Discussion: The DEMOCRATIC P - Part 2

[Silvermoth]

Some interesting new faces in the election yesterday. Is the game afoot?

 

[SV Fan]

NY Times - Poised for West Coast Dominance, Democrats Eye Grand Agenda

https://nytimes.com/2017/11/04/us/washington-state-west-politics-democrats.html

The Pacific Coast, the most Terrific Coast in America

 

[Hypestyle]

NY Times - Poised for West Coast Dominance, Democrats Eye Grand Agenda

https://nytimes.com/2017/11/04/us/washington-state-west-politics-democrats.html

hopefully vulnerable communities are getting the services they need. That's the main thing that should be concentrated on.

 

[Silvermoth]

Agreed. It's wonderful so many diverse people got in but it's useless unless they actually help people

 

[squeekness]

I'm hopeful that they are actually genuine. I mean, how can they be any worse than the ones they replaced?

 

[fancyarcher]

I'm hopeful that they are actually genuine. I mean, how can they be any worse than the ones they replaced?

Not by much, unless they literally come out and say they hate their constituents, which I doubt they will.

 

[Hypestyle]

Jamelle Bouie at Slate.com on how the Democratic Party needs to make specific outreach to African-Americans and their voting interests--

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_...p_democrats_replicate_virginia_victories.html

There are lessons here for Democrats in other states. In Alabama, Doug Jones stands a real chance at winning, after a Washington Post investigation revealed that his Republican opponent, Roy Moore, had pursued and allegedly abused teenage girls while he served as district attorney in the 1970s. Jones’ only path to victory involves extremely high black turnout coupled with a large enough minority of white voters. But while black Americans are more than a quarter of the voting age population in the state, they tend to turn out at lower rates than whites. Jones’ civil rights record is an asset, but he’ll need direct appeals to black voters to succeed.


Looking to next year’s statewide elections in places as different as Wisconsin and Georgia, high black turnout will be key to building a winning coalition. Having candidates of color on the ballot—a possibility in both states—helps. But to succeed, Democrats need to build a relationship with black communities that goes beyond “get out the vote,” that engages with their concerns and seeks to persuade them to vote for Democrats. Doing this, in essence reconstituting the “Obama coalition,” will strengthen the overall Democratic Party and put it in position to remove barriers to voting that keep turnout down overall.


Virginia shows the importance of white suburbanites to the Democratic Party. But it also shows the critical role black voters play in making those victories possible. As Democrats order their priorities for the coming year, it’s in their best interest to put persuading and mobilizing black Americans at the top of the agenda.

 

[Sithborg]

I mean, apparently recruitment for candidates are up. Which means a lot more local faces for these elections. Having the candidate for the local, rather than the national, is a good strategy, even if it causes a few problems at the national level.

 

[MaceB]

It's really easy. Democrats just need to lean in on all their progressive policy ideas... instead of leaning away, which is what they usually do.

No, we can't do a $15 per hour wage.
No, we can't insure every American.
Yes, tax cuts for the wealthy pay for themselves.
Free education can't be done.
We can't reorganize our energy infrastructure for 100% renewables.

If Democrats actually tried to accomplish their policy ideas instead of apologizing for them all the time, maybe we'd be further ahead.

 

[Thundercrack85]

A 15 dollar minium wage is unrealistic outside of a few major cities.

 

[Matt]

It's really easy. Democrats just need to lean in on all their progressive policy ideas... instead of leaning away, which is what they usually do.

No, we can't do a $15 per hour wage.
No, we can't insure every American.
Yes, tax cuts for the wealthy pay for themselves.
Free education can't be done.
We can't reorganize our energy infrastructure for 100% renewables.

If Democrats actually tried to accomplish their policy ideas instead of apologizing for them all the time, maybe we'd be further ahead.

I disagree. Democrats need to stop talking policy. No one cares about the high minded 25 point policy plan. Voters do not vote based on issues. 2016 showed that. Voters focus on values. Instead focusing on policy and issues Democrats need to focus on values.

For example, when you say $15 dollar minimum wage (a policy statement) you are bound to turn off the opposition. Conversely, if you say "every American deserves to be rewarded for hard work and make a good living" (a values statement) you are essentially communicating the same thing, but in a much more vague way that is easier to swallow for the opposition and undecideds (partially because they agree on it).

Healthcare is another example. There are studies that show people who oppose statements like "medicare for all" are far more receptive to statements such as "all Americans should have access to healthcare."

When you focus more on a value statement, rather than a specific policy statement it is easier to connect across the spectrum.

 

[SV Fan]

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-brief...mocrats-win-state-senate-seat-in-red-district

Oklahoma Democrats win state Senate seat in red-district special election

Democrats in Oklahoma picked up a key state Senate seat in a Tuesday special election, marking the fourth seat Democrats have gained in special elections in the state this year.

The Tulsa World reports Democrat Allison Ikley-Freeman won a close race over Republican Brian O’Hara in Oklahoma’s Senate District 37. The race was held to fill the seat of Republican Dan Newberry, who was leaving the state Senate.

Ikley-Freeman, a 26-year-old lesbian, defeated O’Hara by 31 votes.

"The odds were not in our favor, and we knew it, but we knew if we could fight hard, we had a chance," Ikley-Freeman told NBC News. "It was worth fighting for."

The normally conservative district, which is in Tulsa County and is part of Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District, was won by President Trump by nearly 40 points in the 2016 presidential election. Trump picked up 61.4 percent of the vote in the district compared to 32.7 won by then-Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

 

[Sithborg]

GOP, get your brown pants.

 

[squeekness]

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-brief...mocrats-win-state-senate-seat-in-red-district

I like it!

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

Shiva H. Vishnu... Now Al Franken is a groping, sex maniac ******* too?

Thanks Al... Thanks for screwing up the future with your ********.

Just like wiith Bill... If he had kept it in his pants history and a lot of lives woould be very different.

 

[Sithborg]

Frankly, if the last election was evidence of anything, Franken needs to step aside.

 

[mclay18]

Frankly, if the last election was evidence of anything, Franken needs to step aside.

He does.

 

[routhman]

What happened last election with Franken?

 

[Sithborg]

What happened last election with Franken?

I am referring to the off cycle election we just had, mainly in VA, NJ, and WA. Women are extremely energized and powerful now.

 

[routhman]

Ah. I see. Unless more comes out, I expect this one to blow over. From what I read, she could’ve said no to practicing the kiss, and she didn’t. Yes, not cool that he put her into an uncomfortable position, and not cool that he pressured her as heavily as she describes, but it doesn’t really rise to a level that we should brand him a monster.

 

[Sithborg]

Except that McConnell has already signaled that he won't let this go.

 

[fancyarcher]

Highlights from Leeann Tweeden's press conference:

• She accepts Franken's written apology
• Not calling for Franken to step down

Looks like it's up to the senate now.

 

[MaceB]

When you focus more on a value statement, rather than a specific policy statement it is easier to connect across the spectrum.

Good point. I agree!

 

[MaceB]

A 15 dollar minium wage is unrealistic outside of a few major cities.

We need fighters in the Democratic Party. If it's right on principle, then we should fight for it. Regardless of how politically viable it is. Nothing happens until we take the first step. Many progressives such as myself are tired of weak spined Democrats only willing to stick their necks out for a win.
Voting Rights for women was unrealistic... until it wasn't. We shouldn't allow what could happen to cloud us from what should happen. "Should" is where we belong. Until we tackle what should happen, we'll be victims to only what could happen.

 

[Powerman34]

Houston we have a problem!
http://www.kabc.com/2017/11/16/leeann-tweeden-on-senator-al-franken/