General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Not everyone marched for immigrant families today. [View all]ehrnst
(32,640 posts)Like being photographed eating local food - and not something you can just drop because there is a nationwide social justice protest going on.... a savvy candidate prioritizes being the focus of cheering crowds.
Even the most "anti-establishment" career politicians follow the establishment conventional wisdom when it comes to hugging babies and waving to cheering crowds amongst American flags. Photos of you in the middle of in a huge crowd full of social justice activists just don't do the job. One needs to be the focus of attention if the photo op is going to work - and those cheers have the bonus of reinforcing the self-esteem and confidence of the politician. Unless you are being featured in a parade for a social justice cause, or speaking at a podium, participating social justice protest doesn't bestow the maximum ROI of an ambitious candidates' limited time. And energy.
But I can't help but wonder if Hillary would be given the same love and defense for skipping out of a nationwide rally for a parade from the same people here on DU if she had done the same as a Senator... or if it would have been presented as "proof" she was no real advocate for social justice issues.