Jon Ossof got my money in the first election. But if he wants more, he'll have to move to the left and gain Bernie's endorsement. No more Clntonism.
6
A note to the democratic leadership and the DNC. Stop with your stupid identity politics and moral superiority demeanor. It’s all I heard during the 2016 campaign. You forgot to talk to the people about their concerns. Bernie didn’t. Get off cloud 9. Talk to the people. All the people. Consider each and every state a battleground for votes. You have the money, no excuses.
The current democratic leadership is stale and uninspiring. The same leadership that drummed out the great Howard Dean who knew how to win with his 50 state strategy, as evidenced by democratic majority’s in both houses of congress. Perez seems to be a continuation of Debbie Wasserman Schulz, whose tenure killed the democratic party at the local, state, and national level.
I hope the democrats get their act together because 2018 is fast approaching.
The current democratic leadership is stale and uninspiring. The same leadership that drummed out the great Howard Dean who knew how to win with his 50 state strategy, as evidenced by democratic majority’s in both houses of congress. Perez seems to be a continuation of Debbie Wasserman Schulz, whose tenure killed the democratic party at the local, state, and national level.
I hope the democrats get their act together because 2018 is fast approaching.
8
In Montana's 2016 General Election, voters made it crystal clear how they feel about Greg Gianforte. He lost the governor's race at the same time that the six other statewide Republican candidates won theirs. And Gianforte's loss was stunning -- 30% of those voting for Republican Attorney General Tim Fox snubbed Gianforte! Fox received 332,766 votes compared to Gianforte's 236,115 votes.
2
Until Democrats realize just how destructive Obama has been to the party, there will be no success. Obama left the party in shambles. He was never interested in real politics - the kind that would have saved at least a few of the thousand or more state legislators he lost, or the senate and house that he lost, or the supreme court that he lost and the presidency that HE lost. I'm not smart enough to have known that Clinton had no chance of winning in November, but he is smart enough to have seen this coming. He did nothing. Obama's primary mission was Obama. He never developed a bench. He never developed a base that could support a cause or candidate other then himself. And what is he doing now, vacationing and writing a book. Who did he leave in charge: Tom Perez. Please! Perez and the DNC missed Georgia and Kansas. There was no dynamic Democratic speaker to push through the necessary support. It's all yada, yada, yada. It's as if Obama was working with the Republicans for the past eight years to kill the Democratic party. And the mission is almost complete. I dare anyone to come up with a person who is under the age of 60 or 65 who is coming forward that the general public knows. Not some insider, not Cory Booker. The Baby Boomers refuse to give up there positions and they are not helping either. Who is Pelosi developing that we know about? What about Schumer? Who is he putting forward? Where's the young Clinton?
8
@TW - you make a good point on Tom Perez. If he's Exhibit A on Obama's lack of a bench, then Exhibit B would be that a 72-year old retired governor was the best the DNC could do for a SOTU response speaker.
(nothing against Steve Beshear, but isn't that slot supposed to go to a rising star?)
(nothing against Steve Beshear, but isn't that slot supposed to go to a rising star?)
2
GO TO THE BERN If you Democratic hopefuls want to learn how to run a campaign. He's the most popular Senator for now. So follow his lead. Many voters are just looking for an excuse to stay home or go with the Democrats as a vote against the morally, intellectually, culturally defunct GOP. Some voters may do more than swing across party lines. There are some who will be anxious to switch sides.
4
It's way past time for the DLC / Clinton domination of the party to end. Even after Sanders showed populists power within the party Hillary Clinton still ran a traditional campaign. The democrats lack of attention to state & local elections has left us with republican domination in Michigan despite electing democratic senators. Now we're a right to work for less state & facing a republican effort to eliminate state income tax & turn us into the Great Lakes version of Kansas. Wake up party leadership! Time for imaginative thinking & courage.
8
The Republican agenda can only help Democrats win especially if they stick with Trump. With Trump's manifest incompetent on display these first few months and Republican infighting, we practically have a red carpet laid out to us, with a number of really big goof-ups to showcase in any near term election. We have time right now, to talk to people and find out what they're seeking from their government, and then we'll have the opportunity to become the party of the people. The people who value liberty, justice, and fair play. Republicans have given up on these primary tenets of our Republic, but we, as Democrats, need to find our way back to the essentials, in order to move forward. We must unite the country with a better argument, than we are not Republicans, we are not Trump.
5
Too long the Clinton's have been running the Democratic Party. They run a neo-liberal, Wall Street shop. This proved to be a giant drag on the party's prospects. Thing got better with Sanders. If only the Dems can drop their desire to rule the world, we could have a winning party. And then we'd have two parties that are truly different.
4
Posted yesterday, thought about it and since contributing to Senator Jon Tester some years back, and he got elected, well I just made a donation to Mr. Quist's campaign.
Maybe DCC, and DCCC will start to get the message!
Maybe DCC, and DCCC will start to get the message!
4
The Democrat is a country music performer. The Republican is a filthy rich religious fundamentalist. There is only one Congressman for all of Montana. There has to be one community organizer who'd like to spend some time in DC.
Get in every race... take advantage of a mobilised voter block ready to fund campaigns in every state and to knock on doors. We are here, fed up and willing to work for this. This is your moment, DNC.
Dems seem doomed to continue to make mistakes, think they need Elizabeth Warren as party leader. She has enough passion and fire to win over anyone!
6
If I had only ONE wish .... It would not be for a million dollars, it would be that the Democratic candidates for Georgia, Montana and South Carolina WIN their elections. This way we can start to put a end to this crazy political climate that Trump embraces.
10
The answer, of course, is NO WAY!
1
"The party clearly has no clue how to build and nurture a movement"
What is the DNC's function when it can't capitalize upon a defunct derelict deceiving GOP??
What is the DNC's function when it can't capitalize upon a defunct derelict deceiving GOP??
13
DNC: Go large, go 50, or go home and lose (again).
11
It's a shame that the Kansas candidate did not get DNC support. If Tom Perez cannot support democratic candidates in red states, he should be replaced.
14
Who was the DNC chair in 2010 who abandoned the 50 state strategy? Tim Kaine
He's the reason we have severe gerrymandering.
It's time to tell the Corporate wing of the Democratic party "you lost big time" and move the party back to a Progressive party of the workers.
He's the reason we have severe gerrymandering.
It's time to tell the Corporate wing of the Democratic party "you lost big time" and move the party back to a Progressive party of the workers.
15
Debbie Wasserman Schutz don't you remember how She engineered the primaries to make Sanders lose?
2
Limousine service is limited in Missoula, Perez objects.
6
50 State strategy! It's time for a changing of the guard, in with the new, out with the old. It's time progressives take the reigns. The McGovern stain can no longer hold back us, the Democratic Party must return to its center-left roots.
13
The Democratic Party has gone JV. They can't get out the vote to vote against someone who most Democrats detest? That's a tactical and strategic failure.
The first principle of winning an election is to get out the vote. If they can't do that in this environment they're hopeless.
The first principle of winning an election is to get out the vote. If they can't do that in this environment they're hopeless.
5
The problem with the Democratic Party is lack of honesty. If you want to go left wing, go all the way At least you'll get some respect. But don't pretend you're all for the middle class when you want to open up the borders to please George Soros.
6
Why doesn't the National Democratic Party apparatus wake up and DO something?
Considering the current right-wing assault on freedoms and the quality of life, this should be a real priority!
And considering all the domestic and foreign affairs fiascos of Trump, Ryan, and their gang, this should be a slam-dunk!
Considering the current right-wing assault on freedoms and the quality of life, this should be a real priority!
And considering all the domestic and foreign affairs fiascos of Trump, Ryan, and their gang, this should be a slam-dunk!
15
Corporate money makes them blind
3
You could have easily predicted that it would be the same old, same old when the chance to shake up house leadership was passed by to return the same failed leadership that let the house slip away from them. I am not ignoring the tremendous work Pelosi has done in the past but the results in 2016 underlined the imperative that the Democrats needed to energize voters with fresh faces and bold platforms that shake up the status quo. Left or right, status quo is the most reviled position.
7
In my opinion, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) are blowing it. Missed opportunities. James Thompson for Kansas--virtually no support. Rob Quist -- Montana, finally, thanks to Bernie Sanders dragging Tom Perez along, the Democratic Party will give Quist a nod. Based on the lack of support in these special elections, except for Ossoff in Georgia, the DNC is asleep at the wheel. If they don't want to throw dollars at the races they consider to be long shots, why don't they at least utilize FREE social media and the Internet to mention these candidates and races on their web sites or Facebook page?
11
“I don’t know that it makes a lot of sense to spend resources where you don’t have a shot at winning,” Representative Jim Clyburn of South Carolina,....
You have to plant seed money to make your ideas grow. ALEC, FOX, Right Wing radio lost money at the beginning.
We do not like to lose but we are disappointed that there is no strategy. I was not sad we lost Kansas but proud that we fought the hard fight. Rep. Clyburn and the leadership have obviously forgot the hard fight for civil rights. labor rights and women's rights.
I do not give money to the party. I give money to a candidate, who espouses the old ideals of the Democratic party, even if they are predicted to lose. With old thinking by the Democratic leadership, the losses will continue.
You have to plant seed money to make your ideas grow. ALEC, FOX, Right Wing radio lost money at the beginning.
We do not like to lose but we are disappointed that there is no strategy. I was not sad we lost Kansas but proud that we fought the hard fight. Rep. Clyburn and the leadership have obviously forgot the hard fight for civil rights. labor rights and women's rights.
I do not give money to the party. I give money to a candidate, who espouses the old ideals of the Democratic party, even if they are predicted to lose. With old thinking by the Democratic leadership, the losses will continue.
8
It's time for Democrats to dump the Clinton-Obama push to the center and fight the smaller grass roots battles. Start by supporting our unions and workers against Big Money interests. Stop taking Big Business's money and support. Fight against the 1 percent, including self serving former political leaders. Let's get serious and fight the privileged enriching themselves yet again.
13
The Democratic Party's embrace of radical gun cintrol will turn Montana completely red. The "progressives" of the New York Times don't want to think about it, but just watch.
7
Shame on the Democratic party. Why have they given up on Montana?
3
I am a Montanan. Living in Montana doesn’t automatically make one ‘a Montanan’ nor does one have to be born in Montana to be one; the simplicity of the State masking its complexities. Yet buried in that nuance, one likely shared by many ‘Red’ states, are the answers to what the DNC should be focused on and they are not.
People like Rob Quist and Amanda Curtis (House D-Butte, MT.) who is also in the picture)) represent the future of not only progressivism but policy positions that appeal to real people. And it appears the DNC, in failing to support Rob Quist, is the gang that cannot shoot straight because the DNC leadership and those who have long been Democrats in name only (e.g. Pelosi, Schumer, Clinton(s)) are destroying not only the Democratic Party but they’re also hurting Democracy.
Democrats in power are still attempting to argue that Donald Trump won the Presidency because he appealed to racism. They are still trying to externalize their losses rather than identify neoliberalism as the deadly infection it is and they do so at their own peril.
I thought that when DJT won the election the Democratic leadership would be able to figure out that abandoning progressive populism was responsible. Instead, they are doubling down on neoliberalism and running from their own shadows. No finer examples than selecting Perez to be DNC Chair and failure to support Rob Quist and if this continues it will send our country further down the very dark path we are on.
People like Rob Quist and Amanda Curtis (House D-Butte, MT.) who is also in the picture)) represent the future of not only progressivism but policy positions that appeal to real people. And it appears the DNC, in failing to support Rob Quist, is the gang that cannot shoot straight because the DNC leadership and those who have long been Democrats in name only (e.g. Pelosi, Schumer, Clinton(s)) are destroying not only the Democratic Party but they’re also hurting Democracy.
Democrats in power are still attempting to argue that Donald Trump won the Presidency because he appealed to racism. They are still trying to externalize their losses rather than identify neoliberalism as the deadly infection it is and they do so at their own peril.
I thought that when DJT won the election the Democratic leadership would be able to figure out that abandoning progressive populism was responsible. Instead, they are doubling down on neoliberalism and running from their own shadows. No finer examples than selecting Perez to be DNC Chair and failure to support Rob Quist and if this continues it will send our country further down the very dark path we are on.
16
"I don't know that it makes a lot of sense to spend where you don't have a shot at winning" Duh? You can't have a shot at winning if you don't spend resources. Even if you don't win, you build organization for other races. National Democrats don't think twice about funneling money (how much did HRC's campaign spend?) to their buddies in the media for TV and the like. Heaven help us. Pelosi and others seem more worried about discouraging primary challenges to incumbents than in grooming the biggest and best pool of candidates for every office everywhere. Did they learn nothing from 2016?
7
The Democrats need to take a long hard look at themselves, because they are just as much part of the problem as the Republicans. They have been corrupted by power and forgotten their more populist roots. They have lost their direction. In this election, we must choose Democrat or Republican, and for anyone who loves Montana the only choice is Rob Quist. Gianforte will be Zinke's man in Montana to "make sure we can make wealth and jobs" on public lands. The problem is that the wealth goes to the already rich and the jobs don't last, leaving desolation and ruining the land for the people who cannot afford to buy their own fishing stream, and then deny public access to it. Get out and vote for Rob Quist.
11
(Trump tweet) "Dems failed in Kansas and are now failing in Georgia. Great job Karen Handel! It is now Hollywood vs. Georgia on June 20th."
I live in a rural town in Texas and I make small contributions when I can afford it. Small and consistent contributions until it hurts.
Why? To help get reinforcements into the (Congressional) fight against Trump taking away or ruining my loved ones Health Care, endangering the future of the Nation's and World"s economy through Deregulating the Financial Industry. and ruining the climate by Deregulating the fossil Fuel industry.
It's average Americans vs. Corporate entity's like Koch Industries. More Trump lying Tweets. Sad!
I live in a rural town in Texas and I make small contributions when I can afford it. Small and consistent contributions until it hurts.
Why? To help get reinforcements into the (Congressional) fight against Trump taking away or ruining my loved ones Health Care, endangering the future of the Nation's and World"s economy through Deregulating the Financial Industry. and ruining the climate by Deregulating the fossil Fuel industry.
It's average Americans vs. Corporate entity's like Koch Industries. More Trump lying Tweets. Sad!
6
I always vote for the liberal/left candidate and value diversity in representation in Congress. I will most definitely vote for Rob Quist over the big-money-backed multi-millionaire Gianforte who is just more of what we already have in Washington; however, I am a realist and cannot fathom Quist actually winning out here. This is no bible belt state but people are very conservative and, like the rest of the country, becoming more so day by day, even when it is against their, and the community's, best interests.
4
Mr. Quist,
Lose the hat indoors. You enable the perception that westerners are
doofuses.
Lose the hat indoors. You enable the perception that westerners are
doofuses.
Are you kidding? Cowboy hats show your independence (and keep the sun off your head). Gimme caps make me nervous.
2
You know you're in the real West when men wear their hats indoors. Le me guess: You live in Phoenix.
6
Don’t know what to say!
The World Corporations and Banks have succeeded to control the United States government and many others around the world. Uniting the people behind a Sanders or Quist to STOP THIS K STREET CONTROL of our lives as Citizens of this country is our only solution!
The World Corporations and Banks have succeeded to control the United States government and many others around the world. Uniting the people behind a Sanders or Quist to STOP THIS K STREET CONTROL of our lives as Citizens of this country is our only solution!
9
The Trump Administration, with callous delight, has promoted its destructive policies by stating that "elections have consequences." Spearheaded by Tom Price, Mick Mulvaney, and Rex Tillerson, these policies include the shredding of the social and economic safety nets that support millions of low and moderate income families, promoting anti-international trade legislation, destroying the EPA, and selectively applying privacy laws that will greatly impact most women - among others. This should be a wakeup call for every Democrat and Independent who sat out the 2016 elections, and seem likely to underperform in
the upcoming elections in Georgia and Montana. Opponents of the scorched earth policy of the Trump Administration have the opportunity to respond with a solid yes that elections do have consequences. So, let's hope that Georgia and Montana voters will turn out in force to send a strong message to the Trump Administration that "elections have consequences" can be a double edged sword.
the upcoming elections in Georgia and Montana. Opponents of the scorched earth policy of the Trump Administration have the opportunity to respond with a solid yes that elections do have consequences. So, let's hope that Georgia and Montana voters will turn out in force to send a strong message to the Trump Administration that "elections have consequences" can be a double edged sword.
4
The assumption the national Democrats are making is that there's a fixed amount of money to be allocated. Stop thinking budget, start thinking investment! Winning galvanizes people and makes them believe that their donations are going to make a difference.
10
I'll be sending money directly to Mr. Quist and a note to the DNC to get their act together.
20
“Montana Senator Max Baucus, the chair of the Senate Finance Committee, is the Senate’s point man on healthcare reform. A new article in the Montana Standard finds that Senator Baucus has received more campaign money from health and insurance industry interests than any other member of Congress. The article says, "In the past six years, nearly one-fourth of every dime raised by Baucus and his political-action committee has come from groups and individuals associated with drug companies, insurers, hospitals, medical-supply firms, health-service companies and other health professionals."
This is one reason people in Montana did not support a non-progressive Hillary Clinton.
Max Baucus single-handedly destroyed Bernie's hope for health care
I attended a Rally for Sanders in Montana with no liberal elites, just beautiful Americans
wanting to make America –America again..
We need progressive Rob Quist in Montana, to build a foundation for democracy.
Not the DNC.
This is one reason people in Montana did not support a non-progressive Hillary Clinton.
Max Baucus single-handedly destroyed Bernie's hope for health care
I attended a Rally for Sanders in Montana with no liberal elites, just beautiful Americans
wanting to make America –America again..
We need progressive Rob Quist in Montana, to build a foundation for democracy.
Not the DNC.
9
So, you think the best way to do that is to just give up on the dems? Are you kidding? Most Montanans are centrists. Steve Bullock, Jon Tester...both centrists. Max Baucus didn't kill single payer, he didn't think the public option would get the votes. Hillary Clinton would have ushered in the public option if not single payer. Instead, you guys threw a fit and ta da! President Trump who will now take away any healthcare benefit.
4
Since you're both from Montana, I thought I'd chime in. Lets first dispense with those items not subject to opinion. It's a fact that Baucus destroyed (lets use the polite term 'tabled') any discussion of single-payer health care. The historical record, and his own comments as part of the public record, make that perfectly clear. Would single-payer have become a reality? Probably not - but we'll never know because Baucus torpedoed any efforts to discuss it. It's also a matter of public record how much money Baucus took from the health care and pharmaceutical companies. I"m not sure how writing "Hillary Clinton would have ushered in the public option" is somehow supporting the notion Baucus was not responsible.
Also, and this distinction does make a difference, it is not Pres. Trump, alone, who desires to terminate the ACA. A key Rep. platform position for 30+ years has been to block any and all efforts to move toward the only health care system that can be sustained - national single-payer health care.
Lastly, it's incredibly dangerous to think we should, for some reason, support Democrats blindly because they call themselves Democrats. Neoliberals like Baucus, Pelosi, Schumer, Perez, etc. have completely abandoned progressive ideals and the sooner people wake up to this reality the stronger the Democratic Party will be. Conversely, denying this only weakens progressivism and if you've not been paying attention, we're losing the fight for equality by supporting "centrist".
Also, and this distinction does make a difference, it is not Pres. Trump, alone, who desires to terminate the ACA. A key Rep. platform position for 30+ years has been to block any and all efforts to move toward the only health care system that can be sustained - national single-payer health care.
Lastly, it's incredibly dangerous to think we should, for some reason, support Democrats blindly because they call themselves Democrats. Neoliberals like Baucus, Pelosi, Schumer, Perez, etc. have completely abandoned progressive ideals and the sooner people wake up to this reality the stronger the Democratic Party will be. Conversely, denying this only weakens progressivism and if you've not been paying attention, we're losing the fight for equality by supporting "centrist".
6
@Aimee A.
"People who have health emergencies can't wait for us to have a theoretical debate about some better idea that will never, ever come to pass."
-- Hillary Clinton
Notice the part about "some better idea" -- in this case single payer. She's saying let's not even talk about better ideas because they will never, ever happen. This is the antithesis of 'progressive' and perfectly illustrates how Washington Dems and the DNC think.
I'm starting to believe that Democrats would rather lose to a Republican than win with a progressive.
"People who have health emergencies can't wait for us to have a theoretical debate about some better idea that will never, ever come to pass."
-- Hillary Clinton
Notice the part about "some better idea" -- in this case single payer. She's saying let's not even talk about better ideas because they will never, ever happen. This is the antithesis of 'progressive' and perfectly illustrates how Washington Dems and the DNC think.
I'm starting to believe that Democrats would rather lose to a Republican than win with a progressive.
9
Don't count on it - these are the same hypocrites who maligned "not-even-a-democrat" Bernie Sanders this morning in the Washington Post for not getting involved in Georgia. They had a real chance in Kansas with a 20-point swing since election day, but refused to contribute to chip away at the last 7% and they have the gall to blame Georgia on Bernie Sanders. New day, same mistakes. What a joke.
9
We're doing the work to get Quist elected on the ground with or without the party's assistance. NYT: You missed a great opportunity to name-check Amanda Curtis, pictured here, who would also make a great story. I would have gladly supported her candidacy as well!
9
Check out Amanda Curtis from Butte on youtube.
1
When you stop and think that ALEC members don't care about state borders, why should democrats? Thus, I now send a little money to democrats running in other states. Regarding history, clearly democratic leadership decided that since about 75 percent of the poor don't vote, then there's no reason to try to help them. Rather, democratic leadership aims for corporate donations just like the republicans. Further, democratic leadership didn't count on the high motivation levels achieved by republicans through organizing and outrageous pandering and lying. Sanders eschewed corporate donations and thus has credibility unlike most other politicians. Democrats should embrace him instead of marginalizing him. Democrats need to start helping poor people and then taking credit for that effort. I hate to use these examples but the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas gained power through their social action programs. People notice who helps them and this can lead to high motivation needed to win elections.
7
Democratic leadership is just amazingly weak right now.
Perez is weak. Pelosi is weak. Schumer is weak. Tim Kaine is weak.
These folks need to get out of the way and make room for others to include:
Kirsten Gillibrand
Jack Warner
Adam Schiff
Jim Hines
And others.
Perez is weak. Pelosi is weak. Schumer is weak. Tim Kaine is weak.
These folks need to get out of the way and make room for others to include:
Kirsten Gillibrand
Jack Warner
Adam Schiff
Jim Hines
And others.
10
Kirstin Gillibrand is just a party hack.
3
Then perhaps purists will produce more electable leaders?
I voted for Bernie Sanders in my state's primary, btw.
I voted for Bernie Sanders in my state's primary, btw.
1
Stand up, fight, in every nook and cranny!
6
The Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee have long ignored Democratic House candidates in "safe" Republican districts. If you're a candidate in one of these districts, you will be lucky to get an acknowledgement from the DNC or DCCC, much less any support in finances or anything else. Progressive group PACS -- for example, the Human Rights Campaign -- will ignore you, because if they endorse you, they feel they will be harming their record of supporting winning candidates.
This knowledge prevents Democratic candidates from even running in these districts. For example, Rep. Trent Franks, an ultraconservative Republican in Arizona, has had no Democratic opponent for the last two elections. In 2014, an Americans Elect Party candidate (another conservative), got about 25% of the vote against Franks, and in 2016, a Green Party candidate got close to a third of the vote.
A friend who has been in the last two elections the Democratic opponent to another far-right Arizona Republican House member, Paul Gosar, has gotten almost no support from the national or state Democratic parties.
In 2014, I ended up as the Democratic candidate for Congress in Wyoming even though I didn't live in the state. Nobody else wanted to run. The state and national Democratic party seemed annoyed that a candidate had filed. Yet with no money, I won in Teton County while the Democratic candidates for US Senate and Governor lost, showing it was worth a try.
This knowledge prevents Democratic candidates from even running in these districts. For example, Rep. Trent Franks, an ultraconservative Republican in Arizona, has had no Democratic opponent for the last two elections. In 2014, an Americans Elect Party candidate (another conservative), got about 25% of the vote against Franks, and in 2016, a Green Party candidate got close to a third of the vote.
A friend who has been in the last two elections the Democratic opponent to another far-right Arizona Republican House member, Paul Gosar, has gotten almost no support from the national or state Democratic parties.
In 2014, I ended up as the Democratic candidate for Congress in Wyoming even though I didn't live in the state. Nobody else wanted to run. The state and national Democratic party seemed annoyed that a candidate had filed. Yet with no money, I won in Teton County while the Democratic candidates for US Senate and Governor lost, showing it was worth a try.
5
Considering how the Kochs fronted a Billion dollars for the many Russian plants in our present government...Trump and his entire crew, using the adage "follow the money", how are the Kochs weaved into this Russian web?
Considering the Koch's family history with Stalin AND Hitler, and that families tend to act out their family patters (unless they have gone through some healing and the Kochs don't strike me as healed in any way).
It is true that the Kochs pushed through the Keystone which will give the Kochs another 100 billion dollars to virtually no expense to themselves, but there are a lot of people that are not aware of the interactions on the international level...like let's say with Iran. Iran's present government doesn't wan't to do business with Americans so the Koch attempt to do business with Iran via the Koch's German subsidiary (per one of Koch's chemical engineers)...how much money are the Kochs willing to spend to start a war that would remove the present Iranian government...noting that the Kochs would lift a weapon, that they wouldn't bleed a drop.
Considering the Koch's family history with Stalin AND Hitler, and that families tend to act out their family patters (unless they have gone through some healing and the Kochs don't strike me as healed in any way).
It is true that the Kochs pushed through the Keystone which will give the Kochs another 100 billion dollars to virtually no expense to themselves, but there are a lot of people that are not aware of the interactions on the international level...like let's say with Iran. Iran's present government doesn't wan't to do business with Americans so the Koch attempt to do business with Iran via the Koch's German subsidiary (per one of Koch's chemical engineers)...how much money are the Kochs willing to spend to start a war that would remove the present Iranian government...noting that the Kochs would lift a weapon, that they wouldn't bleed a drop.
1
Would narcissist, Donald Trump, use this situation with Syria and Syria's backdoor friend, Putin, as an attempt to throw great doubt into the mix about Donald Trump's (and his administration's) love for Putin? Does narcissist, Putin, really give a flying "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" about people dying in Syria...more less anywhere else? Didn't Trump inform Putin of the attacks? What was the effect on the target site? How about the million dollar a pop for missiles and the millions of dollars spent on logistical support to get those missiles to target. So, is this a ploy to redirect people away from the belief that Trump and Putin aren’t in bed together?
OR history gives us another precedence.
On August 23, 1939–shortly before World War II (1939-45) broke out in Europe–enemies Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union surprised the world by signing the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact, in which the two countries agreed to take no military action against each other for the next 10 years. The pact also contained a secret agreement in which the Soviets and Germans agreed how they would later divide up Eastern Europe. The German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact fell apart in June 1941, when Nazi forces invaded the Soviet Union.
Trump (Hitler wannabe) and Putin (Russian dictator). I would bet that Putin would be amazingly surprised if the US attacked Russia. But that would be history repeating itself.
Trump is foremost a narcissist. This is where he will make decisions from.
OR history gives us another precedence.
On August 23, 1939–shortly before World War II (1939-45) broke out in Europe–enemies Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union surprised the world by signing the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact, in which the two countries agreed to take no military action against each other for the next 10 years. The pact also contained a secret agreement in which the Soviets and Germans agreed how they would later divide up Eastern Europe. The German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact fell apart in June 1941, when Nazi forces invaded the Soviet Union.
Trump (Hitler wannabe) and Putin (Russian dictator). I would bet that Putin would be amazingly surprised if the US attacked Russia. But that would be history repeating itself.
Trump is foremost a narcissist. This is where he will make decisions from.
1
As a voter in Kansas District 4—one of the "Dems" who Trump says "failed"—I beseech the Democratic leadership to represent me because clearly Trump doesn't wish to.
4
If the Democratic Party was actually committed to the working class and the middle class, it would win but it's not and that's the shame. It would rather blather on about identity politics instead of talking tough about policies that support all Americans and truly benefit minorities.
The "leadership" of the Democratic Party embraces the banks and corporations. Obama appointed man revolving door corporatists to sensitive agency positions and he was happy to doll out benefits to big corporations. His AG refused to go after the big banks...too big to fail too big to jail or even prosecute!
Bernie's policies are the way to go but even though Perez is traveling the country with Bernie party leaders aren't committed to his policies. If fear Bernie is being mislead by his own desire to believe that the leadership is sincere. It isn't. It has turned its back on real progressive candidates and has diligently jettisoned most if not all Bernie supported policies and even worse Clinton partisans are still running the party.
The "leadership" of the Democratic Party embraces the banks and corporations. Obama appointed man revolving door corporatists to sensitive agency positions and he was happy to doll out benefits to big corporations. His AG refused to go after the big banks...too big to fail too big to jail or even prosecute!
Bernie's policies are the way to go but even though Perez is traveling the country with Bernie party leaders aren't committed to his policies. If fear Bernie is being mislead by his own desire to believe that the leadership is sincere. It isn't. It has turned its back on real progressive candidates and has diligently jettisoned most if not all Bernie supported policies and even worse Clinton partisans are still running the party.
4
As if Republicans are not all about identity politics..
3
I view the Montana standoff as vital to gaining a foothold in rural America where Republicans have traditionally held power. Will the Democrats allow yet another Republican Billionaire take another election? I view Democrat leader Peres as a fighter and there is no time like the present to take off the gloves because the Republicans have been kicking dirt in our faces.
C'mon, let's go!
C'mon, let's go!
5
Good luck. The party first needs to be wrested from the Clintonite, right of center, replicants of the Republican Party. Take on the financial services and the insurance companies, and hold corporate America responsible for wage suppression, consumer fraud, tax evasion, and decimation of the environment for quick profits. Reject the money and influence of Banksters. Put corporate criminals in jail. Increase funding for health care, social security, Medicare and Medicaid, as a prelude to moving to Medicare For All. Demand criminal justice reform and the end to mass incarceration. Stop the privatization of government functions -- from infrastructure to prisons. Demand civil justice reform ensuring citizen access to courts not "fixed" arbitrations. Reject resegregation of our public schools through "charterization". End deportations of immigrants. The list is long. Resist.
6
Fake news; the demorat, Ossoff, did not pull in a landslide. And since he has no experience and lives out of the district (and for many other reasons) he will lose in June. Montana is free to choose whatever candidate they like. As both the demoratic spokesperson, Perez, was booed off of a stage as was Senator (CA) Feinstein, you can see how keen people are on "socialism." They cannot afford it.
6
says someone from New Jersey.... Look, 20% of Montanans already have universal healthcare through Medicare (over 65 population in Montana is massive), we also have 70,000 on Medicaid expansion and probably another 70,000 that have Tri-Care or VA Healthcare. Socialism is alive and well in Montana and that's why the biggest employer that provides healthcare in Montana has outrageous rates. Brian Schweitzer tried and failed to promote a Saskatchewan type healthcare plan in Montana. So Jan, thanks for letting me know how Montanans feel (I'm a 4th generation Montanan so I kinda know a few of them). We'll keep that in mind when we send Gianforte packing back to New Jersey to see if he can buy an office out there.
10
Follow the money. You knew what the Democratic National Committee would do when its Wall Street-beholden leaders voted to continue taking lobbyist money. Lobbyists don't like progressive Democrats. This, 'oh, we're just waiting for a race we're sure we'll win' is just smoke. They're as horrified as Republicans by progressive Democrats putting up a good fight for just causes.
e
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8
The DNC does not, as they (Perez) promised, have a commitment to all 50 states. They lost the Kansas (Thompson) seat because they assumed wrongly it wouldn't win. Maybe they'll lose Montana, and every other opportunity.
This is a sorry sorry organization. It reflects all of Obama's wrongheadedness. In the era of Trump it doesn't give us hope.
This is a sorry sorry organization. It reflects all of Obama's wrongheadedness. In the era of Trump it doesn't give us hope.
6
Democrats have become the urban costal party of the wealthy elites who know nothing of the issues that drive state elections. Quick! Name the state capital of Kansas. Montana? Georgia? South Carolina?
They continue to nationalize races that are driven by state-, district-, small town-, and local issues, some of which have been ongoing for years. They can't parachute in with an anti-Trump marching band and expect to override those concerns. A candidate that might seem "golden" nationally like Ossoff might be far less so in Suburban Atlanta where he doesn't even live and has never run for office before. Quist could be the real deal.
The DNC does not seem to recognize how local these races are. It doesn't seem that they want to learn.
They continue to nationalize races that are driven by state-, district-, small town-, and local issues, some of which have been ongoing for years. They can't parachute in with an anti-Trump marching band and expect to override those concerns. A candidate that might seem "golden" nationally like Ossoff might be far less so in Suburban Atlanta where he doesn't even live and has never run for office before. Quist could be the real deal.
The DNC does not seem to recognize how local these races are. It doesn't seem that they want to learn.
2
We can always donate directly to the candidate.
Let's not lose focus.
Let's not lose focus.
11
The national Democrats have to play a 50 state strategy, and they also have to play a long game. We need to think not only about winning elections this time around, but about building connections with people so that we can build the movement in the longer run. We need to be out there making our case and talking to people to do that.
7
These clowns running the party never learn. How on earth we lost to Trump I will never know.
3
I recently increased my support for the DNC. But now it will stop unless there is a grass roots 50 state strategy and right now a focus on Montana and increased and continued focus on Georgia. Appalled to learn that the DNC did not support the Democratic Candidate in Kansas. This is stupid, stupid, stupid -- Democrats have become very good at "Grabbing Defeat from the Jaws of Victory."
36
The democrat leadership is overrun by the rich and powerful. You've seen what contempt they have for their own on the left after it was revealed they tried to sabotage their own primary in favor of Mrs Clinton. You have to question their motives.
After having their heads handed to them by losing to Donald Trump of all people, it's high time they shook things up, starting with electing new leadership in congress and replacing elitist old guard baggage carriers such as Pelosi and Feinstein with people who can energize the party for the mid terms and beyond.
After having their heads handed to them by losing to Donald Trump of all people, it's high time they shook things up, starting with electing new leadership in congress and replacing elitist old guard baggage carriers such as Pelosi and Feinstein with people who can energize the party for the mid terms and beyond.
20
Montana is home to 400 Minutemen ICBM silos that stand as sentinels guarding the whole US, red and blue, from nuclear holocaust. These sites are definitely on the primary target list by our enemies (i.e., the Russians). We should be proud of Montanans who stand to sacrifice their Big Sky to protect ours. So I don't understand why they would ever allow Trump who is in deep with Putin to be their president and celebrate the GOP that wants to make excuses for Russia's involvement to rendering us impotent and weak and powerless. Trump is helping to launder the $200 billion Putin has stolen from the Russian people with his real estate projects (look it up). If worst case scenario ever occurs, Trump WON'T push the launch button because he doesn't want to lose that money. He'll sacrifice Montana in a heartbeat to keep his real estate pristine and valuable in the Blue States. So I don't understand how Montanans could vote anyone who is Republican into office to represent their best interest because it's so obvious that will never happen. Look at what happened to Nunez and Chaffetz. These gentlemen are helping him lie and spit on our Constitution. They're almost committing Treason. Do you think your Republican representative will be any different? A vote for a Republican is a vote for Russia and a vote against the state of Montana and a vote against the United States. But if that's how you define Patriotism, well then, Montanans definition of patriotism is pretty sad.
6
benefit of having those missiles...we know when they are launched so we'll have an extra 20 minutes to kiss it goodbye. We're actually the third target on the list...DC, NY...Great Falls. It was a little weird though when I was driving this weekend I normally don't notice the silos. This weekend when I drove over there were Humvees at the gates of one of the silos.
Seeing Bernie Sanders and Tom Perez on Chris Hayes the other night, it was clear to me that Perez does not get it and Sanders does. And Sanders knows that Perez does not get it, that too was clear by the look on his face. Perez was a bad choice from the beginning, too establishment and neither bold nor creative. Yikes. K
5
Yes. He speaks talking points and platitudes. He has no bold vision.
3
Political Science studies all districts and the DNC should also. They have not been doing that. Montana should not have to ask anything but be covered and included and supported automatically.
The Georgia race was flubbed by Democrats with too little and too late support.
In a way it does not matter win or lose, it matters to try.
It also matters to have a real message except to be against Trump.
Perez (DNC head) I watched on TV recently he is not a good speaker and has no message. Brilliant choice, as was Debbie Schultz. Is this it?
Trump and Republicans are sort of crazy but for them that is a message. We are insane come be crazy with us and ruin America forever. The Democrats do not even have that now.
The Georgia race was flubbed by Democrats with too little and too late support.
In a way it does not matter win or lose, it matters to try.
It also matters to have a real message except to be against Trump.
Perez (DNC head) I watched on TV recently he is not a good speaker and has no message. Brilliant choice, as was Debbie Schultz. Is this it?
Trump and Republicans are sort of crazy but for them that is a message. We are insane come be crazy with us and ruin America forever. The Democrats do not even have that now.
So how much more do we have to lose before the Democratic Party kicks out its loser-leaders? It is way past time for a change in our party leadership.
7
The Dems also turned their back on Foster Campbell's Senate bid in Louisiana last November. Repeated failure to harness and leverage the resistance to Trump is a head scratcher, for sure.
3
With apologies to Winston Churchill. Insert appropriate state or region.
We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/winstonchu161337.html
We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/winstonchu161337.html
2
This is like a stuck record, playing the same scene over and over again. Oh, wait! Instead of Dukakis, that's Tom Pérez in the leather hat looking out of the Corporate tank where Democratic Party officials euphemistically reside.
Bernie Sanders is providing the leadership that the befuddled, waddling in corporate cash Schumerites are utterly unable to provide, and he's not even a Democrat.
Americans, we're going to have to do this without them. They have forgotten how to fight for progressive values, and they the laughingstock of American politics.
Bernie Sanders is providing the leadership that the befuddled, waddling in corporate cash Schumerites are utterly unable to provide, and he's not even a Democrat.
Americans, we're going to have to do this without them. They have forgotten how to fight for progressive values, and they the laughingstock of American politics.
6
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." Teddy Roosevelt
Democrats- get in the arena!
Democrats- get in the arena!
2
The Democrat party has been dragged to the extreme left by Hollywood, the media and academia. They have left moderate blue collar Democrats hanging in the wind.
2
And who dragged the GOP to the radical right?
2
Its less than clear that The Party Base consists of loyal Daily Kos followers or yoga teachers from NY recently moved to Montana for better chi. This is more echo chamber when we need less.
1
Dear Democrats:
When your party has lost the Congress, the Presidency and most state houses and governorships it is time to admit that you have a problem.
When your entire leadership is eligible for Social Security and Medicare, a program your base hopes their leaders will fight to the death for but secretly suspects are secretly itching to cut a deal with Republicans to gut those same programs, you have a problem.
When people have no idea what and who you stand for except for taking away their guns and giving their money to people who are not them, you have a problem.
When you can't even capitalize on the train wreck that is the Trump presidency and win a few low turn out special elections, when you don't even try to win them, you have a problem.
So Mr. Perez, may I suggest that you stop paying attention to the brain trust in the DNC and listen to Uncle Bernie. Yes I know that he's not technically a Democrat, but he is someone who knows how to appeal to the sort of people, people who were once Democrats, who put Trump in office. Frankly, given what you guys did to him, you're lucky he's helping you and is not out there forming his own party.
And one more thing. Don't blow it.
When your party has lost the Congress, the Presidency and most state houses and governorships it is time to admit that you have a problem.
When your entire leadership is eligible for Social Security and Medicare, a program your base hopes their leaders will fight to the death for but secretly suspects are secretly itching to cut a deal with Republicans to gut those same programs, you have a problem.
When people have no idea what and who you stand for except for taking away their guns and giving their money to people who are not them, you have a problem.
When you can't even capitalize on the train wreck that is the Trump presidency and win a few low turn out special elections, when you don't even try to win them, you have a problem.
So Mr. Perez, may I suggest that you stop paying attention to the brain trust in the DNC and listen to Uncle Bernie. Yes I know that he's not technically a Democrat, but he is someone who knows how to appeal to the sort of people, people who were once Democrats, who put Trump in office. Frankly, given what you guys did to him, you're lucky he's helping you and is not out there forming his own party.
And one more thing. Don't blow it.
69
@Debbie -
In your above letter to the DNC, you might also add "stop the obsessive reliance on identity politics, because it's polarizing the nation and people hate being put into a box."
Make no mistake, a backlash against left-wing identity politics is what drove Donald Trump into the White House.
In your above letter to the DNC, you might also add "stop the obsessive reliance on identity politics, because it's polarizing the nation and people hate being put into a box."
Make no mistake, a backlash against left-wing identity politics is what drove Donald Trump into the White House.
We don't need Ds and Rs.
We need good, honest women and men who will truly serve the public and take a pledge not to enrich themselves during that public service.
This obsession with any-loser-as-long-as-they're-Democrat is the problem. Same for Republicans.
Thank goodness the younger generations are abandoning the 2-party rut and looking for good people instead.
We need good, honest women and men who will truly serve the public and take a pledge not to enrich themselves during that public service.
This obsession with any-loser-as-long-as-they're-Democrat is the problem. Same for Republicans.
Thank goodness the younger generations are abandoning the 2-party rut and looking for good people instead.
21
I'm 77 and that is the way I used to vote. Unfortunately, over the last 25 years the Republican Party has gone around the bend. So for the moment, I'm sticking to the Dems. I'd love to see the days when we just voted for the best person instead of party.
3
Policies don't matter, as long as you mean well?
That's well and good in the abstract, but policies matter and in the real world you need to act as a coherent group to get things done in politics. What Mr. Smith Goes To Washington doesn't emphasis is that Mr. Smith couldn't fix anything unless he could get a majority of both houses to vote for his bills and the President to sign his bill.
Here in Texas too many House seats have a libertarian, a trepublican, sometimes a Green even, but frequently, no Democrat. Even if it is hopeless it is never as hopeless as not running someone.
7
Sorry, but I think the notion of a "50 state strategy" -- which I interpret to mean 'expend significant resources in each-and-every contested political race, no matter what the odds' -- is just bonkers! Why should Democrats expend precious resources of time, energy and money in deep red parts of the country that won't elect Democrats under any circumstances? As a proud, liberal Democrat, I hope the DNC resists the call to waste money tilting at Republican windmills. Sure, if there are contests (such as Georgia's 6th congressional district) where Democrats have a REALISTIC chance of winning, go for it. But let's be smart and allocate our scarce resources where they will do the most good, not necessarily where they will make us FEEL the most good!
1
You never know until you try. Howard Dean's 50 state strategy was a huge success, Dem leaders didn't like him and kicked him to the curb. Hasn't been working out too wel for them since-over 1000 Dems losing seats across the country.
Dems need to PROVE they want to win. You can only do that by competing just ask the Cubs.
Dems need to PROVE they want to win. You can only do that by competing just ask the Cubs.
4
It is not about feeling good; it's about cultivating networks and getting our data and local knowledge in order.
I worked in AZ last fall for a week leading up to Election Day. The local network had been neglected and depleted for years and was reinvigorated by attention from a national campaign. It was like a parched field after a long-awaited rain. Volunteers were coming out of the woodwork, but most had *never* done campaign work before and had to be trained and fostered along. New relationships were formed and they now have the core of volunteers that they can hopefully keep activated for a number of election cycles.
If you don't make the long-term investment to foster and grow local networks, they will never take root and enable activism when the need arises. You can't just show up every two or four years with a bunch of eager out-of-state college kids, throw a bunch of money around, and expect instant results. People do not function that way and neither do local politics.
I worked in AZ last fall for a week leading up to Election Day. The local network had been neglected and depleted for years and was reinvigorated by attention from a national campaign. It was like a parched field after a long-awaited rain. Volunteers were coming out of the woodwork, but most had *never* done campaign work before and had to be trained and fostered along. New relationships were formed and they now have the core of volunteers that they can hopefully keep activated for a number of election cycles.
If you don't make the long-term investment to foster and grow local networks, they will never take root and enable activism when the need arises. You can't just show up every two or four years with a bunch of eager out-of-state college kids, throw a bunch of money around, and expect instant results. People do not function that way and neither do local politics.
14
It is time for Democrats to clean house at the top. The old guard: Nancy Pelosi, Jim Clyburn and the rest of the Clintonian-triangulators who tremble in their boots at being called "socialists" and branded as "weak" rather than propose policy that is supported overwhelmingly in poll after poll (Medicare for all, free college tuition, and renewable energy) have failed.
The Lawrence Summers, Robert Rubin strategy of courting Wall Street Money , reviled by voters who saw Hillary's speaking fees from Goldman Sachs --is a failure.
A party run by ancient wealthy Mandarins and Bureaucrats will only hold back the innovative thinkers and leaders that are needed to make inroads with the electorate.
The Lawrence Summers, Robert Rubin strategy of courting Wall Street Money , reviled by voters who saw Hillary's speaking fees from Goldman Sachs --is a failure.
A party run by ancient wealthy Mandarins and Bureaucrats will only hold back the innovative thinkers and leaders that are needed to make inroads with the electorate.
10
As a textbook example of the systemic, fundamental, deep in the bone corruption of the Democratic Party Establishment, you need but remember one thing: Given their loyalty to special interests over the crying needs of the American people, in 2016 they decided it was infinitely preferable to lose with Hillary than to win with Bernie. I.e., to TPTB in the Democratic Party Establishment, Trump was viewed as less threatening to their wealthy donors than the prospect of a true, FDR style Democrat like Bernie taking the Presidency. How frightening!! "My God, Chauncey, if a man of Sanders' character were to attain the Presidency and actually pursue the interests of the American people, in an instant all our chosen puppets such as Bill Clinton, Obama and Hillary would be seen as the party hacks they obviously are. We can't have that!!” This is all you need to know when trying to understand the national Democratic Party’s support (or lack thereof) of true progressive Democratic candidates at the local and state levels. This same mentality is of course evident in the reportage and opinion pieces of such faux liberal organs as the NYTs and MSNBC. Nothing has changed since the election . . .
3
The Democrats need to spend the money where the people hurt the most, not where they have the best chance of winning.
4
In the history of any presidential office, has there ever been so many of the presidential team, to include the president himself, involved with Russia?.....ever?
In the history of the presidential office, has any other nation, as the Russians have, ever been identified as undermining our nations elections?....ever?
In the history of any presidential office, has both of the above ever happened simultaneously?....ever?
At the same time, has the methods used by the Russians to interfere with the US elections, was there any other time when any nation, as Russia did, also attacked the Ukraine's and Europe's election process?....ever?
In the history of the presidential office, has any other nation, as the Russians have, ever been identified as undermining our nations elections?....ever?
In the history of any presidential office, has both of the above ever happened simultaneously?....ever?
At the same time, has the methods used by the Russians to interfere with the US elections, was there any other time when any nation, as Russia did, also attacked the Ukraine's and Europe's election process?....ever?
3
Montana Democrats should spend less time moaning about the national party leadership and focus their own energy on the election campaign. Success at the State level should not depend upon money pouring in from elsewhere.
5
don't worry...we got this.
2
Yeah, but when you keep piling on national publicity, the GOP responds by mobilizing their millions and minions.
So what? Dems should respond in kind. There are more Dems than Repubs. Why do Dem leaders insist in having low expectations of their voters? Repubs have shown they prevail even when their voters don't agree with their policies. That is absolutely crazy, but true.
Dem voters don't show up because Dem leaders send the message that there is no point in showing up with the all too predictable outcome.
Dem voters don't show up because Dem leaders send the message that there is no point in showing up with the all too predictable outcome.
1
I wish the Democratic so-called leadership would throw off the miasma of the Clintons and get to work building the party and competing in races across the country. If they only put resources into places they are confident they can win, they are truly wasting money, because they are preaching to the choir. That path will leave the party with just Hillary's blue states. It was this very reluctance to move beyond the comfort zone that doomed her campaign. Well, coupled with her personality of caution and avoidance.
This reminds me of a joke of sorts wherein some political leader said the people were on the move and he needed to run to the front of the line to lead them. Yes, Dems, the people are on the march without you. Either run fast to the front to try to look like you are leading or get lost. You need us a lot more than we need you.
Remember, it was Clinton's pick for DNC chair of Wasserman-Schultz who tossed out Howard Dean's (winning) 50 state strategy. That brilliant piece of hubris on her part cost the party the House and Senate and many state legislatures and governorships during her stint as party chair. Now, Perez, are you any better? You want Bernie to do all the heavy lifting for you?
This reminds me of a joke of sorts wherein some political leader said the people were on the move and he needed to run to the front of the line to lead them. Yes, Dems, the people are on the march without you. Either run fast to the front to try to look like you are leading or get lost. You need us a lot more than we need you.
Remember, it was Clinton's pick for DNC chair of Wasserman-Schultz who tossed out Howard Dean's (winning) 50 state strategy. That brilliant piece of hubris on her part cost the party the House and Senate and many state legislatures and governorships during her stint as party chair. Now, Perez, are you any better? You want Bernie to do all the heavy lifting for you?
10
Completely agree with this assessment.
2
I don't think the "swamp thing" had that much skin in the game.... it's the fact that he only knows how to use 1-2 syllable words and no more then 5-10 word sentences either filled with hate or lollipops and rainbows. It worked but is that how we run a country?
3
Bring back Howard Dean's 50 state strategy. We need that now more than ever... I will not donate money to the National unless they do this...
74
Here's some completely unsolicited advice:
Recognize that Republicans, more so than Democrats, vote cultural gut.
So consider dropping the anti-gun messages, particularly in places like the intermountain west or at least putting it on the back burner. There is no bigger cultural gut vote for many men than guns and that includes abortion. Yes, I support abortion rights.
Stop believing that a progressive future is tied solely to the actuarial tables. I once believed that, too, but it's not true. The actuarial tables will help us but they are not something that we can lazily (and smugly) rely upon to win elections.
Rather than so many marches, consider more 1x1 retail-level campaigning. Too many of our marches are little more than venting our spleen over some very valid issues...but what do they accomplish?
Register to vote. Vote, every election. Yes, it matters, even if you are a liberal in a red state or red Congressional district.
Stop throwing away your vote on 3d-party candidates. Bernie Sanders knew this; that's why he ran as a Democrat. I voted for Bernie in my state's primary, btw.
Build a bench. Democratic leaders are getting on in years and both state and federal benches are weak.
Nominate electric candidates. Hillary was dull, a policy wonk. For all his many sins, Donald Trump sizzles. People vote on gut, remember?
Finally, have a simple, powerful message. The best messages usually speak to a bright future.
Recognize that Republicans, more so than Democrats, vote cultural gut.
So consider dropping the anti-gun messages, particularly in places like the intermountain west or at least putting it on the back burner. There is no bigger cultural gut vote for many men than guns and that includes abortion. Yes, I support abortion rights.
Stop believing that a progressive future is tied solely to the actuarial tables. I once believed that, too, but it's not true. The actuarial tables will help us but they are not something that we can lazily (and smugly) rely upon to win elections.
Rather than so many marches, consider more 1x1 retail-level campaigning. Too many of our marches are little more than venting our spleen over some very valid issues...but what do they accomplish?
Register to vote. Vote, every election. Yes, it matters, even if you are a liberal in a red state or red Congressional district.
Stop throwing away your vote on 3d-party candidates. Bernie Sanders knew this; that's why he ran as a Democrat. I voted for Bernie in my state's primary, btw.
Build a bench. Democratic leaders are getting on in years and both state and federal benches are weak.
Nominate electric candidates. Hillary was dull, a policy wonk. For all his many sins, Donald Trump sizzles. People vote on gut, remember?
Finally, have a simple, powerful message. The best messages usually speak to a bright future.
35
Donate directly to Tom Quist's campaign like I did and skip the DCCC:
https://ourrevolution.com/candidates/rob-quist/
https://ourrevolution.com/candidates/rob-quist/
21
I read his goals and find him a smart and worthy candidate. I donated directly to him.
3
Note: It's Rob Quist, not Tom. But thank you.
2
When my son was in Little League, all his coaches said, we don't mind if you swing and miss, but it isn't OK to strike out looking.
Seems like the DNC think they can win without swinging the bat.
I also will never forgive them for the job they did on Bernie Sanders.
I have very bad feelings about them. I will find other ways to support Democratic candidates.
Seems like the DNC think they can win without swinging the bat.
I also will never forgive them for the job they did on Bernie Sanders.
I have very bad feelings about them. I will find other ways to support Democratic candidates.
26
Spent most of the money in all the Red States. Even if you lose you'll have learned something, and you're more likely to win next time or the time after that.
You win a war with steady sacrifice and risk, not by playing it safe. And no one, not even Democrats, are motivated to get out and vote for a safe strategy. A so-called safe strategy is a losing strategy.
You win a war with steady sacrifice and risk, not by playing it safe. And no one, not even Democrats, are motivated to get out and vote for a safe strategy. A so-called safe strategy is a losing strategy.
27
The Kochs have been pouring millions upon millions into races and strategies to win for four decades. Losing hasn't stopped them. They just double down and take over the judiciary to get the rulings they want. It has paid off to the point where they are about to end democracy in this country. Very few people seem to see the peril to democracy. Government of, by, and for the people is on the ropes. DeVos is in the process of privatizing our educational system. Trump's plan for infrastructure spending would turn our roads, tunnels, bridges, airports, and sewer systems over to corporations for them to own outright. Wake up, folks! The house is on fire!
28
!!!
Why can't they see it?
Is it time to vote out this 'they' and get in some optimistic hard workers?
Why can't they see it?
Is it time to vote out this 'they' and get in some optimistic hard workers?
1
@Nora01 - Please explain exactly how the Kochs are influencing our judiciary?
And while you're at it, please also offer up some good, viable alternative suggestions on infrastructure finance, that don't involve private investment and tolling? Because I'd sure love to hear them!
And while you're at it, please also offer up some good, viable alternative suggestions on infrastructure finance, that don't involve private investment and tolling? Because I'd sure love to hear them!
The Democratic Party establishment appears to have a two-step test for making any decision:
1. Will this potentially upset the status quo in any way?
2. Will this be hard?
If the answer to either of those conditions is anything resembling a "Yes," then it doesn't happen. Then, they lecture their base on why it wasn't a good idea to take risks, or do something different.
1. Will this potentially upset the status quo in any way?
2. Will this be hard?
If the answer to either of those conditions is anything resembling a "Yes," then it doesn't happen. Then, they lecture their base on why it wasn't a good idea to take risks, or do something different.
30
CONFIDENTIAL TO DCCC AND DNC: You can't win if you don't play. Ever wonder why so many groups like Swing Left, Sister Districts, and Indivisible have sprung up since the election? Because people who should be your base feel like you have no idea how to win. They're not seeing that you even want to win. They're creating groups and probably duplicating efforts and infrastructure because you don't seem to have a clue.
I was shocked to see how many seats went uncontested to the Republicans in the last election. Maybe a Democrat never had a chance in those districts ... but if you don't run anybody, you have zero chance of winning.
Hundreds of thousands of liberals got a wake-up call last November. They are ready to give money and time to organizations that prove they know what to do with it: the ACLU's $24 million weekend showed that. Too bad the DNC and DCCC aren't capitalizing on this.
The game has changed. When are you guys going to figure out what the rest of us already know?
I was shocked to see how many seats went uncontested to the Republicans in the last election. Maybe a Democrat never had a chance in those districts ... but if you don't run anybody, you have zero chance of winning.
Hundreds of thousands of liberals got a wake-up call last November. They are ready to give money and time to organizations that prove they know what to do with it: the ACLU's $24 million weekend showed that. Too bad the DNC and DCCC aren't capitalizing on this.
The game has changed. When are you guys going to figure out what the rest of us already know?
51
I recommended this statement but that is not enough. I want to profoundly confirm it!
5
Stupid Dems didn't even have a candidate running against Pete Sessions in Texas 32. Hillary carried that district! Can't win if you don't field candidates.
4
Well, what can you say about a DNC that reelects Pelosi as their house leader. I say loser.
17
Democrat party is a party dominated by special interest, vocal fringe groups andca financial elites. It has moved far away from middle America.
2
One little problem--the Democratic Party no longer represents the typical American worker but is afraid to admit it. Saying you're for the middle class but then inviting in illegals just doesn't wash. The voters are not that easily deceived. The Democratic Party needs to pivot to the center or it will no longer exist.
15
Ed, who is the "typical worker"?!
Many in the middle class have no problem whatsoever with undocumented workers (what you labeled "illegals"). Some even hire them as maids, gardeners, laborers, and -- hold on to your hat -- accountants, researchers, doctors, lab technicians, etc.
Focusing on the center is part of what lost Hillary the election (Comey was the main reason). Now is not the time to pivot, but the time to embrace the working class and economic issues a la Sanders and the panoply of women, minorities, religions, immigrants, and ethnicities in a Rainbow Coalition a la Jesse Jackson.
Do that and the Democrats will win in a landslide-- HUGELY or BIGLY!
Many in the middle class have no problem whatsoever with undocumented workers (what you labeled "illegals"). Some even hire them as maids, gardeners, laborers, and -- hold on to your hat -- accountants, researchers, doctors, lab technicians, etc.
Focusing on the center is part of what lost Hillary the election (Comey was the main reason). Now is not the time to pivot, but the time to embrace the working class and economic issues a la Sanders and the panoply of women, minorities, religions, immigrants, and ethnicities in a Rainbow Coalition a la Jesse Jackson.
Do that and the Democrats will win in a landslide-- HUGELY or BIGLY!
5
Sorry, the DNC has been Republican-lite since the Clintons took over the reigns. The "center" is the problem. Nobody gets energized by being offered a choice between mashed potatoes and white rice.
Bull. There is no center anymore. Time to drop the Progressive label and go old
school Liberal.
school Liberal.
So the Democrats will lose a third time in Montana.
3
Ain't gonna win without running. You really want a one party state? Isn't rthat what the Commies had that was so bad? Or do you forget...
2
For the past 7 months, Bernie Sanders has consistently topped all polls about which politician is the most admired and most trusted in this country. Sanders beat the 2nd nearest politician by more than 30 points. A majority of people in this country consider Bernie Sanders honest & trustworthy even if they don't agree with what they think his policies are. Beat those numbers.
Bernie Sanders is constantly touring the country and appearing on tv to support Obamacare, free public college & to criticize every stupid step Donald Trump takes. I don't see any other politician traveling the country meeting l& talking to large numbers of people in state after state in support of what they believe in. Bernie is tireless, honest & he's addressing jobs, health care, income inequality & other issues people care most about.
This is how you build a party, support progressive policies and encourage people to run for office. Where are Pelosi, Schumer, Clyburn & Perez and the others who control the money & access to power in the Democratic Party?
Not out there meeting with and talking to the people. That we know.
When you see someone out on the road meeting with people & offering support for the values & policies you believe in, trust that person.
Bernie Sanders gets far too little credit.
Bernie Sanders is constantly touring the country and appearing on tv to support Obamacare, free public college & to criticize every stupid step Donald Trump takes. I don't see any other politician traveling the country meeting l& talking to large numbers of people in state after state in support of what they believe in. Bernie is tireless, honest & he's addressing jobs, health care, income inequality & other issues people care most about.
This is how you build a party, support progressive policies and encourage people to run for office. Where are Pelosi, Schumer, Clyburn & Perez and the others who control the money & access to power in the Democratic Party?
Not out there meeting with and talking to the people. That we know.
When you see someone out on the road meeting with people & offering support for the values & policies you believe in, trust that person.
Bernie Sanders gets far too little credit.
42
On the comtrary, people behave as if Sanders is doing what no one has ever done before. Did you know that Booker already went to Montana weeks ago to help out Quist?
Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer aren't Dem Party's heads of outreach. That position has gone to Sanders. So no kidding he is traveling around. It's literally his job right now.
Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer aren't Dem Party's heads of outreach. That position has gone to Sanders. So no kidding he is traveling around. It's literally his job right now.
What a frustrating read for this lifelong democrat. It's no wonder so many are jumping off the DNC ship. Try to keep up, DNC, or you'll get left in the dust by the rest of the progressives who are gathering more energy and power than you think you have. Your place in the pecking order isn't guaranteed.
25
Yes, Progressives are being born every day, while Democrats are dying off. People who self-identify as Independents are far greater in number than those who identify as Democrats. Both Pelosi and Hillary are standing in the way of the new party and need to be thrown off the cliff along with the DNC.
Any person or any organisation who is not a Progressive is a Republican.
Any person or any organisation who is not a Progressive is a Republican.
9
Fight! Fight! Fight! Come on Democrats, shake off that reputation of being weak and spineless! Drop the internecine quarrels, and stop being so high-faluting and using words like "internecine", get down to brass tacks and tackle the major threat.
I've always voted Democrat, and there are a lot of pithy little issues that always divide us, but in 2017 there is one overarching problem: Trump. The issue of the day is not transgender bathrooms or NYC horse treatment, the issue is defeating Trump. Trump might yet, any day now, start nuclear war with Russia or China (over Syria, Taiwan, North Korea, or who knows what), and we have to stop him.
So forget about a third type of bathroom for a minute and use whatever you have to beat Trump and his followers wherever you can. Whether it's Georgia, or Montana, or even the little-known states like West Virginia, South Virginia, and Delaware, wherever the opportunity to beat Trump arises, take it.
I've always voted Democrat, and there are a lot of pithy little issues that always divide us, but in 2017 there is one overarching problem: Trump. The issue of the day is not transgender bathrooms or NYC horse treatment, the issue is defeating Trump. Trump might yet, any day now, start nuclear war with Russia or China (over Syria, Taiwan, North Korea, or who knows what), and we have to stop him.
So forget about a third type of bathroom for a minute and use whatever you have to beat Trump and his followers wherever you can. Whether it's Georgia, or Montana, or even the little-known states like West Virginia, South Virginia, and Delaware, wherever the opportunity to beat Trump arises, take it.
28
Bernie's right. Dems need a 50 state strategy. People are motivated. Nows the time to act; not be afraid of failure.
50
The Democratic Party has got to start acting more like leaders who can motivate voters and less like modern marketers.
34
the DNC should be supporting any Democrat running anywhere. the reason I don't contribute to the DNC is that this organization has always been a mess. 4 people in my family have been or are elected officials. One close to me agrees. If you want people like me to donate and people like me are donating small amounts of money to many many organizations now, the DNC should solicit money and say we are supporting all Dem. candidates and showing our strength and resolve.
28
A note to the National Press the reason that Karen Handle failed in her last two Georgia Republican Primary Runoffs were that she did not appeal to white men. Then she took that stint at Susan B. Koman and wanted to defund Planned Parenthood for Breast screenings. The outcry was so loud she had to resign as VP and they lost major donations.
Karen Handel only made it to the top of the very crowded Republican field in GA-6 was due to name recognition.
A Dem PAC just needs to play a montage of the Republican Ads on Karen Handel.
Karen Handel only made it to the top of the very crowded Republican field in GA-6 was due to name recognition.
A Dem PAC just needs to play a montage of the Republican Ads on Karen Handel.
33
Please post where we can contribute funds.
8
http://robquist.org is candidate's website - has link for direct contribution.
6
Go to SwingLeft.org and type in the zip code you want. When you see the candidate, contribute to the candidate.
4
Fraternity house basements? M2WB and the later Montana Band were gods in Montana--and all over the West.
9
Great game plan. Spend another 8 million and lose another election.
6
The DNC appears to be screwing up another election by not supporting the Democratic candidate as heartily as it should. Another example of DNC shortsightedness. The Republican carpetbagger from NJ lost the statewide election for Governor and is now running again. He was beaten once and he can be beaten again.
25
Imagine living somewhere where all you hear is GOP and FOX news nonsense, from your elected reps and your TV. Another narrative or narratives must enter into the public discourse for consideration--even if it can't (yet) win elected office. Don't leave the Midwest and rural America be an intellectual or political wasteland.
For that matter, don't take urban America or POC voters for granted.
It's time the Democratic Party woke up. Take a clue and a clue from Sanders. People are suffering. Don't abandon America.
For that matter, don't take urban America or POC voters for granted.
It's time the Democratic Party woke up. Take a clue and a clue from Sanders. People are suffering. Don't abandon America.
34
Take a cue from Sanders on making sure we are accounting for urban and POC vote? Same urban and POC vote he pretty consistently lost during primaries?
Relentless blind audacity wins, skip the replays, attack, lose , learn win.
11
This is getting sad. Close loses are loses. Winning a normally Democratic district does not inspire much confidence after a loss in Kansas and an expected loss in the actual election in Georgia. At this rate, the makeup of the House will not change much in 2018. But keep on cheering for close loses!
6
It seems like the Democrats need to broaden their appeal. The perception is that they cater to minorities and are hostile towards white men. That is not a winning strategy in a nation where white men are a large proportion of the population. If Trump does not help the working-class white men who gave him tiny margins of victory in the states that decided the election, speaking directly to them about their economic issues may swing some elections to the Democrats.
16
A common thread in the comments seems to be that Democrats should become "a workers' party" and stand up for "the average American". In other words, you want Trump lite. It is his populist rhetoric that won the crumbling Main Street. The subtext of this rhetoric is xenophobia, anti-intellectualism, misogyny, parochialism and entitlement. If the Democrats adopt this poisonous brew, they may chip off some wavering Trump voters but they'll lose people like me. I don't vote for a letter - R or D - but for an ideology. The Democrats should be the party of innovation, globalism, social mobility, science, and technology. If they reinvent themselves as the party of coal miners and disability leeches, they can say goodbye to the Silicon Valley. A "workers' party"? I was born in the USSR; I know that socialism does not work - not even socialism disguised as "progressivism". I also lived in Europe and I know that the welfare state works pretty well if it is reined in by free markets and a dynamic entrepreneurial class. I was adamantly opposed to Sanders and I would be just as adamantly opposed to any Democrat who sells out the agenda of globalism to pacify a fearful, xenophobic, ignorant base.
12
Exactly when will this start?
"If those "smart" [Democratic Party] leaders don't lead, we will find new ones who actually are smart."
So far, all I read about are plans to anoint very old Democrats -- Warren, Sanders, Biden, maybe even Hillary Clinton again -- all of whom will be well north of 70 when the next Presidential election rolls around. Even Dianne Feinstein is planning to run again. If she runs, wins, and lives out her term, she'll be 91 years old when she leaves office.
I wouldn't believe any of this if it weren't actually happening. But it is.
"If those "smart" [Democratic Party] leaders don't lead, we will find new ones who actually are smart."
So far, all I read about are plans to anoint very old Democrats -- Warren, Sanders, Biden, maybe even Hillary Clinton again -- all of whom will be well north of 70 when the next Presidential election rolls around. Even Dianne Feinstein is planning to run again. If she runs, wins, and lives out her term, she'll be 91 years old when she leaves office.
I wouldn't believe any of this if it weren't actually happening. But it is.
12
What about being "in the game" in order to get your message out there? One key role for a political party is to educate voters. Instead the Dems have ceded the field to the GOP, letting their narrative, terms, and values dominate the national conversation. All of us know about "the need to cut taxes" and "tax and spend Democrats." Can anyone come up with the Democrats phrases or terms that counter these GOP mantras? If the Democratic Party is in the pocket of finance and corporate elites maybe they don't really want to bring a counter narrative to the attention of the voters.
12
The Democrats need to start with the idea that to win across the country, they can't have absolute positions nationwide. In some places certain social issues might be important, in others economic, but in the end the party should have a strategy of focusing on what is best for citizens. That might mean accepting a gun-rights candidate in some parts of the country. The bottom line is that the Democrats need to regain the House and Senate so that Trump can be held accountable.
9
Great idea - lets throw out all of our principles just in order to win.
2
The idea that your principles are right for everyone across the entire nation is exactly why we have Trump as President. If you ask Democrats across the country the #1 reason why they support the party, I guarantee you are going to get very different answers, and I am ok with that. Obviously you believe your principles are the only ones that matter and God forbid anyone disagree with what you believe.
11
The past year has made it clear theat "Democrat" and "Republican" just don't mean what they used to. That's why every fight is a proving ground for the shape of the parties and the country.
7
Trying to divine the mood of the nation off three congressional contests is something akin to reading tea leaves. And what happens if the Republicans win all three?
Grass roots liberals claiming unions are the backbone of the Democrat Party? Organized labor really is the leech sucking the lifeblood out of the party, and has played an instrumental role in keeping Pelosi, Sanders & the geriatric brigade running the party.
Grass roots liberals claiming unions are the backbone of the Democrat Party? Organized labor really is the leech sucking the lifeblood out of the party, and has played an instrumental role in keeping Pelosi, Sanders & the geriatric brigade running the party.
1
Corporate Democrats of the Clinton and Obama bent prefer losing over allowing a progressive to win.
The Obama and Clinton Democratic entities are all about top-down directives - because otherwise the anti-Wall Street anti-corporate wishes of the average Democrat might take over.
The resistance apparently has to include resisting inside the Democratic party.
The Obama and Clinton Democratic entities are all about top-down directives - because otherwise the anti-Wall Street anti-corporate wishes of the average Democrat might take over.
The resistance apparently has to include resisting inside the Democratic party.
15
Plenty of us in the resistance are not into empty accusations of undefined corruption against the party.
Those who are can always form their own party. The rest of us are here to work and to focus on the actual enemy, otherwise known as Republicans.
Those who are can always form their own party. The rest of us are here to work and to focus on the actual enemy, otherwise known as Republicans.
Just saw Sanders and Perez interviewed side by side. No contest. Perez has a lot to learn, and he needs to SAY IT OUT LOUD: WE ARE READY TO TAKE ON THE 1% AND THE OLIGARCHIC RULING CLASS. He pivoted at every opportunity. Dude. Wake up.
13
I saw them too. Bernie ate his lunch.
9
Yawn. Empty phrases. Is mentioning oligarchy all that's needed to eat one's lunch these days?
The Republicans did it. They are the right-to-life boutique party, the trickle-down boutique party, the free-market-capitalism-takes-over-public-services boutique party. They sound down-home when they're really the biggest fat-cat funded jokes around. Surely the Democrats can do better and create something more authentic.
Gianforte comment in a speech givin at the Montana Bible College, Bozeman in February 2015.
“There’s nothing in the Bible that talks about retirement. And yet it’s been an accepted concept in our culture today. Nowhere does it say, ‘Well, he was a good and faithful servant, so he went to the beach.’ It doesn’t say that anywhere. The example I think of is Noah. How old was Noah when he built the ark? 600. He wasn’t like, cashing Social Security checks, he wasn’t hanging out, he was working. So, I think we have an obligation to work. The role we have in work may change over time, but the concept of retirement is not biblical.”
Hey !! DNC get on board or this guy heads to Washington.
“There’s nothing in the Bible that talks about retirement. And yet it’s been an accepted concept in our culture today. Nowhere does it say, ‘Well, he was a good and faithful servant, so he went to the beach.’ It doesn’t say that anywhere. The example I think of is Noah. How old was Noah when he built the ark? 600. He wasn’t like, cashing Social Security checks, he wasn’t hanging out, he was working. So, I think we have an obligation to work. The role we have in work may change over time, but the concept of retirement is not biblical.”
Hey !! DNC get on board or this guy heads to Washington.
11
The Democrats need to hone their messaging, from local pizza parties to commanding social media and mainstream media.
Their number one goal should be (aside from registration and getting voters to the polls) to get the message out that they are pro union, fair minimum wage, job training, education, healthcare for all, protection of air, water and land. They need to leave religion and guns alone, saying it is up to the individual.
Democrats, why aren't you doing this right now?
Their number one goal should be (aside from registration and getting voters to the polls) to get the message out that they are pro union, fair minimum wage, job training, education, healthcare for all, protection of air, water and land. They need to leave religion and guns alone, saying it is up to the individual.
Democrats, why aren't you doing this right now?
13
What do you mean by religion? Is that a code for selling abortion and/or LGBTQ rights down the river?
And go tell people of Newton, CT, among others, to leave gun control alone. I am sure your advice will thrill them.
And go tell people of Newton, CT, among others, to leave gun control alone. I am sure your advice will thrill them.
Chris Hayes interviewed Bernie Sanders & Tom Perez Monday. Sanders again advocated single-payer healthcare & Medicare expansion. When Hayes asked Perez if he supported single payer Perez never answered - he avoided the topic. Like the DNC & the Clintons, Perez opposes single payer.
Perez & the D.C. Democratic establishment = 25+ yrs of neo-liberal Clintonism: overly cautious, corporate funded, self-interested & out-of-touch. 80% of Americans now favor single payer healthcare! This current Democratic Party will NEVER support it. It's the biggest reason Hillary lost.
We need a new Party, not D.C. controlled, not Wall St. focused. Frauds like Jim Clyburn need to go. Clyburn's held that seat since 1993 working against his own low-income constituents by doing stuff like voting to redline car insurance in poor neighborhoods. Clyburn ought to be ashamed. He's not.
"Get in the game because you're not going to take credit for it after we've won it" - Nancy Keenan. Amen. The DNC still won't take responsibility for Hillary's devastating loss - they blame everybody but Hillary & the greedy self-interested Democratic establishment. They'll keep "playing it safe" while average people keep losing ground. We need new leadership. If Perez & the DNC won't fight for real change, oust them.
Progressives like Bernie Sanders & Elizabeth Warren are the future. A Sanders/Warren ticket would have won in 2016 - & Donald Trump would not be president.
Democrats, change or keep losing.
Perez & the D.C. Democratic establishment = 25+ yrs of neo-liberal Clintonism: overly cautious, corporate funded, self-interested & out-of-touch. 80% of Americans now favor single payer healthcare! This current Democratic Party will NEVER support it. It's the biggest reason Hillary lost.
We need a new Party, not D.C. controlled, not Wall St. focused. Frauds like Jim Clyburn need to go. Clyburn's held that seat since 1993 working against his own low-income constituents by doing stuff like voting to redline car insurance in poor neighborhoods. Clyburn ought to be ashamed. He's not.
"Get in the game because you're not going to take credit for it after we've won it" - Nancy Keenan. Amen. The DNC still won't take responsibility for Hillary's devastating loss - they blame everybody but Hillary & the greedy self-interested Democratic establishment. They'll keep "playing it safe" while average people keep losing ground. We need new leadership. If Perez & the DNC won't fight for real change, oust them.
Progressives like Bernie Sanders & Elizabeth Warren are the future. A Sanders/Warren ticket would have won in 2016 - & Donald Trump would not be president.
Democrats, change or keep losing.
28
Oust them? No.
Form your own party and run it however you'd like.
Form your own party and run it however you'd like.
1
Mr. Clyburn:
Yes, people tend to get disappointed when they don't win - but they also tend to forget a Party if that Party doesn't run.
Besides, sir - those are not YOUR resources. They are the resources that have been collected from many small donors from all over this nation.
So they should be used 'all over this nation'.
I believe in a 50-state Party. Keep track, if you will, on where every cent comes from, but, in the end, every state should be able to get back at least half of what they send.
Top-down isn't working. Wake up.
rosa
Yes, people tend to get disappointed when they don't win - but they also tend to forget a Party if that Party doesn't run.
Besides, sir - those are not YOUR resources. They are the resources that have been collected from many small donors from all over this nation.
So they should be used 'all over this nation'.
I believe in a 50-state Party. Keep track, if you will, on where every cent comes from, but, in the end, every state should be able to get back at least half of what they send.
Top-down isn't working. Wake up.
rosa
11
"When a battle starts it is a foolish soldier who saves their bullets for tomorrow's battle."
rosa
rosa
10
We've been baffled here in Montana as to why the party and national media has previously decided to write us off as hopelessly red. The trouble here is that even when the party gets money, they spend it in the same places and don't focus on the important swing districts. It's all about holding events in friendly counties and not spending any resources anywhere remotely "risky." When Bernie comes to Montana, it would be a shame if he just visits the choir in Missoula; he needs to gets out to Butte, Billings, Great Falls, and even the rural east. Thankfully, that's the way Quist has been campaigning already -- he's getting great turnout all around the state and really energizing people. On another note, I drove 300 miles across the state this week and didn't see one Gianforte sign (there are tons of Quist signs though). While signs don't vote and people do, it's still pretty amazing.
155
Love Montanans. Love Montana--the most beautiful state in the country (sorry California). Have great hope and faith in the people of Montana.
Here comes the money for Quist. I hope it gets used to get out the vote.
1
I drove round trip from missoula to billings on the back roads and the interstate, last September, and saw Zinke signs everywhere and not one single Juneau sign... couldn't believe it... not one sign for Juneau. Needless to say, Zinke won.
Perez and Sanders interview together last night was telling. Bernie says he is not a Democrat. Bernie says he's for single payer and free college and for reigning in Wall Street. Perez did not echo ANY of what Bernie said and he was sitting right next to him. Perez was actually booed. He is still spouting the establishment line. The DNC knows if it just sends Perez out on tour then no one will show up. They Dems are still lost. They are using Sanders because they have NO ONE. They did not support Kansas. Why? They support Ossoff because he had the Hollywood crowd behind him. Hopefully Ruffalo, Depp, Woodley, Milano or another Hollywood star will support Mr. Quist so the Dems will follow suit. Bernie says that he wants to recruit new Democratic voters and Perez wants to spread values. Two races and two losses - bottom line.
53
Bernie was asked if he's a Democrat. He said he's an "independent who caucuses with Democrats." Bernie Sanders won't lie even when lying would be to his advantage. Perez is nothing BUT lies, evasion & double talk.
12
What Perez wants to spread will make good use of a natural resource on western ranches: manure. His attitude is exactly why he wasn't Bernie's pick for DNC chair. These cautious, foolish moves are probably why Bernie doesn't identify with the Democratic party. He has more credibility with swing voters if he isn't identified with the DNC.
The people we need to win back are (still) looking for an outsider to bring worthwhile, people-centered change to our political process. They may have thought they had it in Trump, but they are quickly becoming disabused of that notion. That creates a vacuum designed for Democrats to fill. Only fools would sit on the sidelines waiting for a sure-thing before getting involved.
The people we need to win back are (still) looking for an outsider to bring worthwhile, people-centered change to our political process. They may have thought they had it in Trump, but they are quickly becoming disabused of that notion. That creates a vacuum designed for Democrats to fill. Only fools would sit on the sidelines waiting for a sure-thing before getting involved.
Who is really in charge of the Democratic National Committee (DNC)? I saw Tom Perez on the "Morning Joe" television show yesterday. He says he strongly supports an aggressive 50-state strategy in which Democrats vigorously contest election all over the country. Yet the DNC did nothing for its Congressional nominee in the Kansas special election, and party leaders like Jim Clyburn continue to take the ultra-cautious approach which has cost the Democrats both the U.S. House and Senate, most Governorships, and nearly 1,000 state legislative seats.
I repeat: who is really in charge of the DNC?
I repeat: who is really in charge of the DNC?
109
Whoever IS in charge pf DNC needs to spend MORE money on TV and radio ads and have some VARIETY of commercials. Very soon. And what about debates??
Quick answer: Wall Street via the Clintons and Schumer. That is where their loyalty lies, and why they steer clear of more charismatic, effective leaders like Sanders and Warren who aren't afraid of the moneyed class.
1
Having a 50 state strategy does not necessarily entail contesting literally every single district in the country. What's confusing?
Well, I hate to use Trump's word but it is a rigged system in both the President and Senate races there are more Democrat votes in the House there were about 3 million more Republican voters which is not representative of their make up. As long as we have the Electoral College(in which a candidate can get 22% of the popular vote become president), we also have gerrymandering and vote repression.
5
Candidates should run on the fact they aren't getting support from the notorious DNC. That could be a big fundraising message in a small state.
11
Democrats might have won that last election if the establishment didn't play favorites and backed James Thompson. Not one endorsement or sign of support from the old guard, while he took on Paul Ryan, Ted Cruz, and Trump alone. Thanks for nothing.
9
A conservative friend worried about a 'left-wing revolution'...I told him to relax, that the Left will never be organized enough to stage a revolution - that heck - they can't even be bothered to vote half the time.
You can 't win elections when you dismiss your most ardent base as 'loony liberals' and put all your money into trying to sway swing voters that have actually already made up their mind to support the status quo.
Presently the Democratic party is worse off than the GOP was in April of 2009 (well, except for the race thing). You'd think that they would look at what the GOP did to win races - oh - look! the GOP catered to their base, fired them up, and got them to vote! Most polls show that the majority of Americans actually agree with the Democrats on most policy issues - but don't think that their votes will make any difference.
You can 't win elections when you dismiss your most ardent base as 'loony liberals' and put all your money into trying to sway swing voters that have actually already made up their mind to support the status quo.
Presently the Democratic party is worse off than the GOP was in April of 2009 (well, except for the race thing). You'd think that they would look at what the GOP did to win races - oh - look! the GOP catered to their base, fired them up, and got them to vote! Most polls show that the majority of Americans actually agree with the Democrats on most policy issues - but don't think that their votes will make any difference.
10
Most Americans don't understand how they are disenfranchised by malapportionment.
5
Most Americans don't like taxes. Of course offers of benefits poll well in isolation.
I knew people who kinda liked Sanders - until they used online tax calculators to figure out how much his plans might cost them.
Rational or not, it's how many people think.
I knew people who kinda liked Sanders - until they used online tax calculators to figure out how much his plans might cost them.
Rational or not, it's how many people think.
1
Quist is a good candidate for Montana and the DCCC should jump into this race. It's winnable and it's worth the effort.
Missing from this story is something I find significant. Quist won the nomination by doing some old-fashioned party building, getting people appointed to vacant party committee positions who then went to the state convention that nominated him. People who can do that kind of work are exactly the kind of people who deserve national support. Party building of the kind Quist did is the road back to success, not only in Montana, but anywhere the party organization has deteriorated.
Missing from this story is something I find significant. Quist won the nomination by doing some old-fashioned party building, getting people appointed to vacant party committee positions who then went to the state convention that nominated him. People who can do that kind of work are exactly the kind of people who deserve national support. Party building of the kind Quist did is the road back to success, not only in Montana, but anywhere the party organization has deteriorated.
31
The Democrats need a fifty state strategy and a fifty year strategy. Fox has been the propaganda arm of the Republican Party since Fox's inception and the Democrats have offered nothing to counter that. They need eloquently articulate the message that we stand for wages that allow a decent standard of living, that we stand for education and science instead of ignorance and denial. There is so much that Democrats stand for that is in the interest of the common good and that needs be articulated. Just today a guy who I know who is a veteran and a public school teacher said that he is ready to run for public office as a Democrat in reddest of all states Oklahoma. He would be a good candidate and the movement is from the grass roots on up to the top, not the other way around.
19
I donated to Quist's campaign today, & now that I know there's a Libertarian in the race who'll split the GOP vote (Mark Wicks), I'll be donating to him, too!
9
The press is at it again-creating trumped up divisions and drama.
Hillary lost because of misogyny, not cautions. Hillary was a liberal democrat, because of her history of fighting for women and children and her proposals for the future. Please can we stop with the misogyny thru false equalency. Enough already.
Hillary lost because of misogyny, not cautions. Hillary was a liberal democrat, because of her history of fighting for women and children and her proposals for the future. Please can we stop with the misogyny thru false equalency. Enough already.
14
Hillary lost because the Electoral College is a systematic fraud on the American people.
3
So misogyny forced Hillary Clinton to give $250,000 speeches at Goldman Sachs?
13
Hillary Clinton was a corporate-invested neo-liberal who opposed universal healthcare, opposed real improved access to college for the poor and was stuck with her failed 'regime change' in Libya. Stop blaming misogyny for Hillary's terrible loss - plenty of liberals, progressives & yes feminists supported Bernie Sanders as the real forward-thinking liberal/progressive candidate & watched Hillary & the DNC snatch the nomination out from under him. As long as the Clinton fanatics keep blaming her loss on misogyny, nothing will change. A Sanders/Warren ticket would have beaten Trump. Nothing "misogynistic" about that.
10
Tips for Democrats:
-Put country before party.
-Put American workers and families before Hollywood celebrities or career politicians like the Clintons. Democrats are unusually (and self-destructively) starstruck. It's pretty pathetic to watch aging grown women cry at a rally.
-Demand that all laws either be enforced or changed legislatively, but no more cherry-picking, especially with immigration laws.
-Attack fraud and waste before calling form more tax hikes.
Become again the party of workers led by workers, for workers and you'll succeed. Keep on the same Obama/Clinton/1%er path and you'll continue to lose.
-Put country before party.
-Put American workers and families before Hollywood celebrities or career politicians like the Clintons. Democrats are unusually (and self-destructively) starstruck. It's pretty pathetic to watch aging grown women cry at a rally.
-Demand that all laws either be enforced or changed legislatively, but no more cherry-picking, especially with immigration laws.
-Attack fraud and waste before calling form more tax hikes.
Become again the party of workers led by workers, for workers and you'll succeed. Keep on the same Obama/Clinton/1%er path and you'll continue to lose.
17
Since every penny of public spending is somebody's income, none of the recipients of it consider it "waste".
3
Clinton's policies ended up not being 1%er at all. I gave my pittance to Ossoff, will give more and give to Quist. Finding people. to go door to door, drive voters to polls,
those are keys to elections. And... turning gerrymandered districts into fair divisions, getting voter rights to where they should be.
those are keys to elections. And... turning gerrymandered districts into fair divisions, getting voter rights to where they should be.
3
If one has unlimited money, why not contest every race?
On the other hand, if one doesn't have unlimited money, a day may come when it makes sense to pick one's battles. Some can be won; some can't. Kansas, for example, was hopeless from the start. True, the Democratic came much closer than expected, but it occurs to me that Estes may just be a dork.
On the other hand, if one doesn't have unlimited money, a day may come when it makes sense to pick one's battles. Some can be won; some can't. Kansas, for example, was hopeless from the start. True, the Democratic came much closer than expected, but it occurs to me that Estes may just be a dork.
2
Obviously the money flow goes to where the malapportionment of this deceitful travesty of equal protection of law makes it most economical.
This proud, lifelong liberal Democrat will not send one dime to the national Democratic organizations, precisely because of their tone deaf arrogance and disastrous incompetence. Howard Dean was right all along - the party needs a 50 state strategy, including aggressive involvement in local elections, and he was drummed out by the centrists - look where that got us. I am supporting every progressive group I can, and individual candidates, including Rob Quist, rather than sending money to the DNC. No race should be ceded - this must be trench warfare, and be based upon a strong, clarion message of inclusion, equality, civil rights, women's rights, voting rights, a strong safety net for the poor and for struggling workers who have seen their unions and their jobs gutted, a massive infrastructure rebuilding and improvement project, tax fairness, strong commitment to environmental protection, preservation of our spectacular wilderness, worker safety, and green technology, and universal healthcare. New Jersey suffered the consequences of a disengaged DNC and DGA, which refused to help Barbara Buono in her race against the vile Christie. Never again! 4/19, 8:54 PM
101
Montana is not Idaho (from someone who knows the difference). Supporting Quist helps to build a Democratic coalition in the West.
3
My sentiments exactly. I will not send a penny to the DNC for the same reasons. No more privatization of public goods! We do not send our tax dollars to Washington to fund roads and bridges to have some corporation rake in the tolls forever more on what we have paid for! We do not want our tax dollars to pay for private schools. That money is meant to provide for public education. We do not want our jails and prisons to be in the hands of private corporations that are unaccountable and lobby Congress to keep sentencing long and incarceration rates high. Enough is enough. If the DNC cannot see this and confront it, get out of the way.
2
How do people expect them to contest every seat while simultaneously withdrawing funding?
Is this like the Bush logic of withdrawing money from failing schools under No Child Left Behind? Because once they were without money, they were somehow going to get better?
Is this like the Bush logic of withdrawing money from failing schools under No Child Left Behind? Because once they were without money, they were somehow going to get better?
Older stoggier Democrats need to step out of the way and let those with younger ideas take charge whether they be old in age or not. We just can't afford those with old mine sets to continue to control the reigns.
33
"Older stoggier Democrats.." Yep, Obama, Clinton. Sanders, and Biden truly sank the Party during the past election.
Please forgive me for disagreeing vehemently. Age is not the issue. Being in thrall to corporate and Wall Street interests - the Clinton-Obama set- is.
5
Of course age is an issue. Who needs geriatric leadership that won't live long enough to see long term consequences of their policy choices?
I am a Millennial. Can't wait for a new and young face.
And no, I don't spend my nights foaming over Wall Street. Yes, they need regulating. No, it is not my number one issue.
I am a Millennial. Can't wait for a new and young face.
And no, I don't spend my nights foaming over Wall Street. Yes, they need regulating. No, it is not my number one issue.
It is in the Republican voter's interest to get more balance in our government. The people in charge are certainly not looking out for the interests of children their working parents or their grandparents in retirement. Everyone needs to put more effort into electing Democrats to Congress to protect our country from the ignorant, inexperienced, egotistical person who through the help of the Russians, ended up in charge.
17
"....grass-roots liberals are not about to let party leaders lapse back into the traditional red state, blue state assumptions". Good. The Democrats need a 50-state, all contested seats at all levels strategy including local, congressional and state-wide elections. Keep the GOP running in all directions and force them to dump money even in "safe" seats as they had to for the Kansas seat and will have to in the Georgia special election. Also, every Democrat needs to read the following article about how grass roots efforts turned Houston blue. Dems. can win far more elections by being bold and pushing hard on all fronts. http://harpers.org/archive/2017/03/texas-is-the-future/
54
The article stated "leading Kansas Democrats said they “thought they were headed to a victory” rather than just a “closer than expected” finish." are these the same Democrats that said Trump has no chance, and that Hillary was a 90% chance to win, Hope so, LOL.
4
50 states or bust.
21
Thank you for the reminder to donate to Rob Quist. I've just done so.
And thank you for reminding me why my donations go straight to candidates I respect, not the national party committees.
And thank you for reminding me why my donations go straight to candidates I respect, not the national party committees.
37
Just for the record, Mission Mountain Wood Band never played a fraternity house basement, they always played upstairs. And they were very good, always a gigantic event. Rob Quist is everything his opponent isn't, i.e. a real Montanan.
24
The local union ¨folks¨ and democrats in Montana should be supported in social media, voter registration and ¨Get out the vote compaigns.¨ Voter turnout by democrats could decide the election and another Democratic Congressman in Montana means one less vote for Trump and the GOP to dismantle our democracy.
16
As a lifelong Democrat, I'm absolutely tired of reading, "Nt'l Democrats had no plans to seriously contest the (insert district here) seat." Writing off entire districts is a terrible idea and negates all of the hard work many of us are doing at the grassroots level to resist this administration. That strategy-- or lack thereof-- leads me to donate directly to the candidates' campaigns, who will use the money to fight like hell for a platform I believe in.
70
To paraphrase Singapore's master politician Lee Kuan Yew - if something doesn't work, then try something else. The Democratic leadership became more and more complacent after Obama's 2008 victory, and that complacency was on display in 2016. There were so many unnecessary own-goals. You can talk about Russian interference. You can talk about Comey's letter. But at some point, you have to confront the fact that Trump should not even have been close to Clinton, let alone win. Not only did the Democrats lose the Presidency, they lost both houses of Congress.
Democrats can't win by only talking about how they got robbed. They have to look forward. The old way of doing things didn't work. It's time to try something else.
Democrats can't win by only talking about how they got robbed. They have to look forward. The old way of doing things didn't work. It's time to try something else.
26
Contesting elections is not just about winning or losing. It's also about developing candidates and exposing people to your ideas. Maybe it doesn't pay dividends right away, but there will be a point in the future where it does.
If you are the Democratic Party, you've got to realize that you are on the right side of a lot of issues (and the GOP is on the wrong side), and start getting your message out to people trapped inside the Fox News bubble.
Universal health care is a winning issue. So is infrastructure investment. Far more people are pro-choice and pro gay-rights than are pro-life and anti-gay rights. Pretty much everyone aside from corporate CEO's want clean water and clean air. Republicans enjoy the great outdoors just as much as Democrats do.
The issues are in there favor...Democrats just have to get their message out to more swing voters....
If you are the Democratic Party, you've got to realize that you are on the right side of a lot of issues (and the GOP is on the wrong side), and start getting your message out to people trapped inside the Fox News bubble.
Universal health care is a winning issue. So is infrastructure investment. Far more people are pro-choice and pro gay-rights than are pro-life and anti-gay rights. Pretty much everyone aside from corporate CEO's want clean water and clean air. Republicans enjoy the great outdoors just as much as Democrats do.
The issues are in there favor...Democrats just have to get their message out to more swing voters....
46
They can win this if they talk about 3 simple things: Jobs, taxes and healthcare. As soon as the Democrats start piling on their boutique social issues i.e. transgender bathrooms, LGBT weddings, climate change, farm to table food for homeless shelters, amnesty for 12 million undocumented immigrants and new homes for war torn refugees .. It's over! No doubt those topics are important- and we can get to those in due course- but right now let's just win the election!
42
I'd guess that climate change is pretty important in a state that gets most of its income from nature tourism!
8
But, don't you know that Democrats are "Stronger Together"?
2
Aaron,
I agree with your general drift, but please realize climate change is a major issue that is becoming more important to more people every day.
I agree with your general drift, but please realize climate change is a major issue that is becoming more important to more people every day.
3
Bill Clinton won Montana in 1992. Shortly after the state had TWO Democratic Senators, a Democratic governor and, briefly, both houses of the legislature controlled by Democrats. Only the at-large congressman was a Republican.
In a state that reveres its heritage as a steward of the public lands it should be easy to go after Republicans who think a jobs plan is to allow corporations to pollute air and water.
In a state that reveres its heritage as a steward of the public lands it should be easy to go after Republicans who think a jobs plan is to allow corporations to pollute air and water.
161
You are so right. Montana has a great liberal and progressive heritage. I think of Mike Mansfield and Jim Murray, not mention liberal progressive Republican Jeanette Rankin.
6
Yeah, well Clinton won tons of red states in 1992 (MO, GA, LA, KY, TN, MT, and many more) in 1992 because Ross Perot split the GOP vote. So don't get yourself all excited.
The Democrats need to be in the game wherever they can. It's obvious the party is way out of practice when it comes to winning elections.
114
Yep - as a confirmed Republican, I am all in favor of the Democrats pouring lots and lots of money into places like Utah
2
I really hope that Bernie takes Perez with him to Montana--as noted, he won the state in the primary, which bodes well for him motivating the democratic base, while Trump and the obvious shortcomings of Gianforte will depress the Republican base. Democrats can't continue to be the party of the liberal elites; now is the chance to show the country--in advance of the all-important 2018 midterms--that they aren't.
125
Perhaps Bernie should take Perez AND Ellison to Venezuela!
Perez can only lose votes like Clinton did. Bernie should drop him.
First off Bozeman is a college town so you will have an increased amount of left leaning young voters. But Montana has also had an increase in outsiders buying real estate. So the Montana you think you know is changing its political spectrum if ever so slightly. It is quite natural that after eight years of one party, the other party will then get a chance to rule. Also quite likely is the mid terms favor the opposition. There are plenty of people who voted trump because Hillary was just not going to work for them. Why the democratic power brokers thought Hillary was viable still leaves me scratching my head. Once the dems lost they should have started purging. One good place to start would be Pelosi who is as much of a lightning rod as Hillary was. Come on democrats, redefine the party and the message. Otherwise we will keep getting run over.
24
Dear Mr. Quiet, only goat ropers wear hats indoors, gentleman refrain.
1
Trump was right about one thing. It's easy for republicans to win an election because republican voters aren't that bright. After all, gutting the environment seems like a sensible policy to someone who doesn't know the role of carbon in the atmosphere, or even what a watershed is. Obamacare seems terrible if you don't realize you're on it. Liberals must be lazy if you don't understand that the blue states subsidize the red states. And women and blacks must have it easier because after all, wasn't it fair when white males were the center of everything?
So yes, now we democrats are fighting harder. We're not just rooting for our team. We're pushing for the people who have the policies that will move the country forward, rather than the people that are despicable enough to fool the desperate into thinking the coal mines will be operating any day now.
We don't have four years for the minority- and it is a minority that elected Trump- to realize that no, nuclear weapons are not a good idea and yes, it's important to keep workers safe. Our party has lots of problems, and many of us in the rank and file are not happy, but the current people in power are playing with dynamite.
And if you think I sound elitist, you should know this is what you sound like when you call yourself the "True Americans."
So yes, now we democrats are fighting harder. We're not just rooting for our team. We're pushing for the people who have the policies that will move the country forward, rather than the people that are despicable enough to fool the desperate into thinking the coal mines will be operating any day now.
We don't have four years for the minority- and it is a minority that elected Trump- to realize that no, nuclear weapons are not a good idea and yes, it's important to keep workers safe. Our party has lots of problems, and many of us in the rank and file are not happy, but the current people in power are playing with dynamite.
And if you think I sound elitist, you should know this is what you sound like when you call yourself the "True Americans."
10
I don't think talking down to half the country is a good election strategy. See: 47% and Deplorables
6
If in fact the Democrats ever engage in "discussions of how hard to play going forward" prior to a game -- any game -- they deserve to lose.
Discussions?
Not sure how hard to play?
It's way past the 11th hour, only seconds left to midnight and the final whistle. Open receiver in the end zone . . . The QB is not sure where to throw the ball?
Discussions?
Not sure how hard to play?
It's way past the 11th hour, only seconds left to midnight and the final whistle. Open receiver in the end zone . . . The QB is not sure where to throw the ball?
3
As a Montanan who supports Quist I'm really frustrated by the national Democratic party for their lack of support for a man, I feel, has a real possibility of winning this race. His millionaire Republican opponent is widely disliked across the state. Please, Dems! Step up to the plate!
85
More and more the population is recognizing the former democrats who identify as progressives. These are the people who want to destroy the republic and turn our nation into a socialist utopia. Utopia translates to 'nothing'. Look it up. Also, a lot of the 'democrats' in Congress are endorsed by the CPUSA.
3
Democrats are in no position to demand anything, that was a monumental loss, and nobody really cares what they have to say for the next four years.....
Enjoy
Enjoy
6
The loss was Hillary Clinton's and the DNC. There's plenty of life in rank & file Democrats, independents & progressives if we can get the self-interested Democratic establishment out of the way.
10
Winning the popular vote by 3 million was not a monumental loss, winning many more millions total i Democratic votes for Congress is not a monumental loss, the disparity in votes casts versus election "won" is also evident in state legislatures Democrats win the vote, Republicans win elections by gaming the system. A minority party who rules like a majority can only hang on to power by sliding further and further into authoritarianism.
It seems ironic to me that you have, at the top of the Democratic gerontocracy, two factions: the vigorous Sanders progressive wing and the petrified waxworks of Pelosi, Hoyer and Lewis. Just shows you how age is irrelevant - except when it's relevant.
11
Oh we are electing Quist. National politics aren't gonna slow us down.
84
The Democrats have a chance to act or be left behind as a new party forms to leave them in the dust. Tom Perez needs to get his keister in gear and DELIVER. He and Sanders should be physically in Montana and the DNC should be putting some skin in the game.
It's because of the pathetic morons at the national level that the party is in the poor shape it is. The old guard needs to get out of the way so we can win.
It's because of the pathetic morons at the national level that the party is in the poor shape it is. The old guard needs to get out of the way so we can win.
22
As long as Pelosi is the House Minority Leader I think the Democrats will have a hard time regaining the House and Senate. She has put herself above party like the republicans have put party above country. She should be thanked for her service and politely asked to resign her position.
7
If this country is to be saved from one-party (Republican) rule — tantamount to fascism — the Progressives must take over the Democratic party, via a hostile takeover in necessary.
The old-guard, kiss-up-to-the-rich Democratic establishment has failed on several counts: They've lost all three branches of the federal government and the majority of state houses and governorships; they've betrayed their working class base; they've become spineless Republican Lites. Why, other than sheer inertia, they are currently empowered to make any decisions whatsoever is unclear.
They need to go, or at least give way to the Progressives who want to fight and know how to energize people with a meaningful message and programs.
When the party had a 50-state strategy, it was winning. Now it doesn't have a clue about how to fight or win.
If the Democrats don't change, they will fade into obscurity. A new, Progressive party could rise out of the ashes, but it may be too late because, as in Russia, China and elsewhere, America will be a one-party state, run by oligarchs tied to criminal enterprises.
The old-guard, kiss-up-to-the-rich Democratic establishment has failed on several counts: They've lost all three branches of the federal government and the majority of state houses and governorships; they've betrayed their working class base; they've become spineless Republican Lites. Why, other than sheer inertia, they are currently empowered to make any decisions whatsoever is unclear.
They need to go, or at least give way to the Progressives who want to fight and know how to energize people with a meaningful message and programs.
When the party had a 50-state strategy, it was winning. Now it doesn't have a clue about how to fight or win.
If the Democrats don't change, they will fade into obscurity. A new, Progressive party could rise out of the ashes, but it may be too late because, as in Russia, China and elsewhere, America will be a one-party state, run by oligarchs tied to criminal enterprises.
34
Could the Democrats really be successful without ultra-wealthy contributors and affluent upper-middle-class professionals? If they lose even a significant part of these people, they will have an even more difficult time winning elections. To be the boutique party of college students and public-sector unions is not the way to get a majority.
9
The progressives are rising, and we don't need hostilities to do it. It is a natural ascension and evolution. You are correct in that the Democratic party became the Republican Lite party at least 20 years ago, and are trending even further right. As such, they are making themselves redundant and obsolete. Progressives will, and must, provide a tangible option if this democracy is to survive.
13
Certainly, in a national election it is important to be strategic about where to spend money but the strategy should be for the long term: where can we start to make gains that will bear fruit in later years. For now, the question is different: How to keep the base fired up. It is absurd to think that the few millions spent on the few available races will go to waste. A 20% swing in the safest Republican districts means more Democrat councilmen, more mayors, more state representatives, within the next few years. The Republicans know that fighting every race means that soon enough their people get elected to local offices, and then to higher office. In contrast, Democrats have let their representation at every level of government whither across most of America, backing only those already destined to win. Fighting to cut the lead of the other party in safe districts is not a waste of resources. It inspires partisans and plants the seeds for the future. "We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender."
8
Too many otherwise intelligent people keep missing the point. For this incarnation of the Democratic party, which cannot tolerate even a mild, New Deal Democrat like Bernie Sanders, winning elections isn't the point.
Raising money is the point. Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, and Jim Clyburn staying in power is the point.
With Bill Clinton's election the Democratic party was captured by several thousand people, with about 235 national politicians, those in Congress, at the top of the pyramid. They run the party the way you or I would run a business. The party is their business; it's the business they own. It has nothing to do with anything else, certainly nothing to do with delivering universal health care or better jobs or better wages.
Their customers are the donors who buy what they can sell: legislation favorable to donors' interests. The Democratic party now sells a service. It is a political arm of corporate America, and it will continue to do the least it can get away with in order to stay in power, because doing the least it can do, is what costs its donors the least.
The point for the likes of Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi and Jim Clyburn is to stay in power. To keep taking money, to continue to enjoy what they do, and to continue living the nice life that comes with being a Senator or Representative.
If they support progressive candidates and enough of those candidates win, Schumer, Pelosi, and Clyburn will find themselves out of leadership. It's that simple
Raising money is the point. Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, and Jim Clyburn staying in power is the point.
With Bill Clinton's election the Democratic party was captured by several thousand people, with about 235 national politicians, those in Congress, at the top of the pyramid. They run the party the way you or I would run a business. The party is their business; it's the business they own. It has nothing to do with anything else, certainly nothing to do with delivering universal health care or better jobs or better wages.
Their customers are the donors who buy what they can sell: legislation favorable to donors' interests. The Democratic party now sells a service. It is a political arm of corporate America, and it will continue to do the least it can get away with in order to stay in power, because doing the least it can do, is what costs its donors the least.
The point for the likes of Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi and Jim Clyburn is to stay in power. To keep taking money, to continue to enjoy what they do, and to continue living the nice life that comes with being a Senator or Representative.
If they support progressive candidates and enough of those candidates win, Schumer, Pelosi, and Clyburn will find themselves out of leadership. It's that simple
23
You are right. And that is Hillary Clinton's business model too.
5
And again, This is not a contest between Democrats and Republicans, liberals or conservatives, It is a struggle for the survival of our nation and our democracy. It is a battle between Trumpists and those who care sincerely about the future of our country. Trumpists have no respect for the Constitution, no respect for American traditions.
After 100 days of gross incompetence as so-called president, they can no longer claim Trump is going to fight for the little guy and bring them jobs. Trumpists live in a closed-in Breitbart/Fox fantasy world where Trump is a decent man. We all know better.
We cannot let these anti-Americans continue to control our government. We owe it to future generations to drive them out. Ossoff is just one battle among many to come and no energy or resource can be spared in the fight to eliminate the scourge of Trump, Ryan and McConnell from our land.
After 100 days of gross incompetence as so-called president, they can no longer claim Trump is going to fight for the little guy and bring them jobs. Trumpists live in a closed-in Breitbart/Fox fantasy world where Trump is a decent man. We all know better.
We cannot let these anti-Americans continue to control our government. We owe it to future generations to drive them out. Ossoff is just one battle among many to come and no energy or resource can be spared in the fight to eliminate the scourge of Trump, Ryan and McConnell from our land.
34
The national party would be crazy to pass up these races, if only to find out what works and what doesn't - what message resonates with the swing voters and what doesn't. Money well worth investing. Staying out of Kansas was a mistake. Don't repeat it.
62
Mr. Dax is right. Based on the national Democratic party's tendency to make mistakes, his advice is likely to be ignored.
1
Remember when Howard Dean ran the DNC and adopted the 50 state strategy? This did quite well everywhere but in the state Senates where he lost only two seats. Dean produced gains in the House, governorships, Senate and an increase in Democratic votes for the President, but he fought the national party, just like we are seeing today. When will they learn?
26
Who is running the DNC? Until they can resume winning in the Midwest they will continue to be a side note to conservative rule. Bring back the party of Anne Richards and LBJ!
32
I stopped giving money to the Democratic Congressional Committee funds just because of this reason- I give directly to candidates I support.
14
Give to both.
When will they learn? Looking at the voting pool as a zero sum game guarantees the same results over and over again. If you take into account those who support progressive policies but don't feel motivated to vote, then even the reddest of red states can absolutely go blue.
So yeah, fight. But even better: Give them something to fight for!
So yeah, fight. But even better: Give them something to fight for!
6
Keep after them every way you can! At least it is good practice, and questions might get raised that otherwise would not.
3
Yeah, I don't know if I want to donate to the National Democratic Party anymore. They have not made great decisions lately. I did donate to Ossoff through the DNC but I'm beginning to wonder if that's where my small donation actually went. Ossoff had a good showing, but the frantic, desperate, shrill voice of the party emailing me all these disaster scenarios and warnings and threats just wore thin. Come on down to my community and have an old time rally. I go to local democrats fundraisers and donate time and money but I can see them and talk to them face to face. Who is the DNC? Perez? Pelosi? Schumer? Don't know any of those folks. This isn't how we built the Democratic Party here. We had local leaders born and raised in the community. Now I don't know any of these folks in the local Democratic Party. Where did they come from? Obviously, the Bernie supporters took over our caucus last year but I haven't seen these folks at the State legislature or the local fundraisers. It's clear to me that they don't support us long-time party members. Is this how it ends?
6
Um, writers keep describing Rob as a "banjo player", bringing back images from "Deliverance". He's actually a multi-instrumentalist, composer, writer, arranger, performer.
And he can walk into any saloon in Montana and half the people there have been to his concerts.
NOT a hick.
And he can walk into any saloon in Montana and half the people there have been to his concerts.
NOT a hick.
Quist better hope the DNC treats him better than they did James Thompson here in Kansas. He is the guy who ran against Ron Estes for Mke Pompeo's seat and lost by 7 percentage points.
From the Guardian: "Given our current political climate, you’d think the Democrats would have jumped at the chance to take back a Congressional seat and demonstrate opposition to Trump, but you’d be wrong. While Thompson managed to raise $292,000 without his party’s help, 95% of which came from individuals, neither the DNC, DCCC, nor even the Kansas Democratic Party would help him grow that total in any substantial way. His campaign requested $20,000 from the state Democratic Party and was denied".
"They later relented and gave him $3,000. (According to the FEC, the Party had about $145,000 on hand.) The national Democratic Party gave him nothing until the day before the election, when it graced him with some live calls and robo-calls. He lost by seven percentage points."
Ron Estes raised $459K of which the RNC contributed $139K. The week before we were bombarded with the most egregious lie-filled robocalls. "He also received massive donations from representatives of big business and help from such national figures as Paul Ryan, Mike Pence, Ted Cruz," said the Guardian. Trump even tweeted about it.
The Guardian's chronicle of a party that just doesn't want to win, and threw its man under the bus vs the party that wins at any cost, makes an illuminating read: http://bit.ly/2phILzx
From the Guardian: "Given our current political climate, you’d think the Democrats would have jumped at the chance to take back a Congressional seat and demonstrate opposition to Trump, but you’d be wrong. While Thompson managed to raise $292,000 without his party’s help, 95% of which came from individuals, neither the DNC, DCCC, nor even the Kansas Democratic Party would help him grow that total in any substantial way. His campaign requested $20,000 from the state Democratic Party and was denied".
"They later relented and gave him $3,000. (According to the FEC, the Party had about $145,000 on hand.) The national Democratic Party gave him nothing until the day before the election, when it graced him with some live calls and robo-calls. He lost by seven percentage points."
Ron Estes raised $459K of which the RNC contributed $139K. The week before we were bombarded with the most egregious lie-filled robocalls. "He also received massive donations from representatives of big business and help from such national figures as Paul Ryan, Mike Pence, Ted Cruz," said the Guardian. Trump even tweeted about it.
The Guardian's chronicle of a party that just doesn't want to win, and threw its man under the bus vs the party that wins at any cost, makes an illuminating read: http://bit.ly/2phILzx
As one who grew up in Montana, I can tell you that, in my day anyway, an out-of-state billionaire who restricts fishing access ought to be quite beatable. If enough people, in the towns especially, can be motivated to vote, then the Democrat should win. Therefore, spending money to increase the turnout could be very effective. Quist's history as a country rock musician, however, is definitely not a plus in the Eastern part of the state.
23
A shameful theft of services by the Democratic leadership. People all over the country are donating money and the DNC et al, instead of doing their jobs, are just sitting on it.
Right now, with the White House in confusion and the Republican Congress in disarray the only thing holding us back is the Democratic Party. We'd be much better off without them.
Right now, with the White House in confusion and the Republican Congress in disarray the only thing holding us back is the Democratic Party. We'd be much better off without them.
14
You would think that it might be mentioned that Mr. Quist is a county-style entertainer who appeared on Hee Haw. He has no political experience and his political ideas are off the cuff.. He could be a Democrat version of Trump for all anybody knows.
Who Mr. Quist is seems relevant to me in assessing the race here. It's nice to play a banjo but you might be in over your head against a self-made billionaire. People in Montana have sense, and it is questionable whether they would vote for a Democrat know nothing. And they also probably no that it's no shame to be rich if you're a decent person.
Who Mr. Quist is seems relevant to me in assessing the race here. It's nice to play a banjo but you might be in over your head against a self-made billionaire. People in Montana have sense, and it is questionable whether they would vote for a Democrat know nothing. And they also probably no that it's no shame to be rich if you're a decent person.
Quist's opponent made his millions on start-ups that he quickly sold. He has no experience either in the political arena or in successfully running a company. He's a fast-talking salesman who supports expanding coal mining in the state, almost unbelieveable in this day and age, as well as the sale of the state's public land to multimillionaires like himself. And he won't give a straight answer to even the simpliest of questions on things like evolution and climate change. Decent? Hardly. He wouldn't know the truth if it bit him. Montanans know an honest, straight shooter who truly understands the people and issues of Montana just like they recognize an upstart trying to buy his way into the House of Representatives because he's bored and wanta to impose his own religious beliefs on the nation. As Rob Quist recently said, "It shouldn't be a Millionaire's Club. It's the House of Representatives."
6
It would seem, then, that Montana has a choice between two unqualified candidates -- a professional banjo player and a religious fanatic. You'd think that the Times would tell us that the election is already a fiasco.
1
I find it interesting that many people say this race is a long shot for Rob Quist. It is not.
In statewide races, Montana has historically voted for the candidate, not the party. To note: Montana's Democratic governor Steve Bullock (the governor's office has been held by a Democrat for over 12 years), and Democratic Senator Jon Tester (beloved by many Montanans on both sides of the aisle). There has been at least one Democratic Senator for the past 100 years, and usually two.
Rob Quist is a Montana candidate, and Greg Gianforte is not. Gianforte is a transplant and a billionaire—and believe me, these are things that Montanans despise.
The progressive base in Montana is fired up and ready to vote, and donating to Quist. The Democratic Party would do well to invest in this race. To say that there's a better chance elsewhere is giving up too easily. Every. Race. Matters. Take a leaf out of the Republican playbook and win the races thought impossible. This is how we take back the House and Senate.
In statewide races, Montana has historically voted for the candidate, not the party. To note: Montana's Democratic governor Steve Bullock (the governor's office has been held by a Democrat for over 12 years), and Democratic Senator Jon Tester (beloved by many Montanans on both sides of the aisle). There has been at least one Democratic Senator for the past 100 years, and usually two.
Rob Quist is a Montana candidate, and Greg Gianforte is not. Gianforte is a transplant and a billionaire—and believe me, these are things that Montanans despise.
The progressive base in Montana is fired up and ready to vote, and donating to Quist. The Democratic Party would do well to invest in this race. To say that there's a better chance elsewhere is giving up too easily. Every. Race. Matters. Take a leaf out of the Republican playbook and win the races thought impossible. This is how we take back the House and Senate.
147
I agree with this woman. The DMC needs to get totally behind Quist and it WILL pay off.
Remember how Senator Scott Walker was in big trouble in Wisconsin? Did you see the size of the anti Walker crowds on TV? Remember all the story lines about Brownback in Kansas imminent demise after his austerity programs blew up in his face? How about La Page frequent outrageous comments in Maine finally catching up with him? Oh and then there was crazy Senator Rick Scott in Florida finally going down to defeat. How many false narratives can the liberal press create? Until some fool or horror story of a Republican actually loses, these stories fall in the category of wishful thinking.
12
As a Democrat in a blue state that has gotten darker shades of blue recently, I'm worried that the Democratic "smart money" will give Montana a pass too. So far, it's infuriating that the Democratic "smart money" has ceded the GOP control of the federal government and most of the state governments. Now liberal Democrats are woke and ready. If those "smart" leaders don't lead, we will find new ones who actually are smart.
17
Articles like this just depress the heck out of me. I have lived in Georgia now for 22 years and am originally from Massachusetts. When Jon Tester from MT ran for the Senate in 2006 I contributed directly to his campaign. Why, because he made sense to me and thought he had a fair shot at it, and he won. My wife and I campaigned for Howard Dean in 04, you know the candidate with the “50 State Strategy”. Even went to Iowa for the Caucuses. Contributed the max to his campaign, then when he lost to Kerry, I jumped on his campaign. Kerry lost, but Obama won later.
Needed to say the above to try and get the DNC, DCCC, and DSCC off their behinds and fight every single battle. Just look at Rob Quist’s photo, he’s a natural from that neck of the woods. People get disappointed if they don’t win, says Rep Jim Clyburn of SC. And doesn’t think we should spend resources where we don’t have a shot at winning. So how would Rep Clyburn know any more than I do about Ron Quist and MT.? He doesn’t.
50 STATE STRATEGY, 50 STATE STRATEGY……………………..
Needed to say the above to try and get the DNC, DCCC, and DSCC off their behinds and fight every single battle. Just look at Rob Quist’s photo, he’s a natural from that neck of the woods. People get disappointed if they don’t win, says Rep Jim Clyburn of SC. And doesn’t think we should spend resources where we don’t have a shot at winning. So how would Rep Clyburn know any more than I do about Ron Quist and MT.? He doesn’t.
50 STATE STRATEGY, 50 STATE STRATEGY……………………..
36
So many of us want to vote for someone other than a Republican or a Libritarian. Why did the two at the top of the DNC run if they are not going to fight for every house, senate and Govenor race at a minimum.
6
Maybe they can get a Hollywood celebrity to show up. That'll cinch it.
4
The alternative is not to fight? How about we try to get Americans to vote for people actually represent other Americans who are not wealthy.
38
Here's another race to spend $8-10 million on in a futile attempt to show that the Democrats are o the rise. Maybe a better idea would be to spend the money to see why they are losing.
8
"Democratic Base Wants to Fight, Even When It’s Long Shot" says the headline on the home page. How's that for a novel idea?
The Dems need back candidates that keep in touch with their grass roots, and back them ion all 50 states. There are no Democratic states that the Republicans abandon as uncompetitive, they fight all of them, and their voters at least have a functioning party to vote for.
Oh, and get rid of consultants who think they know how to talk to voters.
The Dems need back candidates that keep in touch with their grass roots, and back them ion all 50 states. There are no Democratic states that the Republicans abandon as uncompetitive, they fight all of them, and their voters at least have a functioning party to vote for.
Oh, and get rid of consultants who think they know how to talk to voters.
62
It's about time. Enough ceding ground!
38
As long as Democrats support illegal immigration and resist sensible policies just because they are from Trump, they appear juvenile abettors.
That is why I did not vote for them in the last election, and will continue discouraging them.
(end rant, whew. that feels good.)
That is why I did not vote for them in the last election, and will continue discouraging them.
(end rant, whew. that feels good.)
25
As long as Repubs keep believing trickle down economics actually work (?!?!), taxing the rich is off limits, and healthcare is a privilege, I will continue to view them as money grubbing con men.
That's why I have never voted for one.
(Whew, that felt good). Or am I being too juvenile?
That's why I have never voted for one.
(Whew, that felt good). Or am I being too juvenile?
14
And when the economy is in shambles, people around rounded up by a national police force and only the one percent of the one percent enjoy any opportunity for a decent life, come and tell me how good you feel.
10
"Juvenile?" Now, there's a term that defines Donald Trump, king of temper tantrums and Tweet-storms. And "sensible policies?" What sensible policies? With the exception of bigoted anti-immigration policies (that curiously spare countries where he operates hotels), he's done an about-face on almost all of his campaign promises.
15
The democrat party has sold out to wealthy donors and special interests just like the republicans did. There is little difference that I can see, and I have been a democrat since before I could vote. The biggest failure of the party was to allow Bill Clinton to work with Newt Gingrich, moving to the "center". signing NAFTA, and destroying our social safety nets in the 1990's. The party has stood for little since, allowing unions to be destroyed, public education wrecked, taxes to be slashed for the wealthy, and our health care system compromised.
Workers need a party to represent them; a party that respects wage earners, and is willing to go to battle to fight for them. Right now we have no party for the people. All we have is Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders shouting from the wilderness. Where is the party of the Kennedy's, Hubert Humphrey, and F.D.R.? Where has gone the party of the workers?
We don't need more blather about our moral beliefs. We need help getting good work at a decent wage and healthcare, retirement, and college educations we can afford. Forget the rest for an election or two and do that. Get some money in our pockets.
Workers need a party to represent them; a party that respects wage earners, and is willing to go to battle to fight for them. Right now we have no party for the people. All we have is Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders shouting from the wilderness. Where is the party of the Kennedy's, Hubert Humphrey, and F.D.R.? Where has gone the party of the workers?
We don't need more blather about our moral beliefs. We need help getting good work at a decent wage and healthcare, retirement, and college educations we can afford. Forget the rest for an election or two and do that. Get some money in our pockets.
168
I agree with your assessment of the biggest failure, but I don't agree about the small difference. In NC, it's life and death. Our Republican super-majority has refused to accept the Medicaid expansion even though it would have kept small town hospitals from closing (business/economy) and even though it has caused many people every year to live sicker and die prematurely. Republicans want to take resources away from public schools, down to the lunches that little kids need. What about the environment, don't working class people need clean air and water. Compare the records of Dems and Republicans. They are not the same. Please join up with your county party and push the issues that are important to you. That's how we remake the Democratic Party. The Republicans under the direction of Trump are getting ready to siphon more money to the top. They could care less about money in our pockets.
BINGO!!!!!!
5
Patrick...yes, yes, yes...we get it. The Democratic party of your purest ideal has left you. I know. I feel the same way. But...get over it. Stop complaining about not having an ideal scenario and get behind a Democratic candidate who can win. Pick JUST ONE issue you care the very most about. Think long and hard...is a Democrat or a Republican generally more likely to move the needle (even ever so slightly) in the direction you would prefer. And then...VOTE...based on just that.
5
Why doesn't the Democratic Establishment understand that you can only
improve your "Game" if you get into the game.
Surely the National Democratic Party cannot be so lacking in funds that
they cannot send money to Montana.
Send campaign workers and tell them to listen to what everyone has to say
to them, not just the party loyalists.
If you want to win in 2018, you need to find out what mistakes you are making
- NOW - and eliminate them.
improve your "Game" if you get into the game.
Surely the National Democratic Party cannot be so lacking in funds that
they cannot send money to Montana.
Send campaign workers and tell them to listen to what everyone has to say
to them, not just the party loyalists.
If you want to win in 2018, you need to find out what mistakes you are making
- NOW - and eliminate them.
253
Maybe they don't want to win. My guess is that Democratic donors are getting what they want from Trump and see no need to change control of Congress.
9
Fifty state strategy!
2
EB,
How Conspiracy Theoretical of you !
Sounds like George Wallace's:
"There ain't a dime's bit of difference between the
Democrats and the Republican Parties."
How Conspiracy Theoretical of you !
Sounds like George Wallace's:
"There ain't a dime's bit of difference between the
Democrats and the Republican Parties."
1
Can Jim Clyburn BE any more clueless? He's too old and out of touch and too Establishment. The Democratic Party will die unless they push people like him out of positions of power.
“I don’t know that it makes a lot of sense to spend resources where you don’t have a shot at winning,” Representative Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, the third-ranking House Democrat, said. “People tend to get disappointed.”
Mr. Clyburn noted that few leading Kansas Democrats said they “thought they were headed to a victory” rather than just a “closer than expected” finish."
Meanwhile, James Thompson lost in Kansas by less than 7% points and needed more money. There were plenty of Democratic and Dem leaning voters who didn't get to the polls but who might have with more campaign workers. Do the Democrats want to keep losing? I have to wonder.
“I don’t know that it makes a lot of sense to spend resources where you don’t have a shot at winning,” Representative Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, the third-ranking House Democrat, said. “People tend to get disappointed.”
Mr. Clyburn noted that few leading Kansas Democrats said they “thought they were headed to a victory” rather than just a “closer than expected” finish."
Meanwhile, James Thompson lost in Kansas by less than 7% points and needed more money. There were plenty of Democratic and Dem leaning voters who didn't get to the polls but who might have with more campaign workers. Do the Democrats want to keep losing? I have to wonder.
141
Jim Cleburne proves that are broken clock is right twice a day. He is also;cutely correct.
1
Unfortunately, you have to run the Democratic way or you get no help from the party. This is insanity. At this rate, expect Trump to win a second term easily.
5
You wrote, "Do the Democrats want to keep losing?"
It's abundantly clear, now, in the aftermath of the disastrous 2016 cycle and in the aftermath of Democrats losing almost 1000 state legislative seats since 2008, that current Democratic leadership would rather lose to Republicans than win with progressive Democrats.
If that seems odd, consider this: What happens if progressives win, particularly if they win en masse? Then current leadership, which is very far from progressive, is gone. Not only are they out of leadership, they may be asked not to run or may simply be primaried.
There's no other explanation than the tired old desire to cling to power. These are the Democrats who have been devastated at every level: The presidency, the Senate, the House, and in state legislatures around the country, yet they changed *nothing.*
After Hillary Clinton lost, Democratic leadership didn't even show the integrity the GOP showed in 2012 in frankly addressing the party's shortcomings.
That's a party that has become a wholly owned subsidiary of current Democratic leadership. They would rather hang onto power than bring the party back by abandoning failed pro-corporate, anti-worker, anti-family polices that have enriched Wall Street while devastating Main Street.
Democratic leadership feels it owes millions of Democrats nothing. It puts personal power and privilege ahead of country. In truth, it is willing to see Trump win in 2020 as long as it can hang on to power.
It's abundantly clear, now, in the aftermath of the disastrous 2016 cycle and in the aftermath of Democrats losing almost 1000 state legislative seats since 2008, that current Democratic leadership would rather lose to Republicans than win with progressive Democrats.
If that seems odd, consider this: What happens if progressives win, particularly if they win en masse? Then current leadership, which is very far from progressive, is gone. Not only are they out of leadership, they may be asked not to run or may simply be primaried.
There's no other explanation than the tired old desire to cling to power. These are the Democrats who have been devastated at every level: The presidency, the Senate, the House, and in state legislatures around the country, yet they changed *nothing.*
After Hillary Clinton lost, Democratic leadership didn't even show the integrity the GOP showed in 2012 in frankly addressing the party's shortcomings.
That's a party that has become a wholly owned subsidiary of current Democratic leadership. They would rather hang onto power than bring the party back by abandoning failed pro-corporate, anti-worker, anti-family polices that have enriched Wall Street while devastating Main Street.
Democratic leadership feels it owes millions of Democrats nothing. It puts personal power and privilege ahead of country. In truth, it is willing to see Trump win in 2020 as long as it can hang on to power.
16
Let's make sure we win some elections on our side. Get behind ONE Democratic candidate in each race who has the best chance to win and SUPPORT THAT CANDIDATE! Until we are clear of this mess, please please please no more Green Candidate or other ideologically pure but useless votes. Bernie was a fun thought, but he paved the path for Trump to win.
47
Jein. Yes, we should pick the best candidate to support wholeheartedly. BUT you are confusing Bernie, projected to win with a better margin than Hillary, with Jill Stein, well intentioned, but not able to win any majority.
Bernie did not pave the way to a Trump win, instead, the Dem mainstream support of Hillary, not favored nationally, and blackout of Bernie's successes paved the way for said win. NYTimes was complicit in this blackout also.
I agree with your general thesis, just not the details.
Bernie did not pave the way to a Trump win, instead, the Dem mainstream support of Hillary, not favored nationally, and blackout of Bernie's successes paved the way for said win. NYTimes was complicit in this blackout also.
I agree with your general thesis, just not the details.
9
You're dead-wrong for blaming Bernie. Actually, you should blame Clinton's lame campaign and the weak/corrupt DNC under Debbie Wasserman-Schultz.
16
Yeah, no. Clinton was the Richie Rich loser, Sanders was the people's choice. Keep pushing whatchoo did in the last election: 30 years in the wilderness.
6
I know that there isn't enough money to go around, but Democrats have to fight everywhere, all at once, because we have lost so much of the country. It's clear that people will give up on party if they hear something they like. If the Democratic Party goes back to knocking on doors everywhere, and recommitting to every kind of little guy, we'll start winning in all kinds of places. That's what Trump proved - most people are not committed to any particular set of ideological rules. Now's the time, let's go for it.
97
Montana has one house seat. Talk about powerless. At least their Senators have the same power as all the other states.
10
A total of three electoral college votes for about a million people, that is better than what New York, or California gets per person.
8
Quist is an attractive candidate and a true Montanan. People in Montana are down to earth. Osseff was too bureaucratic - his sentences were too long and hard to understand. Democrats shoujld lean how to talk straight and think about just addressing the working man and woman - what do they care about.
The other senator in Montana is a Democrat - Jon Meachem or something like that. He's a guns and pro=life Democrat. That's OK. Democrats need to broaden their horizon's and not have so many litmus tests.
The other senator in Montana is a Democrat - Jon Meachem or something like that. He's a guns and pro=life Democrat. That's OK. Democrats need to broaden their horizon's and not have so many litmus tests.
14
No. Quist is a joke. Gianforte is worse. Both represent what is wrong with Montana. Quist is what Montanans imagine themselves to be--folksy, quaint, independent, a "real Montanan"--whatever that means. Quist is the choice of retired holdover hippie liberals in Bozeman and Missoula--basically, the New York yoga instructor population. He embodies a myth Montanans want to believe about themselves. Gianforte is a rich Easterner who moved here for "the good life" that is lived by other millionaires from out-of state who live here and have no real idea what the issues are, but he throws around some photos of him hunting and talks about Montana heritage. Either way, we will be embarrassed in the House by one of these two ridiculous characters. But we've already been embarrassed by Zinke and his ridiculous affectations of being a Montana cowboy, so what's a little more?
The Democrat from Montana in the Senate is Jon Tester.
Jon Ossoff did well in a district that hasn't elected a Democrat to congress since the 1970s; he now has a shot at winning a run-off in June against a Republican candidate with a history of losing elections.
3
"Now the left wants to go for broke."
I await theTimes coherent definition of "left" in this and many sentences.
As with a coherent definition of "populism" now used thoughtlessly at the Times I will wait forever.
I understand the business need to do a both sides do it, The Times is important, turning every modern matter that matters into the trolling excitement of another horse race and how deeply embedded the Times is with the incompetent D.C. Elite grifters.
But that is not a coherent definition. That is but a business model for a post truth newspaper with its post truth reporters and analyzers. A lousy business model but there you go.
Rightly outraged and fearful for the republic Americans of all types reduced to the mindless left. Populist.
Shameless. Lazy. Corrupt as in corrupted information.
I await theTimes coherent definition of "left" in this and many sentences.
As with a coherent definition of "populism" now used thoughtlessly at the Times I will wait forever.
I understand the business need to do a both sides do it, The Times is important, turning every modern matter that matters into the trolling excitement of another horse race and how deeply embedded the Times is with the incompetent D.C. Elite grifters.
But that is not a coherent definition. That is but a business model for a post truth newspaper with its post truth reporters and analyzers. A lousy business model but there you go.
Rightly outraged and fearful for the republic Americans of all types reduced to the mindless left. Populist.
Shameless. Lazy. Corrupt as in corrupted information.
11
Thought-provoking observations. Thank you.
I certainly agree.
Hate to say it, but the Dems certainly no longer represent the average working class citizen. I've always voted Democratic but these corporate shills no longer represent me. They seem only interested in legalizing the illegals.
55
Corporate shills, as you say, exist in both parties. But from the looks of our so-called president's cabinet, more exist there than prior cabinets. We also see what he's implemented in the first 100 days, and it certainly hasn't favored us average folks. I see more job elimination than creation. He's focused on creating wealth, which time and time again has proven to not create jobs - it only creates more disparity.
Both parties need to represent the average. I anticipate the Dems are getting it together and we'll see some action. I can only hope.
Both parties need to represent the average. I anticipate the Dems are getting it together and we'll see some action. I can only hope.
6
So, vouchering Medicare and privatizing social security represents whom, exactly?
11
So Nancy, what are you going to do? You think the Republican's represent you better? If so, fine...withhold your vote. If not...get over it and VOTE for a Democrat who can win.
5
Whose bright idea was it to allow a smarmy 30 YO know-nothing to be the Great White Hope in a district that is primed for change? Handel will mop the floor with this guy.