Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Autumn

(44,765 posts)
Thu Sep 3, 2020, 08:30 PM Sep 2020

Ed Markey Has a Message for Democrats: 'The Age of Incrementalism Is Over

“Now,” says the senator who won an unprecedented primary victory, “is our moment to think big and take bold and urgent action.”

By John Nichols
https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/ed-markey-progressive-aoc/

No Kennedy had ever lost a Democratic primary, or a general election, in Massachusetts. From June 18, 1946, when a young World War II vet named John Fitzgerald Kennedy won the Democratic nomination to fill a congressional seat representing Cambridge and parts of Boston and Somerville, Kennedys had won every race they entered in the state.

Until September 1, 2020, when Representative Joe Kennedy III failed in his Democratic primary challenge to Senator Ed Markey by a 55-45 margin statewide. Markey won 60 percent of the vote in Boston and 80 percent in Cambridge and Somerville. Political narratives, at least as they have been written by pundits and political insiders, don’t usually end that way. Kennedys aren’t supposed to lose in Massachusetts. And 39-year-old challengers with “star power,” 100 percent name recognition, and mounds of money—and who start their campaigns with double-digit poll leads—aren’t supposed to get crushed by earnest 74-year-old veterans of the state legislature, the US House, and the US Senate who have spent decades focusing on the complexities of issues like nuclear disarmament and net neutrality.

What happened?
When the future of Democratic Party politics took shape in 2016 and ’18, Markey understood that everything was changing. He had always been a liberal with an instinct for reform. But Markey saw a new politics emerging, and he was ready to embrace it.

“When I first got to Congress, the reception I got was (very) chilly,” AOC recalled Tuesday. But, she added, “Ed Markey wasn’t afraid. He offered his expertise and partnership. He wasn’t scared of big policy and he didn’t use kid gloves.” The unlikely duo introduced a groundbreaking Green New Deal resolution in the House and Senate, and they found common ground on a host of issues concerning economic, social, and racial justice. A year ago, at a point when pundits were predicting that a challenge from Kennedy would force Markey out of politics, Ocasio-Cortez provided a critical endorsement for the senator:



Much more at the link. A very good read.
51 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Ed Markey Has a Message for Democrats: 'The Age of Incrementalism Is Over (Original Post) Autumn Sep 2020 OP
I hope so... 2naSalit Sep 2020 #1
LOL Many of us were singing that refrain during the Obama years... SMC22307 Sep 2020 #2
Yes we were, the difference is we now have some of our elected Dems sing it along with us. Autumn Sep 2020 #3
"Some" of us, certainly not "many" of us. Too bad there has to be a gratuitous swipe at Obama here. George II Sep 2020 #18
LOL, the perpetually aggrieved. SMC22307 Sep 2020 #32
Go big or go extinct. lagomorph777 Sep 2020 #40
He has a message for Democrats? stillcool Sep 2020 #4
Yes, his message is in the article. nt Autumn Sep 2020 #6
I actually think The Nation is making this a much bigger "message" than it really is. George II Sep 2020 #17
If you don't like the article or find it filled with errors you can always rewrite it and Autumn Sep 2020 #19
Why the snark? The Nation has proven over the last few years that they're NOT the most.... George II Sep 2020 #20
I'm not the one complaining about the article and the content in it George. Autumn Sep 2020 #22
I didn't "complain" about the article, I just pointed out that it was an exaggeration.... George II Sep 2020 #25
Welp. sheshe2 Sep 2020 #26
Auchincloss was declared the winner late last night or early this morning.... George II Sep 2020 #30
That's unfortunate. Too bad we now have two Republicans in the race. lagomorph777 Sep 2020 #41
I wasn't following that primary too closely, but I've heard that he was a republican.... George II Sep 2020 #43
He was a Dem. sheshe2 Sep 2020 #50
*Sigh* sheshe2 Sep 2020 #48
amazing, can't wait to see what he does JI7 Sep 2020 #5
The thing is "he" didn't have a message for Democrats, The Nation had a message and used this.... George II Sep 2020 #27
Yes, sounds a bit desperate Cary Sep 2020 #28
best summation -- "the Nation had a message" stopdiggin Sep 2020 #45
So heartening to see this. JudyM Sep 2020 #7
You're welcome Judy. He's so right, it's time for bold and urgent actions. Autumn Sep 2020 #16
I thought this was an article about Ed Markey, my Senator. sheshe2 Sep 2020 #8
Every sub-group of Dems should get out of the election what they put into it (at minimum). gulliver Sep 2020 #9
+1000. ehrnst Sep 2020 #37
Markey was first elected to the House in 1976 and the Senate in 2013..... George II Sep 2020 #10
Thank you! sheshe2 Sep 2020 #11
One has to wonder how Markey was able to win 21 straight elections: George II Sep 2020 #12
Amazing, isn't it? sheshe2 Sep 2020 #13
Lifetime, yes. And Warren is #2. How did they ever get those ratings without that.... George II Sep 2020 #14
Dunno, kind of confusing how they got that far on their own. sheshe2 Sep 2020 #15
Indeed. It would have been more remarkable if he lost. He's a very established, popular politician. ehrnst Sep 2020 #38
Kill the fillibuster...without that nothing else gets done... Wounded Bear Sep 2020 #21
I agree with that 150%. Day one, 1st thing to be done. Autumn Sep 2020 #23
I do believe its going to happen. honest.abe Sep 2020 #49
K&R! Excellent article Autumn Arazi Sep 2020 #24
LOL! NurseJackie Sep 2020 #29
+1000. (nt) ehrnst Sep 2020 #39
Ed's feeling his oats after the big primary win BannonsLiver Sep 2020 #42
correct on every point. stopdiggin Sep 2020 #46
No, Americans like incrementalism. betsuni Sep 2020 #31
Markey has done a great job for his District and State. His "message" hasn't changed.... George II Sep 2020 #33
Well... that's just because you're rational and realistic in how you view things. NurseJackie Sep 2020 #35
They will really freak out when full bore climate change gets here and it's too late Autumn Sep 2020 #34
No solid. lasting change in major policy gets done overnight. ehrnst Sep 2020 #36
+1000 sheshe2 Sep 2020 #51
Too bad people weren't willing to compromise and find common ground and mutual benefit LONG AGO... NurseJackie Sep 2020 #44
Response: you'll get incrementalism and you'll like it. aidbo Sep 2020 #47

SMC22307

(8,088 posts)
2. LOL Many of us were singing that refrain during the Obama years...
Thu Sep 3, 2020, 08:34 PM
Sep 2020

good DU times.

With Fat Nixon threatening Social Security and Medicare, Dems BETTER GO BIG.

George II

(67,782 posts)
18. "Some" of us, certainly not "many" of us. Too bad there has to be a gratuitous swipe at Obama here.
Thu Sep 3, 2020, 10:06 PM
Sep 2020

SMC22307

(8,088 posts)
32. LOL, the perpetually aggrieved.
Fri Sep 4, 2020, 10:01 AM
Sep 2020

Obama's a big boy... he can handle criticism of his policy, methods, etc., you know, like a mature adult.

Autumn

(44,765 posts)
19. If you don't like the article or find it filled with errors you can always rewrite it and
Thu Sep 3, 2020, 10:08 PM
Sep 2020

maybe submit it to The Nation. I think it's an excellent article and his message is right on point. I was very impressed that he won over a Kennedy in Massachusetts. That to me was rather amazing.

George II

(67,782 posts)
20. Why the snark? The Nation has proven over the last few years that they're NOT the most....
Thu Sep 3, 2020, 10:15 PM
Sep 2020

....objective publication. But I didn't say it was "filled with errors", did I?

To me it's an exaggeration, and mischaracterization, of what Markey actually said. Remember, Markey has been in Washington for almost 50 years. To those who have followed him over most of those years, his "message" hasn't changed much over those years.

That's my opinion. To quote, "If you don't like........."

Autumn

(44,765 posts)
22. I'm not the one complaining about the article and the content in it George.
Thu Sep 3, 2020, 10:22 PM
Sep 2020
exaggeration, and mischaracterization, of what Markey actually said.
IMO those would be errors. So...

George II

(67,782 posts)
25. I didn't "complain" about the article, I just pointed out that it was an exaggeration....
Thu Sep 3, 2020, 10:29 PM
Sep 2020

....and mischaracterization of what Markey actually said.

A difference of opinion isn't a complaint, it's merely a DIFFERENCE OF OPINION!!!!!

I guess in your eyes I'm not entitled to my opinion, eh?

sheshe2

(83,355 posts)
26. Welp.
Thu Sep 3, 2020, 11:07 PM
Sep 2020

I am from MA and have a slightly different take.

I was very impressed that he won over a Kennedy in Massachusetts. That to me was rather amazing.


He is the Senator that I voted for, Joe was my Congressional rep that I voted for. He lost his own district to Markey. Huge loss in his own district. Voters felt betrayed that in these times he would primary a very popular progressive Senator. He ran not on his merits, his ad's were all about Bobby and John. They were all over TV here.

He made a huge mistake and now on top of his loss our district, very blue, is in jeopardy. The last I checked it is still to close to call. The lead candidate was a Dem. Changed to GOP in 2013 to help campaign for and vote for our GOP Governor. Gave max donations to an anti LGBT sheriff up for election. Then he flipped back. My district may be voting GOP either way from the looks of it. I voted for his opponent.

George II

(67,782 posts)
30. Auchincloss was declared the winner late last night or early this morning....
Fri Sep 4, 2020, 09:14 AM
Sep 2020

Interesting dynamics in that primary. Originally nine candidates, two withdrew before the primary but still got votes.

What's curious is the endorsements:

Auchincloss was endorsed by the Boston Globe and NAGE
Leckey was endorsed by Omar and Brand New Congress
Mermell was endorsed by Pressley and Planned Parenthood Action Fund
Grossman was endorsed by Khanna

George II

(67,782 posts)
43. I wasn't following that primary too closely, but I've heard that he was a republican....
Fri Sep 4, 2020, 01:49 PM
Sep 2020

....who switched to being a Democrat for this.

I wonder if someone might run as an independent?

sheshe2

(83,355 posts)
50. He was a Dem.
Fri Sep 4, 2020, 04:03 PM
Sep 2020

Then switched to R in in 2013 so he could work on Gov. Bakers-R campaign and vote for him. Switched back in 2014. I am very disappointed for District 4.

sheshe2

(83,355 posts)
48. *Sigh*
Fri Sep 4, 2020, 03:57 PM
Sep 2020

Saw that on the news earlier. I read that Mermell has until today to call for a recount. Haven't been around to see if she had.

George II

(67,782 posts)
27. The thing is "he" didn't have a message for Democrats, The Nation had a message and used this....
Thu Sep 3, 2020, 11:09 PM
Sep 2020

....as their vehicle to communicate their own message.

Ed Markey has been steady in his message for decades, and he's been the consummate Democrat throughout those decades. Sad that a publication with the status of The Nation has falsely attributed a "message" to Markey's remarks and some jump at it.

Cary

(11,746 posts)
28. Yes, sounds a bit desperate
Fri Sep 4, 2020, 12:01 AM
Sep 2020

Whatever happened to "Our Revolution" anyway?

Weren't there all kinds of other takeovers of the Democratic Party? Or did Nina Turner and Cornell West start a new party?

Is it just me or does anyone else find it difficult to keep score?

I'm sure Autumn will be good enough to clear this up. What do you say, Autumn?

stopdiggin

(11,095 posts)
45. best summation -- "the Nation had a message"
Fri Sep 4, 2020, 03:10 PM
Sep 2020

and grafted it on to a politician -- (a good one) -- of long standing record.
Markey's "message" is one of experience and substance -- and doesn't really need viewing through the lens of AOC or the Nation.

gulliver

(13,142 posts)
9. Every sub-group of Dems should get out of the election what they put into it (at minimum).
Thu Sep 3, 2020, 09:14 PM
Sep 2020

Those who, on net, increase Dem votes and seats for our team get honor from the whole team and deserve to have their voices heard more. Those who, on net, decrease votes and seats for the team deserve to have their voices heard less. That's the rough math anyway. Obviously, it doesn't have to work out that way, and there are very obvious exceptions, but there is democratic justice in that rule.

To paraphrase JFK, "Ask not what the Dem Party can do for you, ask what you can do for the Dem Party." And really, the Dem Party is the country's only hope right now. That's just a fact. So doing something for the Dem Party is doing something for America.

George II

(67,782 posts)
10. Markey was first elected to the House in 1976 and the Senate in 2013.....
Thu Sep 3, 2020, 09:24 PM
Sep 2020

....I don't see how this primary was "unprecedented" for Markey.

Plus, Ed Markey received more than 500 endorsements from Organizations, Unions, and fellow members of Congress, including:

Senator Elizabeth Warren
Senator Cory Booker
Senator Chuck Schumer

Congressman Richard Neal
Congressman Jim McGovern
Congresswoman Lori Trahan
Congressman Stephen Lynch
Congressman Bill Keating

One would naturally say that THOSE endorsements are far more "critical" than the one mentioned in the article.



sheshe2

(83,355 posts)
11. Thank you!
Thu Sep 3, 2020, 09:37 PM
Sep 2020

Warren has stood by his side since 2013. She stumped hard for him. Her voice carries a lot of weight.

George II

(67,782 posts)
12. One has to wonder how Markey was able to win 21 straight elections:
Thu Sep 3, 2020, 09:43 PM
Sep 2020

19 in House elections and 2 in Senate elections without that one "critical" endorsement!

sheshe2

(83,355 posts)
13. Amazing, isn't it?
Thu Sep 3, 2020, 09:47 PM
Sep 2020

I believe you also posted that Markey's rating in the Senate is:

4th most Progressive Senator. Interesting, hum.

George II

(67,782 posts)
14. Lifetime, yes. And Warren is #2. How did they ever get those ratings without that....
Thu Sep 3, 2020, 09:52 PM
Sep 2020

...."critical" endorsement?

 

ehrnst

(32,640 posts)
38. Indeed. It would have been more remarkable if he lost. He's a very established, popular politician.
Fri Sep 4, 2020, 01:34 PM
Sep 2020

He has the advantage of a long incumbency, and didn't just phone it in during the campaign.

Wounded Bear

(58,440 posts)
21. Kill the fillibuster...without that nothing else gets done...
Thu Sep 3, 2020, 10:20 PM
Sep 2020

The first thing they do is vote on the rules.

Nuke the fillibuster on Day fucking One.

Especially if McConnell is still there. Make him squirm while his powers are destroyed.

honest.abe

(8,556 posts)
49. I do believe its going to happen.
Fri Sep 4, 2020, 04:01 PM
Sep 2020

Democrats have had enough. The filibuster only seems to help the Republicans.

Arazi

(6,829 posts)
24. K&R! Excellent article Autumn
Thu Sep 3, 2020, 10:29 PM
Sep 2020

I don't think Joe Kennedy has anything to worry about - he has a big career ahead but it's time to seize this day on issues like the Green New Deal.

AOC finds her allies and moves. Love it

NurseJackie

(42,862 posts)
29. LOL!
Fri Sep 4, 2020, 08:44 AM
Sep 2020
The time to be timid is past. The age of incrementalism is over.
Ridiculous. That has nothing to do with timidity. Instead is about accepting REALITY. It's all about making progress through mutual respect and finding common ground, and making reasonable compromises, and pursuing mutual interests.

There's nothing wrong with that. And it's a hell of a sight better than the misplaced pride some politicians feel when they boast to their constituents that they have NO loaf-of-bread (not even a thin slice) because they refused to negotiate. It happens every time. The politicians with an "all or nothing" philosophy will usually end up with a plate of NOTHING.

Fact of the matter is that we are better served by politicians and activists and voters who can understand and accept the REALITY in that we are NOT the only party, and we are NOT in control. Nor is it likely that we will EVER have a "super-majority" either. In the end: Slow-progress is better than NO-progress. (I think reasonable and thoughtful people can agree on that simple axiom, right?)

All I'm saying is that in the end, "incremental" progress is STILL PROGRESS. It may not be exactly what we want, and it may not be as quickly as we want it... but anything that moves us closer to our goals it's a good thing. Patience is a virtue. Impatience, bullying, disrespect, and pie-in-the-sky demands always end up with a stalemate.

Basically, having a perpetual stalemate is the same as maintaining the "status-quo," and that's also an anathema to the far-left activists. So, a difficult decision must be made. The choices are simple: 1) Stalemate/status-quo/NO-loaf (but boasting about one's purity and unwillingness to negotiate with the "enemy'') ... or 2)Compromise/Mutual Benefit/slow-progress/a few slices now, a few slices later... always making PROGRESS.

The choices cannot be any clearer. I prefer progress, no matter if it's small. A slice is better than crumbs. I'm not too proud or to vain to accept that.

That "writer" John Nichols is an idiot. Promoting this type of "Democrats Divided" narrative serves no good purpose. It creates distrust and resentment, and that only serves to create an atmosphere of negativity: Negativity generates apathy. Apathy discourages voter turnout. Low voter turnout gives Republicans a chance to steal the elections.

No Kennedy had ever lost a Democratic primary, or a general election, in Massachusetts.
Doesn't that speak more about what kind of campaign he ran... or his abilities as a politician running against a well-liked incumbent? This writer hasn't made a good argument that this is some sort of ideological "sea-change". This sounds more like wishful thinking than anything else. In reality, the incumbent remains and the status-quo is maintained (technically speaking.)

stopdiggin

(11,095 posts)
46. correct on every point.
Fri Sep 4, 2020, 03:23 PM
Sep 2020

premise of the article was -- misguided at best.

And a lot of people are unhappy with the characterization of "a Kennedy loss" -- as some sort of sea-change transformative moment. Markey was well regarded -- ran a good campaign -- and Kennedy probably shouldn't have challenged him. This was not something completely outside the norm or unexpected. The days of fiefdom and fealty ...

betsuni

(25,138 posts)
31. No, Americans like incrementalism.
Fri Sep 4, 2020, 09:42 AM
Sep 2020

They freak out over change. When Massachusetts successfully launched a version of the ACA. it promoted progress. When the ACA didn't result in death panels, progress. Now people like it. When Seattle increased its minimum wage to fifteen dollars and the economy didn't collapse, progress. When states legalized marijuana and society didn't collapse, progress. Same sex marriage and everybody heterosexual didn't become gay, progress.

Everything is incremental.

George II

(67,782 posts)
33. Markey has done a great job for his District and State. His "message" hasn't changed....
Fri Sep 4, 2020, 10:18 AM
Sep 2020

...over the years, he's the same Ed Markey that has been serving his constituents for decades.

Interesting how The Nation takes one sentence from his post-primary victory euphoria and makes it look like he had an epiphany this summer.

Also interesting is how an article presumably about Ed Markey changes direction (and focus) just a few sentences into it.

I dare say Markey's victory had a lot to do with the way he's been legislating all these years and some of the prominent endorsements among the 500 he received, including fellow Senator Warren and Senate Minority Leader Schumer.

But that's just me.

NurseJackie

(42,862 posts)
35. Well... that's just because you're rational and realistic in how you view things.
Fri Sep 4, 2020, 01:13 PM
Sep 2020
But that's just me.
Well... that's just because you're rational and realistic in how you view things. There are other who lack your insight and abilities to see things clearly.

Autumn

(44,765 posts)
34. They will really freak out when full bore climate change gets here and it's too late
Fri Sep 4, 2020, 11:33 AM
Sep 2020

to do anything.

 

ehrnst

(32,640 posts)
36. No solid. lasting change in major policy gets done overnight.
Fri Sep 4, 2020, 01:23 PM
Sep 2020

That's just reality. Anyone who tells you a quick fix to something very complicated is easy is selling something, or running for office. Like those who are saying that a vaccine for covid could be ready by the end of the year....

Those who have experience and are not running for office or selling something are a more reliable source.

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/05/23/president-obama-speaks-his-mind

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/11/upshot/how-single-payer-health-care-could-trip-up-democrats.html

Markey didn't get elected decade after decade because he was a self-proclaimed disruptor who couldn't work well with others or get things done within the system of the Senate. Massachusetts has a large and diverse enough population to demand their Senator produce results, not just rant and rail at how everyone else in the Democratic party is wrong and he's right.

NurseJackie

(42,862 posts)
44. Too bad people weren't willing to compromise and find common ground and mutual benefit LONG AGO...
Fri Sep 4, 2020, 02:37 PM
Sep 2020

Too bad people weren't willing to compromise and find common ground and mutual benefit LONG AGO. Just think how much further along we'd be if more people had been willing to see incremental progress as ACTUAL PROGRESS! And small progress on top of previous small progress and so on, and so on... eventually we really have something meaningful and something to be proud of.

It's a far cry from the "pride" our hard-headed politicians and activists have when they boast about NEVER compromising... and being (apparently) pleased with themselves for "standing their ground" (yet coming away with absolutely NOTHING to show for it.) Ultimately, their own stubborn behavior ends up enshrining the status-quo and NOTHING gets done. What good purpose does that serve?

Incremental progress is still progress. Don't fight it.



Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Ed Markey Has a Message f...