If you're looking for a good critique of the Democratic coalition politics you'll find it in Noah Smith and Matt Yglesias. Instead of looking at the Democratic Party and seeing a bunch of constituent parts all of which must be catered to...just try to appeal to as many people as possible. Have an ethos, and go after as many Americans as needed. Simple, easy, and kill identity politics (like trying to pick up Jewish, Latino, Asian, etc voters) because it's clear that catering to people based on their racial identity is not the key to unlocking their votes.
The problem with this argument is that to win the Democratic presidential nomination, politicians must appeal to a bunch of constituent groups -- Republicans have the same challenge. It's easy to say "appeal to as many people as possible." in practice it's really f'ing hard -- although generally Democrats have shown themselves to be pretty good at it. They've won the popular vote in 7 of the last 9 presidential elections. It's a bit easier for Democratic Senate candidates because they usually don't face difficult primary challenges. Slotkin and Gallego, for example, had no opposition. But if you're running for president, pacifying the activist base is essential. There's no good way around it.
Harris was perceived as a coastal elite, is a black woman, had 107 days to run a campaign, and kept the margin under two percent - 400K votes over a few states. All of this against the backdrop of a post-COVID economy and its attendant inflation. How about do nothing, let the GOP implode in the '26 midterms, and two years later run a guy like Beshear who has broad appeal to white working-class voters and Latinos? The thinkpieces I've read make it seem like this was Reagan-Mondale '84. It was not.
Generally agree, but I think we need the occasional Sister Soulja moment. Otherwise, it was inflation and immigration. It was the cost of cereal. The rest is mostly noise.
America lost its mind about two weeks ago, and we stand to lose a great deal more if we do nothing. They were conned - again, by a man who wants unquestionable domination. Trump's old playbook worked again, thanks in part to Fox, Musk's X and money, and the right-wing propaganda media pumping out his usual scare tactics and fear mongering about the economy, immigrants, liberals in general.
He will soon be purging and punishing, with as much cruelty as he can manage, appointing sycophant crooks, cronies, and crackpots who will help him do just that. I keep hearing my Australian friend, who despises Trump and loves America, asking me, "You have over 300 million people over there, and that's the best you can do?!"
We're all feeling a little or a LOT deflated and set adrift right now. Repubs hope we stay down and continue a "nothing we can do" attitude. But Governors, the ACLU, and others are already starting, leading the battle against disinformation and preparing for Trump's trampling of democratic norms. And we should never discount the value of peaceful public protests, when the time comes.
In a recent interview Bill Clinton said, as only Bill Clinton can, "Loosen up and get back in the game."
On the John Sides article, he says there was a 7-point swing toward Trump among black and Latino voters. Well, there was a 6-point swing toward him overall. Isn't that most of the explanation? If not, why not? In any case, it doesn't alleviate my feeling that we're in the beginning of a catastrophe.
I'd have to look closer but that does seem to be part of the explanation. But I think Sides would say it's consistent with ongoing shifts in Hispanic and Black voter sentiment.
If you're looking for a good critique of the Democratic coalition politics you'll find it in Noah Smith and Matt Yglesias. Instead of looking at the Democratic Party and seeing a bunch of constituent parts all of which must be catered to...just try to appeal to as many people as possible. Have an ethos, and go after as many Americans as needed. Simple, easy, and kill identity politics (like trying to pick up Jewish, Latino, Asian, etc voters) because it's clear that catering to people based on their racial identity is not the key to unlocking their votes.
The problem with this argument is that to win the Democratic presidential nomination, politicians must appeal to a bunch of constituent groups -- Republicans have the same challenge. It's easy to say "appeal to as many people as possible." in practice it's really f'ing hard -- although generally Democrats have shown themselves to be pretty good at it. They've won the popular vote in 7 of the last 9 presidential elections. It's a bit easier for Democratic Senate candidates because they usually don't face difficult primary challenges. Slotkin and Gallego, for example, had no opposition. But if you're running for president, pacifying the activist base is essential. There's no good way around it.
Then some constituent groups need to man up and take it on the chin. Pro life voters sucked it up now that Trump sold them out
Someone pointed out Fox is automatically included in basic cable packages while CNN&MSNBC cost more.
Blue collar America is more comfortable with rabble at Fox vs Rhodes Scholar Rachel Maddow. A strong anti intellectual bias.
I still blame the Nation for thinking Bernie was more qualified than Hillary Clinton in 16, so I ignore them.
Musk misinformation,& misogyny, misogyny, misogyny maybe some racism too
Harris was perceived as a coastal elite, is a black woman, had 107 days to run a campaign, and kept the margin under two percent - 400K votes over a few states. All of this against the backdrop of a post-COVID economy and its attendant inflation. How about do nothing, let the GOP implode in the '26 midterms, and two years later run a guy like Beshear who has broad appeal to white working-class voters and Latinos? The thinkpieces I've read make it seem like this was Reagan-Mondale '84. It was not.
Generally agree, but I think we need the occasional Sister Soulja moment. Otherwise, it was inflation and immigration. It was the cost of cereal. The rest is mostly noise.
America lost its mind about two weeks ago, and we stand to lose a great deal more if we do nothing. They were conned - again, by a man who wants unquestionable domination. Trump's old playbook worked again, thanks in part to Fox, Musk's X and money, and the right-wing propaganda media pumping out his usual scare tactics and fear mongering about the economy, immigrants, liberals in general.
He will soon be purging and punishing, with as much cruelty as he can manage, appointing sycophant crooks, cronies, and crackpots who will help him do just that. I keep hearing my Australian friend, who despises Trump and loves America, asking me, "You have over 300 million people over there, and that's the best you can do?!"
We're all feeling a little or a LOT deflated and set adrift right now. Repubs hope we stay down and continue a "nothing we can do" attitude. But Governors, the ACLU, and others are already starting, leading the battle against disinformation and preparing for Trump's trampling of democratic norms. And we should never discount the value of peaceful public protests, when the time comes.
In a recent interview Bill Clinton said, as only Bill Clinton can, "Loosen up and get back in the game."
On the John Sides article, he says there was a 7-point swing toward Trump among black and Latino voters. Well, there was a 6-point swing toward him overall. Isn't that most of the explanation? If not, why not? In any case, it doesn't alleviate my feeling that we're in the beginning of a catastrophe.
I'd have to look closer but that does seem to be part of the explanation. But I think Sides would say it's consistent with ongoing shifts in Hispanic and Black voter sentiment.
Interesting article in The New Yorker, wonder if you saw it: https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/republican-victory-and-the-ambience-of-information and is there any truth in there?
Brian, I'll take a look and let you know what I think!