After re-listening to the comments by DeSantis, there is no doubt he articulates the word 'monkeyed' with special emphasis.
5
The democrats are falling for the Trump tripe. It's like playing in the mud with pigs. You both get dirty, but the pigs love it.
Supporting far left, out of the mainstream candidates, is unnecessary to combat Trump's scorched earth tactics.
To dethrone Trump, and his ilk, we need rational centrists, not zealots. Bernie and his progeny begot Trump. Let's not compound the problem by having to choose between far left and far right. Each is a disaster.
6
DeSantis' claim that he was not dog-whistling is weakened by the fact that he was reading from a script and that "monkey up" is, as far as I can tell, a coinage of his. I have never read of or heard anyone say it.
By the way, why are their headlines along the lines of "Black Progressive vs Trump Supporter"? Why is only the Democrat's ethnicity mentioned? Are we to assume that "Trump Supporter" = white nationalist?
6
I just don't understand why so very many conservative candidates, pundits and politicians seem so incapable of expressing themselves without "accidentally" including some racist or bigoted rhetoric/reference. There is a constant claim that conservatives are being "misunderstood" or "mischaracterized," but there is just such a mountain of examples... I mean, even most recently, how is it that the FIRST reference to monkeys I have heard in this emerging election season just happens to have come from a conservative candidate urging people not to support the first black candidate for FL Governor?
And as always, there's the broader question. Why is the Republican Party incapable of making themselves unattractive to white supremacists and hate groups? It might be one thing for the GOP to claim liberals just call them racist for political reasons. It's much harder for conservatives to explain why the KKK, Nazis and Confederates are so enthusiastic about Republican leadership. Hate groups seem to interpret a lot of conservative rhetoric in the same way as liberals. The only difference is that hate groups actually LIKE racist/bigoted undertones in their leaders.
The Democratic Party once had a similar problem, but they found a way to exorcise themselves of those demons. Why can't the GOP do the same?
6
It's not always about race. Or Trump. Mr. Gillum defeated someone in the Democratic primary who was planning to build a shopping center in the Everglades and had taken money from Big Sugar. Mr. DeSantis defeated a known friend of Big Sugar. Down here it's about WATER. And all the pollution that is being dumped on South Florida. Check it out.
6
No Trump supporter here either, but neither of Identity politics that only divides the country into narcissistic segments.
4
At the end of the day most people want to feel safe in their own homes and on the street and ethnicity etc doesn't come into it unless for descriptive reasons and statistics purposes so the government can put more funding into areas if certain ethnicities etc are in crime statistics. It's not a race or religion issue; it's a behaviour issue and you're all one nation and one people. Illegal immigration causes governments problems as that's money that is being spent by government on all the illegals that should be spent on fixing USA problems first. Better education, welfare, housing, and protection for vulnerable legal USA citizens. Immigration laws are there for a reason and that reason is to protect the legal citizens and nations infrastructure from being overburdened and overtaxed by the stresses other nations illegals throw at communities and citizens as well. White people have rights too.
5
There is nothing absurd about GOP politicians and their continued southern strategy, it is shameful and then they lie about it.
4
You seem to be pushing the notion that unless you are white, male, and racist, that you cannot support a Republican party candidate. I understand your editorial point of view, but I reject its premise.
I am an Independent and support no-labels.org rather than petty partisan politics, but due to Florida's primary laws, I register as a Republican.
I am very disappointed at the outcome of Tuesday's election - as candidates from both parties seem to represent extreme positions. The majority of Floridians will not be represented in November's election. Voters will have to decide who is the best of the two candidates and hope for the best.
3
In order to win Gillum should immediately, distance himself from Sanders and his comments about ICE. He should talk about strengthening Social Security and health care. When talking about health care he should use the word "affordable" and not talk about expanding Medicare. He won the nomination, but now he has to win over the swing voters. They're a different animal. Time to drive for the middle, if he wants to win. Don't bother listening to the left, you've already got them in your pocket.
2
Oh, how wonderful we are: open-minded, compassionate, and certain. The hypocrisy and hyperbole are all on the other side.
4
Finally! The diversification of politics by gender and race is long overdue. America is defined by its lack of reconciliation in gender and race, and this will only be rectified by a more inclusive sharing of power. The nation must come to terms with the collapsing demographic order of white-male domination. (I am, by the way, a white male, and an old geezer at that.)
2
I listened to a video of DeSantis and distinctly heard that he said "voters should not monkey this up”, not that Mr. Gillum would monkey this up.
I'm not excusing DeSantis, just pointing out that you heard wrong. Another NYT journalist heard and quoted correctly and reported in another article.
We mustn't provide grist for the Republican mill, n'est-ce pas? :-)
4
I am baffled by the shock the NY Times opinion writers have shown over Andrew Gillum's primary win. Good for him. I'd vote for him. And that's the point. Democratic leaders and you, NYTimes, are so out of touch with real voters, that you stlll tread the 'moderation-don't rock the boat' treadmill.
People are fed up. The progressives are going to win big, no matter how hard you and the big money ensconced Democratic leaders try to keep them out.
6
I sure hope the Democrats don’t blow it again. We have real problems in this country and we need people in government with well thought out policies to address these problems. To get down to the nitty gritty, NOBODY REALLY CARES if a candidate used the word “monkey” stupidly or what gender/race etc the candidate is if the candidate otherwise has relevant, well thought out proposals that address the problems most urgent to the electorate today!
I would advise the Democrats to abandon its fixation on identity politics (a sure loser) and come up with realistic solutions ( and give specific details where possible) for the major problems concerning our citizens and our country most urgently today!
Please stop making mountains out of mole hills! We have real mountains confronting all of us that need to be dealt with. Come up with realistic solutions and by god you’ll win elections!!
7
De Santis was directing his comment (“...monkey...”) to his base. He knows it will frame things in ways that will motivate those who voted for Trump, and come to support him in November.
6
Full disclosure... I am an old white guy. In years past I would not have described myself as a liberal... I'd have probably said I was "middle of the road." But it Trump and his supporters are what defines a conservative these days... Call me a liberal... Heck, call me a socialist.
I believe the next two elections will constitute a historical watershed in American politics. The Trumpish Republican party is betting they can hold back the demographic trend that will eventually lead to "whites" merely being the largest minority in this country. And they are doing so using every means, fair and foul, at their disposal.
I think they will lose that bet and I think the Republican party will have so damaged its "brand" by what they are now doing that they may never play a role in national politics again.
In 2 months and 6 days, we'll start to see clearly which direction this country is going to go. Fingers crossed it will be the way I want it to go. :)
7
Re: Peter Wehner -
“Some of these sentiments were beginning to percolate, but it was the task of political leadership to keep the ugliest elements in check,” Mr. Wehner said, offering a damning conclusion about Republicans today versus then: “It was a very different party.”
No, it's always been the same party in modern times since Nixon's Southern Strategy. Keeping the ugliest elements in check makes you wonder why party "leaders" even bothered. Why not just make your own free-market, economically liberal party and leave the ugliest elements to remain in their own nativist reactionary party.
Instead Republicans like Mr. Wehner made their deal with the devil. In order to move their policy agenda forward, they had to appease, not keep in check, their nativist base.
I know Mr. Wehner is sincere in his critique the party but I hope that Republicans like him can reflect on the years they had to pinch noses to avoid the stench from appealing to their party's base while they sought to win elections.
2
Thinking back to Adlai Stevenson and George McGovern, nominating "progressive" candidates who stand no chance of winning, instead of, say, left of center moderates, is making your point the hard way. It's also how a minority party controls two (soon to be three) branches of the federal government and the majority of governorships and state legislatures, thus freeing it to complete its program of creating a society where the majority is permanently suppressed.
1
11/18 and 11/20 will be major tests for our nation. Will our deeds, on balance, continue to diverge from our purported values and aspirations or is this just a temporary aberration. We have passed similar tests before but the outcome seems more uncertain this time. All we can do is nominate good people and work hard for them. It looks like we are doing exactly that.
2
Sorry, but many use the term 'stop monkeying around' or 'don't monkey this up' in reference to the known antics of monkeys. The term is NOT a dog whistle unless you are looking for one. If looking, everything is a dog whistle. Really tired of the identity politics used by the far left. There are some good candidates that are running - Dem and Rep. Stop turning this election into a 'diversity' movement. What we want are representatives that have the ability to keep their promise, without promising freebies. We need a populous that is built on responsibility, and that includes our representatives. I do NOT care what color, sexual orientation, gender, religion, or ethnicity the candidate is or isn't. What do they intend to do? What are their policies and HOW would they move to enact and pay for them?
17
@Ma
Yes, lots of people use the term 'monkeying around', but most people with common sense and even vague knowledge of racial epithets wouldn't use the term 'monkeying up' as it relates to their political opponent who is a black man.
I have no doubt that DeSantis purposefully chose that phrase. But if he didn't, he should still be excoriated simply for being utterly ignorant of the society around him that he hopes to govern.
8
I’m 78 y o, moderately well educated, traveled and read:
I have never heard the expression “monkey this up” Ever. Monkey around, monkey business yes. Maybe it’s a Southern thing.
And combined with “articulate “, which I learned 20 yrs ago when expressed to a black person shows ignorance or clumsy whistling to the Klan.
4
Oh please, read up on the origin of the Southern Strategy. Of course there are dog whistles and the biggest tooter is trump. His base hears them loud and clear. DeNile is not just a river in Egypt.
4
This article should be read in tandem with Tom Edsall’s column today. It is all about how fears of an America that is no longer majority white in racial makeup is driving political calculations now.
Look no further than the current Republican Party. Its entire reason for being is to preserve white privilege, no matter what it takes. Trump personifies this attitude, as do his lackeys and sycophants in Congress.
We have not had a political party this extreme, and this focused on race, since the Know Nothings of the 1850s or, more recently, the German-American Bund, a Nazi Party plant, prior to WWII.
They are succeeding. You’d be a fool to not see the threat to our nation.
7
Calling the comment “monkey this up” in this context racist is bizarre and frankly dusionally paranoid if honest and evil if not. Should I consider voting democrats back into power if they persecute people for ordinary metaphorical English, knowing that someone will be coming after me next? This is nasty stuff. The accusation of racism is an accusation of a crime that no white person can effectively defend against at this time.
10
I would have accepted the explanation of Mr. DeSantis if he had actually apologized. He should have known the racially charged nature of 'monkey,' and if he didn't, he should have inquired about it when he got the outraged reaction. The fact that he didn't acknowledge the vicious history of that racist epithet is an act of racism in itself. Mr. DeSantis follows the Trump doctrine of never apologize no matter how offensive the behavior.
10
Yes, let's not forget the grace and kindness that the Democrats showed in embracing Clarence Thomas and Ben Carson.
11
Can you point to one instance where a Democratic politician used or implied a racist epithet to impugn Thomas or Carson? I didn't think so.
3
A proud, and yes, angry progressive here.
But can we please stop handing the GOP ready made sound bites by saying things like 'Abolish ICE'? I strongly support Ocasio-Cortez, but ICE actually does serve valuable purposes other than being misused to trample human rights and separate law-abiding families. Ferreting out illegal drug shipments and investigating human trafficking rings are but two examples.
4
Now the rocks have been overturned
May we now throw them all off a cliff into a raging sea to drown forever
4
This actually started under President Obama, where anyone criticizing his policies was by definition a racist.
The draw to Trump is simply a pushback against the overarching political correctness of the Obama years.
9
Important distinction: Not every criticism of Obama was racist. But there were plenty of criticisms that were well couched if not solely based on racism
1
The New York Times is being much too modest. The Times deserves as much credit for making racial and ethnic issues and conflicts paramount in the November elections as the vile Republicans. The first and last paragraphs of this article make that point. Every Democratic nominee is defined by their race, sex, religious affiliation, or gender identity. Every Democratic nominee is assigned a badge that emphasizes their qualifications for office. On the other hand, Republicans have only one identifying characteristic - they are all white [supremacists]. So, c'mon, Times. Don't let Trump and the Deplorables steal the spotlight. Take a much deserved bow.
8
Let me make something clear. The corporate Democrats and the progressive Democrats or socialist Democrats if you will, represent a huge schism in the Democratic party. It is those who take legal bribes and do their donors bidding and those who will not take dark money and want to serve not only those who vote for them, but all the people. Corrupted candidates and non corrupted candidates. Hmm which do you choose? The corrupt Democrats are spitting mad that progressives are winning. They do not care if you are black, white, transgender, gay, lesbian Muslim or anything else as long as you follow and are dictated by the party line, which is to enrich yourself from serving the one percent and big business at the expense of the working class. I can assure you Nancy and Chuck and Tom do not support Gillum, because he is part of the group that wants money out of politics and will take away the power of the corrupt Democrats. So this diverse set of Democratic candidates you see is only diverse in policies. The true and honest candidates who will work for the people and the elite bought ones , hoping they can fool the people again on promises they will never keep, throw a few crumbs and carry on with their elite lives. Your Choice. This is why Trump won. The populist campaign works only of course he meant none of it.
5
The GOP had its chance.
The 2012 Autopsy of Mitt's demise demanded a bigger, kinder, more inclusive tent in order to survive America's rapidly changing demographics.
But by 2016 the old white men in charge of the GOP -- a true deep state if ever one existed -- decided that sacrificing power was for suckers. Nope. Better to just entrench themselves and take what power and money they could by hook or by crook.
They didn't go willingly, but by the time Trump conned his way to the top they chose to all fall in line.
The main question remains:
How long can they hold power through their longish-term tactics of buying up local governments, destroying DC from within, filling the courts with partisan hacks, gerrymandering and other voter suppressions, dividing and conquering while ignoring real-world issues such as climate change, healthcare and infrastructure; and selling it all through their propaganda machines both here and abroad?
4
Not one blurb about Chuck Schumer fast tracking 15 of Trumps lifetime judge picks because he didn't want to stay in Washington during labor day. Now there's a resistance for you.
4
The day I hear a white man described as "articulate" is the day I'll stop hearing it as a "compliment" with a strong racist component.
4
Can we step back for a moment and think about what happened in Florida
1) Senator Nelson, supported by US Intel agencies, states the Russians are into the Florida election system.
2) Gillum, very liberal and therefore less appealing to the general Florida electorate, comes out of nowhere to victory.
3) DeSantis surges ahead to victory on the back of a trump endorsement.
4) Florida does not employ a paper ballot back-up system.
I don't want to sound paranoid here (though maybe I am) but isn't this result exactly what the Russians would do, had they the means and opportunity?
1
This is how I understand it. The party that controls the White House, both chambers of Congress, and soon the Supreme Court is complaining that the party out of power is playing the race and gender card. Not to mention the chief champion has consistently disparaged women and minorities.
Sounds more like the GOP is trying to sell me a bridge in Brooklyn.
4
"Peter Wehner, a former aide to President George W. Bush, noted how different the tone was under leaders like Mr. Bush and his onetime rival John McCain, the Arizona senator who died last week." Really? In Bush's crucial South Carolina primary after having lost to McCain in New Hampshire, there were ads accessing McCain of having fathered a non-white child. The Bush campaign denied any connection to the ads but it's and his response were more pro forma like and unlike McCain's direct, forceful, unequivocal, real time response to the woman who questioned Obama background.
And who can forget the G.H.W. Bush's 'Willie Horton' ads-need I say more- crafted by the late Roger Ailes, which ran repeatedly and were clearly done with Bush's consent.
3
In listing candidates of diverse backgrounds, you failed to mention one very important candiate; Deb Haaland, member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe, candidate for Congress in New Mexico's 1st district. Assuming she wins, she will be the first Native woman to serve in Congress. She shares many of her colleagues progressive values. In addition she brings attention to the sacrilege being committed by oil companies drilling on sacred lands and the plight of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. The issues are often overlooked by progressives.
4
White fear is a major part of Trump's popularity. Racial slurs are as old as the republic. DeSantis' statement is a reckless effort to polarize the electorate. This shows the laziness of person like DeSantis. Why should he run a real campaign when he can depend on the dumb racism of his white supporters.
5
The Democratic Party is embracing a future driven by ideas, morality, science and vibrance. Conversely, the Republican Party has expended all of its dwindling supply of energy scrambling in a manic dash backwards toward the mirage of an imaginary yesterday. Regardless of what happens in November, the writing is on the demographic wall. Millennials and GenX’ers lean ever increasingly left as generations pass. If more of them showed up consistently to vote, GOP power would have been relegated to the last century by now. The relentless march of time will ensure that history soon catches up with it.
7
@AndyW
(Most) Children eventually grow up and put away childish things, like obsessions with identity and flirtations with socialism.
As immigrants become Americans and start paying taxes rather than consuming them, they become increasingly Republican. They remember that they came to the US for freedom and opportunity, not guarantees and handouts.
The only folks left in the Democratic Party will be folks who never outgrew their Che berets.
The future is bright. And it is Republican.
7
Sorry, but study after study shows political views are locked in for most as young adults. Moving from liberal to conservative as people age is a hopeful myth of the right. The reverse also seldom happens. The left leaning percentage of each younger generation is far more pronounced today than it was in the baby boomer sixties and fifties. Though film of hippies and protests dominates documentary footage, nearly half of all boomers were still growing up holding fairly conservative beliefs. Their multicultural embracing, single-parent, tech-savvy kids, not so much. Trumpism itself is a sociopolitical anomaly who’s prevalence will die off with those of us over sixty.
3
You know what I love? Flustered Republicans trying to deny the obvious undercurrent of racism that is driving the current incarnation of their party, while screaming that Democrats are only concerned about identity politics. The actual Democratic candidates aren't out there running on identity; they're running on healthcare and economic inequality.
7
Tell that to Ms Sanders
The Bots are out today, excusing and supporting DeSantis! There is a clear choice in November:
1. Vote for the party of inclusion, Justice e for all, compassion (healthcare is compassionate ) and equality for ALL.
OR
2. Vote for the party whose political strategy is and has been, fear, lies, hate and division! The GOP is the party of old white men, hellbent on keeping their power.
Vote on November 6, our nation must reject the politics of hate, fear and division!
We, are better than this America!
8
@Mari
"Vote for the party whose political strategy is and has been, fear, lies, hate and division!"
That exactly defines the democrat party, so yes I will vote against the party who's political strategy is and has been - fear, lies, hate, and division.
3
Both Gillum and Stacy Abrams in Georgia would be candidates worth listening to if they were both white males. I guess it helps get their names known and their campaign messages out that the news media are fixated on their race and gender instead of their legislative and policy agendas. Media give them a platform and a microphone because of their race and gender and the "historic first" of their nominations and potential elections. If that helps get these two elected, I'm all for it.
2
I am a white female baby boomer. Andrew Gillum wants to do the things I want done politically. I wish I could vote for him. People of color on ballots in November seem to want the same things I want. I just hope that having candidates who represent the things that most of want means that voter turnout will be greater in November. The more people motivated to get out and vote, the better all of us will be. Even Pluribus Unum - Out of many - One. We really are all in this together.
8
Neo know-nothings like De Santis are, unhappily, common weeds that crop up from time to time on the American political landscape.
Before tooting partisan, race-baiting dog whistles again, De Santis would do well to remember the ethnic & cultural baggage he carries, especially with regarding the Johnson-Reed Act of 1924. For as the Spanish-American thinker George Santayana tellingly remarked:
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
7
Harvard and Yale,
please consider yanking his diplomas on the grounds of exhibiting bad character.
3
Trump is calling for violence if the dems win. Sounds like he's panicking to me. Keep up the good work Dems!
NYT: please start talking about the progressive AGENDAS, not only the racist slants too otherwise you might as well donate to the republicans.
16
In many ways we are seeing that the Civil War is the longest running war in world history - and continues undaunted. Though the arms and uniforms have changed, this country is still trapped in the past ideologically due to the manner in which Lincoln chose to not punish the leaders of the confederate cause but merely allow them to lick their wounds and return home. There should be no monuments honoring the confederacy, but there are, some located in this nations capitol. As opposed to being condemned as “domestic terrorists”, Lincoln’s failure to drive a stake through the confederate heart has many in this country deeming them “freedom fighters” worthy of honor. So here we are, 150 years later attempting to correct Lincoln’s oversight. This November will be pivotal to the future and direction of this country. It’s my sincere hope that the worthy minorities and woman on the Democratic ballots are victorious.
5
We increasingly, and sadly, have 2 very well-delineated major parties in our country. One that looks much like the country itself as it exists today: racially, ethnically, and religiously diverse, with a wide array of people of differing races, genders, and orientations politically involved. And the other party, which looks increasingly like a large gang of angry, scared, fulminating white people.
That other party, the one that is made up 90%+ by people of one race, has also become increasingly welcoming to adherents of a race-based nationalism and xenophobic fear-mongers of all sorts. It constantly seeks to deny the role race plays in its politics, but it has taken the lead in a nationwide campaign to suppress the voting impact of non-white citizens through obvious gerrymandering, capriciously harsh voter ID laws, reduction of polling places and voting hours in minority areas, and a fear-mongering campaign loudly pursuing, and ginning up evidence for, provably false claims of large-scale minority "voter fraud".
5
Our "progressives" really have no choice but to focus on identity politics, it's the only thing they have. Their ideas are deeply unpopular, and simply don't work. Therefore they must try and scare minorities into believing conservatives are all racist. Minorities sufferer the most from "progressive" socialist ideas, and have the most to gain from conservative policies, just see their success under Trump. The "progressives" must obscure this objective fact the most they can.
3
Yes, by all means let's keep funneling money upwards. Our kids don't need trivial things like a good education or food security. The oligarchs need more yachts; just think of all the yacht-building jobs
9
@Angry providing our children a good education and making sure there is food on the table for them is our job as parents by holding down jobs.
4
@Nonna And when a full time job (if you're lucky enough to get 40 hours) is barely enough to support a child for millions of people across America and public schools have been starved of funding through tax cuts, what then? There are gross structurally and economic disadvantages baked into the present American system. Simply telling the poor to pull their bootstraps up a little bit more didn't work when Reagan was president, and it's less likely to work now
2
Of course any white republican, or possibly other republican minorities cry absurdity when criticized about their blunt racism.
7
Ron DeSantis ALSO was one of the moderators of a FB group of racists that has 97,000 members and is called Tea Party. Kelli Ward was also a member. I just read about this and hope the NY Times picks it up. I think it's important.
5
Diverse? The Dems are running socialists of all races, sexes, and ethnicities. They’re not the least bit “diverse”; they all passionately believe in expanding the size, scope, and expense of government, and loathe freedom.
In FL, the Dem is making naked appeals for voting based on skin color; he’s not the least bit ashamed of it. Any Republican who did the reciprocal would be pilloried (properly) as a racist. If it’s racist to troll for “white” votes, it’s just as racist to troll for “black” and “brown” votes.
The left makes no effort whatsoever to “tread lightly” around racial issues: they plunge in with both feet. Their group-think Narrative expressly advocates for racial/ethnic solidarity among “minorities”. Other than the envy which underlies all socialism, what does the left have to offer except identity? Leftists are unabashed in their advocacy for group-based voting.
Unless it’s “white” people doing it. Then, it’s “racist”. But since leftists have rewritten the dictionary – “minorities” CAN’T be racist – when the left openly embraces precisely the same policies, that presents no problem. (The NYT knows all about that, with the hiring of an unabashed racist who would have been reviled if she said the same things about Blacks that she said about “whites”.)
In short, back in the 1950s, the Dems were obsessed with race, and openly advocated for racist voting. They still do.
8
If Mr. DeSantis's comment was intended to be insulting he is too racist to be governor. If this was not his intention he is too stupid to be governor.
19
The GOP has decided to go for the Klan vote and are quite satisfied with the results so far. What we as a nation have to do is decide whether or not we wish to become Nazi's and a pawn for Russia.
8
Admit it; Republicanism is now the party of Racism; greed and winning at all costs. Vote out Republicans to create jobs; save healthcare and a living wage. Ray Sipe
10
It's easy to be a republican; you only have to remember a couple of things. First, every problem is caused by a gay or lesbian, Mexican, African-American, Muslim or woman. If you look at their election rhetoric, much of it is based on the above theorem.
What's the second? Too much book learning dims your shooting eye.
12
The fundamental practice of racists beyond racism itself is its denial. In the past, as with Woodrow Wilson, it needn't be masked. Today necessitates ever so slightly subtler neon lights.
Desantis speaks of his opponent "monkey" candidate's "better performance" and his Republican machine follows up with the clarification that "he was obviously talking about his "intelligent socialist policies....To characterize it as anything else is absurd".
Got it, America and Floridians?
To portray what Desantis and his Florida GOP organization have just said otherwise is absurd, implying those inclined to such obvious stupidity (how about a blast from the past bromide : reverse racist) need enlightenment.
It's impressive that Andrew Gillum doesn't take the bait, that he retorts with his belief that there's enough fundamental good within his state's voters to warrant staying focused on their and Florida's greater needs. He'd rather implicate his opponent merely for being a reflection of his enabler, Donald and all that implies.
Hillary never quite got the balancing act right. It's been awhile since Democrats beyond Berny Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, while under the big lights, have so refreshingly maintained disciplined aggression in a significant campaign.
5
This article grasps at too many straws to make its point. The anti-Stacey Abrams 'tapdancing' ad is racist because of Sammy Davis, Jr.? Really? 'Tapdancing' is a universally used idiom to describe someone trying to avoid an issue regardless of who they are. Trying to link Democrats to the calls to abolish ICE is racist? If I'm in a race with someone who stands behind a goofy notion of eliminating a government security department without a reasoned argument for its replacement, you bet I'm going to make an issue of it! President Trump's insults directed at black people who "take him on" has a racial subtext? President Trump insults everyone who attacks him, without regard to race, gender or creed, using the most juvenile of expressions; no subtext needed! Trump is Trump. What this article is really indicative of, is the ongoing attempt by the mainstream press to suggest that any criticism of its favored minority or women candidates is racist, or sexist, and oppressive, and therefore out of bounds, and also the inability of many of the 'Times' writers to see anything except through a racial lens.
5
Democrats apparent embrace of extreme and unqualified candidates has the appearance of the cartoon of the chap walking out on the limb of a giant tree and cutting the limb off with a chain saw. It must signify that Democrats are running out of real meaningful options for radical liberal reform. May find out that those unqualified persons are doomed to fail / lose ... which would be for the betterment of the country and people. Diversity in thought in one thing, stupidity in electing political leaders to run the country is entirely different thing.
3
Donald Trump is president. Doesn't get much more extreme or unqualified
1
In an interesting role reversal, white folks who used to decry “identity politics” now embrace it and it’s grievance fueled antics.
6
Just because there has been a bit of 'change' does NOT mean that it's all good. Plus, the USA is still majority rule.
2
Not for long dog whistler!
2
REALITY - the human population here on our home planet IS diverse.
why is it a newsworthy story that the country that claims to welcome everyone, and has for it's entire history, has diversity on the ballot for this year's election?
1
Since the Presidential election of 1964 the Republican Party has been the party of, by and for the white Judeo-Christian European American majority. From 2008-2016 the Republican Party Presidential candidate won 55%, 59 % and 58 % of the white American voting majority. Trump won a majority of every white demographic in 2016, including 62% of white men and 54 % of white women.
Since 1964 the Democratic Party has been the party of, by and for a minority of the white Judeo-Christian European Americans and a majority of every other kind of American.
Jesus Christ was a left-wing socialist community human civil rights organizer. See Matthew 25: 31-46. While Lucifer was a right-wing fascist nationalist corrupt crony capitalist corporate plutocrat oligarch welfare organized crime king big.
MAGA means make America white again. Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu and Vladimir Putin are part of a malign axis of white supremacist world evil.
7
Tap-dancing minstrels? Claiming your African American opponent will "monkey" things up? Racism in the Republican Party is not a bug, it's a feature. We need to send these creeps packing this November.
17
“Democrats have been known to MONKEY around with elections," Barack Obama Sep 4, 2008
Obama must be a deplorable too!
6
@Ray
Think you got' em Ray? Like anyone's going to believe both mean the same thing using the term "monkey around"?
or when people like McCain. Obama. Reagan, and Biden vs. Donald say. "My fellow Americans"?
6
The battle lines are being drawn; come November the choices could not be clearer. As for November and the American people; the BUCK STOPS HERE. For two years I have been hearing that Donald Trump does not speak for the Majority of the America people. The polls consistently back that up. However we are now approaching the approaching the acid test. If the U.S. is NOT the racist, misogynist, and Oligarch society that has supported Trump come HELL or high water for 2 years now; it will soon be time to put up or shut up. The world cannot wait for Americans to sort all this out for years to come. China for one is taking full advantage of the Trump circus to make inroads around the world in becoming the new #1 powerhouse of stability. While your traditional allies are hoping and praying this dysfunctional administration will soon be toast; you are looking weaker every day. Stop the insanity on Nov.6; the choice is obviously uo to you.
6
Another example of race-baiting.
Any criticism of a candidate who happened to be black is "racist", according to the partisan ideologues who are earning their sallaries under the NYT roodf.
5
There îs the concern that the Democratic Party strategy is to have Andrew Gillum endorse a very progressive agenda during the primary and then as we have witnessed over the years, return to the centrist, corporate backed middle ground for the general. And, if elected, govern as a corporate Democrat and continue with the same destructive neoliberal policies. Senator Bernie Sanders called to congratulate Andrew Gillum, but so did Hillary Clinton which I don't trust. I really want to believe that Gillum is getting the masses of disenfranchised working class voters to the polls because he really is on their side and not on the side of the Clinton machine that has destroyed the Democratic Party. We shall see.
3
We may be witnessing a peaceful (hopefully)
Florida version of the civil war and many states could join in as well.
Thank you Trump.
1
Monkey is a word derogatory to Blacks? How about the word monkeying around as in telling children to "stop monkeying around"--a phrase used by mother's of all color. Is that also derogatory to blacks? I'm an immigrant--maybe I need a refresher course in derogatory English words never to use. Such a sad state of affairs.
3
@Nonna
Are we really going to have to explain how words have different meanings in differing context? Teacher cover that generally prior to third grade.
Nanna, look up the word "run". Last I recall there were eighteen distinctive meanings in its use dependent on circumstance.
5
@Ben Brice You are right there are many different uses and meanings for words depending on how they are used in a sentence. Learning the meanings of words and context continues way beyond third grade. And by the way it is Nonna NOT
Nanna.
2
Woodrow Wilson, who proudly broadcast the epic KKK & lynching Birth of a Nation D.W. Griffith film from within the White House, was America's last comfortably peek-a-boo racist POTUS prior to Donald.
Flipping ahead, we're baked in alternate camps relative to contemporary manifestations of racism. It's no longer so "useful" to declare our nation's soon to be confirmed illegitimate POTUS a racist. Many Americans still don't even know what racism means, sanctions and implies, so conveniently cannot possibly come to grips with it means says about them, their president and our nation.
To recognize Donald as legitimate President of the United States, as our nation's president is to sanction all that facilitates how he got there, what he has done and that for which he stands. It would require we legitimize fundamentalist misogyny, racism as well as all forms of intervention threatening our electoral system and constitutional functionality.
A massive number within our people don't understand what it means to support Donald within their daily lives. An overwhelming majority of those same people simultaneously don't get what it implies in such a world to comfortably call themselves Republican.
2
It is the NYTimes and other "Progressive" media outlets that are causing the racial divide that was started under Obama to continue. Ever since Obama had the so called "Beer Summit" the US has been teetering on racial disharmony. The Democratic Party is so desperate to have an issue, any issue because they have none, they have stoked this as an issue, it is not. The economy is great, unemployment is low and the quality of life is improving for the minority communities. What issues do the Dem's have left, hence the "Race Card".
6
Small wonder the NYT comes out telling it’s readers socialism is the way forward,look at all the successes achieved by other countries that have embraced the idea.A great way to destroy the USA but hopefully the voters are smart enough not to fall for the hype.
2
I am anti-Trump, anti-racism, and I quit the GOP years ago. But this article, and especially its headline, is almost a paid ad.
The headline and home-page kicker text may as well have read "Democrats Good, Republicans Bad, Many Say."
On neither page has the NYT even bothered with its traditional dodge of labeling a stealth editorial as "News Analysis."
5
DE Santis did not refer to Gillum with his "monkey up" comment.
He specifically referred to liberal policies in general which would include Mario Cuomo and Adam Schiff and all the others.
2
Can you please replace the term"racial anxieties" with what it really is - racist beliefs?
5
Is the Gray Lady now putting op-ed pieces above the fold.. looks like the wheels are coming off ?
4
Given that we currently have the most inarticulate president ever, I'd say being called articulate is a good thing...
3
"Racial anxieties and resentment."
Enough with the polite alternative formulations. It's called racism. Say it.
7
Ahh, the subtleties of implicit bias.
You see, Ron, even as I give you the courtesy of accepting that you meant no racial slur by "monkey" something up (regardless of what I suspect), I still have to wonder if you would have chosen that particular turn of phrase if the subject had been a white man.
Implicit bias affects the ways we look at things, and how we speak to and about certain peoples, in ways we may not consciously realize.
Now, about what I suspect.
Knowing you as a Trumpie, and knowing that by now Trump certainly knows what most consider racially tinged language and dog whistling yet continues to use such language as he gins up the darker side of his base, I think you were definitely dog whistling. Just like your idol.
Any honest, intelligent political leader who has been alive in the US for several decades, seeking to bring people together and eschew racist rhetoric, would know that phrase is a problem and avoid it. Trump is over 70 years old, and claims to be a genius. Therefore, he certainly knows exactly what he's doing, right?
So, Ron: Are you racist and disingenuous? Or dishonest and stupid?
8
What is a "permission structure" and which editor allowed that phrase to make it into print?
3
Let’s see. The reporters mention a candidate for governor in Colorado who’s great grandfather was a member of the Klan. That sent me researching the candidate(Walter Stapleton...twice elected Treasurer of Colorado...44 yrs old...Harvard & London School of Economics). You’d think that the Klan connection would have come up before...yeah, twice elected 2010 & 2014. Great granddad was born in Kentucky in 1869. Died 24 years before the candidate was born. Walter is a Republican...as is his father(former US Ambassador) & his mother(cousin of George HW Bush). Opps! Guess what? Great granddad was a DEMOCRAT! So I guess Walter really does have two things to apologize for!
Talk about innuendo! Please, don’t throw out this stuff thinking that people won’t do their research. I think the people of Colorado are probably smart enough to judge the candidate on things other than actions of long dead Democrats!
2
The midterms will be a referendum on Trump, but also on Trump's America. The candidates don't matter. With a would-be dictator in the White House and his rubber stamp party following marching orders, it's a pretty simple choice. Let's not overcomplicate it. The people in the media need to write one article and put down their computers for two months. All their narrating will simply numb the country to the outright idiocy of the right, so that by election day, it seems that respecting an individual's right to exist is no different than promoting a white Christian ethnostate. Just two sides of the same coin.
You people have done so much damage already by trying to contextualize and analyze everything Republicans do until it almost seems like Republicans have a coherent worldview that might be legitimate. It's not. It's animalistic instinct and fear being cutlivated and manipulated to extort votes from people who don't know any better. They talk about race to get the votes of racists. And the best part is that the Republican agenda will have VERY LITTLE to do with addressing the issues they have focused on, which will also allow them to claim they aren't actually racist, and to campaign on the same issues again next cycle. Race is the new abortion. They will hoodwink the idiots, take their votes, use the power of office to enrich their class, and do nothing to further the causes they seemed to hold so dear before the election... and you will have helped them do it.
1
DeSantis did not say that Gillum would "monkey this up", he said "let's not 'monkey this up' " meaning don't vote for Gillum. I hate to say this, but it is what was reported in NYT.
1
It is typical progressive liberal wishful thinking. Stories like that makes them feel good. It won't happen.
2
Racism, bigotry, xenophobia, antisemitism is the language of the Trumpublican
DeSantis is the latest in an endless congo line of these vile creatures, willing to sell their collective souls, integrity and ethics to propagate a ministry of hate, cultural, ethnic, religious and political tribalism.
Unfortunately, this is only the beginning of a new era of hate
2
This article is a recycled paradigm which has become a false flag and incorrectly attributes the forces of conflict (race, et. al) as more powerful than the forces of progress. Secondly, the article misses, that until recently, working families were shut out of the establishment by ties to money.
Candidates who renounce money have turned fund-raising into a black hole of corruption from which the establishment cannot escape.
The driving force in the midterms are issues, wages, housing, healthcare, education. That will prove the test of victory more than ethnicity. The challenge is to awaken disillusioned voters!
1
No Trump supporter here. But I'm just not buying this whole "Republicans are motivated only by racism" trope. I'm sorry, but it sounds like election season campaigning by the NYT.
Do dog whistles exist? Sure. But let's not look for them in every single utterance. Is it really only Republicans that are making tribalist appeals to racial segments of the electorate? Clearly not. Sometimes a monkey is just a monkey.
48
@Ted Morgan
Yeah and sometimes an unwanted organ grinder is named Donald.
(sorry I misplaced this response under wrong statement initially)
1
@Ted Morgan It's not that Republicans are "motivated by" racism. It's that they think their constituents are so they play the race card to get votes. Regardless of their own attitudes toward black and brown people, they exploit racism in the electorate. They tell racist voters what they want to hear instead of challenging their racial stereotypes and allaying their fears of cultural change.
1
@Ted Morgan
There are no monkeys in the race for governor, nor are monkeys running amok in the streets of our cities.
So, no, De Santis is not talking about monkeys.
De Santis evoked monkeys for one reason only: because he is running on racism and bigotry.
There is no other reason to use such a phrase. He knew exactly what he was doing.
1
The November election will tell the world whether the US is a tolerant country in tune with universal human rights or one that is reverting to the intolerant practices that have brought much misery and conflict in the past. There is no question that a substantial majority favors the first but the system is rigged to give the latter inordinate power.
3
Andrew Gillum is far more than an african-american candidate. He speaks plain truth. His discourse on the issues is net and yet he proposes solutions. He has shown courage in the face of the NRA. He connects with voters. I know he can win and when he does, we the people of Florida will win. So will the people of the United States because this man is going long. You heard it here first.
7
There are 68 days left before we vote.
Are you registered?
5
@rosa
Thank you for the reminder!
1
The Republican party has embraced racism and misogyny at the National level. Based on polling and the last election a good 40% of this country either outright supports it or is willing to tolerate it. The reality is this large minority is also willing to overlook fraud and tax evasion and possible collusion with a hostile foreign power to press their agenda.
This is not a country of decent people seeking middle ground on issues. This is a country of people who are willing to scorch the earth to get their way at the expense of the majority.
The Democrats need to cobble together a majority out of the remaining 60%. Many of them aren't wedded to political philosophy. It's a heavy lift for a country thats moral leadership has sold out to the Devil.
Acknowledging the racism, misogyny, criminality or even the possible treason of this large plurality of Americans isn't going to move the needle.
6
There might be some truth in the NYT belief that the Republican Party “are embracing messages with explicit appeals to racial anxieties and resentment”. The other side of that coin is that the Democratic Party will find racism in places where it doesn’t even exist. A perfect example is the recent comment that DeSantis made in reference to warning voters not to “monkey this up”. Without the liberal media, this comment would probably not have even made the news. Let’s remember that the comment itself does not necessarily imply racism, but as often happens, liberals seem to love playing the race card wherever and whenever they can, even if it’s a long stretch to get there. It’s all part of the games played by both parties to score votes. Democrats frame it in the ‘diversity’ cause but most us realize that their ‘diversity’ only goes so far.
5
@Malone Cooper In a different situation, yes the comment would have gone nowhere, but I'm sorry, it's not playing the 'race' card, when you use that phrase in reference to a black man. If one doesn't understand that, then that person shouldn't be running or office. Words matter. He could have said many other things. You have to call things for what they are.
3
Yes, words definitely DO matter. Why is it, though, that words don’t seem to matter in the slightest when ‘liberals’ attack ‘conservatives’. The intense sensitivity that is shown by ‘liberals’ to almost every group of people is totally absent when referring to those who just happen to have a different political point of view. When they start showing that intense sensitivity to EVERY group, I will be the first to embrace your comment. Until then, I will continue to disagree with your selective sensitivities.
1
It is one of the greatest con jobs ever. The Democratic party establishment has sold half of the American electorate -- the dimmer half -- the Orwellian story that racism is OK when Democrats do it. Racism is in fact anti-racism.
In these pages last year, Mark Lilla described what happened. As America became more diverse, Democratic strategists spied an opportunity to profit electorally. They decided that this change meant "that the Republican right is doomed to demographic extinction in the long run — which means liberals have only to wait for the country to fall into their laps."
So Dems chose to divide and conquer. They turned browns against whites by means of the monstrous lie that white Americans are implacably opposed to allowing brown Americans their place in the sun. The same "narrative" peddled daily in the NYT! The same tactic is used to drive a wedge between the sexes and more.
Lilla gives a recent example. In the last election, at every campaign stop Clinton called out to "African-American, Latino, L.G.B.T. and women voters." NEVER the white working class. They are the fall guys in the Democrats' narrative and are routinely smeared as racists and deplorables.
These whites didn't leave the Democratic party. It left them. Remember that the last election was won because a significant fraction of working class whites who had voted for Obama shifted to Trump.
Some racists!
It is time to drive a stake through this lie.
9
The predictable seizing of a description that reasonable people would recognize as innocent of any racial animous whatsoever, demonstrates the same old game democrats love to play. Dopy gotcha moments are inflated into actual events of consequence, and the issues get lost in the dust. The leader of this dopy game is the New York Times.
Mr. Gullum's victory in the primary is clearly a sign that the socialist agenda (if not outright communist) is alive and well in the new democrat party. Truth be told, I really doubt any of the new socialists actually believe in what they are saying. I mean how could they? The old Soviet Union, how's that for a model to aim for? Cuba? Venezuela? China? Dictatorships are a fertile breeding ground for racial pigeonholing. Ask anyone who's lived in China for a while. Ask anyone who lived in the Soviet Union. Oh, I get it now. The new socialists are really just like those in the Old South, it's just that they have exchanged one group of repressed people for another.
5
It's classic good vs evil. The Democrats' Big Umbrella welcoming everyone no matter their sexual or racial identity in a fight for equality, social justice, resources available to all not just the few, and to save our very planet vs. hate, greed, corruption, and any and every dirty trick possible to keep in power.
3
Yeah, Roseanne Barr tried to squirm out of her Valerie Jarrett/Planet of the Apes comment as well. DeSantis, if you made a mistake...if you are embarrassed at the unintended consequences of your word choice...if you really didn’t mean to use codified language to speak to your base (which, let’s face it, tends to self-identify as racist), then the solution is simple: apologize. It’s what decent people do.
4
Democrats want to pat themselves on their backs for party diversity. Gimme a break. The vast majority of Democrat office holders are white males. Better than the GOP and genuine diversity are not the same thing.
@michjas No one wants to pay themselves on the back. But in 2016 there were about 900 women running for office and in this year, over 32,000 women are running, most of them Democrats and many of them persons of color. That's probably the most positive thing that's come out of this administration.
1
I really hate these political ads on both sides. I am tired of being insulted by the appeals to the reptilian side of my brain - all about fear. And they do stoke fear...that there are people who make a decision based on these inane ads.
Up until the 2000 presidential election, I voted for Democrats. Al Gore turned me off to them. Until 2012, when I voted for Romney, I cast my vote for the third party candidate. This current crop of Democrats makes me appreciate more and more why I do not vote for Democrats anymore and probably never will again. I need not go into a long explanation, I think readers can figure that out for themselves. Cheers!
3
The city Mr Gillum is mayor of is being investigated for corruption. He won 34% of the primary vote, with most other candidates running to the right of him. He was financed by rich hedge fund guys.
I would take a breath before going all teen beag on him.
My fear is that the naive boosterism is permeating, which blinded everyone to the hubris of the Clinton campaign. You cannot fix something without defining the problem. And the lesson from the 2016 collapse (should not have been even close) are not only ignored, but contradicted.
It is mind boggling that a wealthy, slimey game show host has transformed the GOP into a working class/business class party.
1
Extreme candidates wining primaries, leads to extreme defeat in general elections.
You win general elections, by producing candidates with mainstream views.
Changing mainstream opinion may often be a laudable goal, but the primary goal for any successful political party, has to be getting candidates into office.
4
@Peter Zenger
Which party are you referring to?
Democrats chose mostly centrist left candidates. It’s the GOP who chose racists who resemble Trump. Like the candidate whose great grandfather was big in the Klan.
Just because Andrew Gillum running in FL is black does NOT make him an “extreme” candidate.
Stacey Abrams is black and the Democratic candidate for governor in Georgia. The GOP candidate Brian Kemp is white and crazy.
Kemp has two ads. One he is pointing his rifle (!) at a young suitor going out with his daughter. The other in a battered pickup truck saying that he was going to round up illegals himself!
Kemp is the extreme, yet somehow the “normal Trump acolyte.”
3
These primary contests, such as the one in Florida and even the one in Arizona, which lead to the November election will now show the world which direction America is finally heading after Hurricane Donald has been allowed to do its damage to the reputation of America, not to mention the actual governance of America. Let us hope that Trump and his supporters are merely an aberration and not an indication of America's future. Surely we as a nation must be better than Trump and his groveling supporters.
2
I'm tired of the Dems thinking their diverse candidates will cause a blue wave. Sure its nice to have a list of diverse candiates but will it really cause a blue victory?
2
I think that it is an enormous mistake by the democrats not to engage the working class. And that includes the white working class. Not the bigots. They will have to succumb to evolution. The people who voted for Obama. Twice. And fought along side minorities in our wars and worked together in the factories. They need to be ceded power. Unions are the only way.
1
The only way Democrats can win the majority is to demonstrate that they are completely different from today's Republicans, a truly offensive group of anti-Americans. Let show pride in our inclusiveness! Gillum is an absolutely wonderful candidate, and if our establishment fails to support him, and others like him, they do it at their own peril.
3
Mr. Gillum: Yes... We... Can!
I'm a white Florida septuagenarian who gleefully pulled the lever for you. Prior to your sudden rise to statewide recognition, I saw this upcoming gubernatorial race as just another tug-o-war between a centrist (albeit one with some appeal) and yet another Trump sycophant, riding his muddy coattails.
There's much to say, but essentially I urge you to think about Florida's elderly as a source of power for you. How can that be, you might ask? Remember, many, many of us are veterans of the Civil Rights era, a kind of "silent majority" who looked on in horror as the voices of white supremacy shrieked through its bullhorn.
We beat them then, and we can beat them now. DeSantis is, after all, a Republican, a member of a party that tossed its moral compass over the side decades ago, so it will be a dirty race. That can be endured by reactivating all that's been lost during the past several years: dignity, decency, empathy, statesmanship.
Yes... We... CAN! And there's far more under the tent of "We" that you might think.
2
In the past I always voted for the person who I felt best reflected by views, whether Democrat or Republican. As Trump said "There were good people on both sides". Today I could not think about voting for a Republican candidate because the leadership of the Republican Party has allowed racist, xenophobic, fascist principles to suffuse the party's ideology. The old Party of Lincoln has become the Party of Strom Thurmond, Joe Arpaio and Donald Trump. Even those few principled Republican candidates have to spurn their moral and ethical values in order to win primaries in the Republican Party of 2018. I can no longer even consider a Republican candidate for any office today because a Republican candidate will have to pledge allegiance to a Party whose principles I abhor.
3
Republicans have actively sought the racist vote and have used divisive tactics since Nixon's southern strategy. The only difference is that they used to be more subtle about it.
3
"Mr. Trump and his Republican allies have made crime, violence, gangs and societal unrest a centerpiece of their attacks against Democrats in this election,"
Indeed so ... amd rightly so, as they are huge blots on our country.
" often linking them to causes that have a common racial thread — the policies of liberal leaders in heavily minority cities, illegal immigration and Mr. Trump’s continuing campaign impugning the patriotism of professional athletes, many of whom are black."
Well, yes, that's true too. It can't be helped, when people like the New York Times editorial staff keep making race an issue. BUT ... its the Left who makes it an issue. Crime is crime, not depending on race. Illegal immigration is illegal, and thus crime, independant of race. The impuning of our Democracy is independant of race. Attacking Trump on these grounds, claiming he is racist, is simply wrong and shows how bad the people doing it are. That mean you, the NYTimes editors are bad people. You've sworn to attack Trump by "any journalistic means necessary" (that's my interpretation) and that renders anything you say suspect.
I have a difficult time understanding of what we really stand for. It saddens me to hear the words that are coming out elected officials mouths, the White House. Yes, I am ashamed of Ron DeSantis. He's an embarrassment to the beautiful state of Florida.
1
Mr. Trump and his political hacks have "monkeyed up" all kinds of progress. Use the word and point it at him and his.
I take issue with the way the Fl governor's race is being framed as a simple battle between a Trumpist and progressive. Unfortunately this ignores the elephant in the room, race, which in deep south and, yes, racist, Florida will skew that competition and could well be decisive.
What these primaries told us is a red wave is coming in November in support of Pres. Trump, not a blue wave in support of impeachment, higher taxes, and open borders.
4
batazoid-- For my own sake, and the sakes of millions of other Americans, I hope and pray you are wrong about this.
2
@batazoid how did you come to that conclusion It seems both sides are energized. It may be both waves, and we'll have to see which one is bigger.
1
Dream on.....
2
It's about time. No it's past time. Women and African Americans have always been here but either subjected by or enslaved by white men. Trump, I hope is the last grasp of the white male rulers. He is less than 10 years my elder and I acknowledge we are the problem.
20
Let's everyone dig into Ron DeSantis written and spoken words and see if "monkey up" has ever been attributed to him. My guess, we'll all come-up empty. This is all part of the loose, implicit plan to incite violence when Trump concludes that it is time to pull the pillars down around the nation.
7
@J. Colby
Only "progressives" make the connection between black folk and monkeys. Why is that, it is very insulting?
As I read this piece and look back through the years of history, history that has been taught, read about or lived through, there were historical events that today's brand of politicians, and politics, as practiced by Trump and his toxic party that comes to mind as another lunatic despot stirred his masses with hate of another race of people.
I'm not saying that Trump is close to the carnage that another despot committed, but, with the apparent cleansing of all brown people, the subtle, and no so subtle racial slurs uttered, mumbled or spit by Trump and his admirers makes rational people take pause and ask themselves-is this what this country is about-a regression to the segregation and Jim Crow days?
The constant lies coming from Trump and his like-minded politicians is a reminder of this:
"His primary rules were: never allow the public to cool off; never admit a fault or wrong; never concede that there may be some good in your enemy; never leave room for alternatives; never accept blame; concentrate on one enemy at a time and blame him for everything that goes wrong; people will believe a big lie sooner than a little one; and if you repeat it frequently enough people will sooner or later believe it."
Many will know the source of that quote. Many others will discount the quote in their adoration of all things Trump and claim it to be "liberalism". No, it is despotism, or Trumpism.
16
It is sad to see the hate that is contained within these comments-with much of the hate, it would appear, from those who support Trump and his misguided policies and racial tendencies and those who support Republican candidates.
11
"insisted that he was being purposely taken out of context." This is the same kind of lie Trump uses.
22
John Rhodes--I think you have to be an adept liar in order to swing with this Republicrook bunch. It's a membership requirement.
2
Keep it up, Democrats, liberals and progressives! Keep nominating far left wackos who promise a chicken in every pot, but fail to tell us how they will pay for it except to say "tax the rich". The top 10% of earners in America already pay more than 80% of all federal and state income taxes collected. And these far left Democrats want more. The old adage applies, as it always has: "Democrats never learn. Sooner or later even they run out of other people's money to spend".
4
@paul The top 10% should be paying at least 80% of the US taxes, as they hoard at least 80% of the US wealth. The old adage applies: "Republicans never learn, trickle-down economics doesn't work (except to line the pockets of the rich). De-regulation leads to gross economic malfeasance." After November, the Democrats will begin to clean up the mess, again, as usual.
5
@paul
Your comment is particularly ironic since Trump has set the gold standard for vacuous, empty promises. Remember “save Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security without cuts”? How about “great health care for a fraction of the price”? If not, you surely recall the following self- aggrandizement: “I alone can fix it.”
Gullible is as gullible votes. If Trump voters want to stick it to themselves, that’s okay with me. Shame the rest of the world has to suffer too though.
4
As a lifelong Democrat, I couldn’t possibly care less about “diverse” candidates. I want candidates who can WIN! Elections matter.
8
We really can't dance around this any longer. Racism is an evil scourge, and if politicians practice it or exploit it, then they are evil as well. This is not a game. It is not possible to put that racist toothpaste back in the tube once you exploit it. Based upon what I have seen, the Republican Party has given itself over to evil on almost every issue from racism to environmental protection.
16
When I heard this on the news last night my first thought was this "Dog Whistle" and the supposedly racist term used by the Republican candidate, I said to my husband, "This is a losing argument" for the Democrats.
I don't know about the people of Florida but I do have a sense that people are just really tired of all this race-baiting and every white person is racist.
I hoped that the Democrat candidate would not take the bait and try and use this as a racial issue and move on to how he is planning to run the state of Florida if elected.
Sadly, he took the low road. Not surprised but disappointed.
4
@Rosie James
If A said “Black people are inferior” and B said “no they’re not, you racist,” would you accuse B of race baiting? Because it sure sounds like you would.
That said, I think we can agree that the sooner both candidates get to talking policy, the better.
5
Its true: violence and theft has a racial and class bias: rich white old men. They have their agenda: profit from public money, water down environmental regulations, attack workers rights and the safety net, take what they can from the rest of us. One in 6 children in the US is born in poverty. Over half of all babies born in the US is Brough into this world under Medicaid. Trump's daddy, and Trump is a daddy's boy, racially discriminated in his housing, when he was accepting federal funds to create that housing.
9
I have my fingers crossed on this political turn---progressives open themselves up to so many target rich name calling---already FOX is calling every democratic candidate, even moderates, "socialists" and you know what is coming--communists--which is ironic considering Trump's love affair with Putin. The problem for the these democratic progressives is socialists style populism does not sell as well as fascist style populism---the difference being the fascists appeal to white nationalism---the true catalyst for this movement. If the progressives can keep corruption and the shredding of safety net programs up front with the cultural issues in the background they may be ok. I do think the Republicans will try the old redistribution meme--but with the last tax cut that might be dangerous territory to enter---considering the GOP's goal is redistributing all monies to the top 1%. My hope also, maybe just a hope, is Trump's candidates, Trump himself will overplay the race card--which I believe will become a real turn off for suburban educated women.
2
You say: "the Republican Party...are embracing messages with explicit appeals to racial anxieties and resentment". Why don't you use the word "racism", and not water it down? I am a white male, and I find your approach to this article to be racist. Your language lends legitimacy to the racists through mitigation. Moreover, republicans have used racism since 1968 with the arrival of Nixon's "southern strategy", it did not originate with Trump.
3
"At a time when some Republican candidates are embracing messages with appeals to racial anxieties..."
A time? You mean the past half a century? Good analysis should include honesty. There is nothing new about what the Republicans are doing. It's very old, in fact. It's worth examining this as a new Democratic approach to dealing with exactly what the Republicans have been doing our entire lifetimes. Starting the analysis with this obtuse "at a time," statement is ridiculous.
6
The future of openly racist politicians will be that of Sheriff Joe Arpaio. In the end, he failed to be re-elected, was convicted in court, pardoned by the Don, and then failed miserably in his Senatorial bid. Most people are good, and good people certainly want nothing to do with racism and hate.
5
I agree that DeSantis' remarks are a call for Florida racists to raise up and vote against Gillum. I also agree that this is a deplorable tactic that only serves to divide us further. However, I must tell you that your reporting on this incident is not accurate and needs to be corrected. Your report implies that Gillum would "monkey up" progress in Florida. But this is not true. The actual quote was "the last thing we need to do is to monkey this up". I do not believe he was referring to anything other than Florida voters. I know the media likes to hyperbolize for ratings and attention, but this practice has to stop.
Thank you.
1
As usual, Democrats keep gazing at their navels and prioritizing making a point rather than being strategic and winning elections. I would not be surprised if we fail to take back the House in November, in what should have been a slam dunk election. And then there will be nothing standing in the way of fascism in this country. But hey, we will have made our point about identity politics, so fascism maybe is a small price to pay for that.
3
What are you basing your lack of surprise on? Certainly not the numbers, the enthusiasm of the Democratic electorate and the surge in registration by younger voters. Or the most recent polls showing the Democrats with an 11% lead in the generic ballot. So are you enjoying negativity, or is it possible that you are really rooting for the other side?
2
@Chuck Burton I am definitely not rooting for the other side, am terrified of what may happen in November if the Democrats don't at least win the House, to the point that I am contemplating leaving the country if that were to happen. But my pessimism is based on the rude awakening that Trump's election was in the first place, and the realization that the majority of voters *don't* primarily care about identity politics, and in fact are sick and tired of it. And this includes a significant percentage of Democrats, in my assessment. When it is clear that Trump was handed an undeserved victory largely because of the resentment of not necessarily Republican voters about identity politics and a rampant culture of political correctness, I think the Democrats are shooting themselves in the foot by doubling down on those issues instead of issues that could flip independent or swing voters.
Humans are slow to learn so it took an egregiously rotten Trump to awaken the masses and demand their piece of the pie. Obviously, Trump supporters and repubs are even slower to learn but each time one of their heroes, such as McCain & Brennan, speaks the truth, another wave of dissent permeates the ridiculously stubborn Rs.
This fall will bring many more indictments which will help. If only feckless Charles Schumer would step aside and allow a great campaigner to take his place, Nov could be an even larger success.
What POTUS has done to this country is terrible. He has put the USA in an "Us vs. Them" situation. No president in my memory has succeeded in dividing us like this.
6
Why was it necessary to mention Jared Polis' religion, that "would be the first gay and Jewish governor in the nation" when there have been numerous Jewish governors in the past? A few notables are Herbert Lehman (NY 1933-1943), Milton Shapp (PA 1971-79), Marvin Mandel (MD 1969-79) and Moses Alexander (Idaho 1915-19).
3
It strikes me as obvious that the diversity within the Democratic candidates is the selling point for the November elections and the 2020 elections. Celebrate it! Offer a diverse party with room for everyone, and make it a vision for America. Democrats, a group of cranky cats that refuse to be herded, need to take this and run with it. In 2016 the visionless leaders of the party tried to dictate and own a limited picture of politically correct gobbledegook, causing confusion, resentment, indifference, and worst of all, abandonment from the voting booths. Now that the Republican party has become a lapdog/hitman for a nasty, incompetent president, the opportunity for the Democrats to open the door is here. Become the American party in all its colors, differences, diverse ideas, and hope. Don't lock it down - open it up and let it soar.
80
Bravo. I agree. When candidates speak with an authentic voice it is a beautiful thimg.@Michael Kennedy
I've now listened to three interviews with this guy and I'm impressed. He's articulate, he understands the problems Florida faces, he has facts at his fingertips to inform his thinking, he's considering the whole population, and he focuses on practical solutions. I may throw a little money his way. (A US citizen who resides in the UK).
8
It's not just Trump and Republicans who make racially coded or explicit remarks. In 2008, one of the Democratic candidates said the other didn't appeal to "hard-working voters, white voters." One of her surrogates had earlier claimed that then-Senator Obama wouldn't be where he was (ahead in the delegate count) if he were white.
Nearly three years ago, during the Democratic primaries, another surrogate of that same candidate said Bernie Sanders doesn't care about black people. That same candidate, after defeating Senator Sanders with the help of a corrupt Democratic establishment, ran one of the least substantive general election campaigns ever before losing to the current President. Instead, she attacked him even more than he attacked her.
If Democrats want to win, they must forget about trading insults with a master of them, renounce their pro-corporate ways, and focus on improving conditions for poor, working, and middle-class Americans at the expense of the wealthy and powerful.
3
The consistency of ideas outweighs diversity. Media is obsessed with the diversity of the candidates. Voters are impressed by the ideas that these candidates embrace. A fair day's pay for a fair day's work - so that working more than one job is a choice instead of a necessity; a healthcare model that doesn't give all the power to insurance companies to deny care and enrich themselves; and, an education system that equips every citizen with the opportunity to learn a trade or obtain a degree without the prohibitive costs that flow to the bottom line of teaching institutions for their shareholders or for their football stadiums.
It's about the ideas!!!!
9
If the Republicans are going to take the low road to get into office then the country needs to look at itself and ask is this really the way we want to run this country.
Democrats and Independents whether diverse or not only have to take the high road to show they are the future as all high road candidates of both parties have been and most of all we need to avoid the back alley candidates like Trump.
4
As the Democratic voters keep moving forward to a more inclusive and fairer vision of America (even against the pressure of the Democratic leadership), the Republican voters keep moving backward. So, yeah, the strain is going to get greater and greater until one side breaks.
Which side do you want that to be?
5
Our national dialogue is one of the most important issues to be addressed by the November election. Those of us who wish a return to civil discourse must turn out in record numbers. By our votes, we can prove that there is no place for the language of hate, that race-baiting is a losing strategy.
2
One would think the party of white people would take a message from this, that being that in 10 years it will be a minority party of a former population cohort majority and that in 20 years it, the Republican Party will be out of business.
Republicans are at the start of a giant going out of business sale, which is over the next 10 to 20 years going to become a no sale to voters.
History has consumed other parties, the Federalists, the Whigs, the American Party, the Populists. It is now consuming the Republican Party as Trump accelerates by a good decade or more the disintegration of what was once a right of center conservative party, transforming it into a nationalist, revanchist, racist party of and only for whites.
That is not a winning formula in a changed and changing United States of America.
2
wow, what a polarizing result from the primaries. Democratic primary winners are getting well ahead of the overall electorate on issues of diversity, immigration, race, while Republican primary winners are winking at racism, and misogyny that is also not as reflective of the general population. There should be an opportunity for centrist candidates, but its not happening as most of the energy is at the extremes.
But the more dangerous trend is the Republican winners who if victorious would ensure further polarization and racial strife, and undermine all countervailing power to total corporate rule by undermining voting rights, unions, government regulators, the free press....
16
@Barry Schiller
The centrism you refer to is a myth. What is "extreme" about any Democratic candidate's stance on diversity, immigration and race, other than the Republicans' caricature?
And it's not "extreme" to question the way ICE behaves towards the people it apprehends, which nobody except the most authoritarian conservatives would tolerate from a local, county or state police force.
22
@Barry Schiller Are Democratic primary voters really ahead of the "Majority" of the electorate or is this just a myth that the so-called conservatives are trying to propagate by statements like this? November will tell us in just which direction we are headed.
3
@Barry Schiller What is the "center" between the diverse candidates and the racists? You want just a little bit of racism? A lack of racism, black candidates even, are "extreme?"
2
If the Republican Candidate's Political sensibilities are plumbed and powered on the Political Engine of Donald Trump's Power fulcrum, it follows that the Ron DeSantis narrative, for attacking his opponent, will be nurtured in the Silo,that powers emotions, and which has racial dog whistles for certain voting sectors.
3
Ok, gang, let's go over it again what history has taught us.
Don't vote democrat because they have a diverse group of candidates re sexual orientation, gender, race etc. unlike the republicans.
Do vote for democratic candidates who who are moderately progressive and happen to be a qualified group of diverse people and want what a majority of Americans want, moderate progressive ideas and not identity obsessed radical social engineering platforms.
If you follow the latter like Obama, you will win, if you follow the former, like Hillary, you will most likely hand America another term for Trump.
11
@Paul
Well put, but I'd point out that with gerrymandering it's more difficult for the Dems to field electable candidates for congressional races.
Dems may win the presidency back in 2020 with a progressive candidate but he or she will get nowhere with Congress if the majority of reps on the Hill are right--wing leaning Republicans ( including hardened Trump loyalists).
2
I’m sorry, but I’ve read your post several times and don’t seem to grasp the differences you mention between Obama and Clinton. I tried. I really did.
1
@Kathy Manelis- thank you for your reply. Obama ran as an American and not as a black man. Hillary ran as an identity obsessed woman and not as an American.
Obama united Americans and won, Hillary divided Americans along gender lines and hot button issues and opened the door for the ego maniac demagogue Trump.
I hope this better explains my view.
2
It is rather interesting to note, yet, very predictable, the Republican candidates in both Arizona and Florida(McSally and DeSantis)are immediately starting their attack ads aimed towards their democratic opponents emphasizing that because they were both in the military we are to assume then that automatically makes them better candidates and I guess, more patriotic Americans and, as usual the dangers of the dreaded "socialism".
In these desperate times for Republicans, one would expect they would up the ante considerably on these ads attempting to denigrate their opponent at every turn and it is up to the voters to ignore the rhetoric, especially the coded racist remarks such as DeSantis pointing out that Gillum was actually "articulate". How observant of him.
One will notice Republicans never discuss actual policies. Why?
They don't have any.
8
The Monkey shoutout to his base was no accident, any more than the nomination of a far left candidate for Democrats. Historically, revolutions have always tended to follow the pendulum principle. They swing all the way to the right. Then, they swing all the way to the left before they finally come to rest somewhere near the middle. I expect Andrew Gillum to win this one. He may not achieve what he wants with a Republican legislature to deal with, but he will nudge the system back towards normal order somewhere in the center again. Sanity and civilized behavior may then become the accepted norm in our country again. I wish him God speed and luck.
10
Making race and diversity an issue is merely a substitute for the Democrats lack of anything to offer on real policy issues, foreign policy between Dems and Repubs is the same, economic policy is the same it was a Democratic Congress that gave $700 trillion to criminal banksters under TARP. Sure there are some cosmetic differences but they all bow down to lobbyists and Wall Street. If you want my vote how about something substantial like Universal Health Care
4
@Reflections9
I am so tired of the 'both parties are the same' mantra, a recipe for voter apathy that serves incumbents very nicely. The values of the democratic and republican parties are not at all similar.
On the other hand, if you are saying that the very rich have buttered both sides of their bread, and have little interest in a change to the present state, you are absolutely correct, because the current national political system is premised on endless flows of campaign money from dark sources that are intended to ensure the status quo and protect moneyed interests.
13
@Reflections9 well, if they're both yhe same, how about going with the non racists?
2
"That diverse cast is teeing up a striking contrast for voters ... at a time when ... the Republican Party ... (is) embracing messages with explicit appeals to racial anxieties and resentment."
True, but Democrats who brandish themselves as Black, or Female or Transgender for the purpose of attracting voters who identify with one or another of these groups is nearly as explicit as one can get. It's just short of saying outright, "Vote for me because I'm Black (or Transgender, or etc.)."
And there is little difference between a Republican linking Democrat opponents to crime, violence and social unrest and a Democrat linking Republican opponents to racism, bigotry and social resentment.
6
@micheal Brousseau
Basically, there's no difference between calling out racism and being racist, eh? Good stuff.
2
Democrats want moral victories. Republicans want political ones.
That's why we have Trump. And why Democrats will continue to lose in state elections.
42
@Dan
Interesting observation. When the Democrats take the House of Representative in November the reckoning will be anything but "moral". Subpoenas are not "moral"...they have an existential effect on the recipient. Indictments flowing from Congressional inquiries will be practical and sobering. People will go to jail and not based on "moral" issues but because they broke the law. When the reckoning is concluded we will no longer have trump. Forget about gerrymandered "State Elections". Look at the Big Picture. Good Luck to you.
1
@Dan Best comment.
@Dan Not quite. Democrats refuse to separate morals from the requirements of governing, sometimes even at the cost of victory. Republicans want victory at all costs; which, when they are so beholden to lobbyists that they hurt their own constituents, is pretty amoral.
Which is ironic, since Republicans/conservatives have always been the ones talking loudest about morals
As usual, the article fails to mention the black GOP candidates. Anyone who is a conservative, regardless of race or ethnic background, is welcomed into the Republican party. Unlike the Democrats, ethnic identity is not important, but policy is.
8
@Jonathan, it is the extreme and extremist policies and attitudes of Republicans that have driven most minorities and other disaffected people to the Democratic party. Anyone who is to the left of the Republicans is welcome in the Democratic party; by the Republicans excluding them, many are indeed minorities, but certainly not all. For example, I am a white older male living in a politically moderate and financially secure, a potential moderate Republican; but that party no longer exists. Thus, I am a Democrat and will vote exclusively Democratic because the other party has been taken over by racists, sexists, would-be fascists, propagandists, false patriots and awful fiscal mismanagers (list abridged) who have abandoned the principles that built and supported this country for almost 250 years. What we Democrats have in common is the desire to see those principles continue and not be undermined by trumpism - and we will vote for those democratic (and Democratic) principles in November and beyond.
4
@Jonathan You really believe that? Ethnic identity isn't important to the white nationalists who support this monster of a president? It's not important to Tucker Carlson and the Fox News network who do all that they can to foment angry white man grievances?
The Democratic party is so much more inclusive and forward thinking. Your "facts" are simply wrong.
3
Of course, they are welcome as long as they provide votes for policies of rich white men.
This issue might be less potent if the media itself did not spend so much time emphasizing the race, gender, etc. of the candidates, such as "first African-American/lesbian/etc." to run for, achieve the position of, etc. -- as if that is a reason in itself to vote for or celebrate someone. Sure, these "firsts" are achievements for a society aspiring to equality for all, but the point is more that now we have the opportunity to explore what these individuals have to offer -- not that the identities themselves are defining.
12
Only in the world of the GOP morphing into "alt-right" extremism does Gillum qualify as far left.
30
Trump era? ERA? I hope this period of time goes down in history as a blip. I imagine a future dictionary entry:
Trump blip (trʌmp blɪp): an anomalous but brief period in American history characterized by
-virtually unrestrained bigotry and nativism
-presidential propaganda and lies
-subversion of the press and of law enforcement
-GOP spinelessness and amorality
-insulting allies and cozying up to dictators
The blip began with Trump's entry into the GOP primary in June 2015 and ended in two stages: with the GOP getting trounced in the 2018 midterm elections, followed by Trump getting sent back to Hollywood in 2020.
You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.
42
Gillum is not a progressive candidate, he is a Socialist. What he is pushing is the failed system of the 20th century and an attempt to buy votes with other people's money. It is called theft. He will be destroyed in the election because Americans are not Socialists and never will be.
7
@James - you are mistaken. Any thefts occurring are happening on the republican watch. True patriots will not abide the republican theft of your democracy. Furthermore, it is called Democratic Socialism and just about everyone supports it whether they know it or not.
7
@James
Of course, no self respecting republican worthy of office would buy votes with other people's money. They would be rich enough to buy their own.
3
Americans have painted a false and extreme narrative about " socialism", which actually has a wide variation.
Social Security is a socialism service in our democracy. Veterans benefits for life also can be, and most of us think many or most of those benefits worthy.
Public education for free is a socialism value.
These values can exist within a capitalist society. And they can be tweaked and expanded/altered to better serve people without destroying liberty and free enterprise.
Healthcare is way out of wack, and an example of a place we could use a better sense of all being one society that doesn't want to bankrupt people in an extreme capitalism that only provides safety for higher income.
In a better society, we wouldn't throw an large entire island of millions under water to try to survive a hurricane's devastation like we did to the Americans living on Puerto Rico.
2
The Democratic party embraces diversity and promotes policies that benefit all Americans.
The Republican party is an openly racist party that only works on behalf of the wealthy and corporate interests.
That's the choice. VOTE.
21
If by diverse, you mean ‘wacky’, then I agree. 40% corporate taxes, 65% income tax on high earners, ICE are ‘thugs’ per NY debating libs, open borders (even no border for one diverse liberal), free education and medical care, guaranteed income... What’s next? I know! No work!
This is the New Democratic Party sadly, and if America buys into this lunacy we will be Venezuela in a minute. Fortunately the other side is doing quite well in elections lately.
4
@HENRY
Henry, I genuinely don't understand your opposition to these points, except for the open borders (to an extent).
Shouldn't high earners contribute more? Doesn't free education and health care benefit all of society? Isn't a guaranteed income fair to those whom bad luck/ illnes/ ... befalls? This has absolutely nothing to do with not wanting to work. Just like democrats and republicans alike, us citizens of social welfare countries are hard workers, but we have the peace of mind that we would never have to live below minimum income if tragedy strikes.
I am also eternally grateful to have grown up in a country where neither my heart problem nor my high-quality has placed me in massive debt. Hint: not Venezuela.
6
That’s right. Health care for all. Every first world nation on earth invests in the health and education of its citizens. This spurs the economy because—relieved of high moment premiums, copays, deductibles, and high interest student loans —people have money in their pockets to spend.
Nobody is advocating open borders. Listen more carefully.
6
Basic income is a solution to the fact that there is not enough work for all and this situation will get worse as robots do more.
What is your solution?
2
Right out of the gate Florida Republican candidate DeSantis copies his mentor by taking the escalator down to the basement and starts his campaign with racist remarks. His previous ad "cleverly" shows him giving his small child a lesson in Trump. Wonder if he'll teach the child how daddy can slyly attack his opponent in a way that nobody can really be sure what he means. Wink, wink.
18
I remember when the beloved Howard Cosell used the term “little monkey” to refer to an African American football player back in the early 80s on Monday Night Football. There was a huge backlash for using what could be construed a racist term. Though he wasn’t fired for it, he retired shortly thereafter. His defense was that it was a term of endearment that he also used with his grandchildren and I believe that was probably true. But over thirty years latter, this term doesn’t get used as a slip of the tongue. It was a signal to the racist Trump base and it’s hard to ignore how sickening that is.
40
@James
when it comes to race-baiting no one is better than the NYT.
Desantis used the word 'monkey " as a verb. Not as a noun. YES it was a poor choice, but not the racial slur you make it out to be.
8
@quickchange - No one - no one - uses that phrase, those words mistakenly. Especially a politician who's use of the English language is perhaps his/hers most important function. Additionally, if he had used that word unintentionally, an apology would be forthcoming - it wasn't. No, DiSantis is as racist as the current occupant of our white house and there's no place for either in our civilized country.
5
Nice try but no cigar. A dog whistle is a dog whistle.
3
Time to ignore the color of candidates - rather, place emphasis on their policies. It's also time to ignore the POTUS. He loves to be the focus of the media. Accentuate the positive policies of candidates who oppose him, regardless of party; ignore DJT's tweets and keep his face off the front page. As a person, he has nothing to offer; he has no redeeming social value; all he wants is to see his face in the mirror or in the media as much as possible. The trend of reporting rumors, gossip and obvious lack of consideration for others is boring; it's time to emphasize what each opposing candidate seems capable of achieving, based on facts and publish their photos instead of photos of the POTUS.
20
Diversity is not going to wrestle the country from the cold hands of the GOP, not yet. Although long term trends do indicate a less white more brown and black electorate the fear and resolve of many Americans who want to stem immigration and abhor identity politics is still electorally very strong. The relative isolation of democratic geographic strongholds due to gerrymandering and structural representative issues of two senators from every state regardless of population and the electoral college all play into minority party control. Plus the facts on the ground of GOP dramatic local and state elected control, if not stopped could put the GOP in position to actually amend the constitution. Democrats need to be careful and pragmatic. Cortez is a perfect example of the kind of candidate that will pump up GOP turnout. She’s being turned into a Star by Democrats keen to trumpet diversity. She will win her district and she may grow knowledgeable and adept, but right now she is green, has little depth and when discussing Socialism, completely incoherent. Watch Fox News, they’re on it. Every dumb, victimized Yelp from a minority candidate is highlighted endlessly. Do not be complacent! What did Charlton Heston say about his “cold dead hands”?
5
@Al Cafaro - Er, Joe Crowley is still on the ballot. When the voters enter the voting both, nobody can see what they do....
Let's get away from the sensational and get focused on the issues that affect how well our citizens can live. The things that matter are healthcare, schools, infrastructure, environment, economy and safety,
21
@Jean, wish you were running!
@Jean
The voice of reason. You make sense , sad the NYT cannot .
Does race baiting sell more papers?
Gillum won because Graham and Levine split the moderate vote. A runoff between the two top vote getters would change the results and make Graham the governor.
What is happening is a clash between the past and the future, between age and youth.
Youth will always win as the old dies off.
19
@Roy G. Biv - But when college students reach age 22, they enter the real world, start working, and receive a giant tax bill. You might be surprised at what happens next....
2
@Roy G. Biv I agree and I like your name- it's colorful. This country's demographics are changing and people like Trump and those who follow him, will, in 20 or 30 years, be in the minority in this country.
1
And graduates will just love paying off high interest student loans. And they’ll really like ever increasing monthly health insurance premiums and large deductibles.
2
I hope he will prove able and willing to articulate the many ways that the Republican party is destroying the fabric of this nation. Forget De Santis. Republicans are Trump.
7
If diversity in selection of candidates is matched with the consistency in the people centric programmatic stance there's no reason the Democratic party will not be a preferred choice of voters in the November midterms in comparison to the rudderless Republican party currently facing a worst crisis in its history.
9
The word choice was regrettable, but probably has nothing to do with his race, but rather his radical socialist progressive proposals for a state that has been improving under more traditional type governance. If he used say screwed up, would that be better. The choice is clear, continue the progress the state is having or make a very radical change. It seems he had issues running a fairly small city, their police are known to be quite corrupt especially in regards to FSU football players. His race should have nothing to do with his qualifications, after all we all belong to the human race. To insert race as a qualification is of course racist.
6
@vulcanalex Florida, progress? What progress? Completely ignoring the millions Of Florida poor by refusing to expand Medicaid, or the fact that environment is a four-letter word to Rick Scott and Republicans, as the red tide threatens to eat all the profits from tourism? Oh, I know, Gillum's goal, affordable health care for all, is so"radical socialist progressive" that all civilized industrial countries in the world embrace it, except one. The US needs a new generation of voters as it needs a new generation of leaders. Skin color is not the reason we will vote for them. But by all means, let us point out the remarkable progress the Democratic party is making in representing diversity and the remarkable progress the voters have made in reaching out to diversity. Proud to be a Democrat today!
8
What is so radical about free health care for all? Every other first world nation on earth has provided health care for decades— and nobody wants US style expensive for profit health care. Nobody.
4
@vulcanalex
So true however people are to shallow to look at the real issues.
This was not racist comment and I certainly hope that it does not throw a monkey wrench into his campaign.
“Some of these sentiments were beginning to percolate, but it was the task of political leadership to keep the ugliest elements in check,” Mr. Wehner said, offering a damning conclusion about Republicans today versus then: “It was a very different party.”
Who does Wehner think he's kidding. Has he forgotten some of Reagan's comments, the Willie Horton ads, the Southern strategy? Racism and nativism have long been part of the Republican tool kit to motivate their base. Does he really think that it's all a coincidence that the old Confederate states are now the Republican heartlands.
It is of course the task of political leadership to keep society's worst impulses in check and some Republicans have but generally they have been the exception, not the rule.
38
Corey Bliss's comment should be in the second paragraph: “This is yet another example of how out of touch the Democratic Party is with today’s world,”
Beware of doubling down on identity politics when there are actual policy issues to debate--it's a failed strategy which will haunt the Democratic party going forward.
Just to take one example (since the NYT included the photo), if we remove race and focus on qualifications (as most people will do), does a 38-year old graduate from FAMU with four years of experience running a small city in Tallahassee really qualify for running a state as complex as Florida? It doesn't seem like a recipe for success. His winning says more about a broken Democratic organization in Florida than it does about some grassroots sea change.
6
@JoJoCity Where he went to school is not relevant, what he studied, his outside accomplishments while at college and of course his somewhat failures in running a small city are the only relevant things.
1
@JoJoCity how about Republicans, and some Democrats, voting for a reality TV star? What makes him qualified to be president? He has a number of bankruptcies. One has to question the intelligence of someone who loses money running casinos. The house always wins. Yet he is running the world's largest economy, and a government with very complicated missions. Florida might be big but it's only one state. Also Florida has no state taxes. It's not like New York or California with big budgets. New York City got a fiscal budget much larger than the state of Florida. Florida does not have to deal with foreign affairs. The mayors and local governments are who run the state. Being the governor of Florida is not a pressing, stressful job. Being mayor of New York City is more demanding than even the governor of New York state, and especially Florida.
16
JoJoCity,
None of your points address the “monkey” remark nor make it the least bit acceptable.
6
It is good to see the Venezuelan wing of the Democrat Party doing so well.
5
Every first world nation on earth has provided free health care and college education for all citizens for decades. Investing in the health and education of citizens benefits society and the economy. People are not spending all their money on high monthly premiums and deductibles and high interest student loans.
4
For all of those claiming Democrats are the diverse party, did you notice the five old white people the Democrats put up as Presidential candidates last time around?
One pre-determined winner and four patsies does not make it diverse.
To have seen true diversity, one would have had to look at Republicans.
Do as I say, not as I do.
6
@Ken last I remember the Republican convention was mostly white faces. At least the Democrats had the courage to have a woman running as president which is not even on the horizon for Republicans. I don't know if you know this but having a woman instead of only white men running for the highest office in the land is what diversity looks like. Women have been historically discriminated in America. So surprise having a woman at the top of the ticket shows diversity.
22
@Ken
"To have seen true diversity, one would have had to look at Republicans. "
This is hilarious. Thank you.
3
@Ken I am old and white.
In 2006, Virginia Senator George Allen (R) lost his re-election campaign after he called an Indian-American journalist covering his campaign "macaca," the Portugese word for "monkey," at a press conference. That was no 'misunderstanding' on Allen's part. He said it twice.
Allen's defeat proved to me that more and more people know to do the right thing.
28
@fast/furious So using an offensive word is more important than actual competency to do the job? Picking a competent person who proposes solutions and improvements that you support is the right thing. Voting in an individual due to their race, religion, gender etc. is doing the wrong thing.
3
No Vulcanalex, common decency is the issue here. The “monkey” comment was both inappropriate and beyond vulgar.
9
Yes, vulcanalex, judging the competency of someone who uses racial epithets while running for public office is valid and an important thing to do. Call it using one’s critical thinking skills. Why in the world would I think that someone who describes me as a “monkey” would represent me fairly and treat me equally as a public servant?! Makes sense for me not to vote for such a person.
10
DeSantis did not use a "poor choice of words". He is Yale and Harvard educated and so there is a presumption he knows the difference between "monkey wrench" and "muck it up" on the one hand....and..."monkey it up" on the other hand.
It seems it is not enough to presume superiority based upon his education; rather he thinks he is superior based upon the color of his skin.
28
@Allen82 - Desantis is more proof that education does not equal wisdom.
1
Anyone else notice that the latest “dreadful representative” of all things Democrat who must be hated and who is painted as hateful and violent by DT is yet another woman? First Nancy Pelosi and now Maxine Waters. Although from another perspective it could show that women are finally taking a place in truly powerful places since they are targeted by a national figure. Unfortunately I think it’s just the same old misogyny.
21
I'm not an expert in the field of etymology. I don't understand how the word "monkey" can be considered racist. Can the Grey Lady please put away it's own dog whistle for a moment and please explain.
9
If you truly do not, it’s because you choose not to.
12
@Capt Al
Okay, I'll bite.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/the-conversation-africa/comparing-black-p...
2
Yes, racial dog whistling is repugnant. Not being a mind reader, I don’t know whether the Republican candidate’s use of “monkey” as a verb was a racist dog whistle. I need more evidence before I leap to that conclusion. What I do know is that many Democrats on the Left are playing into Republican hands by irresponsibly demanding ICE’s abolition and turbocharging the GOP narrative that, for the Democratic Party as a whole, a dead young (White) woman is an appropriate price to pay for open borders. Democrats may yet again snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
6
@Jonathan Sprague Only dogs can hear a dog whistle, that term might have been appropriate 50 years ago today it is racist in the extreme.
5
Top of the page should be held for actual news stories, not partisan feel good stories more suited to NPR.
7
We're not ever going back to the country where straight white males run everything. We're probably not ready to accept the whole world of alternatives. But the day is coming when we will actually embrace the words of Martin Luther King to judge people by the content of their character.
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@goofnoff I hope this is true, and if you judge him by the content of his character, having run a somewhat corrupt city government is the objective evidence here that is relevant.
2
@vulcanalex - I'm curious. Are you a paid representative of DiSantis? You've taken every opportunity to criticize Gillum using the same 'example' repeatedly. It sounds personal.
3
@vulcanalex
And your information Gillum is involved in the corruption is what?
That this president has "found a new cause" in the murder of Mollie Tippett shows just how low he'll go to rally anti-immigration sentiment to bolster his party's chances of winning in November. Republicans are hard at work to exploit the young lady's killing by spreading fear in the country of Latinos and painting Democrats as lawless and lax about border security.
Republican politics are tinged with race although they'll never admit it. Immigration is a code word for Latinos and Muslims who Republicans don't want in our country. Crime is a message directed at black people and gang culture is an equal opportunity smear directed at black and brown people.
The race for governor in Florida has already gotten off to a nasty start with a racially-tinged warning from the GOP candidate for that office. For Republicans, that's all just politics and campaign rhetoric, but their divisive racial messages are less subtle in today's polarized country.
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@silver vibes It has nothing to do with his race, it does have everything to do with his qualifications and proposals. He has little experience in running a small city, and in that experience is corruption and mismanagement. Those are the relevant criteria. Not his "race".
4
@vulcanalex
"He has little experience in running a small city, and in that experience is corruption and mismanagement." You keep repeating this over and over in comments here. Proof?
4
DeSantis is not exactly a racist but for sure he is a product of old-time culture and just unaware of the fact that his color does not make him superior in any way. It is obvious by the words he uses that he is amazed that another human being who happens to be a different color is as well informed, smart and aggressive. His experience does not move the USA and the world forward. I am not saying he is a bad person but he is for sure not a forward-thinking leader and should stay in the private sector
5
Some of the comments I've seen about Gillum on FB posts from local news sources here in FL have been horrific. Trump and his lackeys have set this country back 50 years.
25
I wish Democrats would stop focusing on how their candidates look or what their sexuality is. Candidates like Gillum are important because of his progressive ideas. The headline should read Democrats embrace of Progressive ideas collides with ultra right wing Trump Movement.
Identity politics is a losing issue--and really a boring one.
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@Bret excuse me but what Democrat quoted in this piece is actually focused on identity politics here? The group focused on identity appears to be the Republican Party with an assist by the headline writer.
9
@Bret Trump won and holds a ninety percent approval with his supporter because of identiy politics.Will we ever admit a Colorblind America is not where we are?
6
@Bret did you read the article? The GOP is basing its midterm strategy heavily around identity politics.
9
What more could you expect from a candidate of Trumps? And a Republican? No class, no ethics, no statesmanship. So we expect absolutely nothing from him. Grace, staying on point is the gentleman’s demeanor in a state that needs him. Democratic leadership needed.
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This article is on target. The Democratic Party has no cohesive strategy or platform. Every candidate touts her/his own ideas. Some of those ideas, such as those of the far left socialists, are repelling moderates and independents.
13
@Leonardo It is not just that there is no platform, their ideas have been demonstrated as a failure in the real world or can be instituted by states. Here we have free college or technical school for almost everyone who would benefit from it. Any state that desires this can freely copy our success.
What do you want? It's bad when the DNCC dictates a national platform that all candidates must ascribe to. It's bad when Democratic candidates have independent positions and tailor their own message to their constituents and background. The Democrats do have a consistent message, you just aren't listening: Healthcare reform, protections for the average citizen against the vagaries of big money, and a war on the corruption that has so graciously flourished under the current administration.
8
@vulcanalex Yes, horrible, horrible states with liberal policies amounting to terrible economies such as California, New York or Colorado.
In the long run, it makes sense for the Democrats to embrace more diverse, younger candidates. In the short run they may pay a price for it.
8
" ...making racial and ethnic issues and conflicts central in the November elections ..."
That sums up the pivotal part of Trump's strategy. The Democrats are, reflexively, taking the bait. They will have no one to blame but themselves as they get marginalized.
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@AP917 What racial and ethnic issues and conflicts? Illegal and criminal aliens? The fact that the unemployment rate for various minorities is at an all time low? The issues that are critical are the appropriate role of government in our country, and which level of government should be responsible for addressing our many issues. Not racial issues, most have been solved some time ago, or ethnic ones either. We have no issues with say celebrating various ethnic traditions in this country.
1
My understanding of Mr. Gillum is that he holds views that are widely supported across party lines in FL and across this country.
He also represents a permanent change in the US political landscape of adding more minorities and people of color.
His rise is not an aberration, but a permanent change in the our elections going forward.
We’ll see less mitch mcconnells and more Andrew Gillums .
I look forward to that and Gillum as the next governor of FL!
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Let's be honest, the Democratic candidates for governor in Florida were middling at best. Ask anybody who supports Gilliam what he's done for Tallahassee as mayor and you'll get a blank stare. I voted for him, but he was simply the least offensive option.
Hopefully, he can convince people to come out and vote regardless, and affect change if he actually is elected, because I'm sick of do-nothing Republican governors.
15
It isn't, of course, just Trump. It's the very large block of voters who have disdain for minorities. They surprised America in 2016 by actually coming out to vote. They may surprise America again in November.
4
Democrats should probably be cautious about diversity as an election issue. Trump supporters don’t seem to embrace it, and, if you want to do some fascist flipping, it might be wiser to look at issues over gender, sexuality, or race.
Trump is an accidental president, elected because of a general rejection on what is perceived as effete liberalism. To me, as an unabashed socialist, a privileged liberal, imbued with obnoxious political correctness, is just as extreme as any rabid right winger. I would vote for a gay, black, white, indigo violet, man or woman if he or she spoke the language of real social reform that benefitted workers rights, healthcare, education etc, but not necessarily because they represented diversity.
Trump has proven that democracy requires constant maintenance, not special interests. His appalling mantra needs to be consigned to ignominy, not replicated by another extreme. I was born and raised by a working class family in the land of Margaret Thatcher, and I know from hard experience that no gender, for example, has a monopoly on compassion or common values. I conclude the same applies to race, sexuality, or whatever the options are.
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@Marcus Brant
As a middle class, conservative, white guy, living in the south, I thank you.
I totally agree with you and think your comments are the best I have read on this issue and for our Nation's future.
Although I have never heard the expression “monkey things up” ever used in any context, there are more important issues on the table in Florida that race baiting. Our environment has been ruined by green algae and red tide, Miami is already feeling the effects of climate change and increased sea levels, the state did not expand Medicaid leaving many people without health care, the low-wage service economy driven by large out-of-state corporations have many working people living in poverty, and there are teacher shortages all over the state due to low teacher salaries. There are plenty of issues for Gillum to win on, IF people turn out to vote.
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@Phil Dunkle So you actually think that red tide can be addressed better by him than others? Just what is a state going to do about climate change? Teacher salaries are I bet a county issue, and just what shortages might you be talking about? No state has money to pay for health insurance for everyone, stay healthy and get a job with some benefits. You are of course correct that these are issues, who is better able to improve them should be the choice, an inexperienced person with a corrupt city on his resume is not my choice.
Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis (and the GOP in its virulent silence) are driving a wedge into the heart of America and splitting it opened.
How can anyone think this will end well?
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There it is, folks: your everyday, casual, trump-style racism, while those involved try to look innocent and say "We're not racist." (wink wink) Time to make a choice - but be aware of the real agenda behind the "monkey" taunt.
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Gillum handled himself with maturity and a depth of knowledge yesterday that I found surprising in a candidate who I wrongly felt had little chance of winning the Democratic primary in Florida. Particularly telling about this great young man were his thoughts about what he is looking for in a Lieutenant Governor. I really think this was the birth of a rising star, which the Democrats desperately need.
He is in for an ugly fight, though, make no mistake. Race WILL be an issue, as just about everything else in Florida is, from "stand your ground" to DeSantis and "don't monkey this up."
I want to also mention my hometown NY19 race with Delgado having to defend himself against Faso's attack on rap lyrics he supposedly published many years ago. Faso's attack was given due attention by the Times editorial board. Trump's people will surely act in favor of division and racial fear in both of the above campaigns.
47
Race may play a small part in the Florida governor's race but no where near what this article to implies. What will be the decisive issue are Floridians ready to vote for governor a defiant progressive like Mr. Gillum. They're not. Gillum's primary victory will be a disaster for Florida Dems in November. He won with 34% of the ballots because his opponents Graham, Levine, & Greene split the moderate vote. A big percentage of these centrist voters will stay home dooming Gillum's prospects. If by some miracle he convinces them to show up simple 3rd grade math indicates more people voted Republican than Democrat in this primary. His GOP opponent Ron DeSantis won his primary with 56% of the vote. He has the perfect resume for a Florida Republican governor. He's a graduate of Yale University & Harvard Law School, an Iraq veteran & Navy reservist, who touts endorsements not just from Trump, but from Fox News pundits Sean Hannity & Laura Ingraham. He has the backing of every deep-pocketed interest in the state. Lawton Chiles was the last Democrat to hold this office barely squeaking by with a 64,000 vote margin in 1993. It's been that long. If a moderate can't succeed in this conservative state then a progressive like Gillum has no chance. This point really can’t be overstated & will sound harsh: Dems in Florida seem incapable of winning anything of consequence lately. This election will finally put to rest the absurd notion that the far left can be competitive in political races.
32
@Bill Brown For years left wing Democrats have said if the party would run more Progressive candidates they would win more elections. They are. Guess what? The same people are now getting cold feet. They're making excuses. They're trying to push the narrative that if they lose in November it's because of racism. No they will lose in November because the candidates are too far to the left in what are very conservative states. If Gillum & Abrams were Republicans they would win in epic landslides because they would get the conservative & black vote. Both candidates are on the wrong side on the majority of important issues that voters care about in these states. Gillum has come out for the abolishment of ICE. In Florida this is political suicide. For decades this state has had to grapple with illegal immigration & drug smuggling. His position on this issue alone will lead to a decisive defeat. Gillum actually lost his primary race. Over 66% of the voters cast their ballot for other candidates. Gillum won with 34% of the ballots. Had Gillum gone head to head against Graham she would have won easily. Graham would have made the race competitive. Gillum makes it a lock for Republicans. Both Florida & Georgia are ready to elect a moderate African American governor. But neither state is going to elect a progressive governor no matter what their ethnicity. This has nothing to do with gerrymandering or voter ID laws. That's absurd. It's trying to sell voters something they don't want.
4
@Bill Brown The lesson seems to be that the “far left”, which ironically offers many of the sensible prescriptions Trump voters are looking for, cannot be competitive in political races. The far right, by contrast, while openly flouting racism, taking healthcare away from millions of Americans, creating unnecessary debt to shower tax cuts on the already wealthy, assaulting the environment and threatening entire industries and their workers with a trade war, are unstoppable. Even while expanding and redefining the swamp on a daily basis. Let’s see which theory holds up in November.
8
@Bill Brown
I didn't vote for Gillum in the primary partly due to the reasons you cited above. BUT, I will have no reservations about voting for him in November because this election is too important not to vote and there's no way I would vote for Trump's mini-me.
11
I have no doubt the Republicans will use the same tired, old tricks as in the past. The problem with that is America has grown. So many of us watch in horror at what this President and Congress are doing but we look around and know we are surrounded by good people as well. I don't care what your skin looks like. I don't care about your sex life. I care about how much you care about this country and the plans you have for it/us.
The silver lining to the Trump administration is how many great people are running for office that otherwise would never have thought to do so.
71
ICE is a paramilitary group. Not boarder control agents.
They are an out of control nasty arm of immigration now.
Formed after 9/11......
No longer needed....after their reputation for chaos precedes their value.
This republican woman wants them gone. Many repub. Women agree .
Take some steam away from sessions and trumpites.
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They answer to somebody. Somebody who directly establishes their operational parameters. THAT’s where the change is needed. Would you fire all the cops if the chief was corrupt?
1
There is an aspect to this divisive political culture that I hadn't anticipated, but find helpful...
In my 70's, I have in the past found myself tugged to and fro in trying to understand just who I am, just what I believe. I was raised in a time when women were seen as inferior, weak creatures, and people of color, well, they weren't even allowed to be seen in tv commercials.
But today, in truth, I haven't felt this confident in my own beliefs and devotion to American ideals and future than right now. I am grateful that intelligent, powerful men of women of whatever skin color or gender identity are willing to stand at the front and lead. I find myself aware of my growth over the years, and now recognize that cultural conditioning, like racism or sexism, can be reduced if not eliminated. MLK Jr. was fighting for African Americans, but he helped us all fight our own ignorance and fear.
Hugh
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@Hugh Massengill I am a little younger than you, and I was raised in Florida, none of that was relevant to my upbringing and surely is in the distant past for almost all people today.
Well evolved, Hugh Massengill !
Change is possible !
4
Vulcanalex...and yet you support a political party with a rich record of minority voter suppression, a nefarious 'Southern Strategy', a Birther-Liar-In-Chief who attacks black athletes for publicly protesting police murders of African-American citizens.
Thanks for your white privilege and white obliviousness.
5
The mix of Democratic candidates reminds me of that iconic pair of photos taken of Democratic and Republican (all white) Congressional interns. Some try to demean Democrats' express embrace and protection of human variety as "identity politics" but it's really big tent politics, the kind the GOP knows it needs but glaringly lacks, and which Trump has likely destroyed.
15
Compare photoes of Republican and Democratic 2016 Congressional interns:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2016/07/20/the-story-be...
The cast of candidates who are seeking elective office this November look like America, diverse and dedicated to Democracy.People who volunteer to stand for elective office should be allowed to present their platforms without nasty, derisive , divisive comments heaped on them.This is a Democracy and not a dictatorship.If you are ready to uphold the best in America make it a fair election-if you believe in dictatorship then engage in fear mongering and hateful epithets because that is how dictators begin to rule their subjects- they sow hate and fear.
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@JanetMichael
If you read the comments in this paper very often, then you know that America includes many nasty, derisive, and divisive commenters and they are often the crowd pleasers who get the most recommends. If our candidates and elections are to look like America, then they are going to have a nasty, derisive, and divisive component, including from so-called liberals who represent the mass of “recommends” in this forum. That is not to say that they don’t believe in dictatorship.
1
I was delighted with how deftly Andrew Gillum handled the Press today after his stunning breakthrough win in Florida.
Meanwhile, let's not white wash over the depths the G. W. Bush campaign went to in 2000 to successfully smear John McCain using the tired old race card by spreading the rumor that his adopted child ( from Mother Teresa's orphanage) was actually HIS scary "illegitimate" ( BLACK) child. ( OH horror).
Bush then proceeded to illegitimately take the presidency from Gore via the supreme court. Gillum can WIN with his great platform and common sense if racists don't play cards.
100
Ah, yes, the "Brooks Brothers Riot." Proof that Trump isn't the first Republican to steal an election.
4
All of this--racial and ethnic dog whistles, overt references to monkeys, and so on--has happened before ( See Jon Meacham's The Soul of America). The deterioration of the national mood did not take place over night. Recovering the real America will require arduous work over time, and there will be ups and downs in the process. Those who would restore sanity must be prepared to address all of us without references to "deplorables" and other condescension or pretension where we really live and work. Our concerns for well being of our families and surviving in the "new normal" plutocratic economy are real, but they and not the pathetic soul in the White House must be our focus not only closing in on November but going forward over a long stretch. We can do it when we find a genuine national leader.
47
To Faction
I’m finishing Meacham’s book also. So nice to read adults such as Jon, David Frum, Remnick, and George Packer.
We have the world’s oldest constitution. My biggest worry is losing our place in history to an autocratic simpleton such as Trump. Trump’s been a racist, sexist bigot his entire adult life...no surprise there! But the spineless horrible GOP members of congress will go down in history as being blatantly corrupt.
I used to think that if Rand Paul took after his Libertarian father Ron he couldn’t be TOO awful. Then he tweeted that Brennan should lose his security clearances for being disrespectful to Trump. Someone read that to Trump and he pulled his clearance, a first in the USA!
Rand Paul was SO excited!!! Like a puppy!
Vote! We’re up against gerrymandered districts and voting restrictions! (In Georgia they tried to shutter 7 of the 9 polling places in a 450 sq mile county in the “black belt” to save money but such a hue and cry went up they backed off.)
5
Doesn’t say anything good about U.S. politics that in order to qualify for office you either have to be a Clans Man, or a black, gay woman.
America is tearing itself apart, from both sides.
Currently Dems are as far from Bill Clinton’s administration than the republicans from the elder Bush.
11
It makes no difference whether you are black, socialist, woman, or whatever. It’s your words that matter. Go ask Mr. Trump.
4
@Johann M. Wolff
What is wrong with being a black, gay woman? The whole point of equality is there is nothing wrong with any of those labels.
13
@goofnoff
Its nothing wrong of being a black, gay woman.
Except when this is a prerequisite for being a Dem nominee.
Perhaps less focus should be attributed to identity and more to qualifications and vision.
4
I campaigned and voted for, donated to Andrew Gillum because he was the best candidate. I started months ago, quite frankly with little hope of winning and a pros and cons list of knowledge about the five candidates in the primary.
But as I came to really know Gillum, I was in contact with other supporters in town and in far corners of the state, sharing the work, energy and hope to my amazement in this age of Trump despair and depression,
At first it was, for many of us, we will be heard. We must be heard. We can donate. $5 donations were welcome. With almost no money for mass mailings, no TV ads until the last few weeks, we shared and promoted social media videos.
And then, wow: Gillum can actually win, the best candidate can win if we work hard enough and if we get out and vote. I can't change Washington this week, but I can bring more justice, better health care, fair wages, repeal of Stand Your Ground and so much more at home, in Florida. I don't have to sink in the muck. I can, we can, work for change for the better, to be heard at home.
It is a gift, an energizing joy, even when first remark from GOP opposition is a racist insult to the candidate and to the intelligence of his supporters.
But here's a gift to you: you can, call it what you want, bring about change, revolution, be an active, good citizen at home. We don't have to be defined by Trump and his world, his values.
398
i have to confess that I had never heard of Andrew Gillum until the days before the election when i studied 'who was who in the election', and liked what
I saw. Faced with two Palm Beach billionaires and a wealthy daughter of a former governor, all with little to no experience, whose platforms consisted of negatively bashing the other candidates, it was a relief to discover a candidate with actual goals who had not spent tens of millons on negative advertising.
Gillum is going to be up against all the worst sneering insinuations the that Trump can throw at him, beginning with his race, family background and political history, all magnified to the nth degree by Trump's hyperbole. He is going to need our support.
91
@Joan......
We r snowbirds to the Ormond / Daytona area and endured a winter of trump signs all over our diverse little community .
At the bikers week debacle in Daytona ,as i strolled around looking at women over 60 in biker gear w their partners ,it is a comical sad spectacle that is a huge profit maker.
During the March madness the participants and club owners had life size cardboard statues of trump all over the area .
So i walked past one of these disgusting placards And rather loudly in a provocative tone said to the sign ,which was taller than me, “ I hate you trump”. Yup i had an emotional outburst on a Daytona beach street .
My hubby and friends ,AGHAST, pulled me away from an angry biker guy ,who came into my space ,looked down at me and said in a very mean tone of voice......” what did you say, say it again.
I am a 66 year old white haired ,5 foot tall retired nurse.
I dread returning this season to our little florida ranch house,
,knowing how belligerent the racists in my area can be.
If i place a GILLUM sign on my lawn we would be a target for drive by shooting or damage to our property. Seriously.
And already the right with Desantis/ trump encourages race baiting and character assassinations have begun.
It was trolly? Of me to make a commotion at a trump love fest
But now i guess i REALLY have to “Stand my Ground” and defend Mayor Gillum.
So happy for him and Florida. But there will be violence toward his candidacy. Instigated by trumps rallies
58
@joan Many thanks for this inspiring message and for the work that made it possible.
3
The ability of the new wave of candidates to get elected will have a direct correlation to the percentage of voters who believe that there will be a positive impact on their economic fortunes.
Appeals to what is right or wrong sound good but whether or not that can translate to voter majorities in Florida where there are many disenfranchised and angry residents is yet to be seen. One can only hope that the slippery slope that America is on can be reversed by the new influx of energy (and hopefully talent) that has entered politics.
Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio...
9
If I was still in the States, I'd drive to Florida and canvas door to door for Gillum. Yet I'm not optimistic.
Last year I drove down I-95 to the keys, then up the West coast to Panama City, FLA. The number of confederate flags on vehicles - flags, not stickers of flags, but really, really BIG flags - and messages of hate on windshields, and conversations in bars and coffee shops made me NOT buy a winter home there, and not be optimistic about a black man's chance of winning.
I hope I'm wrong.
Susan
Expat in Waterville Ireland
181
@Susan Baughman. I live in NC and understand what you are saying. The good news that I have found is that there are so, so many that don't feel that way. They just don't have the flags and stickers to show the public what they are feeling.
43
@Susan Baughman
Sad to say, we left Florida for that and a couple of other reasons (unaffordable, substandard health insurance being a big one). But Florida is not entirely without hope. Not by a long shot.
Mike
Expat in Paris, France
6
@Susan Baughman It's not Gillum's race that will hurt him in Florida it's his progressive politics. He's on the wrong side of every important issue that the majority of Florida voters care about.
5
This is all so silly. Extrapolating primary elections and making it seem as if this was a party decision stretches the point. Contrasting those seeking office in the primaries of both parties is pertinent. I am sure Doug Wilder's election thirty years ago does not fit todays narrative of unimaginable, so let's forget to mention it.
5
People voted for Gillum in the primary; let's see if they show up on Nov 6. The 2016 election was not a good showing, but people in Alabama showed up last year to reject Roy Moore, so there's reason for optimism. Let's go, Florida! This is too important to sit out.
156