Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumDon't Think Sanders Can Win? You Don't Understand His Campaign
There was a time in America when being called a socialist could end a political career. Not anymore.
By Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor
Dr. Taylor is the author of From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation.
Dec. 10, 2019
As the Democratic primary elections get closer, the party leadership has begun to fret in public about universal health care and other ambitious proposals. Even former President Barack Obama tried to assuage donors fears in November when he said that the average American doesnt think we need to tear down the system and remake it. His comment captured the essence of tensions that have roiled the party for months. Party elites believe focusing squarely on President Trumps record will end his presidency, while others counter that the Democrats also have to champion bold policies.
The surprising resilience of the campaign of Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont vindicates the latter approach. Mr. Sanderss improbable rise to Democratic front-runner began in 2015 when he organized his campaign for president around a redistributive agenda of universal health care and free college, along with a number of other progressive reforms. Party insiders dismissed this as fanciful and out of touch, but Mr. Sanders aggressively challenged Hillary Clinton for the nomination while picking up 13 million votes.
Mr. Sanders has not diluted his message since then, but has instead recommitted to his promises of big government socialist reforms all the while pulling other candidates to his side. Although Mr. Sanders grows in popularity, neither the Democratic Party establishment nor the mainstream media really understand his campaign. Thats because it disregards conventional wisdom in politics today tax cuts for the elite and corporations and public-private partnerships to finance health care, education, housing and other public services.
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more at link
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Response to JoeOtterbein (Original post)
Skittles This message was self-deleted by its author.
Uncle Joe
(58,112 posts)Thanks for the thread JoeOtterbein.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
ritapria
(1,812 posts)He/she must rally the base . The Moderate Republicans will vote on the basis of their rising 401k's and IRA's .The Cult love Trump .They are going to rally behind Dear Leader . We must overcome them by eliciting a huge turnout with new voters , POC , working class voters and young people . If Joe becomes the nominee , he is going to have to met that challenge .
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Response to JoeOtterbein (Original post)
Post removed
JoeOtterbein
(7,698 posts)Do you support the Dem party?
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
aidbo
(2,328 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
OilemFirchen
(7,143 posts)Didn't happen.
Isn't happening.
_A_ candidate, somewhat, now moving away.
Alas. Another port destroyed by the storm.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Thekaspervote
(32,606 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
The Valley Below
(1,701 posts)is now under full attack by "Democratic-Socialists," including Jacobin Magazine who picture Warren as being part of Team Capitalism.
Hard to have it both ways.
.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
OilemFirchen
(7,143 posts)Actually, I didn't.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
sheshe2
(83,355 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
EveHammond13
(2,855 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
EveHammond13
(2,855 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
MRDAWG
(501 posts)An MSNBC poll showed a 49% Black support for Joe. Bernie and Warren were at 13%; the rest were lower. Motivated Black voting is necessary for a Democratic candidate
Independents are not going to vote for a Socialist like Bernie or Warren.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
onetexan
(12,994 posts)Now tell me whose at the top of all of them?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
The Valley Below
(1,701 posts)Alert the press!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
INdemo
(6,994 posts)that are former Bloomberg employees....yes progressives can win !!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
mntleo2
(2,535 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Thekaspervote
(32,606 posts)Voters are fairly clear about what they would like from a Democrat. They prefer, by 82% to 11%, one who promises to find common ground over one who promises to fight for a progressive agenda; and they prefer a moderate over a liberal, 75% to 19%.
They support Biden over the president, 38% to 27%, but prefer the president to Warren, 37% to 20%. Sanders is in between, with the president leading him, 34% to 32%. This group voted for Trump by a smaller margin in 2016, 37% to 30%, with the rest casting ballots for minor candidates.
More at the link
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1287336368#post2
The link listed with the DU post is not viable, but searchable with the headline
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
mntleo2
(2,535 posts)...and it is said that corporate Dems still quiver at the very word "Socialist." I often say that I am an FDR Dem and then they try to argue FDR was not a Socialist. Um, yes he was and his activist beloved wife Eleanor even more of one. He created more programs that benefitted the little Americans than any other president.
Sad to see the vitriol about something and someone that we could look at and try to gain the insight we should have.
Sheesh ...
Cat in Seattle <------ an FDR Dem until I die
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
The Valley Below
(1,701 posts)And that's the least wrong part of the post.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
mntleo2
(2,535 posts)Thanks for pointing out the mistake. Great nitpicking there! While typing I was thinking about Elizabeth Warren and transferred her name I think.
What I learned about FDR and Eleanor I learned the most from my IWW predecessors. I had family who fought and some DIED for the things FDR passed. This is what my family of IWWS told me. Most workers at the time loved that the government sent out Loomis Goons to kill unionists as well as hang them as the famous song about Joe Hill was about. The rest sat on their damn hands while the ones with REAL voices died
And while a rich man and not considered "one of them" with the IWWs, FDR at least heard what they were trying to say unlike anyone else. IWWs were the ones considered by IWWS who bravely stood up and spoke the truth.
The kings write history, not the little guys like my family members as Howard Zim observed among many others. My family's history tells me far more than some political science goon says.
Cat in Seattle <---- an FDR Dem until I die
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
The Valley Below
(1,701 posts)I love Joe Hill (the song) BTW.
I got to hear Joan Baez sing it live as a kid in the late 60's at a "No War Toys" protest at the beach in Santa Monica.
Love that song. Always have. By happenstance I listened to her Woodstock recording of the song just this week.
I'm also an FDR Democrat--as were my parents. And grandparents.
FDR sent my dad off to war--which he was proud to do as a volunteer, a patriot, and an anti-fascist. That he survived took a miracle, I can tell you. It was a close call.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
beastie boy
(9,065 posts)Furthermore, I don't think the party elites, or any Democrat, for that matter, focus squarely on Trump's record. I think that Bernie's campaign, at its static15-20% approval, is neither surprising nor resilient. I think lagging behind the leader by double digits is far too little to vindicate his approach. I don't think Mr Sanders grows in popularity, certainly not since his 2020 campaign began. With the possible exception of Warren, I don't think he is pulling any candidates to his side. I don't think he grows in popularity.
I either don't understand Bernie's campaign, or I don't understand what universe Dr. Taylor lives in.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden