I’m glad congressional Democrats are finally taking steps to deal with their sclerotic, ineffective and increasingly out-of-touch leadership and building a future with younger—oh wait.
The thing that made me so pessimistic about the future of this country was when I learned that the people who advised Hillary's 2016 campaign were still advising Harris' 2024 campaign. They failed multiple times and the consequences have been catastrophic, but they held on to their positions anyway. I have no reason to think they won't be back in 2028, because the people who have a say in who gets party leadership are people selected by the old leadership. We need a borderline hostile takeover of the Democrat party, and after Trump did it to the Republicans, the existing powers in the Democrat party only entrenched themselves further.
They failed multiple times and the consequences have been catastrophic,
They succeeded in the only thing that matters to Democratic leadership: They kept a progressive from winning the nomination.
The future of this country is not in the hands of the Democratic party if this is the way of things.
Leadership Democrats: Fumble the ball for three downs, then throws an interception
"Well, its no longer my fault if the opposition scores."
Shit like this (Pelosi putting her thumb on the scale) is why people are questioning if they'll ever vote Democrat again.
if trump keeps his promise- and this is one time I actually believe him- we won't ever have to vote democrat again!
(because he'll fuck over democracy and make that illegal.)
I don’t see an alternative and it’s making me hate democracy.
I don’t see an alternative
I want to point out how this (and I'm not doing this to single it you out, but you offer an example example of how a) lack of imagination about what is possible, is the precise kind of lack of vision that brought people to the conclusion that we "had" to support Biden in the primary, because you "can't challenge an incumbent": they were wrong. His brain was melting out of his ears and the establishment was telling you to not believe your lying eyes and ears. Authority takes advantage of this cynicisim and abuses you with it.
Its the kind of mindset that results in "Kamala has to be the nominee", because she's the only viable option; turns out, she wasn't viable. We were told she had to turn to the right, to "get centrists"; turns out, there were no centrists. We were told her campaigning with Liz Cheney was 8d chess because she'll get "never Trump Republicans". How'd that work out.
We've been conditioned into a cynical fatalism, one that is truly not borne out by reality: it does not predict the future. I can not make that point any more emphatically. This toxic fatalism is in-opposition to the results we have on hand. New ways are possible, constantly. I have no problem with either cynicism or fatalism. However, I do have a problem with a world view being expressed which doesn't predict future states of the world. BNMW, Blue Maga, the cynical fatalists who had elevated themselves into moderators of the Democratic process this election cycle: their cynical reductive fatalism is why Democrats can't do better. Not because it isn't possible, but because they refuse to ask for it, and for MONTHS they refused to allow the kinds of conversations necessary to carve and change a candidate like Harris into one who could get elected.
If anyone, here there or elsewhere, was suppressing speech challenging the narratives or strategies of the Harris campaign or Democratic party, challenges that would have led to a more viable candidate had they addressed them: these are the true enemies of democracy. There is a reason why Free Speech is the first amendment. It goes beyond what the government is allowed to do or not do: its about what we're allowed to say or not allowed to say. Its about who has power, and who is allowed to challenge existing narratives. We can absolutely change this world, but first, we have to work on ourselves, and the communities we are a part of. This cynicism is a cancer we need to stamp out.
You have all the power you need to already to make the changes. If you need inspiration: Actions speak louder than words. You have to decide if you are part of the resistance or part of a costume party. Which is what some people, recently in the news, have decided.
The future is undefined. Pretending it isn't is giving in.
we “had” to support Biden in the primary
What primary?
Exactly.
You can add me to the list. I voted democrat this previous election in an effort to prevent *gestures around* this, but I didn't want to for a number of reasons. I don't trust the green party with Stein. I have no idea what I will do next election. I always vote for the most progressive "local" (I'm an overseas voter, but as long as I have to file taxes and get fucked by the IRS by not being able to use retirement accounts here, I'mma vote) candidate, but I don't think I've ever seen anything other than D and R in my district except maybe an I once or twice.
Shit like this (Pelosi putting her thumb on the scale) is why people are questioning if they’ll ever vote Democrat again.
Yep, 100% this is at Pelosi's feet. Fuck Nancy Pelosi, and honsestly fuck every D Boomer in congress who won't get out of the way for the younger generations. You are actively holding us back.
AOC runs several investigations that lead to results.
Connelly... Is old and has seniority.
Great fucking job Democrats. Getting my seat warmer ready for ~~2022~~ 2026 already!
AOC should abandon the Democratic party. She should join Bernie as an god-damned Independent.
She and Bernie should start a progressive party.
I'm tired of Democrats bowing to oligarchs.
Look up the spoiler effect to learn why they don't.
We're already spoiled due to a fucking useless DNC. A complete replacement is warranted at this point.
They can worry about the spoiler effect... Or they can worry about the massive amount of people who don't vote because they feel it's pointless or barely muster enough care to do it.
The fact that these experienced politicians whose judgment you appear to trust, have both decided to work within the existing system should probably sway your opinion of what the optimal strategy is at least a bit more.
There are usually two parties because the game-theoretic dynamic of this electoral system has a significant channelizing effect on the likeliest outcomes. Once you've accepted that reality, the (admittedly unsatisfying) optimal strategy becomes apparent.
I say this all with zero rancor - I do not like these arguments either, but the logic of it is difficult to see past. I would prefer the system be overthrown entirely but, and this is key, you go into the revolution with the populace that exists - and they're going to have their own ideas for what comes next. I'm not so sure I'd like what they bring to the table.
Worrying about the spoiler effect is why were here in the first place.
The spoiler effect will work in the short term, but if a progressive party can oust the DNC in even a few states Congress should look a lot different to how it is now. A bit of pain is worth it to escape the slow death promised by the DNC.
AOC loses key vote in House Oversight race to Gerry Connolly
an Old. White. man.
Seriously. It's pissing me off; more so the republicans doing it. we need minority voices. We can't expect the republicans to do it- lets just be honest here. and I doubt very much if Connolly will be able to push back nearly as much as AOC can and will. (never mind, whether or not he's willing.)
An old white man with cancer that he announced a month ago. He should be focusing on his treatment, not adding more to his plate.
What the fuck? This is a special dipshit cherry to put on top of just automatically choosing the oldest option. Even if the leadership still hate AOC, choose someone who's definitely going to be at the top of their game, not award important positions to so he can be proud while taking time off for his pressing health needs.
Gerry Connolly
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerry_Connolly
The Congressman's Congressman. He represents the district right outside DC. Also, prior to running for office he worked as an aide to the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations where he managed committee oversight of international economic issues, international narcotics control, and United Nations and Middle East policies, and published reports on U.S. policy in El Salvador, Central America, Israel, and the Persian Gulf region.
So, expect a guy who will toe the line on all our accumulated foreign policy blunders while banging a gavel to silence another generation of anti-war protesters.
It gets worse than that, of course.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerry_Connolly#Legislation_sponsored
Sponsoring legislation with Darrell Issa - a shameless, virulent Silicon Valley shill of a politician - as Trump lards up his cabinet with Friends of Peter Thiel is a bleak sign for the future.
"Everyone sort of made the case that they would be the best to help change the message across the country. ... He's a very good communicator," said Beyer.
Oh yeah that's exactly what's going to fix the problem Democrats have. Electing another old ass Clinton era Democrat to a position of power. It's not like everybody's pissed at them for losing the Presidency, the House, and the Senate all in one go.
It’s not like everybody’s pissed at them for losing the Presidency, the House, and the Senate all in one go.
With their amazing communication skills.
HEADLINE: AFTER SEVERAL BEATINGS, DEMOCRATS LEARN NO LESSONS
More the stupid us for thinking things would be any different this time.
A 74-year-old who is dying of cancer was chosen over a 35-year-old rising star at the insistence of an 84-year-old woman (who is currently undergoing hip replacement surgery) just months after an 81-year-old Presidential candidate was forced to drop out of the race because he showed sever symptoms of cognitive decline during a debate. If this were a satire about a gerontocracy, I would think it was too over the top.
This country is totally capable of fighting off creeping fascism. It's the Democrat leadership that's not up to the task.
What they're saying: Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.), a Connolly ally, acknowledged Connolly's greater seniority likely played a role in his win but argued "it wasn't just that."
It wasn't just that. He also has a penis
The only thing that mattered was that his opponent was a progressive.
Connolly had 34 and AOC had 27, but there is a full caucus vote tomorrow.
She lost to a 74yr old…yeah that guy needs to retire. Get out of the fucking way.
Democrats running out of foot to shoot themselves in
Gerry Connolly more like Gerry Atric.
If AOC sticks with the Democratic party instead of going independent she proves the DNC was right to deny her power. Why bother caving to AOC'S demands if she will keep sheepdogging people to the party and get nothing in return?
One House Democrat aligned with Ocasio-Cortez told Axios that steering is "made up of the most senior members," making it not her most receptive venue.
Because having senior members has worked so well so far...I get senior also means experience, but we need some new blood too, not status quo. And the past experience so far with AOC's roles in committees shows she has what's needed.
The ghoul strikes again.
Hence why I staunchly refuse to donate to Democrats currently. Fuck these old ass, no idea jackasses clinging onto old shit ideas and continuing to lose at every god damn level of politics.
I hope AOC continues to be a light and the fight in the Democratic party that doesn't deserve her.
At this point, the most determined and successful opponent of progressivism in the US is the Democrat party.
After 2016, ive wondered for a while if it would have made more sense to run progressives in republican primaries instead of dem ones. We would probably have been better off if progressives took advantage of republican party weaknesses
Well what a fucking surprise; the gerontocracy continues its undefeated streak.
Welcome to the discussion of US Politics!
Rules:
Links must be to the original source, not an aggregator like Google Amp, MSN, or Yahoo.
Example:
We ask that the users report any comment or post that violate the rules, to use critical thinking when reading, posting or commenting. Users that post off-topic spam, advocate violence, have multiple comments or posts removed, weaponize reports or violate the code of conduct will be banned.
All posts and comments will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. This means that some content that violates the rules may be allowed, while other content that does not violate the rules may be removed. The moderators retain the right to remove any content and ban users.
That's all the rules!
Civic Links
• Congressional Awards Program
• Library of Congress Legislative Resources
• U.S. House of Representatives
Partnered Communities:
• News