To those commenting on their preference for Pressley over Omar and Tlaib because the latter two are not supportive enough of Israel and/or the Jewish community, this sort of attitude is why there will never be peace in that region.
If we cannot criticize a harmful regime and a harmful lobby (AIPAC) we can never compromise and establish a...situation we can all live with.
11
My take - away from this article: no one should be using their phone during a caucus meeting.
And less Twitter all the time.
I grew up in Spanberger's district and, even though I couldn't vote for her, was really happy that she won. Having a woman in a leadership role in that neck of the woods is still a big deal, not to mention a leader whose policies are guided by more than a hypercapitalist free-for-all.
On another note, this article points to the limitation of identity politics that Dems tend to rely on- even the identity of "progressive". It's so easy to weaponize those labels. Better to share your stories- and find ways to empathize with others' experiences, too, to build the momentum to get things done.
4
@Rachel
Spanberger has an identity too. It's just one that has been historically and currently normalized.
2
I loved the way the article gave me a intimate birdseye view of the multi - dynamics impacting the two newbies trying to navigate and meet difficult challenges amid an entrenched I am especially moved by Ayanna, who I feel privileged to have encouraged to run for political office. Both offices she held have been groundbreaking . There is no doubt she will be a barrier breaker in Congress as her role promises to grow . She's humble, compassionate, considerate pragmatic strategic and committed to change. --- the total package and antidote to the poisonous venom permeating our government.
2
This article is very sympathetic to Spanberger. She is fighting to keep her seat in the middle of a bunch of republicans who look down on people of color. But in order to represent her district she has to honor the military, not oppose Trump very strenuously (waiting to the last minute to back the impeachment "inquiry" after the Mueller report should have started it,) and resist the "squad" who are moving ahead on human rights and climate change.
But I think Bernie and Elizabeth have laid the groundwork for a new generation of democrats. They have explained the reason for Medicare for all even if it has to be implemented over time starting with a public option. They have made examples of college debt and underfunding of public education. And along with backers of a Green New Deal they have brought to light the terrible effects of global warming.
So hang in Abigail Spanberger. The troops are coming to your rescue.
9
I live in Pressley's district-- the photo the NYT provided of Pressley in Cambridge belies her commitment to people of color as much as her moving out of her Ashmont condo to newer digs says more about her commitment to herself than it does to the poor people she claims to champion.
8
@David Yes, I am sure the death threats she is receiving thanks to the President had nothing to do with having to move.
10
Wow. All it takes for the times to do a profile on female politicians is for them to show up for work. How brave.
5
Also get elected. And show up. And sit on committees. And get bills passed. And go back to their districts constantly to talk with constituents. And raise money. And speak to future generations of voting Americans in elementary and high schools. And caucus. And read constantly. And manage a staff. And fine-tune speeches. And give speeches. And learn procedural rules. And abide by ethical rules. And try to see their own families. And give access to reporters.
Don't be frightened of a future in which women make up the the majority in Congress. It's going to happen regardless of your insecurities.
9
@Jen Stone 69 bills have been signed into law by the 116th Congress. Not a single one of them was sponsored by Spanberger or Pressley.
1
You're not opening Peter Baker's fact free column to comment, so I will put my comment here.
Impeachment is a serious thing, not a sports event, not a stage drama. Although cynicism is considered sophisticated for freshmen in college, it does not play out to anything other than bored journalists who don't take a single part of this democracy seriously when someone purports to "Analyze" the "News" and covers the hearings which many Americans watched as much of as their schedules would allow, as if he hasn't seen a single minute of them.
Fiona Hill outlined in stark terms how repeating the Ukraine interference conspiracy theory was repeating the work product of Russian Intelligence Services. Terminal cynicism and polling and telling people without evidence that the American people didn't watch the impeachment hearings and were not swayed at all is embedding the corruption of the Executive permanently in the American psyche.
I can't think of anything more damaging to our democracy than what Devin Nunes and Peter Baker are doing. If Mr. Baker needs to talk to someone who was swayed completely by the hearings -- a phenomenon he obviously doesn't believe in -- he should walk down the hall and talk to Bret Stephens. And he should stop writing columns until he has something to contribute to the greater good. As it stands right now, he's part of the seeping corruption of the Trump administration.
Cynicism isn't sophisticated, and in this case it isn't benign.
1
There is a certain shallowness to the article. Clothing, jewelry, hair, more caucuses when there are clearly way too many ... like the new representatives were missing the point?
Shallowness.
1
Winning is easy. Governing is harder.
I didn’t see my previous comment so I’ll say again it is good that Rep. Presley has distanced herself from The Squad. Any benefits from that group will go to AOC, any fallout will skirt AOC and Tlaib and crush Omar and Presley.
I thought Presley did a fantastic job facing down a room of hecklers on Elizabeth Warren’s behalf and redirecting their ire. However I did wonder whether Warren would ever do the same thing for Pressley and why Warren needed a defender. The male candidates face hecklers and chanters regularly and handle it themselves, why couldn’t Warren do the same? If Warren becomes the nominee, what will she do when Trump comes after her, cry and call him a sexist? So much for equality.
2
What I took away from Ms. Spanberger's observations was the fact that the president actually believes what he is saying--he makes things up and believes them, simultaneously. As she says, it would be much less worrying if the president was a savvy guy, just riffing and cooking up stories, to see how far he could take things before folks realized he was trying to fool them.
2
More stories like this please!
So interesting to learn about the real inner workings of Congress, as opposed to focusing on the endlessly transgressive, deliberately headline-grabbing behavior of the White House.
5
"Houlahan told Dorothy that if she were going to lose her seat over that decision, she was O.K. with that. Dorothy said, In that case, O.K."
How refreshing is that?
Do the right thing. Just do it.
7
The political marriage of mostly function folks and a dysfunction apparatus. Where unbridled ambition, be she show horse or work horse meets the stable full Peter Principled incumbents. How good intentioned, energetic, fresh folks are elected and then thrown into the pool- the cesspool, that is, and get all stunk up. NYT should have undertaken a parallel story on two or three newbie Republican men contemporaneously to this piece to present a valid contrast.
1
Outstanding.
Wow! I admire the transparency of these elected officials in sharing their journey. This article confirmed for me that a democracy is sometimes messy and collaboration is difficult. We need more articles like this and more transparency from our elected officials to provide a more realistic view of how governance actually works.
I've been a big fan of Ayanna Pressley for years. I'm proud of her work with "the Squad", especially fighting for immigration rights...AND her independence from the Squad, such as supporting Elizabeth Warren, who I also admire. We need more diverse representation in Congress, like Pressley, to reflect the diversity in America.
12
As Churchill said, “Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others that have been tried”
A wonderful article both funny and informative I now know that our local Rep Madeline Deane is not only awesome but also a Frontliner . In fact all four of the Congressional seats flipped in the Philadelphia suburbs were won by Women beating out Republican incumbents or a Male Republican challenger .
Which brings me to The Squad specifically Ms Pressley and AOC, who primaried two long standing members both Male and both with progressive credentials second to none. This leaves me and many other Democrats wondering 'what was the point' of that win.
I admire Ms Pressley and stand with her on the issues that are important to both of us but for the life of me I can not figure out how unseating Michael Capuano in any way helps Democrats .
I would love to have seen Ms Pressley and AOC take on Republican Congressmen in the Boston and New York suburbs and win those seats . That for me is something I can make some sense of .
Moving forward Frontliners are where Democrats need to be they represent what is clearly a turn in the right direction for Democrats . They too can be Progressive 'Ms Dean called for Trumps impeachment months ago' , but they can also be Pragmatic. The Squad, not so much.
4
Susan Dominus has written a brilliant article that shows the continuing conflicts not only in Congress, but also in our current political sphere. (And, no, I’m not one of her friends, LOL.) I felt tired for Spanberger and Pressley and applaud them for soldiering on.
6
@Alissa S Hi! Would you consider....becoming my friend? Thanks for these kind words.
2
Representatives Spanberger and Pressley - thank you for your service and dedication. You are taking thoughtful positions that fit for you and your district. I only hope that the divisiveness of Congress and the unkind twitter attacks will not dissuade you from continuing to serve in the future. We need more people like you in Congress!
5
A very informative and educational piece which I finally finished this morning. It sheds considerable light on the dynamics within the institution and reminds us of the multitude of attitudes, approaches, hopes, anxieties, and backgrounds of the representatives we elect to represent us. Though she was not mentioned in the article, it provided me a deeper appreciation for my Representitive, Kendra Horne, the only Democratic member of the Congressional delegation from ultra-Republican Oklhoma, and the fine line she must walk.
I strongly believe in the extraordinary power of diversity, especially in an institution such as the US Congress, and the necessity for some to occupy the extremes in policy positions in order to gradually steer our ship of state into more progressive waters while the more moderate center keeps it from going over the edge. While a small few attract the public spotlight, it takes the hard work of the many and the guidance of experienced, consensus building, leadership to make the process work effectively.
15
I found myself skipping through this article, looking for something other than a quaint anecdote about selfies, apartments, lunch, etc. I guess as a feature piece it is good. But as something other than entertainment, it's a waste.
8
@newyorkerva Maybe if you hadn't "skipped around" ......
1
It’s important not to skip through this article. It’s not a waste of time at all as it so well documents the perspectives and challenges of being in the positions they are in. A quick reading doesn’t do justice to the information here.
4
A total misread of this article. Lots of meat here and if you are doing a deep piece on people, any journalist worth their salt will frame some the personal to illustrate the context.
1
This is the kind of article that reminds me all over again why I subscribe. Thoughtful and fair to all the subjects covered.
14
What stands out for me in this account is how much the process of trying to make alliances and work together has been undercut by current atmosphere of instant oversimplification via Twitter and the other social media. Try to make a nuanced statement, and the next thing you know, it's being taken as proof that you are an x or a y or a z (racist, xenophobe, Trumpeter, radical, whatever) and therefore no longer worth listening to.
Everything is dominated by the scramble to oversimplify any statement into something that will attract attention and followers. Instant communication is subverting actual dialog and problem-solving.
I must be an old fogy, but I find myself missing the days when things moved more slowly and people had time to think before they spoke.
25
amen
Spanberger is my representative in congress and, though I disagree with her on many issues and consider her a bit too conservative, I will vote for her in the next election. The district she represents was gerrymandered for a conservative republican like her predecessor Dave Bratt, a doctrinaire right-wing nincompoop. Hopefully the district will be redrawn after the next census by our newly elected Democratic legislative majority to make it more representative of the people of the state as a whole. That might give Spanberger an opportunity to be more flexible.
18
@Jean
I agree respect must go both ways, a view especially needed by congress newcomers who arrive hopefully but also naively about the equally terrible pressures their more experienced colleagues are also under. To say nothing of the bigger picture we all face in the vicious post-truth world where progressive righteousness is not any holier, but really just another slant.
Pelossi for President!
(Dems, progressive and moderate, I'm looking at you !)
This piece really lays bare the disservice the press has done in manufacturing "high drama" and in-fighting rather than just reporting the news or opining on the issues.
Let's not be fooled, NYT shares (some) blame with Fox News for treating the fate of our nation as a craven scheme for clicks. Thanks for admitting it.
16
Women in US House of Representatives:
1989: 16 democrats, 13 republicans
2019: 89 democrats, 13 republicans
After the retirements of Susan Brooks and Martha Roby, the GOP caucus is down to 11 women (and also zero black member).
Conservatives always counter that race and gender have nothing to do with it, and it’s only about qualifications. That sounds hollow when you have the likes of Louie Gohmert, Steve King or Matt Gaetz on your roster.
13
its actually the same person in cosplay uniforms. dont be fooled.
4
I suppose there's some kind of romance, some kind of feeling of optimism about the accessibility of American democracy that accompanies these stories of new Congress-critters being strangers in a strange land.
On the other hand, doesn't it speak to the incompetence of the political parties that these newly minted Representatives can be so ill-prepared? What is going in on state legislatures that fails to produce experienced legislators for the national stage? Are they all just counting houses for distributing Federal aid money? Or maybe it's a case of state legislators being so happy with their perks that they don't care to risk them for a shot at national office, leaving the field open to outsiders.
3
A beautifully written piece. Thank you!
Life is hard. Politics is brutal.
4
The home page says you spent a year with these two, yet all the photos are within a two week period. You took no other photos of these two the entire year assignment?
Humans being human.
To campaign is one thing; to actually try to serve is another. Elected officials have an impossible task - they are supposed to represent everyone in the district that elected them, including the people who voted against them. Conflict is built into the job.
On top of that, as this story shows, it's like emigrating to a foreign country. The language is different, the customs are different, and the newcomers have to find a balance between being assimilated while still trying to keep control of their identity.
What's not discussed here is that while they are seeking power to carry out the agenda they promised to promote, it doesn't seem to be power for its own sake or personal enrichment. That's a transition all too easy to slip into, all too easily justified by casting it as a just reward for a difficult job that most people don't really picture.
Every time I hear people say all politicians are crooks, all politicians are liars, I wince - because it makes a tough job even harder (You're supposed to represent everyone, remember - even the people who don't like you), and also because it gives cover to the ones who actually are crooks and liars.
My thanks to both Spanberger and Pressley. They may not see eye to eye on everything, but they are both trying to do the right thing. As Lt. Col. Vindman said the other day, in America right matters.
May it truly be so.
10
I want to thank my fellow Virginians from the much bluer areas of Arlington and Alexandria (and a few from NJ, FL, and CA —and a gentleman who drove from Pennsylvania!!) who came down to canvass in Henrico County to help flip our General Assembly.
Please come back to help re-elect Spanberger and Mark Warner next year!
3
They are all surrounded and so lonely. Thanks to the reporter.
2
Great read. It’s tougher to manage in a big tent, but it’ll be worth it in the end. Hang in there, Democrats!
5
Interesting to see the same issue (Trump's racist tweets) from the perspective of both Pressley and Spanberger. Pressley having to deal with daily threats to her safety because of his words, and Spanberger being able to see the larger picture of how the Democrat's response played to Trump's base because of her distance from the issue.
Wish both of these strong ladies well.
8
Most Americans believe that they can do whatever they wish because the constitution gives them permission....no matter if what they do is moral or immoral, decent or indecent, or right or wrong. With this kind of total freedom the future will have no need of prisons, law enforcement agencies, nor law books. Why? Because if the law allows you to do what you want, then there is no wrong you can do.
Blessed are those who do not see yet believe. To those who believe in His name: who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Abigail Spanberger is my representative. I live in her district,the district of Eric Cantor and Dave Brat, but these men were never “my” representatives. They avoided constituent contact and loved mugging for cameras. In one year, Spanberger has done more outreach than Cantor did in all his years.
19
I enjoyed the article, but the format of one long scroll of paragraphs made it really hard to read and to come back to passages. Is there a better way to present these very long stories?
1
So anyway, one can just imagine the chaos and turmoil down the street in the big house, with the media calling you all kinds of names, on a daily basis. Perhaps one day, they will find out
Now what? Start overthrowing elected leaders all over the planet, like Hillary, and get in on the plunder before it's too late.
Why not also follow some newly elected male congressmen and write an NYT article?
4
Interesting takeaway from this piece. You're upset two congresswomen were profiled in a feature story. You believe there's a shortage of stories about the lives and times of male members of Congress. Don't worry. You'll get over it.
2
@BT You mean because male politicians don't get enough press??
After reading “ ordering a plate of roasted brussels sprouts at a medium-fussy farm-to-table restaurant”, I must ask who this could possibly relate other than a handful of elitists snobs. Even being in that restaurant shows just how out of touch with the vast majority of the population Spanberger is (as well as the writer of this column).
Ladies, please help pull America out of the toilet. Its time!
3
Thank you for this fascinating window on the lives of two newly elected members of Congress, which highlights the complexities each member faces because of race, gender, class, the composition of their districts, and who they are allied with. What jumps out at me most, though, is the absurd degree to which members of Congress must constantly be in campaign mode. The combination of money in politics and the impossibly short 2 year term makes it pretty hard for someone who isn't in a 'safe' seat to participate fully in governance.
10
Good read. Good to see some true thought and emotion about the people they represent. The consumer is less and less important than the consumption of products It is not price plus 15%. It's how much can we charge the middle class and the indulgent class. {how much is keeping your Dog alive is worth to you. It is how can we best rip off the lower class, and keep them lower class. It's data mining everywhere, reducing you to a trend and a number. It's political fear mongering by adults who should know better. It is the fantasy land of advertising. {buy this phone so you won't be the socially awkward co-worker. Drive this car into the mountains because cars and nature go together} Health care is a cottage industry where you may only see you Dr. once for less than 15 minutes and your care is handed out to 20 other people who make way less money and are not as qualified. My mother relied on pain Meds that where given to her by someone who had to ride cross town on a bus. That person should not have had to be burdened with that responsibility and is not getting paid nearly enough to. And they were not always on time. My father J.Y. Preston died with no Dr. around so we had to sign a paper saying we think he is dead. My parents lived in a very good retirement home. There is rampant Opioid use in America, {there has always been opioids} today because of the disenfranchisement of a people with an unclear future while being less important than the things they buy and pay for.
2
It seems odd to write this much about the difficulty of adjusting to being a new rep without mentioning Pressley's support for the Green New Deal. As pretty much their first act in Congress, AOC and others, including Pressley, tried to ram this down leadership's throat. That set the context for the conflicts with Pelosi.
Trump's strategy was to hang the squad around Pelosi's (and the party's) neck. Pelosi dealt with the attack pretty effectively, but it shouldn't have been necessary. The opportunity for an attack was created by the Squad's unwillingness to take even a little time and see what could be accomplished working through the party and instead to insist on getting out front immediately.
There is a certain amount of casting Pressley as a victim here, rather than as an active combatant. I think that is a little disingenuous.
10
@Yellow Dog Democrat
"There is a certain amount of casting Pressley as a victim here, rather than as an active combatant."
Uh.. when you get racist death threats on a regular basis you ARE a victim to an extent.
Good for Rep. Spanberger for going into hostile territory. It matters. Maybe the nominee will campaign in more than ten states this time around. It too, matters. What is said in red states is carried on news to other states.
People like to know they are worth a visit. In a close election, that can be what one thinks of in the privacy of voting.
4
I read every word and learned more about these women who have taken on jobs that very definitely remind me that Middle School was just awful to navigate a lot of the time.
To stand what you are for and to vote for it when others do not see it as you do, takes courage and integrity. We have so little of that overall in Congress and none whatsoever in the WH, we should be very proud of these women.
6
I respect their skills, but shouldn't at least one of the The Squad have defeated a viable Republican before being lionized by the Times? The goals are to beat Trump in swing states, win back the Senate by winning swing states and keep the House by keeping districts.
The Times ignores Rose and Sherrill who won long-time Republican seats in its own backyard.
5
One thing to not forget: these women are the vanguard of the future.
I was riding the subway in Boston the morning after Pressley was elected. A "squad" of young girls in smart school uniforms were collecting copies of the local free tabloid that had Pressley on the cover and taking selfies with them. They then scooped up cast-aside copies for their classmates.
All these women are big news to the girls who see them struggle and succeed. They are shaping the future in ways that aren't even covered here.
14
From someone who lives in a parliamentary system, I have the same problem with: too many parties, yet power in too few hands, caucus politics....I also sometimes crave for some other system of government which avoided the ills of the parliamentary type :)
I suggest therefore...there is nothing wrong with either political system.
It’s the representatives WE elect who are the villains. They take the power we give them and turn it into a vehicle for greed, corruption and avarice.
Finally, the real blame is on ourselves. We need to elect the right candidate who has our interests at heart and has the integrity to stand for us.
Every election candidate slate has one such candidate. But we ignore her/him and vote party politics.
This must stop.
2
Pressley has an inspiring family story and is a nice person, but she was an ineffective Boston city councilor.
3
This is one of the finest pieces on how things work on the Hill, at least on the Democratic side. Both Members highlighted are thoughtful, and the piece points out many of the nuances in how things work among a diverse Caucus. I have to say I am little shocked and impressed by the access Ms. Dominus had to the Caucus meetings. She also clearly knows her stuff. As for some of the commenters who say the usual, "Why aren't they getting anything done?" I suggest you write a letter to Sen. McConnell.
25
For voters who wonder why more is not getting done, instead of writing Sen. McConnell, I recommend sending his opponent, Amy McGrath, a small (or if your budget allows, large) donation.
In Virginia, we have two outstanding senators, Kaine and Warner. But EVERYONE who wants sensible gun laws, equal rights, capable judges, the opportunity for legislation to even come up for a vote, etc., has a vested interest in unseating the senator from Kentucky.
C’mon folks, together let’s “Ditch Mitch”!
11
Spanberger is my Congresswoman and is a truly class act. They are also now running ads targeting her to vote against impeachment. She has a really tough row to hoe in this district. She's been doing all sorts of things for the rural counties and trying to get the broadband to them, but she'll probably be targeted with "the squad" instead in the next election. She really works hard holding town meetings and keeping in touch with the district including the parts that didn't vote for her. I hope they notice. It would be great if she gets several terms as I think she has great leadership potential in the House and nationally.
26
I feel for how hard it is for her to keep her seat in a republican state. But if she is voting with Republicans and only cares about appeasing that base she should just run as a republican and hopefully the democrats will abandon her and teach her that.
1
Thank you for this very interesting piece. I am a huge fan of both women; I donated to and volunteered for Spanberger's campaign, and attended a fundraiser for the Spanberger/Slotkin/miltary women in Congress. However, I was incredibly disappointed in the "show pony" comments by the more conservative women. I feel like they capitalize on the passions of progressive women like me in their fundraising, then publicly criticize those progressive priorities. This article helped me understand the very real reelection concerns the moderate women face. However, at the same time I hope they read this article and understand the very real threats the "squad" members face, simply for standing up for marginalized members of their community. Hopefully, more honest discussions like this can help all of us on the blue side of the spectrum find common ground.
25
A superb article. Thank you NYT. Reminds us all of the challenges fascino lawmakers everywhere. And gives hope that there are selfless and hard working women (and men) who will help shape policy for the future. It would be great to see a similar piece on some freshmen Republican moderate members of Congress. Bravo!
3
I can now see more clearly why Congress has a less than 20% approval rating. Cliques within cliques and permanent air of divisiveness seems to be prevailing.
I personally don't like the limelight seeking actions of the newer members and I think they have little regard to tradition and respect for those there before them. I'm not a fan of their self-described teenage girl inspired moniker and won't use it. I'm hoping they tone down the incivility and if not, I hope they don't get re-elected.
8
I honestly love how they can be uncompromisingly themselves regardless of political fallout, I don't think Congress should be as wrapped up in what will affect their reelection and how the optics will look and should be advocating only for the things they believe in. I hope more people like the squad are elected and oust the older constituency.
9
(writing under my husband's NYT subscription) Great article. It really gives us an inside look at how things work (or don't). Having read it, and having worked in government/union negotiations I am not at all surprised that there is so much noise and conflict. Although democrats all believe in social democracy to a greater or lesser degree, this article explains so well the different needs, dreams, and visions that elected democrats must bring to Washington, coming, as they do from so many different parts of the country. Conflict brings solutions, and consensus, though hard come by, is what must be found before the passage of any bill. Bravo to all these sincere and hard-working young women. They may save democracy yet.
6
Pressley and Spanberger are the type of politician I hoped we would see more of after Trump’s election: mindful, thoughtful, capable and independent enough to unite the country in the face of internal and external disinformation campaigns. I hope to see them work together to encourage others to act strategically and without emotional rancor in order to reverse the erosion of our Civil Rights and Constitution.
14
@Patricia A Just how have your civil rights been eroded?
2
The difference between a freshman Representative and a hotel doorman is simple.
The doorman has more and better contacts.
4
This article captures the messiness of our system of government very clearly. Somehow 435 people are supposed to come together to make policy in the House of Representatives. They quickly learn that their ideas and ideologies don't make compromise an easy thing to do. Yet compromise they must or nothing gets done within the House. The new Congresspeople, as well as most Americans, need to understand that.
6
A surprisingly candid and fair treatment of two members of the party from our "Big Tent". It confirmed that those who won in Trump districts and turned over the seat (gee, isn't that what elections are about?) have to battle the media's obsession with controversy over substance. Infatuation by the media with the new and controversial and disinterest in women who've served our nation for years before winning their seat.
We learned from the brave witnesses of the last two weeks in front of cameras from our diplomatic corps, our military and civil servants that substance and duty and gravitas (well not Sundland the contributor) mean something. Ms. Spanberger and her other "Frontliners" have it. I respect Ms. Pressley's success story from a challenging family background. We'll not agree ever on identity politics though, nor rhetoric about who is "truly" black or brown. Way over the line there.
1
After reading articles like this, I really wish we had a parliamentary system. Two parties are too few: the system concentrates too much power in too few hands, and everyone winds up divided into caucuses, anyway. Good luck to all of the women mentioned in this article. They all seem as if they are smart and capable. But I really wish that we could all get together and revamp the whole system so that it functions differently. Of course, we know that Trumpists would clamor for a dictatorship, but the rest of us would like for our democratic republic to be more of a democracy and less of a republic.
27
Republics have multiparty systems! France and Germany are examples of this, as well as the few states in the US that do have multi-party representation in their legislatures.
A lot of people say “we are a Republic not a Democracy” as if this implies that republics must have an electoral college, a federal system in which states are co-equal, a President, or winner-take-all elections. None of this is true!
4
Absolutely, I’ve thought this for years!
1
@Allison
When a number of so-called "corporate/establishment" democrats have voted to support Republican legislation including Republican "wannna be" democrat Joe Manchin who supported Trumps choice of SC judge and then states on Fox News that if Bernie Sanders is the candidate, he will support Trump, it is clear there is only ONE party in America, NOT TWO.
2
Extraordinary article. These two women make me very proud to be an American. Thank you to the reporter who covered this so deeply and accurately. Times change and these two elected women are proof that what matters is conviction and strength and patriotism, not gender. Proud to call them fellow Gen-X’ers.
16
Sister Gen Xers.
xx
1
Anybody who thinks the problem is these representatives or their colleagues is missing the point. The problem is the electorate--Spanberger and Pressley are each trying to serve their constituents. In this case, their constituents might as well be living on two different planets. The question is not how to fix Washington. The question is whether the USA should even be one country anymore.
26
@NJW Presley just became Lizzie’s co chair - that’s hardly serving her constituents
2
I live in VA-01, next door to Rep. Spanberger’s district. I contributed to her campaign. The Republicans are stacking up waiting for a chance to take her down in 2020. They may be in for a surprise. She is a solid, stable, non-ideological presence who is results-oriented. She keeps her head down and works hard, and when she does speak up, her voice is heard. I will be contributing to her 2020 campaign, as well.
41
A wonderful, in depth look at what two different, but equally dedicated, first term Congresswomen go through in their first year on the job. It showed the vast balancing act they each have to go through. Congresswoman Presley seems to be confident that if she does any sort of good job, she would be a shoe in for re-election. Congresswoman Spanberger shows that she must walk a very narrow line or no longer be there to represent her constituents after the next election.
6
That was great and funny.
New Congresspeople quickly discover three things:
Running for congress is thrilling, and being elected is overwhelming and a huge boost to the ego.
Getting to Congress is a short course in just how small a cog they are.
Washington DC is a small town masquerading as a big city. Everyone know everything, and nobody leaves when their term is over.
92
@Ernest Montague -- "Small cogs," you mean, of course the voters. Give us your support, so we Corporate "Democrats" can ignore what you elected us to do. We only listen to our big donors, and most of us couldn't raise much the grassroots way, anyway. That alone should tell voters all they need to know about ingrown, inherent government corruption.
4
How awful that people enter Congress with the best of intentions to represent their constituents and lack of trust between these 1st term Congress members takes over because they disagree on some issues or suspect each other’s motives. And obviously Pelosi and Dowd did not help with their input to the “Squad” treating them like children instead of treating all four with respect.
Older members of Congress should be more cognizant of the need to shepherd all new members of Congress when they arrive in Congress as Frankel seems to understand.
This article has explained just how stressful it will s to be a first time Congress person. Support is necessary of one another. I wish them all success.
84
@Jean
Respect has to go both ways. Clearly the "squad" meme was manufactured - these are independent people, not a groupthink Borg. But. Omar, Pressley, and, especially, AOC, have been pretty straightforward with their contempt for people who might not be as woke as they are. It's popular with their respective bases, but, duh, not so much with the targets they are sneering at. When those targets are not powerless - i.e., Congress members - there might be some pushback. What did they expect?
11
@Jean
Based on comments by members of the Squad it seems obvious that not all of them have the best intentions.
5
While this article does a good job of illustrating the challenges of a diverse group of new Democratic Congresswomen, my takeaway is that the political party chess game that both parties are playing is the biggest impediment of getting the business done that voters sent them to DC for. It doesn't matter that one party is the biggest obstructionist when they control things, because when the pendulum swings and the other party is in power it can be equally as bad. It seems all of George Washington's initial misgivings about allowing political parties in the first place have been illustrated daily for decades now, and back up progress like an overturned tractor trailer does at rush hour. There are some well intentioned new Representatives portrayed in this piece and I am sure that there are some decent Republicans that have pure motives, imagine what they could accomplish if they didn't have to worry about how they would appear to their own party members or how the opposition party was going to paint them and just worked unencumbered for their constituents.
125
Yes, Kevin. But to get elected, they have to get the votes, so reality and the appearance of reality are both at play.
This article confirms what many of us think of Congress. That is that there are many extremists on both sides of the aisle who care little about running the country and improving our lives. However, I am proud that Ms. Spanberger is an exception and that she is my Representative. Although the very rural part of her district I live didn't vote for her she has already reached out and made it clear she also represents us. She communicates through mailers, explaining her ideas and asks how she may help us with improving our lives. She is especially interested in education and she is widely soliciting candidates from our local high schools for appointment to one of the service academies. That is important as that fine education is very expensive and could produce future leaders. I wish other Representatives were as open minded to those whose opinions they may differ. We are all Americans.
274
@Donna Gray As another proud constituent, I wholeheartedly agree with you. When you meet Abigail Spanberger, you have her undivided attention. That is a real strength. I expect her to do great things in her career. One of her co-freshman once opined that she will be President one day. Hope to be around to see it!
67
@Donna Gray “That is that there are many extremists on both sides of the aisle who care little about running the country and improving our lives. However, I am proud that Ms. Spanberger is an exception and that she is my Representative.”
I’ve got news for you, everyone thinks their Representative is the exception. That’s why Congress has a 14% approval rating and 80% of them get re-elected every year.
49
@Donna Gray
Do you think that she was the choice of Vladimir Putin in 2016?
Do you believe that Putin will favor her again in 2020?
2
I have a friend who got elected to Congress from a competitive district. Moderate guy, very successful businessman. He lasted two terms before he left running and screaming for the door. The only thing he enjoyed was constituent services: helping the people in his district in their dealing with the federal bureaucracy. He said the rest is for the birds.
What’s really discouraging for the newcomers is that they don’t realize, when your the 424th-most senior member of the House, you spend most of the time doing what you’re told. It’s just a fact. You’re not driving legislation. It ain’t like the movies.
89
Sad to see from the comments that, once again, Americans continue to divide themselves. I found the article so informative of our wacky, broken system, but didn’t come away thinking one of these congresswomen was more right than the other.
79
We send people to Washignton to represent the voters. What they do in their spare time is their business. Its nice if they can get along but the issues facing the people should be occupying a great deal of their time. Finding answers. and talking to the people back home.
No one who is elected is in college anymore, We all need to support our representatives and move forward together. The country is at stake.
Nothing is easy so lets get people registered to vote, get them to the polls educate them and support our representatives.
Everything else is nonsense if we cant win and get things done
1
I love Mike Capuano, and was devastated by his loss, but it was pretty much a landslide.
Ayanna Pressley is terrific, so one simply has to move on.
I will support any and all Democrats as long as we have the hypocrites and phony "Christian" terrorists in charge.
Trump the cowardly bully in chief is a danger to children and other living things.
Remember: Amazon pays $0 in taxes this year.
That is not OK.
Thanks for the article.
22
Still mourning Mike Capuano. Thus far, Rep. Pressley is performing below what I believed to be her potential.
1
Solid insightful piece. Liked reading it, although it was very depressing to have my guesses be confirmed - that our elected representatives are like cliquey middle-school kids.
Also wondering why this article was so sympathetic to Spanberger — not once did it question her obsession with getting re-elected, at the cost of doing the right things. She kept talking about representing a republican district, but did she not stand on her own platform and ideas that got her elected? In which case, stand up for the right thing instead of constantly trying to gauge which which the electoral wind is blowing and make decisions based on that. She actually came across to me as too calculative and “political” in a negative sense, mixing with those she thought wouldn’t taint her by association - that’s so middle school, hang out with people based on perceived appearances. Depressing. Please grow up, don’t worry so much about appearances, do what’s right. This country is falling apart, we don’t need elected leaders to worry about appearances, just do the right thing and help fix it.
17
Spanberger’s ability to do the right thing— at least on the national stage— will pretty much drop to zero if she’s defeated.
As a freshman Democrat in a highly Republican district, it is imperative that Spanberger establish a track record acceptable to her constituents.
And because Democratic control of the House hinges on capturing districts like Spanberger’s, I’m sure that Democratic Party leadership agrees with me.
21
I view it a little differently. Spanberger was a CIA case manager, and that says something about her character. She has been in high pressure situations, where her considerations of all the facts can mean the difference between life and death for people she is responsible for. It also means, to me, that she put her country’s interests before her own, and she is highly capable and intelligent. And she is a “representative”. Look up the word, it means to represent a group of people. She was called on to represent her constituents, Democrat and Republican. And she would not have been elected if she had not shown them that she would listen to them.
I take her worrying about re-election as a shortened way of saying that she views her re-election as a “report card” on how well she has done her job. What other metric is there, really, for a first term Congresswoman who is dedicated to her job?
3
@ABly "getting re-elected" is absolutely one of the "right things" she must do. Without those swing district Democrats, the Democrats lose the majority, the speakership, the committee chairmanships and any hope of either blocking Trump/Republican abominations or putting forward legislation on any of the issues you might personally designate as "the right things". And it's the media and the Republican machine that will "taint her by association" - as the article shows with the immediate ads etc. that ran in her district. That's a reality of her district and her experience and she does have to contend with it. To pretend otherwise is naive and unfair.
26
In addition to liking the progress made by Ayanna Pressley, I admire and contributed to the campaign of Spanberger.
We can walk together; if we walk apart we will fail.
35
Wonderful to see Rep. Lois Frankel and Rep Jan Schakowsky mentor these two new congresswomen. They are both generous, experienced, talented leaders. Together with New York women like Rep. Carolyn Maloney, Rep. Nydia Velasquez, and retiring Rep. Nita Lowey, they deserve accolades for breaking down the old boys network years ago and now modeling how to be a successful member of congress to these younger women. They are breaking down the stereotype that says women don't help other women. Brava!
24
An outstanding example of long-form journalism!
Yes, the Longworth House Office Building features marble floors, frightening hallway acoustics, and stairs where the stone is bow-shaped from legions of frantic feet over many years, but you didn't mention those fist-sized cockroaches. Well...they seemed that big to me at the time.
So I take it the AA (Administrative Assistant) title for Chief of Staff has been replaced by...Chief of Staff. Yeah, it's been a while, social media has changed things, but the essential dynamics are timeless.
What has changed is at least the hint of a possible actual left-wing in Congress. My old boss, Barney Frank, was thought a leftie not all that long ago but was truly a moderate by any objective standards.
But even with a Democratic House majority and a very able Speaker in Tip O'Neil, all genuine accomplishment began with coalitions. That's what politics is. It's not the number of followers you have on Twitter or Instagram and the number of likes your Tweets or pics get are not political capital.
This may seem like a criticism of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez but she knows this too. She may not be the polymath that Barney is, but she is the most promising progressive to emerge from New York since Theodore Roosevelt. Her flamboyant approach is similar. And one day, just as it did for TR, that charisma and attention getting messaging genius of hers will prove decisive.
33
Cousy,
Spanberger is a very courageous woman who sees the big picture; just hope Pressley et al don’t push her so hard that she rejects Congress due to the radical left.
I despise the squad.
17
@JRS
Pressely has no power over Spanberger.
However Pelosi does.
This is a great piece. What comes across is how narcissistic the members of the squad are, they literally think that it is all about them. We need more Abigail Spanbergers in US politics and less AOCs.
38
@Joe
In re to: "We need more Abigail Spanbergers in US politics and less AOCs."
No. We need more of both. That is the only way we will be able to address the climate crisis, income inequality, gun violence, health inequities, immigrant detainment, and the many other problems we are faced with today.
11
@Joe
Your mention of " narcissistic" may well be the understatement of the day...if not decade.
3
@Joe
When I was growing up we could travel from the south Bronx neighborhood my family lived in when I was born to the Queens neighborhood I grew in on the Q44 bus. After many years the route has hardly changed. AOC needs to get off of the Q44 and experience the rest of the country. Perhaps she can start by attending town halls with Abigail Spanberger.
Interestingly the open paragraph talks about Republicans not bringing legislation to the Senate floor when Pelosi won't bring key pieces to the house floor for a vote. Author's biases and prejudices are showing true colors. Still, comprehensive look the some key new legislators.
As someone who really hates Brussel sprouts I have to say I’m not really feeling a big bunch of sorry. I’d love to be in a position to try to help my country no matter the hardships they might go thru... not quite like a six month deployment that turns into nine and a half with 110 days at sea. Think long term about your contribution to your constituents and the country
1
Fantastic article! This deserves a Pulitzer Prize.
It is distressing to see all the name calling. Congress looks like a school playground at recess. Maybe politicians should be banned from Twitter.
14
I have been thinking the same thing about banning politicians from using Twitter — and include a ban on the White House from Twitter as well. I don’t care who is in the White House. Government business should be conducted through government channels, with proper respect, at a respectable time.
11
What really puzzled me is the fact that no politician in America is required to study political science and philosophy. As a result, we have so many amazingly "uneducated even idiotic" candidates. A communist Kshama Sawant just won the Seattle district 3 city counsel election positioning herself to nationalize all major corporations and private businesses. So called socialist economy she is trying to sell is in fact Communism. It really angers me to have these unqualified and irresponsible people trying to lead us into madness.
11
I studied political science and philosophy as an undergraduate in the early ‘70’s and I’d much rather have a person with more practical experience representing me than someone who spent so much time pondering life’s unanswerable questions. Politicians are only useful to the extent that they get things done that their constituents want. Your Seattle Communist will certainly find that out soon enough.
3
@Linda Sawant, a socialist, not communist, has been active in Seattle politics for ages. She won because the majority of her constituents agree with her and appreciate her experience. You're free to disagree, but she is a known quantity and her wins suggests that her constituents like what she's doing. That's what a representative democracy entails. Curious that you would call out Ms. Sawant as an example of inexperience and not, say, a reality show host and failed entrepreneur.
5
Spamberger: “strong on national security” is code for “warmonger”
6
This article is so depressing. As it says: it’s so middle school. How exhausting.
Get on with it people. Rome is burning.
29
Congressman Pocan, mentioned in the article, is the Vice-Chair of the Progressive Caucus, which was not mentioned. This when detailing comments regarding other caucuses in the House.
The Progressive Caucus is the second largest in the House among Democrats and the third largest overall. It is also widely ignored by political reporters who are supposedly non-partisan.
https://cpc-grijalva.house.gov/caucus-members/
4
This is the best explanation of how Congress works that I have ever read.
I found it heartening that some potluck and form community together, and I found it disheartening that Twitter dramas, taught by our president, have become the norm as cliques proliferate. At least from this description, moderates seem to be the only level-headed ones.
How about some basic mediation and communication skills taught to every member? It sounds like they could use it.
2
Why does an article about Congresswomen worry so much
about how they look and dress ?
Meanwhile, why not let Representatives be elected to 3 year terms, with 1/3rd elected every year ? Likewise, Senators elected to 4 years terms, with 1/4th elected every year and the President to one 5 year term.
Members of the House barely get elected before they have to
start running for re-election again and the Senators are too removed from being held accountable by their 6 year terms.
10
@John Brown sounds good to me
3
This is a sad feature given that it reinforced the 'mean girls in high school' theme. Recently here in Switzerland, a number of women were elected in a breakout election. It's very impressive to learn about their approach to policy solutions for climate change, family welfare and support measures for working families, employment and pay equity, and sensible, compassionate immigration laws. I know nothing about their shoes, jewelry, hair, fashion sense or with whom they are in 'clique' with. It's almost a year now and as a Pressley constituent, can we get a progress report on all the promises she made in the campaign? Susan knows the Commonwealth of Massachusetts well, so I know she can ace it.
9
This article made me wonder whether the two-year terms of House members are too short because they drive them to be constantly overly-concerned with re-election. When ones every move becomes fodder for a new political ad by your enemies I personally think we have a problem. I guess most folks might just think those are the breaks.
33
One wonders whether Spanberger ran as a Democrat merely for strategic advantage. She seems totally unconcerned with the erosion of democracy, naked cruelty, and escalating economic inequality that Pressley and other Democrats are committed to addressing. If she’d made friends with the Squad instead worrying that their taint would rub off on her, maybe she’d get her priorities in order. A talented leader could achieve all that and still win in her conservative district.
8
Couldn’t disagree more. Rep. Spanberger is highly accomplished, hard working, sincere and knows her district well. She’s the real deal.
This interesting and somewhat long winded article managed to capture the pathos of the newly elected members of the Congress with very diverse backgrounds.
In reality, a lot of very idealistic folks strive to get elected to the Congress with the express intent of enacting visionary legislation yet after a while, unfortunately, a lot of them get enmeshed in partisan politics, Quid Pro Quo, influence peddling, fund raising etc. etc. in order to get elected every two years. Idealism goes away and the survival instinct kicks in.
C’est la vie!
2
Ms. Spanberger enjoys quite a bit of support in her district. Her brand is more than a compromise between the far left and right and she is fairly representative of a typical Central Virginia Democrat.
13
This piece underscored both my admiration for Abigail Spanberger and my disappointment with Ayanna Pressley.
Spanberger is making an outstanding effort to represent her conservative district, while bridging her differences with the Democratic leadership. If the Democrats continue to cement their primacy in the House, moderate and conservative Democrats like Spanberger will be central to that victory.
Ayanna Pressley brings a wealth of experience to her new role in Congress, but does not appear to be bringing that experience to bear. While Pressley has more substance than Rep. Omar, who is garnering poor reviews from constituents, Pressley is still coming across as a “show pony.” Given her past experience in Massachusetts congressional politics, I am surprised that Pressley has fallen into that trap— I hope that she will soon right herself.
13
If I were not retired, I could never have gotten through this article, but I found it fascinating. Congress is exactly like I thought it was. Constantly running around with a wet finger in the air trying to find out where the wind is blowing with respect to your own values and public representations made to get elected. I could never get elected to anything because I can't help calling it like it is with respect to my core values (progressive). I'd be living on Xanax and Tagamet.
1
Congrats on any firsts you may have achieved as female congress people.
Now the three most important things you should do are:
1-Do not identity obsess.
2-Do not identity obsess.
3-Do not identity obsess.
It was lethal to Hillary.
Do come up with moderate progressive ideas that will unite a majority of Americans.
19
If Ms Pressley wants to have a career in Congress, she should do everything she can to separate herself from AOC, Omar and Tlaib. Those three are the kinds of “girls” Ms Presley’s mom would have told her to avoid when she was in school—they’re trouble. She would also do well to remember that politics is the art of the possible and that she should not be deceived by virtue signaling from the left or right. When you and your 434 colleagues must spend every other year of your life campaigning to keep your job, it’s hard for any of you to stay focused on your customers—the people. DC is a strange, cynical place—the best you can do is treat others with kindness and salvage your integrity for later in your life.
14
Please keep Eliot Engel and Jerry Nadler far away from the impeachment process. Yeah I know Nadler’s chair of the Judiciary Committee but hopefully the good work of the Intelligence Committee will box him in. No focus.
1
So you have a bunch of older versions of high school Mean Girls from different schools together in the same gym and they don't get along. Who would have thunk it?
5
I happily voted for Spanberger as I consider myself a Pragmatist of the American philosophical school type where truth is obtained from "on the ground" involvement with a problem and not from an ideological position. And I believe in progress and the evidence is overwhelming that we have made real progress in this country. The fact that this article is focusing on women in Congress is proof. I hope in our quest for "a more perfect union" we don't lose sight of the tremendous progress in every single sphere of human existence, from race and gender issues, to poverty, to health. It's OK that we keep raising the bar but too many people act as if the bar is still on the ground and I am very weary of that. And I also am a believer in King's "I have a Dream" approach. Let's judge people on their character. The way forward is not in cliques.
16
The biggest impediment to getting things done are the congressional rules and procedures. The good news is those rules can be changed, no laws or amendments to the constitution needed. For example, passage of a bill could require at least, say, 20% of the minority party. That's not necessarily a good idea, just one example of how Congress can fix itself.
It should be noted the Republican and Democratic parties are legal entities with bylaws and rules, not constitutional entities.
17
@James B best point of the day. Political parties are private corporations. They have no constitutional meaning.
3
Two outstanding Americans. Someday, in a presumably much more enlightened era, they would make an excellent national ticket. In the meantime, they're fighting the good fight and should make all civic-minded citizens proud.
120
Interesting but way too long. What did they expect, a rose covered walk way.
47
@Paul
I thought I was the only one! It's ridiculous how long the Times' articles are. I clicked on the link to this story and ended up in Oz. My goodness, does it take that many words to get to the point or paint a picture?
2
@renee pearson It's a feature article from the New York Times Magazine. Of course it is long.
1
It's really important to separate Ayanna Pressley from the rest of The Squad for a number of reasons. For one, she doesn't share their myopic focus on Israel and she has a very good relationship with the Jewish community in her district in Boston. She's shown the ability to separate herself from them at critical points in her young legislative career, which will serve her well if she aims for higher office. For Tlaib and Omar - the House is as far as they're ever going to go. For Pressley and AOC, I have a feeling it's just a way station to greater things.
89
I hope that you are correct. Rep. Pressley certainly has the professional background to acquit herself well in Congress, and it is good to hear that she has not affiliated herself with some of the more extreme positions of the squad.
17
@ANetliner she doesn’t really have much of a professional background. She’s pretty much always been in politics and doesn’t have an under grad degree.
5
So speaking truth about AIPAC will be a hindrance to their career? Keep living in the past boomer. A new day is coming when we will fight against oppression and for every human’s right that includes Palestinian’s.
18
As someone who essentially lived with Pressley for nine years as my City Councilor, I can attest that during those nine years she did nothing other than try to promote herself. She has no real education, constantly jumping in at opportune times for exposure and found exactly the right time to challenge Capuano when so many here feel impotent about creating any real change in DC. Pressley will prove to he a useless Congresswoman and I just hope the Media watches her finances each year she is in DC
64
@Philip W
"(Pressley) found exactly the right time to challenge Capuano"
Not bad for a person with "no real education".
15
Sorry to hear your negative assessment of Rep. Pressley, as she replaced the very well-liked and effective Michael Capuano.
I had hoped that Rep. Pressley’s experience on the staffs of Senator John Kerry and Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy II would serve her well on Capitol Hill. To date, her performance seems uneven. I hope that Rep. Pressley will right herself.
6
@Philip W
I watched Ayanna Pressley and Mike Capuano discuss issues during primary season. Mike was my Rep before redistricting, so I’m always interested when his name comes up. Policy-wise, Pressley and Capuano are basically clones. But, in every encounter with him she was just a whole lot madder with a ‘change can no longer wait’ kind of attitude. It was interesting to see people who agree on every single issue get hot under the collar. In the end, Mike was, apparently, not fed-up enough with the status quo for voters in your district, so he got primaried out.
I have mixed feelings. I like seeing a younger, female, person of color in that slot. As progressive as Mike is, he’s perceived as an older white guy who supposedly doesn’t get it. He was still willing to reach across the aisle and work the system. She’s sick and tired of a system she feels doesn’t work.
I’ve got a ‘wait and see’ attitude going. Like I said, she’s not my Rep, so I haven’t watched her career closely and so can neither agree nor disagree with your ‘show horse’ opinion of her. I just hope she grows into the role. We lost a solid, progressive Rep when we lost Mike. I think she might not understand that she has big shoes to fill.
29
It’s going to get a lot worse, before it gets better.
7
@Molloy
"the beginnings of a movement of tremendous and positive change in the USA and the world"
Just like it was when JFK entered the White House in January, 1961.
@Cecelie Berry Oh God! You are wrong I hope but I suspect you are right. Pressley and Spanberger should go far and I hope they do. Unfortunately it will not be in politics.
@Molloy
One day, not far in the future, no one will remember these women ever existed. It may come sooner than later. To that point, how many members of Congress from 10 years ago can you name today?
1
Gosh, Spanberger has it really tough. One wonders how she gets through the day.
Somehow the other newly elected members, are doing just fine.
10
@Cousy she isn’t my Congresswoman and I couldn’t be more proud of her. As to how she gets through the day, her family, education and professional experience have created an exceptional foundation. She’s the real deal.
3
@Cousy
Did you miss the bit about how she didn't go into other people's offices and cry, like many other first-year members do? (Not that crying is bad; I cried when I started my new job, too.) I'm not sure why you're implying that she's whining or has a persecution complex, but that seems to be the opposite of the truth.
Thank you Susan Dominus for a great article! Keep it up!
32
Need to know.
But really.
Middle school yes.
Because there was not one grown up in the reporting.
Even if everyone of the congress persons were duty bound to make it clear where they stand every conflict was unnecessary. Every single one.
Poor leadership. Poor listening. A bunch of middle schoolers playing to their choirs when the strategic need in every district are people who listen and so are trustworthy.
And I read nothing but perhaps I read too fast about a Native American congressperson getting fed up with that snotty now ex chief of staff of AOC who has god emperor tendencies. In the name of democracy mind you.
11
What a condescending, vapid, gossipy, demeaning bunch of absolute nonsense.
Concentrate on the issues, New York Times, and leave this junior high school gossip in junior high school. And stop treating these women congressmen like children.
31
@Sean
Well, you have to admit that some of them do act like children.
3
The New York Times writes positively about CIA agents. Color me shocked.
13
@Benjamin Sevart CIA doesn't have "agents," it has officers and there's a big difference between the two. If you want to criticize our intelligence agencies and the loyal, hardworking men and women who work for them - learn a little bit about what they do first.
2
A rose is a rose by any other name.
Also, you’re right that they’re very loyal. Loyal to the Agency, that is, and no one else.
They can’t be trusted in politics. After all, the CIA does enough manipulation of domestic politics as it is; I really hope this trend of agents running for Congress reverses itself. Sadly, I think they’re here to stay, and that their numbers will continue to grow.
4
"NOW" you vote to obstruct each and every action proposed by Republicans, and do everything and anything you can to wrestle control away from the rabid right wing religious republicans and their Mad King.
2
This article was very well written and greatly portrayed the issues facing congress from a swing district to more progressive districts. With the discussion of inner party politics, this article aced different narratives.
45
This article is an extraordinary portrait, worthy of a Pulitzer price. I have been rarely so moved or so well-informed by this kind of article, which goes beyond the dry facts to give us insight into the some of the people caught up in these historic times, and how the acquitted themselves during it. "What did you do, Daddy, during the War?"
Thank you for this extraordinary work!
78
Way to much word salad. I almost had to give up, I ended up speed reading through most of the end because I really didn't care what dress they were wearing or the temperature outside.
105
@Just Saying
I gave up. Trying to figure out the point via the comments. I do want to know what it is like to be a newly elected rep that unseated a formerly popular congressman. I don't especially care what the reps are eating for lunch or the style of their workout clothes.
26
@Sharon
I, on the other hand, though it was a great way to humanize the lawmakers and it gave insight into their day to day lives. That was really the whole point. If you aren't interested, don't read it, simple as that.
12
@Just Saying
Most of what is written here focuses on Ayanna Pressley's color aka race, appearance, wardrobe, hairstyle, marital and parental status.
Plus a ' Kardashian' canard and trope.
5
It would be intensely frustrating to be a rank-and-file member of Congress, where party control of each house and leadership control of the floor mean the ability of a junior member to get *anything* done is functionally nil. Public understanding of the absolute nature of these veto points is low - if Republicans are in charge of the House or the Senate, there is nothing any Democrat from the President on down can do to pass their priorities into law, any "you didn't try hard enough!" criticisms notwithstanding. (This also highlights the absurdity of the Democratic primary's focus on minute distinctions among policy ideas that will never get past the Senate anyway, but that's beside the point.)
As grateful as I am to Reps. Pressley, Spanberger, and others who are willing to serve despite these barriers, federal gridlock provides one more reason for Americans to focus more on their state and local governments, which are too often neglected but have more power over many day-to-day aspects of our lives than does Congress - and will continue to do so long after Trump is gone. The mass extinction of local media outlets sadly exacerbates the turn towards DC as the only government worth watching. Hopefully, the positive results in Virginia, Kentucky, Louisiana, and other recent elections indicate a reversal of this trend.
93
@D
Not true. Majority rules in the House. End of story. That is NOT true of the Senate. Any one member of the Senate has a lot of power, to filibuster, to force debate, to force votes. The House and Senate are different animals. At least they will be until whichever party is in the majority in the Senate after the next election end the legislative filibuster, which either party is going to do.
1
@Mike The legislative filibuster lets an individual senator delay (though not necessarily block) votes on new laws, it’s true. Though that just serves the Republican agenda of having government do nothing. But individual senators can’t force votes. And they certainly can’t set the floor agenda. That’s why McConnell was able to take the unprecedented step of full-out blocking a Supreme Court nomination, and there was nothing any Democrat could do about it.
3
@D
McConnell was not the first Senator to block a SC nomination. There was precedent.
https://quiznox.com/2017/01/31/election-year-supreme-court-nominations/