Pelosi Warns Dems: Own The Center Left Mainstream

[Soph0571]

The New York Times reports:

Speaker Nancy Pelosi does not believe President Trump can be removed through impeachment — the only way to do it, she said this week, is to defeat him in 2020 by a margin so “big” he cannot challenge the legitimacy of a Democratic victory. That is something she worries about. “We have to inoculate against that, we have to be prepared for that,” Ms. Pelosi said during an interview at the Capitol as she discussed her concern that Mr. Trump would not give up power voluntarily if he lost re-election by a slim margin next year.

Ms. Pelosi — the de facto head of the Democratic Party until a presidential nominee is selected in 2020 — offered Democrats her “coldblooded” plan for decisively ridding themselves of Mr. Trump: Do not get dragged into a protracted impeachment bid that will ultimately get crushed in the Republican-controlled Senate, and do not risk alienating the moderate voters who flocked to the party in 2018 by drifting too far to the left. “Own the center left, own the mainstream,” Ms. Pelosi, 79, said.

[link:https://www.joemygod.com/2019/05/pelosi-warns-dems-own-the-center-left-mainstream/|

Is she right? In the UK we are polarised to the left and the right, there is a narrative that says stick to the middle for the average voter, BUT the polls and the sentiment on the street do not bear this out. People do not want situation normal. Trump and Brexit both tell that story. Can you be middle of the ground and win? IMO in the UK people want a different perspective from those who wish to rule them? Is it the same in the US?

PS the American Centre Left Mainstream is right of the Cameron Tory government,

[redstatebluegirl]

1. Yes madam speaker is correct.

I know many many democrats who have told me if we go to the far left, we lose them. I live in the "fly over country' people talk about. Guess what you can't win without "fly over country". I would love us to be more progressive as a country but we aren't there yet, and you can't force it. If we do, we will lose not only in 2020 we will lose for years after that. Trump is stupid, yes sir, but he is crazy like a fox, he knows how to use the media and manipulate people.

I would love to see him impeached, but I agree with the speaker, if we do that it will cost us dearly. Lets talk about the issues closest to the hearts of Americans, climate, healthcare, wages and the growing death of the middle class. We can do that and win big, we might even get the Senate, remember, without the Senate, no matter what a President does nothing gets done.

[peggysue2]

22. x1000

Nancy Pelosi is on the mark. As usual.

In order to get anything accomplished, we need to win, win, win. Everywhere. And win with margins large enough that the victory is indisputable.

Trump and his enablers must be obliterated and the only way to do that is appealing to the largest swath of Americans. Who--whether we like it or not--are stubbornly in the middle. We can discuss and hammer all the important issues, healthcare and climate change, voting rights and workers' rights, etc., etc., etc.

However, winning is imperative to the survival of the nation. We win, then we go forward. We lose? All bets are off.

This is not a drill, btw. We are engaged in a war. And the stakes? They couldn't be higher.

[Cha]

69. Yes We Want to WIN! Nancy had a Big part in

helping us to WIN the Democratic Victory in the House.

Turning 45 Red Seats to BLUEWAVE, baby!

[pangaia]

30. "... climate, healthcare, wages and the growing death of the middle class.."

wait.
Tell me, are these issues middle left or far left, And whichever you believe they are, what is the other position(vis a vis middle left and far left) ?

[Kahuna7]

59. Yep. nt

[The Mouth]

73. And stay the hell away from the ones that will LOSE us the middle.

Healthcare is a winner. Wages are a winner. Climate is slowly becoming a factor (in actual voting, not in the scientific 'real world'). Some of the issues pushed by my fellow progressives will NOT fly.

[saidsimplesimon]

76. I agree with you.

Just imagine our new Democratic President being sworn in to massive crowds and rumpie whining that the media coverage is "fake".

[elleng]

2. 'do not risk alienating the moderate voters who flocked to the party in 2018

by drifting too far to the left. “Own the center left, own the mainstream,”'

[Dennis Donovan]

4. What is "too far left"?

I sincerely have no idea.

[marylandblue]

14. Two things: One is if we make it all about Trump rather than bread and butter issues.

And the other is if we may make it all about left wing purity tests, like Medicare for All or nothing.

[pangaia]

32. making it all about Trump is far left?

And isn;t a majority of the country in favor of medicare 4 all?

[marylandblue]

40. Well the people who are really out for Trump blood

are generally further left than the ones who aren't. And Medicare for All is defined by Sanders as forcing everyone onto an expanded Medicare, while the more mainstream view is to just offer a public option.

Pelosi tends to be dismissive of people who disagree with her, so calling something "far left" is more her way of blowing it off than a political analysis.

[The Mouth]

75. In some ways you are correct

But the rabid loathing of Trump wins us no votes.

the people fulminating 'not my president' look just as stupid to a lot of the middle as the jerk-offs saying the same thing about Obama did- 'un American crybabies.

Hell, I don't like the guy, but once the EC signs off that is it, unless you can impeach AND REMOVE just start working on the next election.

It's OK to dislike the President; it's a Good Thing to fight his policies, saying the process is illegitimate just makes everyone else roll their eyes.

[Loki Liesmith]

26. For me it's AOC or Bernie

[AlexSFCA]

29. right now far left is 'medicare for all', 'green new deal' and 'abolishing ICE'

My understanding is that Nancy sees AOC and Sanders as the leaders of far left.

[katmondoo]

51. Bernie is not a DEmocrat and will not fight as a Democrat

Once he loses he will not help any other Democrat to win

[BannonsLiver]

64. I'd add reparations to that list.

[AlexSFCA]

65. the idea of reparations will only intesify racism IMO

and it’s a serious precedent too, e.g. lgbt people will have to be given reparations and also underpaid women, there is no end to it. It’s a horrible way to compat hatred, IMO.

[The Mouth]

74. Reparations. And prisoners voting

and 'open borders'.

I see those as the biggest losers, and ignorant or non nuanced views of guns as something that can do a lot of damage.

[jalan48]

3. What is moderate or mainstream about Trump? Why would these supposed moderates support a

man like Trump?

[marylandblue]

6. Because they don't like the political system as it operated prior to Trump.

And you have to admit, it was broken before he showed up.

[jalan48]

8. All the more reason not to talk about going back to it.

[Honeycombe8]

9. She's not speaking about Trumpers or Republicans in general.

She's speaking about Democrats, liberals, and independents.

Most of the country is in the center left to center right range.

For Democrats, the sweet spot is center left to center, and a few discontented just to the right of center may be obtainable.

The extreme left may be good in some (many?) ways, but that doesn't get the votes from the more moderate voters, is what she's saying.

[jalan48]

13. We lost last time with a center right candidate. Why would it be different this time?

[Honeycombe8]

15. Hillary wasn't center right. That's Republican. You mean center left? A moderate Democrat? nt

[jalan48]

16. I thought we can't win without a center, center right candidate? Was Hillary too liberal then?

[Honeycombe8]

18. Pelosi said "center left mainstream." Who told you center right? nt

[Demsrule86]

48. Hillary Clinton was not centrist and she was destroyed by

attacks from the right and the left. The midterm shows clearly how we win...and it is down the middle with healthcare.

[pangaia]

33. In other words, screw what you call the 'extreme left" (whatever that is).

Oh, don;t worry about THEM, they will come along. They have no choice..

[Honeycombe8]

42. If you're angry with Pelosi, you need to direct your anger at her. Not me or others.

Although I do agree with the premise she's saying. It's simple: there are way more voters in the mainstream. That's why they're called the mainstream. If you don't get their votes, you lose. But the ones to the left and right of them are Democrats, and all of them combined make up the party. There isn't that much difference among them, IMO. They all support the Democratic Party Platform, like the candidates do.

It's just that if you go too extreme, you risk losing the mainstream. And it is very helpful to pick up some independent votes.

Trump didn't win with just his core base. He won because Republicans in the mainstream voted for him, and even some Democrats. (with Russia's help)

There are candidates who appeal to a broad spectrum of voters. Bill Clinton, Obama. On the right, Reagan was such a candidate, GWB.

That's all she's saying. It's just calling attention to reality. But IMO, it's a good thing to appeal to a lot of voters. That makes for a popular President, and s/he is supposed to represent the people, after all.

[pangaia]

44. I'm not angry at you, Honeycomb, at all.

[Honeycombe8]

47. Good!....

We're still bffs!

[Demsrule86]

49. 'Them' need to ealize that while they came spoil and election, they can't win

at the moment...the country is center left

[floppyboo]

79. 'they' were 45% last primary.

for anyone who didn't get your sarcasm, go ahead. Run to the middle. But know you only making the death of the 2 party system inevitable.

[marylandblue]

5. I agree, but for a different reason. Division and "fights" serve the authori

He uses it as an excuse to rile up his supporters and make it seem it's all about him (and by extension, them). All of his rhetoric is authoritarian populist, not the mere ravings of madman (thought he might still be mad).

You cannot fight the authoritarian populist using the ordinary tools of the system. You can only fight him by proving the system is worth saving. We on DU think the system is worth saving. Ordinary voters aren't so sure. That's what they told us in 2016. They could tell us that again.

[TheCowsCameHome]

7. Listen to ther Speaker

She knows what she is talking about.

[Honeycombe8]

10. Pelosi does have cred in the getting-votes arena. At least among representatives.

She wants a landslide.

I think what she's not saying is what I'm thinking: Since there's no Obama 2, no standout irresistible, charismatic Pied Piper, we have to think logically about vote-getting.

She's also not saying: We have to have a large enough victory in the key states to overcome the Russian interference and hacking, which WILL happen. If it's close, the Russians can give it to Trump.

I'm not a political strategist, so I don't know how to guarantee a landslide, when there is no Pied Piper.

[pangaia]

34. Who says there is "no Obama 2, no standout irresistible, charismatic Pied Piper," ?

It' early

[Demsrule86]

50. The candidates are out...those who might run are not. In Obama's league.

[marylandblue]

57. I disagree. There are several in his league, and the time may right for one of them.

I don't even discount Biden's folksy charm as being more appealing than I give him credit for.

Confession: I never found Obama all that appealing. He's certainly far better than Bush or Trump. But I believe our next President, whoever he or she is, could be one of our greatest Presidents because the time is right to make the big changes we really need. Again, I include Biden as someone with that ability.

[Demsrule86]

58. I wasn't talking about Joe. I think he can win...but this is a different election than 08.

[pangaia]

61. I meant that I am not so sure none of the current candidates are not in Obama's league.

In fact I am not even sure what "Obama's league" might really mean, just as a general term. And I say that with no snideness or disrespect whatsoever.

[George II]

11. She knows what wins elections for Democrats - center and left center - the mainstream of the party.

[NurseJackie]

12. Nancy Pelosi is correct! She knows what she's doing!

[zipplewrath]

77. What happened in 2010

Was she blameless for that but somehow is to be credited for getting a majority back?

[NurseJackie]

78. HA!

[tonedevil]

17. I might be the too far left...

small matter I'm used to that. Where Speaker Pelosi is batting 1000% is about impeachment. The Senate will not vote to sustain the impeachment articles at this time. If they vote to acquit anything else done to investigate or prosecute donald will be characterized as the Democrats being overzealous. Should Madam Speaker let a vote on articles of impeachment come to the floor you can be certain there will be 67 votes in the Senate to convict.

[riversedge]

28. The Repugs defending Barr was very telling. NO Repug Sen. will vote to impeach Trump IMHO

[KPN]

19. She is right about we have to win big in 2020, but not about "center left mainstream". Center left

mainstream is how we lost the electoral college in 2016. We haven't learned from that as a party.

She is also wrong about impeachment. If we don't impeach, and soon, tRump will undoubtedly win in 2020. We haven't done enough to guarantee enough voters in enough States want desperately to get rid of tRump in order for Ds to win the electoral college in 2020. Only impeachment hearings can get us to that point. And we need to do them sooner than later. We cannot let the GOP and tRump make the case that it is all political in order to undermine their nominee in the upcoming election. We need to start formal hearings soon so that it isn't ongoing after he has been nominated, regardless of what the result might be in the Senate. The public at large, especially the middle will see tRump for what he is as a result of impeachment proceedings regardless of their result.

Finally, yes I think you are right about neither side wants to be ruled by the other, but there are more than two sides here even though we only have two parties. The D party is nowhere near as uniform as the Rs, but even the Rs aren't completely unified. We have three types -- the liberals/progressives, the center, and the right/conservatives. The center wins because it is more acceptable to both the left and the right than is their opposite -- and that's the only reason. And that is why nearly everyone is angry. Neither the left or the right get what they want (except currently wherein tRump keeps his side happy simply because all he wants is power and has no ideology or philosophy that transcends self). With tRump, the right is winning and obviously will do and are doing whatever they can to keep it that way.

The center is bullshit in that regard. While it seems pragmatic, it ultimately fuels discontent and what we are enduring today.

BTW, great questions!

[crazytown]

23. "Center left mainstream is how we lost the EC in 2016". NOT

[KPN]

25. How would you classify HRC then?

[crazytown]

31. If you read through HRC's 2016 acceptance speech

it is, as a matter of fact, more progressive than Obama in 2008, Kerry in 2004, Gore in 2000 ( the most status quo of all) or WJC in 1992.

Certainly HRC was smeared as a puppet of Wall Street by Trump and Sanders. But she lost the EC by the coordination of Russia WikiLeaks and the Trump campaign, and Comey’s October surprise.

[Sugarcoated]

68. She had very high unfavorables from the start of the campaign

I am still shocked by the folks in Philly/Philly suburbs that didn't pull the lever for her

[Demsrule86]

52. Not true and the left can't win but only spoil....we need more than Democrats to win in 20.

I don't think some get how tough this election will be to win. In general, it is hard to get an incumbent out. Without the blue wall, we have to win states we haven't in years....like Texas, Arizona and Georgia. It is unlikely and you would need a moderate for that too. The blue wall is our best bet. We will lose for years not just in 20 if we don't win the rustbelt back and every time, we elect a Republican, we play on their turf and the country moves right.

[unblock]

20. Hard to say, but a "return to normalcy" theme might very well work

as part of a rejection of Donald fraud insanity.

So a safe and boring candidate offering safe and boring policies might well be just the ticket.


Then again, it's also possible we need a stirring and motivating voice for the left to really gotv, so who knows.

[NYMinute]

21. An overwhelming majority of Americans

are not racist, bigoted or socialists.

They ignored Trump's faults thinking that a "successful businessman" (as seen on TV) will shake things up a bit and bring prosperity.

These very same people in the center who were sickened by Trump's extreme right wing views gave us the blue tsunami.

Winning those people in the center has always been the key to winning states like Florida and Ohio which are critical. If we have a reasonable candidate, most people in the center will go along with many liberal policies.

Let's not alienate the center by going to the extremes.

Speaker Pelosi is absolutely right.

[Politicub]

24. It's all about a coalition to win elections.

See Obama for an example of wildly successful coalition building in 2008 and 2012.

[Demsrule86]

53. Also called the big tent...it is how we always win. Biden wants to

rebuild the Obama coalition...which must include the bluev all.

[BeyondGeography]

27. Stop the inside baseball handicapping and impeach his ass

You want motivated Democrats next year? Impeach. Defending the Constitution is a mainstream dare I say conservative value. Stand for something big and you’ll win big. What the hell is center left mainstream anyway?

I never thought I’d see the day where Bill Fucking Kristol goes on MSNBC and urges Democrats to initiate impeachment proceedings against a Republican President because he is wiping his ass with the Constitution while Democratic leadership says, gee, I don’t know. She is blowing it big time here.

[Demsrule86]

54. No point without conviction.

[BeyondGeography]

60. I like the unintended insight

Yes, there is no point if we lack the conviction.

[BeckyDem]

35. ugh, nope.

Lets do everything to make sure Trump accepts the election results? lol


He is NEVER going to do that no matter what the results are, never. Sell policies the people want, stop worrying about remaining in the center.

[Demsrule86]

55. Unless it is spent close , he can do nothing.

[TwilightZone]

66. She didn't say center. She said center-left.

It's right there in the headline, even if you didn't bother with the article.

[BeckyDem]

67. I know what she said because I read it and disagree with her.

Do not get dragged into a protracted impeachment bid that will ultimately get crushed in the Republican-controlled Senate, and do not risk alienating the moderate voters who flocked to the party in 2018 by drifting too far to the left. “Own the center left, own the mainstream,” Ms. Pelosi, 79, said.


TOO far left, like Medicare for All?

[Cha]

70. Nancy Pelosi knows how to win Elections

that's what this is about.. WINNING!

Nancy Pelosi had a big part in getting us our Democratic House Victory.. turning 45 Red Seats to BLUEWAVE.

Nancy didn't say "center".. She said "center left" and that's what she meant.

I don't think she was talking about Elizabeth Warren's policies, either.

[BeckyDem]

72. I know what she said and I don't agree with her.

[Cha]

80. I do.. Nancy is a winner.

[johannsyah]

36. I think Nancy is right

David Cameron isn't UK prime minister no more, it's Theresa May now and that dumb lady has only seen the worst since the day she took office. Good to see her party suffered a huge lost in local election yesterday, hope she will go more downhill in European election.

I think Nancy is right, because that's how we got Democrats in the House. But I hope she's still going with impeachment process.

[Voltaire2]

37. hewing to the center makes us a party that stands for nothing

And it makes us appear weak and uncommitted. It also cost us the last presidential election.

[Demsrule86]

56. Losing make us a party that accomplishes nothingl

[Voltaire2]

63. yes, glad we agree on that.

[NYMinute]

38. Kick for exposure nt

[Thomas Hurt]

39. and turn the sitting fascist's narratives on him.

[highplainsdem]

41. She's exactly right.

[Blue_true]

43. She is right.

The overwhelming percentage of American voters are in that space and they are reasonable people that can be convinced.

[ehrnst]

45. She has way more experience and way more info than I do, so I'm going to

trust her judgment more than just about anyone else on this right now. When the chips are down, you get the best, and you let them do the job.

No, this is not adulation, this is simply one of those things where I know enough to know what I don't know.

[Hekate]

46. KnR

[Baclava]

62. Well thats a big cold fish slap to the face of Bernie and Liz, how will they respond?

They are the ones drifting too far left she's talking about, right?

[JustAnotherGen]

71. I agree - at the National Level

Let bright blue states "show" what big ideas look like.

The Presidential Candidates might very well quietly applaud Murphy (Gov of NJ) for taking down the Mississippi State flag at Liberty State Park (funded with NJ tax dollars), our move to outlaw plastic bags at grocery stores, gun reforms, toughened state gender pay-equity regulations, increased funding for public education. . .

But they shouldn't be applauding this in small towns in MI, WI, & PA.

Stay center.