Can Democrats Find Their Fear and Rage?
By: bulwarkonline (The Bulwark)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
A raped and pregnant 10-year-old crossing state lines for an abortion. A coup against our government led by a president eager to send a mob he knew was armed to threaten the vice president and members of Congress. A Supreme Court that rules against the majority of the country on guns, abortion, and climate change and may side with Republicans next year who want partisans to decide our elections. The attorney general of Texas admitting he would welcome the return of anti-sodomy laws.
After years of tumultuous change and accelerating division, these past days and weeks have made perfectly clear—even to those who had tried tuning it all out when Donald Trump lost the 2020 election—just what Republicans do with power.
In the wake of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, and explosive testimony in several hearings on January 6th, polls show enthusiasm about voting rising, and the generic ballot tightening or even leaning toward Democrats. Yet reportedly the party's base is unmoved. Some Democrats are telling us that it's just too much to expect their voters to turn out in November because, to them, Biden's first half of his term has been a failure. Their perception seems to be that current events are terribly disappointing, but not dire.
Here's Rep. Cori Bush explaining her view of the situation to the Washington Post:
We can't just tell people, "Well, just vote—vote your problems away." Because they're looking at us and saying "Well, we already voted for you."
What Bush seems to be saying is that because Democrats couldn't deliver on voting rights, police reform and a revolutionary social-welfare program, then the answer is for their voters stay home and help elect Republicans.
But of course, the last 18 months have proved exactly the opposite: Voters put Democrats in power with a very narrow majority and in return they got an ambitious COVID rescue plan, a bipartisan infrastructure law, and bipartisan gun reform. If Democrats want more of their legislative priorities addressed, then they should be eager to vote. Because that is how you solve your problems. And the bigger the majorities you can make, the bigger the problems you can tackle.
Contra Bush, voting is literally the only solution.
One may have assumed the end of Roe would unite the Democrats in shared fury. But the response instead has been Democrats getting mad at . . . Democrats.
President Biden is being urged to take immediate, bold action by some members of his party. They want to return to the failed debate on eliminating the filibuster, which Sens. Kirsten Sinema and Joe Manchin still won't agree to. Some activists want to expand the Supreme Court or use federal lands and national parks for pop-up abortion clinics—neither of which are politically viable, whatever you think of the merits.
So the message the Democratic base hears is:
In response to this emergency we are more focused on cannibalizing our coalition than addressing the emergency—which requires defeating Republicans.
Of course, Democratic voters are used to this message, because they have been hearing it for more than a year now. They have been consistently told that Democrats in control of the White House and the Congress have worn down and "demoralized" millions of their own voters.
Bernie Sanders, for instance, has not been principally concerned that the Supreme Court would overturn Roe—and that same sex marriage could be next. Or that Big Lie Republicans across the country have been nominated after campaigning on promises to steal the next election. Instead, he has mostly focused on criticizing his party for turning its back on the working class.
Months ago Sanders declared that a "major course correction" was required and said "You really can't win an election with a bumper sticker that says: 'Well, we can't do much, but the other side is worse.'"
Really Bernie. It sure seems like the Republicans have figured out how to make that math work.
Elizabeth Warren also raised alarm this spring about how depressed the base was and how much and how quickly Democrats had to produce results or face a wipeout in the fall. In a New York Times op-ed she warned "We promised more—and voters remember those promises." Warren also insisted the party respond to struggling Americans with more economic policy. "We're not here to fight culture wars. We're here to make a real difference in the lives of people who need us," she said.
Because while Democrats might not care about the culture war, the culture war cares about them. Like it or not, swing voters are more moved by cultural messaging on the right than economic messages from the left.
In their Progressive Policy Institute study released in February called The New Politics of Evasion: How Ignoring Swing Voters Could Reopen The Door For Donald Trump and Threaten American Democracy, authors William Galston* and Elaine Kamarck wrote about how Democrats are refusing "to confront the unyielding arithmetic of electoral success."
The reason is that Democrats have "been led astray by three persistent myths: that 'people of color' think and act the same way; that economics always trumps culture; and that a progressive majority is emerging."
The abortion war, should Democrats allow it, could unite their coalition and divide the GOP. It's a culture battle worth waging. Someone should explain to Warren that while rising costs are on Democrats, mandatory births are on Republicans. Warren might also spend some time highlighting promises Republicans have made—that they will spend an entire two years investigating Hunter Biden and some of those months impeaching Joe Biden.
The likely fundamentals of the election can remain—that inflation will drive a lot of voters to oppose Democrats. But turning out Democrats who otherwise would not have voted this year, but who are enraged over abortion bans or the Republicans downplaying an insurrection, can make a significant difference in the outcome.
If there is a GOP wave, it will be the result of a refusal of Democratic voters to turn out. An energized Democratic coalition can break the wave, mitigate losses, and reduce the number of seats Republicans were certain they would win before June changed the dynamics of the campaign.
This year, Democrats should run on anger and terror. As campaign genius Corey Lewandowski said in 2018, before the first anti-Trump wave, "People don't turn out to say thank you." This is why Republicans spent 2018 trying to scare Americans about caravans, hoping their fear and loathing of Trump would be eclipsed by fear of MS-13. It turned out that Trump was more frightening.
It's not far-fetched to think some swing voters will be scared to put Republicans in charge of the House after they learn that Republicans not only abetted Trump but some worked so hard to help steal the election they asked for pardons themselves. Some Democrats think they will be. Simon Rosenberg, who was one of the first Democrats to note that voters in recent months were separating their views of Biden from Democratic Senate candidates, has argued that the same anti-Trump energy that propelled Democrats to the majority in 2018 and Biden to the presidency can materialize again.
"It's a new election," Rosenberg, president of the New Democrat Network wrote last week. "The chances of the anti-MAGA majority showing up again—as it did in 2018 and 2020—have increased dramatically." Noting stronger than expected polling for Democrats, even before June, that showed more of a competitive election than a Red wave, Rosenberg wrote "political analysts were overly discounting the ugliness of the GOP's offering this year."
Rosenberg is right that this is no ordinary midterm or political cycle. But polls are not votes. Democrats up and down the ballot, from every region, must invest in turning out voters everywhere, from every party.
Rage posting on Instagram is not the same as rage voting. Pushing back against the dystopian tide will take resources, and energy, and all hands on deck.
Pouting is simply dangerous.
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Progressive plans will have to wait. We have to beat back the plague known as MAGA.
Their insanity will help us.
Decades of Russian propaganda being fomented by right wing media is effective.
Question is whether an overwhelming amount of Americans will reject it once and for all.
Will the MAGA become a permanent impediment to the American republic?
The Republicans have been smart to block the beneficial legislation meant to enhance the lives of the American people, because it would have made Biden look good, and a couple of Democrats joined them to bolster that tactic. That way the Republicans can point at what the Democrats were unable to accomplish, winning the hearts and minds of the voters. Unless the overturning of Roe v Wade incentivises a mass movement among women who prefer to be in control of their bodies rather than subjugating them to the government, I have my concern about what is going to happen. And, in the meantime, the divisiveness among the Democrat lawmakers provides a great assist to their own party being its own worst enemy.
By the time we get to November , the main issue is going to be how crazy Republicans are, and not in a good way.
They may be crazy but they intend to do whatever it takes to discredit the Democrats in order to take the cake. What the Democrats have to rely on to win is to have faith in the ability of the American people to comprehend the game that's being played and vote for what is to their benefit, and that is what discourages me.
What discourages me is I usually side with the Dems. They really suck at messaging. The republicans blast their shit 24/7.
They never let up, unrelenting. Then the Dems usually end up caving in some sort of fashion.
[Deleted]
I doubt the ruling will have much effect since the votes needed are in red states where those there have already been behind the the overturning / reversal, which you noted yourself from video shown there of young women cheering the overturning .
Most of the complaints are from places uneffected and where it will continue to be legal , so basically have no say in how the voting goes elsewhere that are showing thats what they want .
to answer if MAGA will be a permenent part of the culture?
It always was , it just didnt have a name , and as one has already lamented in the past , many here will go to their graves with the word MAGA on their lips in their last breath having been unable to eradicate it from the lexicon , much like in citizen kane , where "rosebud " was the first and last thing said in that movie .
Citizen Kane
Sleds are used to slide downhill. I can see the relevance.
noted and corrected .
Just remember the prediction i made back after the 20 election .
republican incompetence is only outshined by democrat (progressive) over reach when they dont have the votes .
My prediction after the 16 election is also still in play , that this country was due for and in line for a series( 2 or 3) 1 term presidents, I dont think my odds look too bad for that one either .
In that case America will be unrecognizable, fallen from the weight of so many unhinged conspiracy theories. If MAGA is around in 10 or 12 more years there wont be any country as we have known it.
John , you should really watch that scene in field of dreams , where james earl jones explains this country , and how it has ALWAYS reinvented itself over the years to become something it was not before and how it is a generational thing, it is inevitable , but i doubt yould get it because in my view your too narrow minded and have your own self imposed blinders on , that is your losing quality , and your eventual downfall. all one has to do is let you continue to talk , you cant even stop yourself .
that was one of the best ways i have ever heard this country ever explained in print or film , and it is very true .
[COC VIOLATION - PERSONAL ATTACK]
i DO expect a hearty FUCK YOU , so before hand i offer a sandy cactus , im sure you know where to stuff it .
I like that one. Haha
It sounds like I hit a nerve. The fate of MAGA has nothing to do with me, and yet you personally attacked me. I'd say you are losing the argument. We dont have conservatives anymore, we have people on a crusade to remake the country in the image of conspiracy theories, Christian nationalism, racial tribalism, anti-science, and homophobia. We cant go back in time to 1776 so we can admire the founding fathers uncritically until the end of time. Its not going to happen.
I CAN come up with some origional ones , just depends on my mood , i would call the current one "playful".
Hope you don't mind if I steal it...That was a good one.
The sandy cactus...Hahaha
[COC VIOLATION]
but you are welcome to your "view " as you see it .
and dont bother complaining about any attacks , thats your usual MO with anyone who disagrees with you or you disagree with .
[COC VIOLATION]
[COC VIOLATION]
Not a christian and never claimed to be one so no worries there
now i am for my nation over others so there is that but not to the exclusion of other nationalities .
the only time race becomes an issue with me is when some dumbfuck thinks that their race is suppose to get them some extra priviliges like they are "owed " something ,not happening .
tribalism .... only tribe i belong to is the one all humans belong to and most of them have turned out to be real assholes .
sorry but questioning science is actually how science works , if the facts dont add up then its not science but a cult . i never got those covid vaccines , guess what ? never got sick either , whats the science say about that ?
homophobic.... personally i dont care one way or another who one wishes to love and sleep with , its just not my thing , so i just let those that want that live their lives , and i live mine as I see fit .
two things to remember if you wish to TRY and insult me john , if your going to make an accusation , you better have proof to show it . and not by some round about way simply because i disagree with you .
secondly , in order to BE insulting , what you say has to matter , i dont mind you trying and failing , all the time , its simple mind over matter i dont mind because what you say actually doesnt matter .
sleep well fair prince , knowing you shall never sit upon the throne and one day be king .
In that you and Charlie likely have something in common .
feel free , just remember to tell them they know where to shove it . you can even mention the lack of lubricant .....
.
Your response to what I said , in no relation to you, was to make repeated personal attack comments against me. You made multiple coc violations on this seed. If you want to dispute that take it up with Perrie.
I have been suspended at Newstalkers probably a half dozen times , including both of the last two months, and almost if not all of those suspensions have been for telling people they dont know what they are talking about, or something similar. I dont make personal attacks on people, or any attack for anything unrelated to what they say in their comments.
Some of the policies that MAGA espouses are worthy of discussion and subjects that could be debated as stand alone political issues , such as immigration issues, or some economic issues.
But MAGA on the whole, based as it is on adherence to the cult of personality of Donald Trump , and adherence to conspiracy theories , lies, bigotry, and multi-levels of willful ignorance, is not defensible, it is a plague on this country. When you defend MAGA you are inevitably defending Donald Trump, and patriotic Americans cannot let that stand.
I have a brother, very intelligent guy normally, and who has been very successful financially, who watches Fox News with a lot of his spare time and believes that the election was stolen from Trump, believes much of the garbage that comes out of Trump's mouth , and put an illuminated blow up balloon of Trump dressed as Santa Claus on his front lawn at Christmastime over the past few years. On a purely objective basis this is appalling to me. There isnt a shadow of a doubt that Trump is the most disreputable political figure this country has ever seen , at least since the dawn of the 20th century (it is somewhat difficult to get a complete handle on pre 20th century personalities) , and yet we seemingly have tens of millions of people , called MAGA, who continue to support him and in most cases will be happy to vote for him again (if they "have to") even though he clearly tried to steal the last election.
If people now seen as MAGA want to ever be taken seriously they have to drop the "crazy", drop the Christian nationalism, drop the bigotry, drop the ridiculous conspiracy theories, drop the willful ignorance, none of which is likely to happen.
I dont recall anyone being concerned about your religious beliefs, unless you are a theocrat, which would be a big problem. But since you're not, what the heck is your point?
Christian nationalism is not about putting America first, it is about America being civilly ruled by biblical precepts.
Black people have been prejudiced against in America for 400 years, with very few breaks in the oppression. Of course they are "owed" something. What that is may not be clear and is a work in progress. Much the same is true for Native Americans who have also been prejudiced against for hundreds of years.
Science says you never were exposed to the virus close up, or another unknown factor kept you from getting infected. So what? MAGA wanted to use quack remedies in order to "own" the libs. Some of them are pushing up daisies now.
Thats nice but no one was talking about you.
John, you should consider the reality that folks with a mania, rarely realize they have that mania.
Trust me, you are manic here quite often ..... very much so.
As Trump learned, the number of loud voices at a rally doesn't translate to votes.
The most recent Pew Poll shows that 52% of red state voters do NOT agree with overturning Roe.
Why try to pretend that elections have strict state borders? As long as donors from outside states can bankroll a candidate there will be influence from 'elsewhere'. Hell, now we've got a Senator from South Carolina calling governors from Georgia and Arizona to encourage them to 'review' specific ballots.
As you well know, I am not interested in your opinion of me. There is no such thing as TDS, and yet it is on your lips 24/7 on this site. You have no credibility whatsoever.
Then don’t worry about it when I out your bullshit.
I mean, since you don’t care what I think and all
That said, TDS does exist. You are the best proof of it. You’re absolutely manic when it comes to Trump here but as noted simply can’t see it.
Best thing you’ve ever done here. It’s much appreciated so thx again,
Have you notified them that you put them on ignore?
There was a mention of it to me. But since then she's responded to me with the normal spam comments.
I hope you've put me on ignore.
why dispute a "ticket" that counts for nothing ? it isnt counted towards a suspension .
and i have yet to have to experience that "dubious " honor .
its actually nothing to be proud of . to have been suspended , the fact you have been suspended lends creedance to what i said about your MO , and how you use it , thanks for pointing thatlittle well known fact out .
Tough not having control over what others say and when isn’t it?
Ain’t life a bitch .....
Well you see there is a hard ignore and there is a soft ignore.
Or so I’ve observed here.
No. That's just stupidity. And an inability to just keep scrolling.
I've seen it as well. I equate it to their mental usage...intermittent at best.
Hard ignore is when you really ignore people. Soft ignore is when you only say you do.
I believe the soft ignore to be a byproduct of a previous discussion board that some folks here managed to run into the ground
But hey, that’s just my opinion. I could be wrong.
Now that could be an interesting point of discussion . i would on its face agree and be in that 52%.
but as usually happens , support or disagreement usually happens when the details get discussed and become more firm .
one can be pro choice , but not support unfettered (likely a poor choice of words there but those discussing the issue do see that ) abortion at the same time , it depends on the details . and since each case is different and unique , it has to be treated as such , there is no one size fits all.
as far as i am concerned all the over turning of roe did was return the question , back to the states to solve or answer . And the way the state will do that will be controlled by whom the voters elect .
the feds had near 40 years to legislate the issue in law and make it applicable to all states , and never did so , and the extremes of both sides in my view used that inaction and took over the discussion resulting where we are today .
the roe ruling was not law , it was a guide that other laws created at the state level were judged against and it as has been seen got very murky as to what could and couldnt be done . and as i said pushed by the extremes of both sides .
Which legislation was that?
Liberal women will be outraged, yeah, but frankly they're normally outraged about one thing or another. But don't forget that conservative women have been major drivers of the long efforts to overturn Roe v Wade.
The divisiveness doesn't help, but it's more about the lack of sensible ideas.
have to admit , liberal women have some pretty big balls , they claim to carry them on their chest usually , to avoid chaffing , but as agrieved as i see some of them , i dont think that actually works .........
What beneficial legislation is that? If you mean Build Back Broke- it would have added trillions in spending to the dumpster fire inflation Biden and the Democrats created. We are already headed for a recession. This would have turned it into a depression.
If you mean their voter reform law- sorry we have a Constitution for a reason. No Federal voting law grabs for Democrats. This isn't China. Two party rule is bad enough; we won't tolerate one party rule.
Or maybe you want to point to a wide open southern border with millions of illegals streaming across it; along with all of the drug and gun runners. That is a real accomplishment that hurts all US citizens; except those insulated Democrat politicians that hope to change voting laws to count people over registered legal voters.
I am sure Democrats will be galvanized by the overturning of Roe. California and New York can have a race to see which is the first to have an abortion as the baby tries to claw its way out of the womb.
Republicans are less united than Democrats unfortunately. They have Liz Cheney trying to get her last 15 minutes of fame before her political career is over. Kinzinger wants desperately to get some of the spotlight from Liz; but he doesn't have the name recognition to do it. Both are helping the Democrats undermine the Constitution; Congress rules; Presidential Privilege- guess it only applies to Democrats; and attorney/client confidentiality.
Let it never be said Republicans can't fuck up a sure thing.
We're in a full employment economy. The labor participation rate has nearly recovered to pre-pandemic levels. Wages have increased. Business profits are way up. The dollar is stronger than it has been in decades. Biden even lowered the Federal deficit. According to these supply side measures, we should be experiencing broad prosperity. So, what happened?
Biden has been very good for the supply side of the economy. And much of Biden's domestic policy gets the credit. The supply side of the economy is so good that Democrats felt comfortable expanding government programs. Democrats can focus attention on social and political issues without any concern for the economy. Free trade monetarism has paid off. So, what's the gripe?
Vote early, vote often. Why wouldn't voters want more of the same?
Why bother when the Supremacist Court is going to rig the next election?
Riiight , until you get caught , prosecuted , thrown in jail , and can never vote again ...... i like your plan , i wont do it , but your welcome to try .
I don't think my comment is clear to you.
Nerm_L wrote a sarcastic comment ending with a line calling for voters to vote early and often for Biden.
It's not my plan. It's his sarcasm.
correction noted , sarcasm does not translate well to the printed word does it ?
I had to read Nerm_L's comment twice to get it.
The Supremacist Court has rigged reality. In case after case, SCOTUS has ruled that it's the job of legislators to legislate. It's the job of the voters to decide. Aren't you fired up, ready to go?
But who needs voters when wealthy donors are available? The donor class has done quite well under Biden's policies. Don't let unimportant trivialities like government of, by, and for the people get in the way.
Never before have so few become some so wealthy. Why wouldn't voters want more of the same?
Lol .... I know right?
Democrats are victims of their own success. But, apparently, Democrats don't want the voters to know. Look, squirrel! (er... Trump)
Unfortunately some folks are just stupid enough to buy it.
Hard to believe but so very true these days.
I wonder how many people cross over into Mexico to fill up their tank.
Considering that Mexicans actually enforce their border laws when it comes to people going from the US into Mexico- probably not as many as you think.
Oh, that old saw again. Been awhile since I’ve seen this one used.
Gas taxes around the world vary drastically. Remove the taxes and then judge. I suppose that might be a little much for a worker drone to accomplish though since no instructions from the hive come through for that.
Suffice it to say we pay 2-4 dollars less a gallon in gas taxes compared to many of the countries noted on that map.
Source is Kiplinger. Is Kiplinger a hive of worker drones? I thought it was a business and personal financial advice company.
As far as gas taxes, they are not the point the graphic makes. The graphic shows Americans pay less for gas than most of the rest of the world, whatever the reason.
Gas prices are higher in those countries mainly because of higher taxes.
It’s instructive for some of us to understand the reasons for things. Other just like to spew propaganda to push a narrative. I’m the former. How about you?
The data of country wide taxes do NOT explain the high gas prices in Europe, Canada, Iceland, Brazil and on and on. Mexico has a higher gas tax but lower gas prices.
Fail.
You are missing the point. Americans complain vociferously about the COST of gas, even though they pay one of the lowest prices in the world. COST includes the base price plus taxes. WHATEVER the reason , we pay less than almost all of the rest of the developed world countries. Does that sound like a reasonable basis for overwhelming complaint?
Mexico has their own supply of oil.
The Peso is worth far less than the dollar.
Of course they have lower gas prices than we do.
Epic fail on your part.
The point is you have no point except making excuses for Brandon.
Just treat Brandon the same way you did Bush Jr.
You dont have the slightest idea how I treated Bush Jr.
You at the cherry festival right now because you are cherry-picking. The US with state and federal gas taxes averages about $ 0.49 a gallon. The EU for example averages about $ 1.55.
Three times higher than the US. Besides gas taxes and social program levies don’t tell the whole story do they? Policy levies in the US raise gas costs even higher in the US than places like Mexico and Brazil.
Or do you think their equivalent to regulatory agencies like the EPA (if they have an equivalent) comes even close to regulating costs up as high? No need to answer since it isn’t even close.
Before you claim “fail” perhaps you shouldn’t fail first.
To most Americans, yes, yes it does. You’ll find that out this fall the hard way.
So tell it to the fix income people who are now making choices between food and gas. Tell it to fix income people who are now making choices between medicine and and gas. Etc, etc.
You clearly aren’t effected by it. I’m now paying over double what I paid just about two short years ago. I can afford it but many, many people can’t.
Perhaps you can see your way clear to have a little compassion for all of those people.
So does the US.
Point?
Oh and BTFW, the US EXPORTS 1 MILLION barrels of refined petroleum to Mexico every fucking day.
The chart is in US $, NOT Pesos.
FAIL.
That statement proves that you really never tire of making shit up Ronin.
Blah, blah, blah. The $1.06 difference doesn't explain the difference in prices on the chart.
What fucking 'social program levies' Sparty? What specific amount do these phantom programs add to the price of gas at the pump?
Since your question isn't cogent, I can't say.
What isn't close?
I haven't.
You have but one never expects ownership from some folks here.
No Sparty, I haven't.
Especially you.
They've never lost their fear and rage.
The question is whether or not they can find their common sense.
It's interesting to read an article like this from the Bulwark, because you have to keep in mind that it was founded by some rather staunch conservatives.
Source: Wikipedia The_Bulwark
Let's set aside worries about concern trolling and be glad that someone is trying to bolster the political center.
Because the alternative is the Widening Gyre.
Drop the terms "rage" and "fear". These are destructive to civil discourse. These are used by extremists and ultimately useless. How about "determination" and "consideration" ?
Do determination and consideration turn out midterm voters?
No ! Let's all live in a state of fear and anger, that's the ticket !
No thanks.
It sounds a bit like you have made your peace with Republican hegemony and are determined to have a serene attitude about it.
You're hearing things, things I haven't said or even implied.
Fair enough.
But I am puzzled by your "determination and consideration" game plan because I don't see those as the sorts of emotions that drag people to the polls in great numbers. And I suspect you are not alone in feeling revulsion at the thought of doubling down on negative politics.
This website, The Bulwark, was founded by Sarah Longwell, a conservative whose specialty is focus groups. It's dark days when we take our advice from the Never Trumpers.
But maybe these are just dark days.
First, it's not a "game plan". I think determination in voting and reminding people of the reasons for what's at stake is what we can do best. Consideration is important in that we listen, actually listen to those we disagree with. We'll get no where as a society if we have our fingers stuck in our ears.
Most of us here have fewer years ahead of us than we have behind us. I intend to spend most of the time I have left in a relative state of peace. I strive for that.
Certainly on this website.
Far be it from me to turn this into an upsetting conversation.
Have a good night.
Why drop it? That's what the Democrats have run on since November 2016. They've been throwing a tantrum since they lost the 2016 elections and have been fear mongering far longer than that.
Bazinga but not all of them. Only the ones with a radical leftist/progressive agenda. I believe they are a minority still, albeit a very vocal minority.
“Find their fear and rage?”
it defines them. How can they lose their essence?