What Joe Kennedy’s speech says about Democratic anger at Trump
What Joe Kennedy’s speech says about Democratic anger at Trump
Whenever a party seems to be approaching a major victory, pundits and journalists will be gripped by the impulse to warn that they’re Doing It Wrong, and they either won’t win at all or, if they do, their victory will be hollow unless they take the scolder’s advice.
So it has been lately with Democrats, who are being constantly told that, while it looks like they’re headed for a wave election this November, if they don’t come up with a positive, affirmative message that has nothing to do with anger at President Trump, then they don’t deserve to win.
That notion is wrong on both counts: they don’t need a “positive” message as it is often defined, and anger at the president is not just sufficient, it’s the most morally and politically appropriate message for 2018.
As a way to think about this, I’d like to look at the Democratic response to the State of the Union, which was delivered last night by Rep. Joe Kennedy (D-Mass.). Put aside the stupid questions about him — Should the Democrats be promoting the scion of a royal family? Was he wearing too much lip balm? — and focus on the content. Kennedy’s speech mentioned policy issues, but mostly it was an attack on Trump and the Republicans, delivered through a contrast of values. Here’s a key passage:
This administration isn’t just targeting the laws that protect us — they are targeting the very idea that we are all worthy of protection. For them, dignity isn’t something you’re born with but something you measure. By your net worth, your celebrity, your headlines, your crowd size. Not to mention, the gender of your spouse. The country of your birth. The color of your skin. The God of your prayers. Their record is a rebuke of our highest American ideal: the belief that we are all worthy, we are all equal and we all count. In the eyes of our law and our leaders, our God and our government. That is the American promise.
You might say: “That won’t persuade the fellas in MAGA hats the New York Times keeps interviewing down at that diner in West Virginia!” And you’d be right. It is an appeal to liberal values of equality, inclusiveness, and common fate and purpose. It won’t convince conservatives to vote for Democrats.
But that’s not what Democrats need right now. What they need, more than anything else, is for their base to get energized, excited, and yes, angry. They need to feel that both their values and their interests are under attack by a reckless, impulsive, cruel, infantile president and his enablers in Congress, and that there is no more urgent task than stopping them. Because that is the truth.
Centrist pundits will insist Democrats have to stand for something apart from Trump. But they already do. Ask a Democrat running for Congress what she would like to do about health care, the minimum wage, environmental protections, taxes, or anything else, and she’ll have answers, roughly the same answers as most other Democrats would give. She might not have a bumper-sticker-ready phrase to wrap it all up with, but if you think that’s her problem, then your argument isn’t that Democrats don’t stand for anything. Your argument is that their marketing ought to be better.
And what’s the problem with “I’m against Trump” as a message? It seems to be darned persuasive right now. When people say that Democrats (or anyone else) need an “affirmative” message, what they seem to mean is that the party needs to come up with a bunch of innovative new policy ideas no one has ever thought of before. But why?
Protecting women’s reproductive rights isn’t a newfangled idea, but it’s central to what it means to be a liberal. Safeguarding the right to vote isn’t 21st-century policy whizbangery, but it’s vital to the survival of democracy. And the idea of welcoming immigrants is as old (and controversial) as the country itself.
As for being against Trump, what could possibly be more important right now? If Democrats do manage to take back the House or the Senate, their primary task in the subsequent two years — their only task, really — is going to be thwarting, constraining, and investigating this president and his administration.
There is absolutely nothing the Democrats could do that would be dumber than setting aside their criticisms of Trump to focus solely on some “affirmative” agenda. First of all, when they get spooked by all the “You need a message!” clamor, they usually come up with pablum like their “ Better Deal ,” which was focus-grouped and poll-tested within an inch of its life and was utterly uninspiring. More importantly, their base is more excited and active than it has been in anyone’s memory, and it’s because of Trump. That’s why Democrats won election after election in 2017, and why even when they fell short they dramatically outperformed their usual showings. That’s why so many Democrats are becoming activists and running for office.
The truth is that in midterm elections, opposing the president works. Indeed, it’s the only thing that does. Anger at President Barack Obama is what got their voters out in 2010 and 2014, enabling the Republicans to take back Congress. Did they have an “affirmative” agenda undecided voters flocked to? Of course not. Almost no one pretends anymore that the Tea Party was motivated primarily by an abstract belief in small government and not sheer venomous hatred of Obama. Likewise, Democratic anger at President George W. Bush is what enabled them to take control of Congress during the 2006 elections.
“But what about the Contract With America?” you say. Wasn’t that an affirmative agenda that helped Republicans win a sweeping victory in 1994? No, it wasn’t. The fact that you remember it is a result of some very clever myth-making on Republicans’ part, a post-hoc explanation that they used to claim they had a mandate for their agenda. The truth is that polls showed that voters had barely heard of the contract. Republicans won in 1994 because their base was riled up by President Bill Clinton’s policies — his tax increase, his effort to reform health insurance, a ban on assault weapons — and their anger over all that was what drove them to the polls.
Right now, Democrats have an agenda which, if you’re so inclined, you can find in their copious white papers and ten-point-plans. And they have a message: Stop Trump.
they don’t need a “positive” message as it is often defined, and anger at the president is not just sufficient, it’s the most morally and politically appropriate message for 2018
.
Trump is going down like an aging Asian Caucasian headed & Going Down with Jared
to the subway down town in an UPbeet CHINA Town
and a third or fourth flush
will washy away the $hit Stained GOPEEEE
Oh what a Happy Ending
We have more than suppositories and proctologists in our ARSenals
I agree !
does that Emoji insert for you , AAAYYYYYYYY
And they have a message: Stop Trump.
Problem is, that's the only message they have. Nothing about what they intend to do for the greatest number of American citizens.
When they wake up on the November 7th, and Congress is still in Republican hands, and Trump still occupies the WH, they might wake up to the fact that they are out of favor and still out of power. But I'm not counting on it. The still honestly believe that these corrupt and tainted "investigations" will yield them them the make believe lala land they so earnestly desire. Not gonna happen.
Great column. Ridding the world of Trumpism IS the most pressing issue of our day. It is not simple or easy, given the way of the world that dictates that things fall apart. The "resistance" against Trumpism has had to endure over a greater length of time than many would like , and the Trumpsters and the "don't cares" endlessly try to normalize the travesty in the service of "moving on". Every day we have people even here on Newstalkers saying "get over it".
It's nice to see a columnist for the Washington Post suggest the exact opposite of "get over it".
Democrats only message ..... EVER:
Preying on Fears of the Snowflakes.......Armageddon.....Destruction.....Crumbs.....Scary......Tears.....Cliffs.......Death....... All "Doom and Gloom" !
That message has worked so well since 2010.
as opposed to The Republicans message
DENIAL, Nothing to see HERE, Just a Few THOUSAND Randumb Coincidences,
Always a Brides maid, NEVER a Correlation
No COLLUSION, No OBSTRUCTION, The Left just can't Accept he Won
The 'Right' may want to STOP ASZ PAY
DIRT never Looked so DAMN SMART
None of the "Accusations" you propose effects mine....nor your ability to make a life for oneself. Not one bit.
Actual policies do.
You didn't get a bonus or get to keep more of your money this year ?
Skirting the CoC [ph]
When you can't logically argue and debate the point you invariably turn to the cute little personal attack John. It's not working. We're wise to you. Perhaps you should quit seeding spam articles so often and come up with a subject of relevance once in awhile. It's very like the "memo" will be released tomorrow. I don't think you are going to like it very much.
It's not just "collusion," IT'S CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY!
XDM and Apollo Invictus
your idea of "intelligent discourse" is to claim the Democrats colluded with Russia. You are hopelessly lost in ridiculous right wing conspiracy theories and are simply incompetent to discuss intelligently on this forum for that reason.
Right wing media has utterly destroyed the competency of many "conservatives" to make basic sense, let alone "win" arguments.
Not really, just like your attempts to deflect from the troubles at hand and say the other side did it. Collusion is small potatoes in the inquiry, it will be conspiracy, money laundering and the RICO statutes that will have the grafter heading for the high country. He cheats at life and business just like he cheats at the game he claims to excel at.
Par cheesy ?
Like the "Twin Towers" being taken down by President Bush himself ?
Isn't that yet another right wing conspiracy? Are they not the source of all those wonderfully fanciful attacks on reality, remember Sandy Hook the school shooting that never happened so Obama could take your guns away.
Who said that ?
Radical people believe radical opinions that have no foundation in facts and use it as imaginary political fodder. Sad.
Because it would serve the purpose of the left to make up a charge that Obama was going to use the tragedy to disarm the populace. Think about that for a millisecond, just like in any situation where motive is to be considered who stands to gain. Hint; the second amendment fear mongers.
But the "Left" DID stump for disarming the "American" populace using "Sandy Hook" as their poster child.
Gaaaawd...."Short" memories can be so frustrating at times.
Agreed, but that doesn't mean they do not have many followers, Alex Jones has made a career playing the easily duped. Not all conspiracy theories are outlandish at face value, but that doesn't mean they are not total bullshit anyway.
There will always be people that would use a tragedy to try and impose their own value system, that is a far cry from claiming that a hideous tragedy was fabricated, parents that lost their children were complicit in the hoax all to achieve a selfish purpose. One woman just went on trial for attacking a parent that lost a child for what she believed was a stunt.
AGAIN ....... Who said it !
Trumpism is a pox on all our houses. Donate time and $ to neutering Trump November 6th...
Define "Trumpism" So far, it appears to be good for the country as a whole. Not necessary good for criminals, illegals, and the LWNJ's
it's like most ISM'S, just missing the J
Cum again with that!
Good to c u out in the real world
though I do N joy your sanctuary
Time will tell all, when Reagan came on board the economy had serious problems, his supply side economics created new ones, Bill Clinton left the economy healthy and vibrant, G.W. Bush tried the same and left the country in dire straits, Obama brought it back from the precipice. now we have trump that inherited a growing sustained economy, which as usual he claims credit for and he is trying the same again. I would give him credit if the economy was healthy two years into his reign because it takes at least that long for the inertia to taper off. He claims awesome economic achievement, so why was the push for the tax scam needed?
Of course it did, drastic times require drastic measures. Supply side disaster. Trickle down on you! Here we go again, banking and investment regulations stripped away creating what some economists project could revisit another crash. Same ingredients generally create the same cake. Ryans "paycheck" was social security then he was an aide Gubmint check he only had a couple of short gigs that were not a taxpayer funded, H Y P O C R I T E extraordinaire.
Exactly......and let's not forget the Democrat Loons in Congress like Maxine Water and Barney Fwank......
Oh, the (mis-referenced) Shakespearean drama! It's "both" ... not "all". Mercutio, "Romeo and Juliet", Act III, Sc. 1). LOL
Have you considered relocating to NOKO, Iran, Cuba, or Russia to escape this proven, but feared by the radical Left, #MAGA "pox"? Newsflash, JBB -- Members of my family ... especially our youngest members ... are very happy with our "crumbs".
Joe Kennedy, the epitome of white privilege, weakly rails against the privilege he himself enjoys as he (figuratively) stands in high heels and invites all the illegal aliens to keep jumping the fence. Nauseating. I don’t care for Trump but if this dish rag is the democratic answer, then Trump may be re-elected.
Paul Ryan wants to eliminate virtually all social programs and yet he has been receiving almost exclusively government checks as his income since he was ten, hypocrisy knows no barriers.
Bullshit !
He wants to reduce the inflated spending on programs, to a manageable level !
And you accuse me of "a boat load of crap"?
All I can say is WOW.
But it’s Joe Kennedy railing against “white” privilege not Paul Ryan.
Judging by their Representatives (Pelosi, Schumer, Black Caucus)......they don't look energized or excited.....But they do look angry.....but it appears that they are angry at Success and Prosperity.....Gonna be hard to run against those 2 things....But....I shouldn't underestimate the shear hatred that the left has for Donald Trump.....He has been kicking their asses.....and I don't blame them for looking like a bunch of Sour Pusses......but cheer up on the left......at least you have the MSM on your side and if you lose again.....they will cry and make fools of themselves again for our entertainment.....
What a boat load of crap, Skirting the CoC [ph]
It's, almost as if symbolic
I don't think I am superior to anyone.......That being said.... I do think that delivering Success and Prosperity.....is a good position to be in.....and taking the stance that it is from Obama is going to get weaker and weaker as his policies are one by one eliminated or neutered.........
Trump hatred? A perspective beyond a perspective.
Besides, I feel confident that the 'Trump hatred/letdown' will be universal. The right wing disdaining ( him ) because he is the "Horse that was never rode and the line that was never crossed." And as far as the left, their disdain of ( him) was the knowledge that ( he ) was always exactly what they knew he was.
Oh, the irony!!
Joseph Patrick Kennedy III, of the Kennedy dynasty, is the epitome of the Democratic Party's white elitist attitude. So glad Dems trotted him out to tell Americans how he and they can relate to poor and middle class Americans of ALL races. Ha ha ha!
(Did anyone ever tell him what his great-grandfather and great-grandmother despicably did to THEIR "defective" daughter?)
The Kennedys sure remind me of Mayor Quimby of the Simpsons.....Just for Laughs....
Oh and let's not forget folks these are the same people who think $1000 is nothing but Crumbs.