't need to die like that. Our area was decimated by Reagan and his idiotic 'Trickle Down' economics which decimated every single local business in the Poconos (PA.). I highly resent ALL Republicans because I have seen what their policies do to real people.
Well said. Absolutely right on.
"...they would still be misrepresented as communists, socialists, baby eating transgender lesbians by the GOP..."
You forgot pedophile.
Please read Karl, posted about an hour before yours.
Yes, I saw his right after I posted. Too fired up, I was! Failed to read other comments first. My bad.
100%. Thank you for this post.
It’s always an admonishment for Dems to move to the center (further right) at the same time Republicans have moved to the fascist right. And yet, the countries with the highest quality of life are definitely left leaning social democracies. So basically we are advised to give up our hopes for making life less of a daily grind, here in the U.S., and just give in to a brutal version of unrestrained, unregulated nationalistic capitalism. Our future looks very bleak.
A thousand times no. The assumption that Trumpism is some sort of far right conservative philosophy could not be more wrong. Some of the people most opposed to Trumpism are those conservative intellectuals.
Look on the bright side. If we get Trump back in power, perhaps America can become #LittleRussia.
If the republicans were running on anything like a platform with ideas and policy proposals and the like, then maybe the endless criticism for the Dems to move to the center would make sense.
But the republicans don't have policies. Or ideas. Take the VA governor's race, e.g.: that entire race can be summed up in one buzz phrase: critical race theory. Which isn't taught in any elementary, middle or high school in America.
The republicans tried to paint a middle-off-the-road, highly qualified Black female jurist as soft on kiddie porn during the SCOTUS confirmation hearing. Despite the fact that her judicial record is in line with republican appointees all over the country.
The GOP is out of ideas, so they're running a smear and grievance campaign. I wish our Bulwark friends would tell us where on the political spectrum the Dems could move to counter that. I'm all ears.
The Republicans are winning because of one entity and that is #FoxNews. I do not know WHY @JoeBiden is not shuttering Fox and kicking Murdoch out of the US. Fox News is destroying American Democracy!
I wish our Friends on the Bulwark would turn their energies to actually advising Democrats in how they can expose Republicans more effectively. It's clear that the GQP has become the party of zero work ethic, where do-nothing Republican Reps and Senators never legislate on anything. They spend their time and energy running after fake news stories trying to paint Demorcrats as being as foolish as they are. Hey GQP - Democrats don't run around with hair on fire screaming about Q-Anon Conspiracies! The Bulwark needs to tell Republicans to get THEIR house in order.
Do you read Jennifer Rubin in the WaPost? She doesn't good job of advising the dems.
I do. I like Jen Rubin!
Not going to happen through the comments section or written publications.
I couldn't agree more, Victoria. Democrats have not had the messaging machine - nor the killer instinct - that republicans have when it comes to winning elections. That's why, even though they represent a minority of the country, republicans remained competitive.
I love the folks here at the Bulwark, and I appreciate hearing their points of view even when I don't entirely agree. It finally feels like conservatives and non-conservatives can exchange opinions without rancor. But, you're right, fellow current/former republicans need to talk some sense to their own - because the republicans sure as hell won't listen to anybody else.
Oh, so very, very correct. The taste of totalitarianism is strong on the tongue of American voters. The irresistible aroma of nihilism wafting from the GQP kitchen is alluring beyond measure. And if tacking to that ever elusive center were effective, well, Democrats would end up being where Dixicrats were decades ago. And, yet, still not center enough.
Life in GB is actually fine. I was there for 2 years studying at Cambridge. I didn't have any problems. At least they don't have idiots like MTGreene and Matt Gaetz running around, with people stupid enough to take them seriously!
Well, you guys DID get Brexit, which is kind of MAGA-lite. But ya, doesn't seem to be generally as bad there--but I wonder how much of that is because of the differences between the political systems.
I'm American, not British. I lived in Britain for 2 years while getting a Masters in Urban Design at Cambridge. Then I returned to the US.
My wife is Canadian and lives there (I live in the US during my work year and there during summers), so my escape route is prepared. I feel sorry for those who will be trapped in the oncoming shitshow.
I'm grateful to discover there are Democrats who understand my dilemma. I've been trying to figure out how to get of of the US since the fateful day when millions of Americans lost their minds and voted for the drug-addicted #FoolOfNYC. What were they thinking?
Uh, I am not a Democrat ;)