Centrist House Democrats lash out at liberal colleagues, blame far-left views for costing the party

[brooklynite]

Source: Washington Post

An angry dispute erupted among House Democrats on Thursday, with centrist members blasting their liberal colleagues during a private conference call for pushing far-left views that cost the party seats in Tuesday’s election that they had worked hard to win two years ago.
Follow the latest on Election 2020

The bitter exchange, which lasted more than three hours as members sniped back and forth over tactics and ideology, reflected the extent to which the 2020 campaign exposed simmering tensions in the party even as its presidential nominee, Joe Biden, stands on the brink of achieving their biggest goal of the year — ousting President Trump.

Party leaders had expressed certainty that Trump’s divisiveness and mishandling of the pandemic would help them expand their majority with wins in GOP-held districts — and yet they lost at least a half-dozen seats and failed to retake the Senate. The explanation laid out by centrists, according to multiple people who were on the call and spoke on the condition of anonymity, is that Republicans were easily able to paint them all as socialists and radical leftists who endorse far-left positions such as defunding the police.

“We need to not ever use the word ‘socialist’ or ‘socialism’ ever again. . . . We lost good members because of that,” Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.), who narrowly leads in her reelection bid, said heatedly. “If we are classifying Tuesday as a success . . . we will get f---ing torn apart in 2022.”


Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/house-democrats-pelosi-election/2020/11/05/1ddae5ca-1f6e-11eb-90dd-abd0f7086a91_story.html

[no_hypocrisy]

1. "Far Left"?

More like a return to FDR and the New Deal. That's not radical at all.

[Lock him up.]

18. The fux noi$e got to her, it seems.

It's poi$on.

[mysteryowl]

59. This thread is not being flagged because it favors moderates.

[mysteryowl]

102. I'm not a centrist.

[Cartaphelius]

109. Didn't claim you were, or did I?

If so, my apologies as it was not directed at anyone in particular.

Be Safe and Happy Biden-Harris Day!

[mysteryowl]

112. all is well

[Cartaphelius]

124. All is as it should be somewhere

between good and GREAT!

Be safe wherever you may be!

[certainot]

116. The left needs to stop ignoring RW radio

"It's the radio stupid" should have been the slogan for Democrats the last 30 years

Wed Limbaugh was yelling with royal I’m-never-wrong royal certitude that Trump already won and Kamala “Kommie” Harris (the “Ho” of “Joe and the Ho” — it rhymes!) is wrong to say every ballot has to be counted, insinuating Democrats are cheating by counting ballots instead of votes…

Suicidal dying Limbaugh sets the tone for all other Republican messaging because all Republicans know he’s coordinating with the Trump White House.

Those radio stations and their owners need to be held responsible for the violence their lies may direct at election officials, politicians, and media.

All those companies and schools and sports teams that advertise on RW talk radio need to be asked if they support Trump, racism, COVID inaction, and global warming denial.

It is the radio, stupid. An incredible amount of progressive activism is undone every day by a few hundred idiots and liars on 1500 radio stations.

We have another election disaster, even if Biden wins. Even if he wins McConnell will probably be back running the senate obstruction for the next two years. Democrats LOST seats in congress.

James Carville’s famous “It’s the economy, stupid” directive to Bill Clinton campaign workers helped win in 1992 but 2 years later Democrats lost the House for the first time in decades and the Republican congress thanked Rush Limbaugh by giving him an honorary seat. It’s been the radio, stupid, for 30 years.

Carville recently updated his advice to “It’s the COVID, stupid” but no, [link:Wed) at 12 EST Limbaugh is yelling with royal I’m-never-wrong royal certitude that Trump already won and Kamala “Kommie” Harris (the “Ho” of “Joe and the Ho” — it rhymes!) is wrong to say every ballot has to be counted, insinuating Democrats are cheating by counting ballots instead of votes…

Suicidal dying Limbaugh sets the tone for all other Republican messaging because all Republicans know he’s coordinating with the Trump White House.

Those radio stations and their owners need to be held responsible for the violence their lies may direct at election officials, politicians, and media.

All those companies and schools and sports teams need to be asked if they support Trump, racism, COVID inaction, and global warming denial.

It is the radio, stupid. An incredible amount of progressive activism is undone every day by a few hundred idiots and liars on 1500 radio stations.

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2020/11/4/1992127/-The-biggest-political-mistake-in-history-It-s-the-radio-stupid|it’s still the radio, stupid (diary at dkos]).

Just heard Claire McCaskill wonder out loud how we got here. According to her and others who never got the “It’s the radio, stupid” memo, Democrats have to work harder to connect with the dittoheads who think, for instance, Democrats are now communists working hand in hand with the FBI and CIA deep state to destroy Trump. Then Robert Gibbs says Democrats have to look in the mirror. So they live in cities and maybe watch Fox to check on RW media and have no fucking clue. Mc Caskill lost her seat because she thought the immigrant caravans were a legitimate issue instead of something from the ass of a few hundred professional liars coordinated for years to attack immigrants and distort the immigration issue to force voter suppression legislation.

Media is now concerned that Democrats have to learn how to communicate and appeal to Trump voters. You know why Trump ‘appeals’ to a large chunk of the American electorate? It’s the radio, stupid. You know how to respond to Republican lies? Preface every response with “Well, that’s what Limbaugh says but….”

Andrea Mitchell asks David Plough what are Democrats doing wrong if a scumbag (paraphrasing) like Trump can get nearly 50% of the US vote. It’s the radio, stupid.

Like just about every Republican politician the last 30 years Trump piggybacked 1500 unchallenged radio stations. Radio stations that are licensed to operate in the public interest but spent most of the year calling COVID a ‘Democrat’ hoax, like the global warming ‘hoax‘ they’ve been yelling about for 30 years.

Wake up Americans, especially you who live in cities with lots of options on the radio dial, and you who think you can ignore talk radio because you believe it’s just another part of the free speech spectrum and if it makes your head hurt you just turn it off or put on another CD.

Like GW Bush, Trump is another candidate who would never have gotten anywhere near the White House, much less get close in a national election, if Democrats didn’t completely ignore 1500 coordinated radio stations yelling over and distorting any national conversation on any major issue Republicans want to dominate.

Can anyone find a single poll relating Trump support to talk radio? Even after Trump spent two hours on the Rush Limbaugh show recently? It’s the radio stupid, because it dominates the primary, secondary, and tertiary buzz in at least 40 states with 80 senators.

And now the same city-dwelling music-listening TV-watching book-reading analysts who have completely ignored the only unique political advantage Republicans have are wondering what happened and are going to tell Democrats they have to do more to appeal to the bullshit coming out of the asses of a few hundred professional liars on 1500 radio stations reaching 50 million people a week. Media will now ask every Democratic politician how they are going to appeal to that vast chunk of the population that has been soaked in 30 years of unchallenged exaggeration, distortion, hate, and lies.

What’s that radio advantage worth with simple math? If the Republican Party, or Putin, would pay $1000 for a one hour talk radio infomercial, 1200 radio stations x 15 hours per day has been worth $90MIL/week or almost $5BIL/year to Republicans. For 30 years. It’s not the money in politics, stupid.

It’s all FREE. It’s paid for by radio advertisers and endorsed by universities (including these 87 institutions of higher education) and professional sports teams that broadcast sports on them.

Now all those radio stations that have been blaming local and state Democrats for bankrupting businesses for COVID and using it to wreck the economy, and they're going to obstruct everything and get a lot of Democrats to blame the 'socialist Left'

[stillcool]

139. he who has the most money wins...

as long as we play that game, what we see is what we get.

[certainot]

147. no, it's still the radio. if trump/putin paid $1000 for a one hr infomercial 1200 stations x 15hrs/d

per day is worth $90M/WEEK or about $5BIIL/yr FREE and that's been used for 30 years to elect republicans and fight money in politics reform, push citizens united, etc, and put corporate supremes on

if you want to get money out of politics, destroy rw radio

[stillcool]

148. I would destroy all monopoly's

especially the media. Money in politics is above and beyond the media. Maybe some day.

[certainot]

149. i agree but it's a lot easier to pass the necessary legislation if the billionaires and corps don't

have 1500 coordinated radio stations top distort the national and state level public discussions of those efforts.

for 30 years all those stations have been screaming corporations are people, money is free speech, unions put more money in politics than corporations, etc

and unlike fox they can be coordinated at the state level to create made-to-order constituencies for those or any other efforts to regulate etc

[Demsrule86]

156. Our house majority depends on moderates...we lose them and we lose the house. It is a different

thing to run in a safe blue seat in the Bronx than to run in say Georgia or Ohio. Thus we have to be realistic; we can get much done if we get the Senate but must always be cautious so as to cause our more moderate elected to lose races in the House and the Senate which did happen this year in the House. But, we won't get every progressive dream and realistically unless we have the Senate...we are looking at gridlock. The senate map looks good for us in 22, but I am so hoping we get the Georgia seats. Health care is the key to winning this race. Georgia did not expand Medicaid so millions have no insurance. If we win, they will have healthcare. We need to run on that.

[appalachiablue]

154. +1 Why don't we have 'labor news anymore? Most unions are

down, but we still need news media coverage for workers, like the 'Evening Business Report' on TV, as one here said.

I hope the right doesn't pick it up more than hate radio, while the center left continues to neglect it.

[DownriverDem]

96. You have to have the

country with you. You can't just throw out ideas with sketchy details. They need to get rid of the progressive label too. It turns off the moderates that we need to win. We are all Dems. I'm a proud Dem. I have never understood why folks are now progressive. It's too divisive.

[jaxexpat]

133. "I have never understood why folks are now progressive."

Because we get tired of letting the RWNJ party define us as "liberals" which they did to justify their own rebranding as "conservatives".
Because moving off the stupid fence with a target on our backs is impossible if we continue to let them define us as they wish.
Because PROGRESS is always a good thing whereas "moderate" defines nothing except defeat.

For instance, I'm personally a VERY conservative guy who thinks that:
unless you have a vagina your opinion on abortion is valueless,
unless you're a black American your understanding of BLM is an accessory to your political wardrobe,
unless you're a single mother, your appreciation of income inequality is limited,
if you were born into a middle class family supported by a successful Mom/Dad/marriage you may not even know that you're way past third base already,
unless you've got a good handle on your finances, you should not buy a mansion because it's a "good investment".

And that ain't all I think. I know that climate change will cost a lot of money and create a lot of jobs which if we don't do the work, ALL conversations are a ridiculous waste of our last gasps. If the wealth of the world continues to flow to the top 0.0001% at its current rate, by 2036 feudalism will seem "progressive". If health care in the US continues in the hands of "health care industries", there will emerge a new business model whose sole service is to guide people though the maze of insured health care options. Also that 85% of us won't be able to afford the service, much less the actual health care costs.

I'm a Democrat but I have no illusion that it means a thing beyond being a realistic sort of person who looks at things the way they actually are and supports those who offer solutions to problems. I'm not impressed much with labels or catch phrases and certainly not with casual criticism of those who take on the hard issues because the maga's can't understand big words.

It's bare faced radical brilliance which will win Democratic races from this point forward. It will draw in the new voters. The days of caution on the sidelines are over. The energy alone will draw them all to a new standard of excellence.

[ck4829]

2. "We need to not ever use the word 'socialist' or 'socialism' " I'm sure Republicans will follow suit

They use "SOCIALISM" for let's see here...

Not wanting to go bankrupt from paying medical bills
Not wanting to get shot in school
The possibility that Puerto Rico can become the 51st state
Buying stuff before a blizzard

And it doesn't seem to hurt them at the polls.

[NotAPuppet]

7. We can use the word "socialist".

But we need to start using the words “authoritarian” and “dictator” when we talk about Republicans. Maybe “murderers” would be another good word, looking at the mishandling of COVID and the fact that they don’t want voters to receive healthcare.

[SergeStorms]

22. Because the media won't do it.

The MSM is very quick to hang the "socialist" moniker on a Democrat, but you'll never hear them call a republican a fascist. Trump gave them ample opportunity to tear down the republican party, but they mostly gave him a pass. Right now on MSNBC on 'Morning Joe' they're tearing down the Democrats for not relating to the American people. Bullshit. With all the lies from republicans on their immense propaganda machine, most Americans never get the truth about Democrats, and the MSM doesn't do anything to contradict that propaganda. It sure as hell pisses me off!

[mountain grammy]

50. Exactly!

Yes..above all else, the MSM is corporate..

[58Sunliner]

134. MJ is a two faced weasel. He thinks it makes him a centrist.

I do not understand people here, posting his shit.

[ArizonaLib]

24. FDR's favorite was 'Economic Royalists'

We don't need to FDR's terminology, but I agree that something just as fitting is needed other than terms that sound wonky and even abstract to the common American.

[Missn-Hitch]

60. Nah. I say Nazis without balls. And I will continue to do so.

[TimeToGo]

65. 100%

I think the campaign needed to do that in FLA -- over and over again to the Cuban Americans.

[Lock him up.]

26. Socialism as in roads and bridges (infrastructure... it's urgent)

Socialism as in tax the $400K/yr earners, not those under that.

Socialism as in pass BidenCare (ObamaCare with a public option THIS TIME).

If the Rethugs don't pass anything, make them pay in 2022.

[gab13by13]

39. Socialism as,

the Green New Deal, returning to the Paris climate accord, pushing for $15 minimum wage, pushing for LGBTQ rights, making it easier to vote, lowering the age of Medicare, removing the cap on SS and keeping it solvent.

We don't need to give up our progressive values over a stupid name. Republicans are good at branding, maybe Democrats can up with a better name to replace Socialism. Dang it, it pizzes me off, Republicans are more Socialist than Democrats. Trump flat out gave farmers and ranchers billions of dollars and that's not Socialism?

[world wide wally]

58. We need to flip the term "Socialsim" on its head by referring to "Corporate Socialism"

every time they call one of us a "Socialist"
CONSISTENTLY!

[KS Toronado]

69. Repugs have been successful in labeling socialism/socialist in a bad light

We need to counter this trend somehow.

[Nasruddin]

75. Exactly!

[OldBaldy1701E]

103. SO MUCH THIS!

There was nothing more 'socialist' than bailing out major corporations when their greed got so huge that they could not sustain the fiction they created. If my company had floundered because I was lying and misleading people, that would have been that. This two-tiered system in this country has to stop. NO ONE is above failure. If you screw things up, well you screwed up and that is that. I am sick of the only reference to 'socialism' popping up outside of the real socialism in this country. We have to start pointing this out!

[BigOleDummy]

107. Exactly

Well said

[Lock him up.]

111. They R for Socialism for the already Rich.

I want Dems to repeat that truth often when they are attacked by the pukes.

[Nasruddin]

68. Come on, people

Find a way to use the word socialism - on the Republicans.
Eg subsidies for oil industries are socialism for rich owners (definitely not the workers)
Tax laws that favor low low taxes on the rich are socialism for rich people
(in fact any Republican scheme that uses tax refunds & rebates can be targeted this way)
Socialism for the rich - rule of the market for the middle class
&c

Educate people about authoritarianism & totalitarianism. Especially people in south FL.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

117. Apparently using the word "f*cking"is perfectly acceptable.

Last edited Fri Nov 6, 2020, 04:43 PM - Edit history (1)

[Clearly fogged in]

3. Good job, Washington Post

The equivalent of a smear story on the victims of terrorism.

[brooklynite]

8. Which other factual stories would you like them not to report on?

[Clearly fogged in]

10. Maybe any other story that detracts from the work at hand

and concentrates instead on petty differences of opinion in a party now burdened with sifting through ashes. I'm sure there are many.

[brooklynite]

12. How does is detract from the work at hand?

The work at hand is counting votes. This story has no impact on that.

The work of the Democratic House (unified or not) will begin in January. It's not WAPOs job to help unify them.

[Clearly fogged in]

15. Mea culpa.

I didn't read the article and didn't realize it was addressing the vote count.

[oldsoftie]

105. HA!

[EarthFirst]

4. This is productive... nt

[NotAPuppet]

5. This is exactly what we need right now.

Bickering between progressive and centrist Democrats, instead of focusing on working together. We have a 2 party system in our country, and as long as that’s the case, we need to make sure that all Democrats have a place in our party and that we get everyone out to vote for our candidate, progressive or centrist.

I’m tired of the division in our country. We don’t need more division within our party, which will not lead to more voter turnout or increase our chances of winning on the future. And I’m saying that as a very progressive voter.

[Freddie]

6. "Defund the police" really hurt us

Monumentally stupid slogan. Biden won my county but our Repug congressman won handily after his ugly ad campaign about his opponent wanting to defund the police, with a backdrop of riots. We have to improve the message about REFORMING the police.

[moose65]

11. "Defund the Police" is just like "socialism."

It doesn’t matter how “centrist” Democrats try to be. Republicans will label them as ultra-liberal, leftist, commie-loving, or whatever else they come up with.

“Defund the police” was never a Democratic slogan. It was the Republicans who latched onto it and tried to paint every single Democrat with that label.

Heck, even Joe Manchin gets labeled as a leftist by Republicans in West Virginia.

[George II]

20. Many Democrats have used that expression. For example:

Ocasio-Cortez dismisses proposed $1B cut: 'Defunding police means defunding police'

“Defunding police means defunding police,” the congresswoman said in a statement. “It does not mean budget tricks or funny math..."

https://thehill.com/homenews/house/505307-ocasio-cortez-dismisses-proposed-1b-cut-defunding-police-means-defunding

[ArizonaLib]

31. We need to start convincing the public at large that government programs work

if you invest in them. That means perhaps raising taxes, decreasing military spending, and educating more of the population. The conservatives found ways to cut education and run for office on it. The wealthy understand that if you want something to work you invest until it works and then you invest more. Fox news would have never got off the ground if massive investment was not made year after bank draining year. Socialism works and so does the word. 'Defund the police' was an unfortunate slogan, however, the polls remained very strong even after. It also scared the hell out of law enforcement members who make up a very small voting block compared to the near 150 million voters.. The NRA wrongly took credit for defeating Gore in 2000. The supreme court defeated him. The pollsters still don't know how to predict Trump's ability to turn out voters - which is why he retains republican extremist support even though no one but they believe he has the votes to win, even after all of this transparent, lawful and traditional vote counts - mostly on paper. Those extremists like Cruz and Graham want access to Trump's turnout ability for the future. They both are as shady as Trump, but without the inherited money and showmanship. Without Trump's showmanship, the republicans don't know where to go next - they have no party platform. They will need to dust something off from years past that will include as much Trumpism, southern strategy and Thomas Dewey/Dwight Eisenhower lip service to sell to common Americans.

[still_one]

95. I think if one is objectively looking at things, those politicians embracing the term

"defunding the police", did not help us, and this was evidenced by Joe Biden having to constantly come out and re-enforce that he was not advocating defunding the police

For those that try to defend the term defunding the police, I find it amusing that some with that same view try to moderate it by saying they really mean "police reform"

To those people I would say, if you have to explain what you "really" mean by defunding the police, you have already lost the argument

As for the issue the OP has presented, I think the majority of Democrats engaged in the primaries realized the makeup of the entire country, and why Joe Biden was the best choice not only for our nominee, but to win the general election

[lapucelle]

108. Members elected as Democrats who proudly identify as Democratic Socialists

and encourage voting for Democratic candidates on the WFP line might be helping to stome this narrative

[Newest Reality]

14. Yes.

It was a poorly worded slogan and it became fodder for right-wing abuse.

From what I understand, what was actually meant by the term was to divert some funding from police budgets to other services that could be deployed in certain situations, (mental health, etc.) so that the police are not a one size fits all solution to societies ills. This was because too much of a burden is on the police to handle everything.

[Freddie]

21. We understand, but most people don't do subtlety

Especially Repugs. And any slogan that has to be explained is a loser.

[Newest Reality]

23. Yup.

[ArizonaLib]

33. We need to get better with bumper stickers

We have better sense of humor, intelligence and better policies than conservatives. They have been winning the bumper sticker war for decades. Whatever happened to 'In your heart you know he's nuts', etc.

[MacKasey]

9. Democrats need to be on offense

Can not let Republicans define us

Need 50 state strategy

Fox news is the enemy

Don't play nice with media

Call a lie a lie, not a misspoke, not fake news

We need to be better sales people, need to sell our product so everyone wants to buy it

That all I got for now, got to eat breakfast

[GoneOffShore]

13. We have to get together on this.

1 - The perfect is the enemy of the good.
2 - All politics is local.
3 - 90% of success is showing up.
4 - You're not going to get a unicorn who farts rainbows.
5 - See number one.

[MacKasey]

28. Totally agree

[olegramps]

57. The perfect is the enemy of the good.

Success is the path taken in compromise and reasonability. Many, for example support Sanders Medicare for All, however you only have to reflect on Sander's totally abysmal legislative track record to see the results of such a strategy. It may not please some that improvements often have to come in steady step, but often small steps, to success. But this is the path that must be followed in a democracy in which opposing opinions must not be silenced. Radicals of any stripe are rarely successful over the long run and most often domed to utter failure.

[theaocp]

16. At least now progressives can stop being smeared with the "purity" label.

Goose, meet gander.

[lonely bird]

17. Republicans are far better at framing

For too long we have kept to the mantra of going high when Republicans go low. For too long we have let Republicans define the term “Democratic Party”.

When will we start bringing a bazooka to the knife fight that is politics in this excuse for a civilized country?

As for Rep. Spanberger? How about calling out the right for what they are? The left, such as it is, in the party is not to blame. We once had a fifty state strategy. What do we have now?

Destroy the Republican Party. THAT needs to be the goal and not hand wringing over socialist/socialism. You will not be able to educate the stupid electorate regarding the definition of socialist/socialism so stop trying. Call Republicans what they are: Nazis, grandma killers, etc ad infinitum. Republicans support death panels then flash the pictures of insurance executives with the names of their companies.

The fight starts NOW. And it needs to go on forever until the Republican Party is reduced to absolute powerlessness or completely destroyed. Republicans DO NOT CARE ABOUT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

[Roisin Ni Fiachra]

19. Centrists have been in full control of the Democratic party for decades.

And now, here we are, fighting for the survival of the party, against an authoritarian fascist lunatic and his horde of ignorant, hate driven, barely literate walking dead zombie like worshipers.

It's time to stop the bickering and finger pointing, and start working together in order to address, and solve, the problems that got us into this predicament.

[ArizonaLib]

37. The centrists play 'prevent defense'

Prevent defense, as all sports fans know is a losing strategy for scared leaders. They do the minimum it takes to hold on to leads or power and leave the field open for opponents to get creative, play their game on their ground of their choosing and worst of all facilitates everything necessary to comfortably create and build momentum. Momentum is the freight train of everything successful long term.

[Cha]

52. Moderates Won us our Democratic

House Victory in 2018. They know what they're talking about.

They won it on Health care.

[Roisin Ni Fiachra]

89. We need more intra-party compromise. We need unity.

Biden smoothly united the party, and it was his attention to personal relationships that set the foundation. “I think the difference now is that, between you and me, I have a better relationship with Joe Biden than I had with Hillary Clinton, and that Biden has been much more receptive to sitting down and talking with me and other progressives than we have seen in the past,” onetime presidential rival Bernie Sanders told the New Yorker.

As Biden wrote, personal relationships build trust. And trust builds a foundation upon which negotiation and compromise — the core work of politics, as Biden sees it — is possible. And so the Biden-Sanders relationship birthed the Biden-Sanders task forces, which was, to my eyes, the most impressive and interesting decision of Biden’s campaign.

Rather than taking his victory over Sanders as an opportunity to define the Democratic Party, Biden took it as his opportunity to unite the Democratic Party. And that meant reopening his policy agenda, and giving a slew of critics and detractors a voice in his campaign.

https://www.vox.com/21545969/joe-biden-2020-election-winner-trump-vote

^^^This^^^

[marble falls]

25. Someone please name radical part of Joe's platform.

[ArizonaLib]

43. I think you are going to hear crickets for the near future

Anyone complaining that providing a historical turnout against Trump needs serious help, especially now before the counts are even finished. I am very curious how the polling for ballot races below president were so off - I am sure it has to do with pollsters not understanding Trump's ability to turn out voters. I am sure Pelosi already understands much about this. 2 liberal senators in Arizona is a big deal. I will add to your challenge and ask someone to explain how that is not big time historical.

[Progressive dog]

70. Joe Biden is not a radical and has never been one.

He made it plain that he ran to be president of everyone, not of a small faction. That is how democracy is supposed to work.

[Zipgun]

27. Defund the police slogan offers a smart possibility.

use a different, more friendly slogan to offer the exact same remedies ( something like: supporting the police with Effective Streamlining of Law Enforcement) and pitch it as a responsible alternative. The people who want real police reform don't care about what it's called and it takes away the boogyman factor from low information voters. Heck "defund the police" can even be used as threat for not going along with the streamlining. Basically it would be "take the medicine with sugar or you'll have to take it with out".

[BasicallyComplicated]

53. Streamline the Police!?!

Defund the police was called to action that needed to be explained for those to lazy to try to understand it but it was clear. The truth is we need to embrace our base. "Reset Police" is what I use. It's a better talking point to start from because it establishes a need for the role and a need to change.

[marble falls]

76. "Unburden the police of non-police work."

[SmartVoter22]

29. Centrists: Finger pointing is for Trump

Stop whining like Trump. Centrists? I think you are not a progressive, if you sound like Trump.

Finger pointing is for the MAGA crowd, not Dems.

Get off your asses and start registering young people. They are the 2024 key.

[bucolic_frolic]

30. I totally agree

I believe, and have hinted here or there over the last 4 years, that HRC would be President today if Obama had not push same-sex bathrooms in 2016, in May, June, July. It sent shock waves through households with kids in school. It was tone-deaf and not necessary to election strategy. The issue could have waited until after the election.

We made progress this year when Joe Biden won the SC primary and pushed Bernie to the side burner. Yes, working people don't want to hear about socialism. They do not want to pay for what they perceive to be lazy people, and non-college educated people and elderly folks don't want to pay more taxes to relieve college debt of the most well-educated college grads with the brightest futures.

Waitresses and mechanics don't want to pay so others can get their multiple college degrees. Why is this so difficult to understand?

[hellno45]

38. Wrong, but makes for good fox news talking points

By the way, our party is for "everyone's rights", you can't just pick & choose who's rights to fight for & everyone deserves a free higher education, including waitresses and mechanics & if they don't want to take advantage of that its their choice. Lets not use GOP talking points on DU.

[bucolic_frolic]

46. Actually, in reality,

I do not use GOP talking points here. I realize these issue are divisive within our party, and have the potential to separate older from younger, middle-class from poor, tradesmen from well-educated. To not face these realities is to risk division and poor election results.

[hellno45]

47. Progressive ideas didn't cost us House seats, GOP gerrymandering & voter suppression

did not to mention all the lying pacs paid for by fascist rich elites. Hell, in GA alone the fascists kicked over 200,000 voters off the polls for no reason per news yesterday.

[bucolic_frolic]

151. That is YOUR opinion. It is not a fact. Appreciate that others don't agree with you.

[ArizonaLib]

48. They campaigned against Hillary for decades

I voted for Hillary and I never voted for Bill. You are correct: Let Fox news waste more air time ripping her. I am sure they miss her.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

32. More on Spanberger in particular:

Thu Nov 5, 2020: Spanberger on the Dem caucus call: We lost races we shouldn't have lost.

[Fiendish Thingy]

34. Without progressives in the party, the youth turnout would have been much lower

The Dems won because because of their big tent, not despite it.

From reports I have read, Pelosi agrees, and disputes the centrist complaint.

[NurseJackie]

42. Pelosi knows the importance of being diplomatic...

... and never stooping to the levels of using phrases like "Coastal Elites" to describe the Democratic party.

[Hiawatha Pete]

77. +1 n/t

[DeminPennswoods]

35. As a constituent of one of these centrist Dems,

I can tell you if he got an opponent either in the primary or the general election who campaigned on the same issues as Sanders, that opponent would win. Why? Because Sanders, AOC have populist appeal, but for good, not evil. That's a winning message here in small town, semi-rural districts like mine.

[shrike3]

41. I respectfully disagree. Americans run like sheep whenever the word "socialism" is mentioned.

And it's too easy to paint candidates with Sanders and AOC's views as socialist. Socialist beats populism every time.

[bonniebgood]

63. they run like sheep when they hear the word 'socialism' because they hear "black and brown people

want handouts and welfare moms". Antifa? they hear BLM. the replacement (S) word should be
SUBSIDIZED. Let them explain that to the American people.

[shrike3]

64. That's part of it, yes, definitely. Americans obsess over the notion that someone

out there is getting something for free, and by golly, that can't help. But "socialism is bad" is so ingrained in us beginning with the McCarthy era. The Red Scare. We've been brainwashed with it.

I love progressive ideas. But the party has to come up with a way to frame them.

[Nasruddin]

81. Not sure

Definitely a problem in south FL that needs to be addressed. Dems had poor outreach to Latino communities apparently and particularly bad in So FL by all accounts. FL in particular is where this probably really mattered.

In other areas I don't think it's an issue. You'd have to be a certain age to even understand what the meaning of it is, & for people in that demographic their minds are probably made up and set for other reasons. For younger people it's more like saying you're for "hard money" or "free soil".

[shrike3]

97. I think progressives are overestimating how popular they are at the moment.

I really do. That can change, but there has to be a lot of hard work. I think putting the younger people in charge can do it. They can bring out their generation, reframe the party and brand it as something modern. But the older folk are not going to do for anything that even sounds like socialism. They will not do it.

[theaocp]

126. The way I hear it, all Republicans are socialists.

Biden even has a built in line, "I beat the socialist!" Just insert MF45 and call him a dirty socialist. So what if it's a lie? If everyone is a socialist, then no one is a socialist. Super easy, barely an inconvenience.

[shrike3]

128. Well. That sounds good in theory, but we don't have the built-in media

and internet presence to pull it off. And the other side has a big head start. These people are drenched 24/7 with "Democrats are socialists" and trying to neutralize simply by calling Republicans socialists won't be enough. Not easy at all.

[theaocp]

129. I recommend trying to spread the message.

Like I said, super easy, barely an inconvenience. Or don't. There are tons of ways to not do something or say it can't be done. Oh, and speaking of spreading messages, fuck plurality voting straight into the NeverNever. This shit has got to go. That is definitely NOT super easy.

[shrike3]

141. If you think you can combatting a whole wall of propaganda is "super easy,

barely an inconvenience," knock yourself out. Good luck.

I'm counting on smart folks and realists like Buttigieg, Abrams to come up with actual plans. I'm sure they are already working on it. "Make it so" only works on Star Trek.

[theaocp]

150. Yes, it is.

You count on whomever you please. I'd like to change the message, so I'm doing that.

[DeminPennswoods]

92. People love "socialist" ideas when presented in language and ideas

they can understand. On election day I was outside the poll just chatting with the Dem committee person. I wound up in a conversation with a blue collar worker for the county who had come to deliver more absentee ballot nullification forms to the poll (for people who had absentee ballots but brought them to the poll so they could vote in person). I figured for sure he was a conservative, R, Trumper or maybe all three. To my surprise he said he wasn't thrilled with either Biden or Trump and that he was a "Sanders kind of guy". These are exactly the voters Dems court every election.

Haven't we seen it enough to know Rs can seperate their real R candidates from Dems who run as R-lite? Look no further than the seats Dems lost in the house.

[shrike3]

94. Again, I respectfully disagree.

They were able to paint moderate old Joe Biden as a socialist. I saw it everywhere. People who should have known better. Imagine what they would have done if an actual Social Democrat had run.

I also think it's a personality thing. Sanders is a fiery personality like Trump. People respond to that more than they do ideas. I'd argue that a lot of people don't even know what Sanders' ideas are. But he has charisma, and they respond to that. I don't know that enough people would have responded to Sanders' charisma. Maybe they would have. Out of the two, Trump would have still attracted more people, I think. Sanders is not a con man; Trump is. Con men are good at this stuff.

I also think many people who aren't politically-minded vote for a candidate based on emotion, rather than ideas. Here's a very extreme example. I was talking to a young man about some of the problems Sanders might have posed as a candidate. The GOP had a playbook on him, and I guess it was brutal. Among other things, he stole electricity from a neighbor when he was a young man. The guy I spoke to said, "Oh, my God. That's hilarious. I can relate to that. That's a relatable candidate, that's what we need." Now this was not some teen-ager. This was a 30-year-old man, married, very responsible job. He wasn't interested in ideas. He wasn't interested in policy. He was into a candidate he could relate to, and he could relate to the guy who stole electricity.

btw, I'm not criticizing Sanders. We've all done things we aren't proud of.

[DeminPennswoods]

145. Disagree if you like, but

there are lots of "grievance" voters where I am. Trump appeals to how his voters think about the world.

Sanders, AOC have similar appeal because they talk about how unfair life can be and how their policies will help change that. Why do you think Andy Barr backed out of his invitation for AOC to speak to the voters in his district? Because he knew what she'd say would make them nod in agreement.

[KG]

36. I lulz'd

[Roc2020]

40. It's beautiful to be a Democrat. After Donald Trump Democrats

has a range of Ideology to bomb the GOP with. Fascists. Religious Hypocrites. Nazi's. Party of Caged Children etc. Take off the gloves Dems.

[sandensea]

44. The policies are good, besides being popular - but the word 'Socialist' has to go

Still evokes a Pavolvian response in far too many voters.

[Kashkakat v.2.0]

45. OK, except even moderate dems are painted to be

socialist and radical leftist by the Repub smear machine.

That said, a missed opportunity continues to be defend the OLD new deal before, and in addition to adding on NEW new deal

Eliminating/privatizizng SS, medicare, public schools, roads, etc. eliminating environmental and workplace regulations are all long time goals of Repub party - since way before Trump entered the scene. Articulating this and defending all these things loudly and clearly ought to be a no brainer since the overwhelming majority support this.

BTW Universal web access ought to be on the list of new - new deal proposals, up near the top. This is pretty much essential for modern day work and living- 1 of 4 rural people still do not have access.

Looking forward to more of Pres B channeling his inner FDR!

[myohmy2]

49. back asswards...

...it sounds like they're blaming the Progressive base for more Centerist failure...

...now and even more so in the future, people want and need something to vote 'for', not just 'against', that directly helps them with their problems...

...and that's Progressive...

[0nirevets]

51. Reflect, learn, take action, very good. Point fingers, lash out, waste time, very, very bad.

Considering the political environment, a win is better than a loss and we should come together and prepare for the next four, moving forward as a team, united in purpose, understanding of differences.

[WePurrsevere]

54. Pfft! The words aren't the problem. The problem is Republicans, helped by ...

Russian trolls/bots, RW media/talk show hosts and social media, deliberately spreading disinformation to ignorant Americans so they can continue to use fear to manipulate and push their own agenda of helping the very rich and f'ing over the poor and middle class.

[vsrazdem]

55. We don't have that big of a lead now in the house. Every single democrat will be

needed to get anything done. Name calling is not going to help that situation. They need to stop the blame game and move on.

[The Mouth]

56. Whatever fucking idiot that came up with the phrase "Defund the Police"

did the Republicans the biggest favor in the last 50 years.

[Nasruddin]

72. The response

The response was the problem. That phrase was around before the Floyd incident but it took off then, & there was no effective response to it. It's hard to place blame since everyone on every side was in complete shock for a while, but there should have been a counter that talked about public safety reform instead (Biden's got lost in the crazy). People on the ground in Mpls for instance should have been done this. Particularly in the sober light of a few months' investigation when we see a lot of the problems were caused by right wing agitators from outside the communities affected.

Defund the police would not play well in a lot of communities that are trad Democrat with large numbers of blacks, Latinos, & working class folks. In my area, they have always been very concerned with crime and for good reason. Public safety jobs are also a big part of their success path in life (just as it was for my Irish immigrant ancestors).

[The Mouth]

127. Anyone uttering it should have been shut down, hard

At least the Republicans *almost* managed to censor any fucking idiot overtly and publicly shouting out 'white power'. Not completely, and no one was fooled, but even 90 percent of the Proud Bois had the sense to not overly say something that toxic and stupid.

Some phrases are just a giant gift to the enemy, and everyone using that phrase did our cause as much good as some idiot on the right doing the Nazi salute- it only takes one out of 10K to create an image that even the dumbest opponent can beat you over the head with.

Just like every goddamned son of a bitch idiot breaking windows and/or looting - if they weren't working for Trump, they might have well been.

[intheflow]

61. Centrist Dems cite red scare as reason for no blow out.

Meanwhile, the GOP wholly embraces Russian election interference, Russia being the source of the historical Red Scare. Once again, we are allowing the GOP to define us when we eschew words like socialism. It's a fearful stance, letting others define us. I think we need to embrace the socialism frame, much like some Blacks have embraced the N-word, homosexuals embraced the term gay, and/or the way Native Americans have at least accepted the word "Indian" as it's used in relation to them. As usual, the suppression of words is the suppression of ideas, it's a form of tone policing, and it discounts the lived experience of millions of Americans. We'd do much better to embrace "socialist", to own it and flaunt it. I think it's our concessions to the center and the right that kills us.

[Botany]

62. We just had a huge win and the senate is still very much in play can't we be happy for one minute?

BTW "far-left views that cost the party seats" is pure bullshit it was the machines.

[Hiawatha Pete]

80. +1

[Botany]

90. This piece is designed to stir up shit

n/t

[Roy Rolling]

66. Remember

The Democratic Party is a big tent.

“I’m not a member of an organized political party, I’m a Democrat”—Will Rogers

Debate away, DUers. It’s what we do. 😁

[hadEnuf]

67. Bull.

Some of these "left" candidates were re-elected, making it obvious what the people want.

Maybe some of these "centrists" need to stop kissing GOP ass. That's partially why we are in this mess to begin with.

[Hotler]

78. "Maybe some of these "centrists" need to stop kissing GOP ass." I agree. Stop playing nice. nt

[doctorzuma]

71. IT was the Centrist Democratic leaders, who sold out the American Workers....

IT was the Centrist Democratic leaders, who sold out the American Workers, which flamed the White Rage that Trump cashed in on. In the early '80s, following the ignorance of economist Milton Friedman, the Democratic Party endorsed the off-shoring of our manufacturing base. People like Clinton and Robert Reich were its chief sponsors. The problem has been the lack of socialism within the party, but that is about to change.

[pfitz59]

73. Ditch "Socialism". Call it FDR Democracy

FDR was elected four times for a reason. His programs worked.

[Roy Rolling]

100. Yes

The fight over words is a losing battle because definitions can’t be controlled. In 2020, it’s a words, branding, and marketing contest.

Playing by 1900 rules and expecting to re-educate the already-contaminated masses on the beneficial policies called socialism is too difficult.

Call it FDR Democracy or something, but socialism has already been used (misused). It can be rammed down people’s throats for years until acceptance, but at great cost. Words matter.

It’s the same reason sheeple people love protections against pre-existing conditions, etc., in the Affordable Care Act, but hate Obamacare.

[seta1950]

74. Children

No infighting, please

[Firestorm49]

79. Good. That way they can blame God, not the Orange Menace for their loss. Easy way out.

[Marthe48]

82. I think the r's need to accept

that times are changing. Even the Pope is saying we need to recognize same sex marriage.

R's need to come down from the rush their hate is feeding and take a reality check. My whole life has been transitional. There are people willing to move off the mark we had in the 1950's and adapt to realities, such as climate change, employment shifts, social changes, such as women's equality and rights, minorities' equalities and rights, less religion guidance and more individual responsibility.

People are scared. That same rhetoric that keeps us anxious about our futures keeps the r's even more so. Even if Mr. Biden wins and pulls us away from the edge of this cliff, I am still worried about losing my SS and Medicare. I am worried about my furture, even as it gets shorter and shorter. On top of that, I am consumed with worry about the other people in my age group, the people in other countries who are trapped in war or disaster, people in our own country who are disenfranchisement and oppressed.

A huge majority of people don't like change. They like living their expectations, they like what they have, and they want their kids to have the same thing. Humans are adaptive, but if the dynamics of the planet don't drive change, something else will. I'd rather have a process like socialism be the engine of change than the forces of fascism. Fascism is a wall against the OTHERS. Fascists might subdue, oppress and force people into rigid molds that don't fit. Fascists might ignore the basics that humans need, up to and including love and concern for others, but it is a wall that will not stand. Socialism and liberals have already knocked the wall down and accepted the OTHERS, knowing that the 'enemy' is us.

Even though I see a shift to a more liberal world that frees many people from their narrow path, I do understand that there are many people who can't accept the change and will fight to keep the status quo. The very rich, who have a lot to lose are partnered with the very poor, who have nothing to lose, but think that being hateful and selfish will make them feel better. Somehow, we have to find a balance between serving the majority of humans who have waited, and waited for their time to come, and the people who fear a society that embraces equality, security and fairness. Socialism isn't the enemy, but we do need to present it as a benefit for our society.

[CanonRay]

85. Well that didn't take long

[jalan48]

86. If we wonder why the country has drifted so far to the right since the 1970's Centrists like

this show us why.

[shotten99]

87. Idiots. This is an unusual year and it's not possible to pin down an exact cause for anything:

Good or bad.

[ancianita]

88. PURE BULLSHIT.

For years we've defended ALL MANNER of socialist services here.

We know that grandpa Stalinist socialism is used by richies to make the insecure afraid of being socialist in the grandpa sense, but not the Northern European sense.

CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS MUST BE DEMOCRATS -- EMBRACE THE WORD SOCIALIST.
CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS MUST STOP THEIR BEDWETTING TALK THAT SUCCUMBS TO RIGHT WING PEJORATIVES OF THE VERY THING REPUBLICANS THEMSELVES USE AND PROVIDE TO THEIR CORPORATE OWNERS.


Bernie and his team brought a socialist -- not moderate, now mainstream -- set of goals EMBRACED by the Democratic Party platform.

They can debate all THEY want, but we Democrats out here would do better to take the stand that SOCIALIST POLICIES ARE NOT UP FOR DEBATE.

[jayfish]

93. So...

After the 2012 election, in which they got routed everywhere, the GOP took a long, hard, look in the mirror. When they were finished they released a document that was instantly dubbed the "Autopsy". Here are some highlights:

- We need to do a better job connecting people to our policies.
- We need to campaign among Hispanic, black, Asian, and gay Americans and demonstrate we care about them, too. We must recruit
more candidates who come from minority communities.
- We have to blow the whistle at corporate malfeasance and attack corporate welfare.
- e should speak out when CEOs receive tens of millions of dollars in retirement packages but middle-class workers have not had a
meaningful raise in years.
- It does not matter what we say about education, jobs or the economy; if Hispanics think we do not want them here, they will close their ears to our policies.
- When it comes to social issues, the Party must in fact and deed be inclusive and welcoming.
If we are not, we will limit our ability to attract young people and others, including many women, who agree with us on some but not
all issues.

You know what they did? They quadrupled-down and stayed the course. You know what they got? The Presidency, The House, the Senate and three Supreme Court Justices. So color me skeptical that returning to 'Republican Lite" will pay us any dividends in any future I can contemplate.

[not_the_one]

98. Centrists are the reason we are desperately grabbing for votes as we try to keep

from sinking beneath the waves of hate.

We used to be the party of labor. What happened? Getting a union's endorsement does NOT get the votes of their members.

I know... "right to work" sounds so democratic, doesn't it? It would take approximately 1 second to add "FOR LESS" to that, every time we said it, and keep repeating it. Yet we couldn't even do that. We know repetition works. The right used it on Hillary for decades. Yet we never learn.

Over half of the population are women, and MOST of them want control of their own bodies. Why aren't they running the show? If you take all the pro-choice women, and the men who love them and support their cause, WHY is it even an issue?

Is it religion? Can we all say FREEDOM OF RELIGION, and clarify that ALSO MEANS FREEDOM FROM RELIGION. Why are we letting belief in a fairy tale overrule a decision between a woman and her doctor?

THAT is centrism, trying to move as far as we can to the right to SEEM centrist, because the republicans have relentlessly kept moving THAT goalpost.

Why would any gay person vote for a republican? THAT ONE really escapes me, being gay and all...

I got mine, SCREW YOU, says the immigrant who wants to slam the door on anyone coming behind them...

And SOCIALISM??? HAVE YOU CASHED THAT SOCIAL SECURITY CHECK YET? You paid pennies on the dollar of what you are actually receiving monthly. WHO is making up the difference? Jezzus fucking christ on a trailer hitch!!!

Democrats need to work on our communication skills, and get back to the basics of REAL freedom and REAL equality.

We all KNOW the definition of insanity. So why are we So intent on booking a padded cell?

[shrike3]

101. People do not regard social security as socialism.

They say, "I earned it," if you bring that up. Socialism to them means the Gulag.

I live in a red area. I deal with a lot of people who are not politically sophisticated.

[ancianita]

138. You had me up to "Democrats need to work on our communication skills... "

MUCH much less than Americans have to work on their listening and thinking skills, and stop believing that they can create reality by consensus.



We can take this moment of Reality staring them in the face and create the Democratic language from now on. They'll have to grok it, think on it, and see how Democratic Party values in action have made their lives better than their own party has.

They might even try to mimic Democrats at this point, as a siren call to return to the fold.

We should put a stop to that by constantly warning where this has gotten their apostates before.

Power -- lawyers, guns and money -- are now with the Democrats.

We need to exercise power every damn day.

[Nitram]

99. It wasn't the fault of the left. It was the red-baiting fear-mongering by the Trump campaign that

worked well in Florida and other places.

[oldsoftie]

104. Well, there were a few here who warned about going to extremes.

usually fell on deaf ears, but hey it was worth a shot

[matt819]

106. Is this a real issue or one manufactured by the media?

If it's media-caused, then ignore it.

If it's real or real-ish, then a word to so-called centrist House democrats. STFU. You're Democrats, you're so-called liberal colleagues are Democrats. The odds are good that you will all vote to support Democratic (and democratic) principles. In that process, you will compromise, and then, together, you will defeat Republicans. In the meantime, sorry to say this, but STFU.

You have no idea what prompted the kind of weird voting shit that went on. Nor do the pollsters. Nor do the pundits. And let's not forget that our candidate won 4 million more votes than trump. Should it have been a greater win? Sure, but we are no longer the America we thought we were. Just under half of the voting population wants us dead and buried. They want women to resort to coat hanger abortions. They find no problem with children in cages. Etc. Do you really think better messaging would have won some more of those votes?

[marble falls]

110. We do this every election whether we or lose. Its time to stop, its self destructive.

[westerebus]

113. Representive Spanberger beat David Brat in a red district in 2018.

The right wingers hate her with a passion. They spent $ millions to defeat her. The district next to hers was won by a right wing Liberty University endorsed bible preaching Trump lover.

Virginia is blue because of women like her. Virginia can slide back into red in a moment. We prefer it stay blue.

[yellowdogintexas]

114. Do you think we could at least wait until after the Inauguration to pick fights with each other

Plenty of opportunities to work on this after January.
Raise a glass together, stay vigilant on what Pumpkin Spice Pol Pot tries to do in the next 12 weeks

[bluestateboomer]

115. They're just worried we might

ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING!
This victory, however narrow, should lead to two conclusions. One, we must immediately start the long process of rebuilding what (now insert any vile name you have been using) has destroyed in four short years.

Two, we can't wait to tackle all the the dilemmas the world had prior to MF45. The world is still burning up. inequality of resources, poverty.The list is enormous.

As an older person, I really don't think I'll live to see a truly healed world. But this is our turnaround moment. It's just start. Don't waste it on labels. Act! Support people who will work for change.

P.S. Take deep breath. Then get back to work.

[Scalded Nun]

118. We need to stop letting the GOP define the language and terms

And if you want to succeed in 2022 then get off your ass, stop whining, and start passing legislation for the betterment of the country and its citizens. We also need to look to Georgia for Jan 21 and retaking the Senate (or at least a tie). We need to sideline that treasonous asshole McConnell.

[TryLogic]

119. Hey. Consider this.

If I were going to hack election results or commit some sort of voter fraud, I would pick states that are not in the headlines, states where the results (for president) are assumed to be a forgone conclusion. Like South Carolina. I would be especially interested in senate races. Whoever sends lawyers to investigate fraud needs to look at election results in places like South Carolina. In fact, every Democrat who lost in spite of close pre-vote polls needs to investigate. Including down ballot positions such as Secretary of State.

[Jakes Progress]

120. Let me just see what happens when I put this gun in my mouth

and pull the trigger.

Left attacks lefter. Lefter attacks left. Right and Gonzo giggle.

[Dopers_Greed]

122. I know that the word "socialism" is a boogeyman

That doesn't stop it from being horrifying to a majority of America.

Until we realize that, we're a permanent minority party.

[slumcamper]

123. Bottom line: our messaging is alienating and must improve.

[Jakes Progress]

125. But, but. . . then I can't show how superior I am.

Screw the election. Just look at how really, really moral and good I am.

(Do I really need a sarcasm sign?)

[slumcamper]

130. HA! That's great--and you implicitly raise a critical point.

I recall back in 07-08, and again in 11-12, Obama and Democrats were labeled as "elitists." (I bought my wife a t-shirt that she still wears, "Latte drinking liberal elitist."

What is instructive about now and then is that the cultural literacy of liberals is much more diverse and differentiated on an existential level--urban, cosmopolitan, advanced, if you will--than that of those who exist in self-imposed isolation in the boondocks.

The former celebrates pop culture; the latter disparages and ridicules it.

Lady Gaga and Lebron won this election...and Ted Nugent lost.

[diva77]

131. Sounds like corporate money influence is driving this argument.

[Polybius]

136. Do you have a list of the 6 who lost?

I've looked everywhere.

[PopsMouth]

152. Democratic House members who lost:

Florida: Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (Democrat)
Rep. Donna Shalala (Democrat)
Iowa: Rep. Abby Finkenauer (Democrat)
Minnesota: Rep. Collin Peterson (Democrat)
Oklahoma: Rep. Kendra Horn (Democrat)
New Mexico: Rep. Xochitl Torres Small (Democrat)
South Carolina: Rep. Joe Cunningham (Democrat)

[Polybius]

153. That's not even including Max Rose, who is certain to lose

Damn.

[George II]

159. I was thrilled when Max Rose won 2 years ago, but realized that he instantly had a target...

...on his back.

He was the first Democrat to win that district in decades.

[Polybius]

160. No, 2010 was the last time

I live here. Michael McMahon was a Democrat who won. He lost re-election to Michal Grimm in 2010.

[George II]

161. You're right, sorry. I forgot how the Staten Island district has morphed over the years....

Although very conservative, for a long time it was only part (population-wise) of the 11th (and previous #) districts. Yvette Clarke was the Democratic representative of the "old" 11th District for six years (2007-2013), and has been the Democratic representative of the new 9th District, which is solely in Brooklyn now.

Indeed, my "decades" reference was wrong with respect to the representation of Staten Island. But it has always been a bastion of conservative republicans for decades. Until the 2011 redistricting, making it the major part of the 11th District, mostly Brooklyn Democrats overwhelmed the conservative Staten Island republicans.

I'm wondering how next year's redistricting will go. I suspect NYC will lose another seat and two or three districts will be reshaped into just two districts.

[stillcool]

135. I can't decide...big mouths, small minds

horses jockeying for position, or just puppets of big pockets.

[James48]

137. I have another idea.

I am a pro-life Democrat.

There are literally millions of us.

The Democratic Party platform has to be open to say it’s OK to be pro-life and be a Democrat.

I want help for women, in the form of polices that help support single moms raising children, family leave, day care, tax credits, and a whole range of political policies that support helping women decide to keep their child. And I don’t want any federal laws prohibiting abortion- that’s between a woman and her doctor, her family, and her own conscious.



But today’s Democratic Party platform doesn’t allow this centrist viewpoint. It only provides for abortion upon demand, and makes people like me feel unwelcome in the party.

Can’t we at the least recognize that democrats hold a variety of views on this subject, and agree that one can be pro life, and still be a Democrat?

[cstanleytech]

140. I think it's stupid to point fingers but I do think there is a danger that we are overlooking.

What danger? I think the danger really is that regardless if it's the far left or the far-right the real danger is any extremist either way can be a potential danger.
For example look what happened with the Senate and the House when the extremist far-right had control of both.
Granted they didn't keep it long but they did keep the Senate and that has hurt this country.
So in the end really we all need to realize anything too far either way can be a danger to us.

[generalbetrayus]

142. These centrist politicians are almost as delusional as Trumpistas.

If Democrats lost seats or didn't win seats they hoped to because of "socialism", it was because of the stupidity of the American electorate. If people voted against Theresa Greenfield and Jaime Harrison because they were "socialist", it was because they are stupid, stupid, STUPID ... and gullible, listening to Republican propaganda as fact. I followed and donated money to both campaigns, even though I don't live in Iowa or South Carolina, and there was nary a hint of "socialism" in the campaigns. These centrist Dems in tight races complaining about "socialism" are every bit the whiners that Benedict Donald is, refusing to accept the possibility that maybe THEY were poor candidates! So many politicians are so wrapped up in their own ballooned egos that they have to find an excuse for the failure or near-failure, just like Benedict Donald. Time for them to SHUT THE FUCK UP and help the Democratic Party move forward and fight to educate the American people. (End of rant.)

[Warpy]

143. Uh, to hell with your feelings. I mean that in the nicest way, of course

Progressives are getting reelected. Here in NM, the one centrist running got defeated, and I think we'll see that play out around the country. Demographics are changing things, and the young are a lot less wimpy about being called socialists when all they're doing is supporting liberal policies that created the longest sustained boom in history.

Yeah, running scared from the Republican smear machine using mean words has been SUCH a winning strategy. I suspect a better one would be to pin them down, laugh at them, or just point out what we've lost over the last 60 years, starting with childrens' playgrounds because of their knee jerk aversion to funding anything that benefits living human beings.

(This reply is directed to the authors of the article, not a personal attack against the OP)

[AllaN01Bear]

144. sociallisim,,,

if it means feeding the hungry, takeing care of the sick and eldery (esp for people who CANT WORK), or who have worked and cant anymore .
PUBLIC HEALTH CARE , not private care . if paying for roads collectively librarys and schools , fire departments and so on make me liberal and a socillist and a communest pinko pig , so be it.

[brooklynite]

146. But it doesn't....for the millionth time.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

155. This is compulsory reading for understanding today's Democratic Party.

This one by @rachelmbade and
@ericawerner
is compulsory reading for understanding today's Democratic Party.

Link to tweet

[Kashkakat v.2.0]

157. HOW MANY centrist and far left colleagues are we talking about - one or two or three? OR

was there like this huge shouting brawl in the house chamber - like 50 centrists screaming at and duking it out with 20 far left colleagues? Did police with teargas have to come and break it up? Was there biting and hair pulling? Unless it was the latter - IT AINT NEWS!!!!!!

"Some people" arguing with "some other people" IS NOT news. ITS GOSSIP. ''


GOTTA LEARN better how to resist the click bait! And yeah, I mean myself too.

[MountCleaners]

158. I'm not going to take the bait here...

Why can't we all agree to just get as many Democrats elected as possible. Everyone - left, liberal and center - should know by now how vicious and hateful the right is. Just expanding our reach will make it EASIER - not harder - to get left agenda items taken seriously.

I'm a left Democrat who believes in the Green New Deal and Single Payer, but after four years of hate, I just don't feel like fighting in my own party when there is so much work to do. In my own state, for example, some people on the left are so bitter that they wouldn't help Lauren Underwood. That's ridiculous.

[TexasBushwhacker]

162. That's bullshit - the GOP paints ALL Democrats as far left

non-Christian radicals.