Yang not asked to speak.. And no Beto???

[Laura PourMeADrink]

Last edited Tue Aug 11, 2020, 03:18 PM - Edit history (2)

Link to tweet

?s=20

[we can do it]

1. Fine with me.

[DavidDvorkin]

2. Same here.

[nsd]

3. He should have been asked.

I think we'll hear more from Yang in the future.

[we can do it]

5. Or not.

[Kid Berwyn]

49. His ideas are terrifying to many.

Many well-off Americans are loathe to think they’ll be asked to pay for those who get money from the U.S. Treasury without having to work for it.

“If you don’t work, you don’t eat.”

I was brought up to think that way. Since then, I’ve learned there are far fewer jobs than there are people looking for work.

[still_one]

4. I guess the question is, was it expected that every primary candidate would be offered to speak?

[BannonsLiver]

6. Meh

America the aggrieved. We’ll live without a Yang speech.

[Budi]

7. Yang should have had a speaker slot before Ocasio Cortez.

JDems already have Bernie & Warren speaking to their beliefs.
Yang deserved his one slot to speak to his beliefs.He has some good ideas & a growing involvement in supporting Democracy & Biden.

Pity he was cheated out of a speaker position.
JDems didn't need 3 representing them if it meant keeping open a slot for another future thinking voice like Yang.

This really sucks. His YangGang should be represented as well.
"On March 10, 2020, Yang endorsed Joe Biden for president. In April 2018, Yang released The War on Normal People, a book discussing job displacement, automation, and universal basic income (UBI), which are central to his campaign."

Why the Yang Gang should be proud of their accomplishments:

The Yang Gang built a huge movement for a very unusual set of ideas in a very short time. I thought the US UBI movement had grown a lot in the several years before Yang’s campaign but that was nothing compared to the growth it’s had since Yang got in the race.

The movement affected the national and international dialogue at the highest levels.
It will have lasting positive effects. I can’t prove this, but my personal experience convinces me.

I think that a very large number of Yang Gang members are committed to continuing to work on UBI & other Humanity First ideas in the long term, and now is the time to decide how—while the movement has momentum and local and national Yang Gangs are assembled.

Feb 2020
https://basicincome.org/news/2020/02/the-time-is-now-for-the-yang-gang/

[BannonsLiver]

8. "Cheated"

[Budi]

10. Yup. Pretty much how his supporters see it.

I believe to encourage the vast ideologies that have always been the bedrock of the Democratic Party, Yang should too have his voice heard at the Natl Convention.

[BannonsLiver]

16. Hmmm Well I'm sorry they feel that way

He won zero states and zero delegates. His appeal certainly is very selective.

[Budi]

26. And Bernie & Warren didn't fair much better actually.

There were a few State Primaries where Sanders never won a single county.
Warren came in 3rd in her own State.

Yang should be given a place for his voice & his supporters as well.

[BannonsLiver]

28. Bernie had hundreds of delegates, and won states.

Warren is a prominent US Senator. The comparison is completely laughable. Yang won nothing. Literally nothing.

It’s a neat story And he’s a nice guy but as someone else said, one must draw the line somewhere.

[Celerity]

21. you mean speak before her, or take her slot and no AOC at all?

NOT putting AOC in any slot would be foolish, she is one of the most well-known Democrats in the country, and whether people like it or not, she is influential.

I would have given Kasich's slot to Yang. I detest Kasich.

I really like Yang, btw.

[karynnj]

40. You can not be cheated out of something you were not entitled to in the first place

There are other 2020 candidates not included, including many with longer resumes closer to Biden's position. As to AOC, it may reflect that Biden was impressed by the platform work that she did on climate change with Kerry. She is also more likely a future super star in the Democratic party.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

111. Magnanimous. Honoring all your opponents.

[karynnj]

120. I get that, but with, I think, 16 people running, it would take up too much of the convention

If you made the decision to include all of them, who would you eliminate to include Wang, Beto, Bloomberg, Diblasio, Inslee, Gabbad etc? I do not think Obama included everyone he ran against in 2008 and there were many up until Iowa. In 2016, there were just 2.

The Obamas, Clintons, and Kerry are the senior statesmen of the party. AOC is an important party leader who speaks to many people. They also included many people publicly known to be better as VPs. This is a great gesture. They were picked because of their merit and this honors them. Otherwise, the story is just they were not chosen.

It also seems each day has a theme and the speakers were picked who could credibly speak on that theme and how Joe Biden fits it.

[NurseJackie]

64. I'm going to agree with this.

You make many excellent points and valid observations.

[Budi]

68. Thank you. Everyone with voters to bring should be given a few minutes to address the Nation.

They could cut 3 minutes off a JDem speaker to make time for Yang.

Easily.

[bottomofthehill]

9. I like him but

He got about 150,000 people to vote for him and Zero delegates. Tulsi Gabbard who I like less got about 250,000 people to vote for her and got 2 Delegates.

Where does one draw the line, there were a lot of candidates in the primary. If they all get a speaking roll we will need a 2 week convention.

[demmiblue]

15. +1

[Music Man]

22. Well said.

[Budi]

27. So those 150,000 voters shouldn't be heard?

The Democratic Party is is inclusive of all people's voices.
The very bedrock of the platform.

[BannonsLiver]

29. They were heard

See, we had this thing called a primary.

[Budi]

32. So why are Sanders & Warren speaking, if the Primary determines the speakership?

It makes no sense when using that argument.

Yang has a voting block to speak to as well.
He deserves a voice at this convention.

[BannonsLiver]

33. Because they got lots of votes and delegates

You also seem to be selectively ignoring the fact they are senators as well. Again, your whataboutism attempts are mildly amusing if not slightly pitiful.

[obamanut2012]

36. They are also Senators

And both have long careers in public service.

[Budi]

38. There are many Senators to choose from

[BannonsLiver]

41. Try to be less obtuse

[Budi]

47. Not obtuse at all. Trying to be fair.

Yang has an equal right to speak to his supporters of the 2020 primary as anyone else.

He brings another diverse following to encourage to vote blue in November.

Other than securing the Presidential nominatiin, THAT is what this convention is about.
The Democratic Party has always been the Party of the People.
Omitting any voting block goes against the bedrock of their platform.

There is no room for purity preference in our D Party.

No voice is 'meh'.

[BannonsLiver]

50. Ok

I think I know what you’re trying to do here. Will leave it at that. For now.

[Celerity]

104. +1000

[StarfishSaver]

44. Warren and Sanders are also sitting senators

Yang is a rich guy who decided to run for president. That's not enough to guarantee you one of the very few speaking spots at the Democratic convention.

[Budi]

52. Well that right there is the very reason Yang should speak.

Reducing Andrew Yang to "rich guy who decided to run for president".

We can name a bunch of others who were rich & decided to run for President. Some weren't even Dems but ran on the Party ticket for oppotunity, & some were absolutely in the game for the D Party.
And some weren't "rich guys" until they joined the race. They somehow emerged millionares.
Go figure!

It's actually not about wealth, its about bringing voters to the polls for the Democrats in November.

Yang should be given a position to speak to his specific voting block & to the Nation on behalf of the diversity of our great Democratic People's Party, Our Democratic Party & for America.

He became wealthy before he joined the political campaign. He didn't make his millions because of it.

Wealth is a moot point as Nov appears on the horizon. Every single voice appealing to Vote Blue is the only point.

[StarfishSaver]

53. There's no reason Yang needs to speak

And his whining about it publicly only confirms that it was the right decision.

[Budi]

60. Whoa! Wait a minute...just a couple days ago, the whinning from AOC's base was evident...

before they realized the entire speaker list hadn't been released.

So let's not go there.
K?


Commondreams was 1st to whine loudest..followed by social media fanbase.

Wasting no time for the full list to be released before whinning:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/07/dnc-appears-ready-sideline-progressive-standout-ocasio-cortez-upcoming-convention%3famp

🙄

I had actually read a partial list early in the week, before it was officially released & she was on it.
But leave it to Commondreams to take that and make a stink. They knew she was a speaker
She just was not on the 1st relased list.
"Fire up the angry base, Commomdreams..!!!"
PR is key, afterall.

[BannonsLiver]

56. "Democratic People's Party"?

I’m sure it read differently in the original Cyrillic.

[Budi]

58. The Democratic Party has always been the people's party.

Sure hasn't been the GOP.

Democrats have always benefitted the people of America.

Yes, we are the party of the people, throughout history.

[BannonsLiver]

71. Nobody calls it the "Democratic Peoples Party"

At least nobody in this country. It’s the Democratic Party.

[Budi]

72. I'm nobody??

Wtf ever.. 🙄

#ByeBannonsliver

[BannonsLiver]

73. Ok

[Budi]

75. I'm just fking with Nina

[bottomofthehill]

78. Should Tulsi Gabbard have a speaking slot with her 250,000 voters and

2 delegates. Where is the line drawn.

[Budi]

79. Has she asked to speak? Have her supporters ?

[LanternWaste]

85. You're moving your own goalposts far too often and far too quickly.

Indicating you're arguing from only an emotional rather than rational position.

You fail to provide any objective standard on which to base your premise, and the few subjective measures you provide, you then deny to other candidates meeting that same standard.

Simply stating in numerous variations that 2+2=22 does not make the premise any more valid.

[Vivienne235729]

109. why would tulsi speak? She didn't even have the courtesy to drop out

and the fact that she didn't even win her election speaks volumes.

[tblue37]

114. She wasn't running to be re-elected to congress. nt

[bottomofthehill]

116. And she did drop out and She did endorse Joe Biden.

[Vivienne235729]

121. Of course she eventually HAD TO. But when she wasn't even registering #'s, she still hung in there

she stayed in LONG after she was wasn't a viable candidate.

[bottomofthehill]

122. She dropped out 30 days after Mr Yang

and BTW, he was never a viable candidate, nor was she.

[Vivienne235729]

123. It should have been only 3. Yang was a far more viable candidate than tulsi.

[bottomofthehill]

124. Considering she got 100,000 more votes than he did

I think that is proven wrong.

[StarfishSaver]

92. The only way they can be heard is for Yang to speak in primetime at the Democratic convention?

[CrispyQ]

11. I'd rather hear what Yang has to say than Kasich.

Is the anti-choice repub still on the speakers list?

[Celerity]

13. +1000

[Music Man]

23. I think everyone is more interested in what Yang has to say than Kasich.

But it's a political convention. A Republican governor endorsing Biden does more to persuade independents and moderate Republicans than Yang does.

So, policy-wise, yes we prefer Yang, but that's not the point here.

[Act_of_Reparation]

77. Does it?

Don't get me wrong, I don't think Yang is going to bring much value to the table, but I'm not convinced Kaisich is going to bring the boys to the yard, either.

Ronald Reagan could rise from the fucking grave to endorse Joe Biden and the overwhelming majority of Republicans would still vote Trump.

[smirkymonkey]

100. I agree with that.

Really, why do we need to hear what Kasich has to say? Yang has much more to contribute.

[not_the_one]

12. Big Tent, people...

That IS what they would like for us to believe.

We had a LOT of excellent candidates to choose from. EVERYONE should be given a nod. It's not like they are going to have to wait minutes and minutes for the roars of the crowd to die down... Everyone could get two to three minutes.

Even the peace and love guru. However, I'm still on the fence about Tulsa. (spelling intentional)

edit to add...

NOT KASICH. If some politician thinks that they must be pro-choice just to get elected, so be it. BUT DO NOT GIVE THEM A PLATFORM AT OUR CONVENTION. We do NOT have room for a a policy of women NOT HAVING CONTROL OF THEIR OWN BODIES. The tent is not THAT big. OR anti-LGBT.

[BannonsLiver]

19. Are you saying the party isn't a big tent?

Tell us more about that.

On edit: it’s not the party’s fault you are unable or unwilling to understand Kasich’s purpose at the convention.

[Music Man]

24. Yeah, but Kasich isn't going to be advocating Republican policies.

He's there to say, "Donald Trump is so batshit crazy, that even a prominent Republican governor, congressman, and presidential candidate like me has to go to the other party's convention and endorse his opponent."

It's just going to be: "Biden is a good man, steady, experienced, wise, kind, lived through tragedy, Trump is dangerous, blah blah blah." Media covers it as a huge victory to score such an endorsement.

If a Democratic governor wanted to endorse Trump in prime time, you think they'd turn that down?

[madinmaryland]

66. Is Zeller Miller still alive?

[demmiblue]

14. Just putting this here:

Link to tweet

Ok.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

17. Wow on that 42%. Important point hope they would have considered

[demmiblue]

18. He didn't have all that many supporters, so...

[StarfishSaver]

45. The only he can get that 42% of his voters to support Biden is to give a speech at the convention?

Sounds like he's not really all that into Joe ...

[dsc]

54. 58% the 42% is who wouldn't.

[StarfishSaver]

63. That's my point

He's claiming that he needs to speak so he can encourage that 42% who say they won't vote for Biden to vote for him to vote for him.

But if he thinks the only way he can get them to vote for Biden is for him to give a speech at the convention, well...

[StarfishSaver]

94. So he'll have a chance to speak and to be heard, but he wants a primetime slot?

Hmm

[Autumn]

20. No Yang but a Kasich? That's too bad. he's a good guy.

[MineralMan]

25. I'm not bothered.

[Renew Deal]

30. I'm surprised too.

I don't think it would have hurt if he spoke unless he advocated for UBI.

[ucrdem]

31. I hope he'll be visibly part of the show

A lot of important Dems are typically seen on camera but not on stage. Caroline Kennedy comes to mind. Maybe that won't be so easy on Zoom but anyway I hope he plays whatever role they give him as he is important symbolically even if he never took off politically.

[mvd]

34. I'd like to hear him

UBI is an idea I would like talked about. Just as long as it is no replacement for other needed safety net programs.

[Devil Child]

35. Disappointed, but I will survive and the convention will still shine.

[obamanut2012]

37. 42% of his supporters will not vote for Biden

And, that is from Yang himself.

[Budi]

39. THAT is what his voice would bring us in November.

That is why it's a serious mistake to ignore a speaker position for Andrew Yang.

His voice at this time is as valuable as any other.

[BannonsLiver]

43. You think you'll be able to bring yourself to vote for Biden despite this perceived injustice?

[StarfishSaver]

46. You need to hear Yang speak at the Democratic convention in order to vote for Biden?

[obamanut2012]

48. Um no -- it would bring basically none of his 150,000 voters

You are wrong, and need to accept that.

[Codeine]

51. If they don't vote Joe they're dumbfucks.

I’m over toddlers throwing their toys out of the pram because they lost.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

67. No Beto makes me ill

[BannonsLiver]

74. America the Aggrieved

[Laura PourMeADrink]

93. No just about 55%

[StarfishSaver]

42. Ok

[dsc]

55. He did better than any Asian American who has ever run for president

he should be speaking.

[BannonsLiver]

57. How many Asians have run for president?

[dsc]

59. Honestly have no idea

3 this time but before that I don't know.

[BannonsLiver]

61. Yang, and I'm assuming you're counting Harris, and who else?

[dsc]

62. Gabbard (I had forgotten Harris at first, that was my edit)

[themaguffin]

65. Could he give the general message speech needed?

He tends to focus on very specific things and a speech like this would need to be broader.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

69. I just like his different slant on things. Refreshing.

[StarfishSaver]

96. The convention isn't the place to bring in "different slants on things."

This is all about Joe Biden and Kamala Harris anf getting them elected.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

113. Oh duh. Should have asked you first.

[StarfishSaver]

117. Maybe you should have

[musicblind]

76. Are you sure this is set in stone?

Haven't these lists changed (been tweaked) a little in previous years?

[Budi]

80. It certainly could be tweaked. There's still time for adjustments...

👍

[Sympthsical]

81. Covid went and proved Yang right. Can't have that.

Probably a decade or two before he figured we'd have to deal with vast unemployment. He assumed automation would do it. But apparently a pandemic would do in a pinch.

Kasich over Yang? Gross.

Yang has the great misfortune of being forward-thinking when most politicians worry only about the next election. He warned of the dangers of what happens when millions of jobs are eliminated. And here we are. And we more or less did what he recommended.

He got laughed at and smeared, and less than a year later, we had to go do much of what he pushed and warned about. We had/have no choice.

The man deserves to speak.

[Meowmee]

82. I liked a lot of his ideas

I certainly would rather be hearing from him than from Kasich, why is a republican speaking at
the democratic convention? I probably won’t be listening to most of it anyway but I just don’t understand why a lot of the people listed have been chosen to speak. After Hillary my participation in political campaigns is pretty much done, I’m going back to just voting for the Democrats which is what I always do.

In my district the primary candidate chosen is the worst possible candidate who has no chance. I will not waste my time, last time I made calls etc.

[StarfishSaver]

97. His ideas are pretty irrelevant at the Democratic convention. Only Biden's ideas matter that week

[Meowmee]

106. They are to me and to others

Kasich’s ideas are of 0 interest to me as are those of some others selected to speak. I can give my input and opinion on this forum as to what I feel is important. As can you. And I have given my input to candidates by texts whose campaigns I supported.

[StarfishSaver]

108. But the convention isn't designed to let you hear everyone's ideas. It's about Biden and HIS ideas

Kasich isn't speaking in order to present his ideas. He's there to endorse Joe Biden and to convince Republicans to dump Trump and support Biden.

[Meowmee]

119. Have you appointed yourself the person here to tell me or others here what the

convention is about? Biden isn’t making every decision on his own, he is getting advice as well. I am aware why Kasich has been asked to speak there. It is a mistake imo as I’ve said. If someone wasn’t speaking who you wanted to hear from over another, who iyo should be there over another I am pretty sure you would comment about it. But either way I will continue to comment as I see fit.

[Trumpocalypse]

83. You want some cheese with that whine Mr. Yang?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

88. Very assholey

[Trumpocalypse]

118. So was filing a lawsuit

to force a primary in New York at the height of a pandemic putting people’s lives at risk for the sake of his ego.

[SharonClark]

125. Well said. Yang is being an asshole.

[Tarc]

84. I think we can take a pass on the 1-2% back end of the primary field

[hunter]

86. I'm dancing today.

Shut up and dance.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

87. You shut up

[AnyFunctioningAdult]

89. Since Kamala was already scheduled for Thursday

and is now going to be the VP nominee who has their own prime time spot on Wednesday, someone can take her former spot. Yang would be good here.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

90. Beto.

[dalton99a]

102. +1.

Link to tweet

[Laura PourMeADrink]

110. Wow great post! So true too!!

[tblue37]

115. Stacy Abrams is a brilliant speaker. nt

[StarfishSaver]

91. These are the prime time speakers -there's only so much time and so many slots

Anyone on the list you think should be bumped to make room for Yang or Beto?

[jcgoldie]

101. Kasich.

That was easy.

[jcgoldie]

95. Meh on Yang but...

If they are serious about Texas there are few people sho can do you as much good there as Beto.

[aikoaiko]

98. Yang pretty much planted the seed for the $1200 Economic Impact Payments

I'd switch Newsom for Yang if forced to make a choice.

We already have CA.

[Polybius]

99. Good

We don't need F-bombs on live TV coming from one of our guys. He has a potty mouth.

[ecstatic]

103. Before that tweet, I might have had sympathy for Yang

But after the tweet? Nope. Anyone causing division right now needs to stay home!

Beto should have been included.

On edit: I've softened my position a little after seeing this tweet:

Link to tweet

?s=20

[ChoppinBroccoli]

105. That's A Pretty Star-Studded Lineup

You can't have EVERYONE speak. And I don't know who you would bump to fit those guys in. I'm excited to hear from nearly all of those people. I mean, we get an Obama on Monday night AND Wednesday night, and I bet they BOTH tear the roof off the joint (virtually, that is).

[Vivienne235729]

107. He should have been asked. And so should have Beto

[tblue37]

112. Beto & Stacy Abrams should be speakers, too. nt

[Kamala4TheWin]

126. Beto yes, Yang no

Beto actually has a fan base and as long as he doesn’t talk about the 2A, I would like to hear him. I would also like to hear Pete and Julian