What So Many People Don’t Get About the U.S. Working Class (Joan Williams) from the Harvard Business Review
"“The thing that really gets me is that Democrats try to offer policies (paid sick leave! minimum wage!) that would help the working class,” a friend just wrote me. A few days’ paid leave ain’t gonna support a family. Neither is minimum wage. White Working Class men aren’t interested in working at McDonald’s for $15 per hour instead of $9.50. What they want is what my father-in-law had: steady, stable, full-time jobs that deliver a solid middle-class life to the 75% of Americans who don’t have a college degree. Trump promises that. I doubt he’ll deliver, but at least he understands what they need."
So far, this is the best examination I have seen about why the Dems lost the white working class so badly in this election. A must-read for anyone looking to win them back. Just one key point for Dems: STOP talking about minimum wage and parental leave! Start figuring out how to deliver to the working class a middle class level of income and life as they had had in the 1950s and 1960s. This is what Trump promised and what Dems STOPPED promising 25 years ago. Impossible? We'll need to figure it out.
Showing posts with label Democratic Party. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Democratic Party. Show all posts
Friday, December 2, 2016
What's Next for Obama Loyalists? BIG THINGS
Obama loyalists plot Trump resistance from Politico
"One attendee called the meetings “Obama Anonymous,” and while they largely started as impromptu commiseration, they’ve shifted to mobilization. It’s an early sign that Obama can continue to command a formidable movement and potentially launch a serious defense of his legacy as a private citizen."
"One attendee called the meetings “Obama Anonymous,” and while they largely started as impromptu commiseration, they’ve shifted to mobilization. It’s an early sign that Obama can continue to command a formidable movement and potentially launch a serious defense of his legacy as a private citizen."
Elizabeth Warren's Role
Elizabeth Warren fills the Democratic void from Politico
"The Massachusetts senator is making clear she intends to stand against Donald Trump every step of the way."
"The Massachusetts senator is making clear she intends to stand against Donald Trump every step of the way."
The Opportunity for Dems in 2018
Dems' secret 2018 weapon (Brent Bubowsky) from The Hill
"The secret weapon for Democrats in the 2018 elections, if they make the most of it, is that there will be races for governor in 36 states, 26 of which are now run by Republican governors. Democrats should begin — today — the largest early stage recruitment and fundraising operation in modern political history to find first-rate candidates to run for governor and seats in Congress."
"The secret weapon for Democrats in the 2018 elections, if they make the most of it, is that there will be races for governor in 36 states, 26 of which are now run by Republican governors. Democrats should begin — today — the largest early stage recruitment and fundraising operation in modern political history to find first-rate candidates to run for governor and seats in Congress."
Why Voters Vote the Way They Do?
Democrats need to focus on the gut, not the head (Fareed Zakaria) from the Washington Post
"The conclusion is clear. As Gabriel Lenz writes in his landmark 2012 book, “Follow the Leader?”, “Voters don’t choose between politicians based on policy stances; rather, voters appear to adopt the policies that their favorite politicians prefer.” And how do voters pick their favorite politicians? It is a gut decision that is more emotional than rational."
"The conclusion is clear. As Gabriel Lenz writes in his landmark 2012 book, “Follow the Leader?”, “Voters don’t choose between politicians based on policy stances; rather, voters appear to adopt the policies that their favorite politicians prefer.” And how do voters pick their favorite politicians? It is a gut decision that is more emotional than rational."
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
Post-election, What is Obama Up To? Something AWESOME!
Obama, Holder to lead post-Trump redistricting campaign from The Hill
"The former attorney general heads up a new Democratic effort to challenge the GOP's supremacy in state legislatures and the U.S. House. ... The new group, called the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, was developed in close consultation with the White House. President Barack Obama himself has now identified the group—which will coordinate campaign strategy, direct fundraising, organize ballot initiatives and put together legal challenges to state redistricting maps—as the main focus of his political activity once he leaves office."
"The former attorney general heads up a new Democratic effort to challenge the GOP's supremacy in state legislatures and the U.S. House. ... The new group, called the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, was developed in close consultation with the White House. President Barack Obama himself has now identified the group—which will coordinate campaign strategy, direct fundraising, organize ballot initiatives and put together legal challenges to state redistricting maps—as the main focus of his political activity once he leaves office."
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Can Donald Trump deliver the Dems a Senate landslide?
Why Democrats increasingly think Donald Trump can deliver them a Senate landslide from Vox
"Now that Donald Trump will be the GOP presidential nominee, Democrats are daring to hope that an anti-Trump landslide could lead to an anti-Republican landslide down ballot as well. And in Senate races across the country, the party appears really well-positioned to take advantage of this prospect."
"Now that Donald Trump will be the GOP presidential nominee, Democrats are daring to hope that an anti-Trump landslide could lead to an anti-Republican landslide down ballot as well. And in Senate races across the country, the party appears really well-positioned to take advantage of this prospect."
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Can the Dems Take the House in November?
The Seats Democrats Must Win to Retake House from Roll Call
"Minority party must gain 30 seats in November; little to no room for error."
"Minority party must gain 30 seats in November; little to no room for error."
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Who's in the Hunt to be Clinton's Veep?
Who Might Hillary Clinton's Running Mate Be if She's the Nominee? from the New York Times
"Here are some likely contenders — according to allies and advisers of the Clintons and prominent Democrats — and a look at their strengths and weaknesses."
I hate to say it -- but none of these people light me up. Mark Warner of Virginia? THAT'S the best they can do?! Who knows? Maybe when the time comes they will convince me that they are worth getting excited about. I hope so! Nuggetsman
"Here are some likely contenders — according to allies and advisers of the Clintons and prominent Democrats — and a look at their strengths and weaknesses."
I hate to say it -- but none of these people light me up. Mark Warner of Virginia? THAT'S the best they can do?! Who knows? Maybe when the time comes they will convince me that they are worth getting excited about. I hope so! Nuggetsman
Sanders' Pledged Delegate Dilemma
No matter how you measure it, Bernie Sanders isn’t winning the Democratic primary from the Washington Post
"It is not true that Sanders is having trouble catching Clinton “because of her overwhelming lead with ‘superdelegates.’ ” He is having trouble catching her because he trails her badly with pledged delegates (as on that sign at Clinton headquarters), and the states he keeps winning are smaller states with fewer delegates given out. In fact, by every possible democratic measure, Clinton is winning."
"It is not true that Sanders is having trouble catching Clinton “because of her overwhelming lead with ‘superdelegates.’ ” He is having trouble catching her because he trails her badly with pledged delegates (as on that sign at Clinton headquarters), and the states he keeps winning are smaller states with fewer delegates given out. In fact, by every possible democratic measure, Clinton is winning."
The End of the Road for the Sanders Campaign
Bernie Sanders Is Even Less Competitive Than He Appears from FiveThirtyEight
"Sanders fans seem to be conflating the pledged delegate count and the “will of the voters,” when in fact the two are far from interchangeable."
"Sanders fans seem to be conflating the pledged delegate count and the “will of the voters,” when in fact the two are far from interchangeable."
Thursday, March 17, 2016
Politics as Usual from the Democratic Party -- and That's a Good Thing!
The difference between the Republican and Democratic parties has never been clearer (Ezra Klein) from Vox
"... the Democratic Party, for better or worse, is practicing politics as usual. The Republican Party is embracing what David Brooks calls"antipolitics": leaders with "no political skills or experience" who are "willing to trample the customs and rules that give legitimacy to legislative decision-making if it helps them gain power." If this were just about Trump, it could be dismissed as an aberration. But it's not just about Trump."
"... the Democratic Party, for better or worse, is practicing politics as usual. The Republican Party is embracing what David Brooks calls"antipolitics": leaders with "no political skills or experience" who are "willing to trample the customs and rules that give legitimacy to legislative decision-making if it helps them gain power." If this were just about Trump, it could be dismissed as an aberration. But it's not just about Trump."
Friday, February 26, 2016
Sanders, Trump and the Economics of the Great Recession
Sanders and Trump: How the Political and Media Establishment Got 2016 So Wrong (Leonard Steinhorn) from the History News Network
"Daily insecurity is palpable and real to a large number of Americans. A year ago the Pew Research Center reported that about a third of Americans making $30,000 to $100,000 per year said that the recession had a "major effect" on their personal finances and they still have not recovered. For many, family expenses exceed monthly income, savings have essentially zeroed out, and debt – consumer, student and mortgage – leaves them at best running in place."
"Daily insecurity is palpable and real to a large number of Americans. A year ago the Pew Research Center reported that about a third of Americans making $30,000 to $100,000 per year said that the recession had a "major effect" on their personal finances and they still have not recovered. For many, family expenses exceed monthly income, savings have essentially zeroed out, and debt – consumer, student and mortgage – leaves them at best running in place."
Sunday, October 18, 2015
How Hillary emerges from the first debates
Why the GOP Should Fear Hillary Clinton (Jacob Heilbrunn) from the National Interest.
"One thing seems certain: the new Clinton that emerged last night is unlikely to be taken down by House Republicans poring over her emails."
"One thing seems certain: the new Clinton that emerged last night is unlikely to be taken down by House Republicans poring over her emails."
Hillary's Organizational Advantage
Hillary Clinton Bets on Future With Spending Spree to Build Campaign Infrastructure from the New York Times
"Three months before the first nominating contest, Mrs. Clinton has built a cash-hungry campaign juggernaut that is more far-flung and more expensive than anything else on the horizon.The goal is to overwhelm her rivals for the Democratic nomination — including those who are still considering a bid — before the first flowers of spring, and to amass an organizational advantage that no Republican rival will be able to match by Election Day."
"Three months before the first nominating contest, Mrs. Clinton has built a cash-hungry campaign juggernaut that is more far-flung and more expensive than anything else on the horizon.The goal is to overwhelm her rivals for the Democratic nomination — including those who are still considering a bid — before the first flowers of spring, and to amass an organizational advantage that no Republican rival will be able to match by Election Day."
The most shocking contrasts between the Democratic & Republican debates
Trump’s America vs. Hillary’s America (Heather Digby Parton) from Salon
"If there's one thing last night's debate made clear, it's that our political parties are living on separate planets. ...
"If there's one thing last night's debate made clear, it's that our political parties are living on separate planets. ...
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Joe PAC Hiring Staff in Primary States
Exclusive: Joe Biden backers hiring staff in more states in hopes of 2016 run from Reuters
"The political action committee backing the vice president, Draft Biden, has begun building operations in 11 states holding primary elections on "Super Tuesday" in March 2016, two of the group's officials told Reuters, an important series of votes for any candidate seeking their party’s nomination."
"The political action committee backing the vice president, Draft Biden, has begun building operations in 11 states holding primary elections on "Super Tuesday" in March 2016, two of the group's officials told Reuters, an important series of votes for any candidate seeking their party’s nomination."
Monday, September 21, 2015
TODAY'S BIG NUGGET: The Real Threat Posed by The Donald
The Importance of Donald Trump (Frank Rich) from New York Magazine
"Far from being an apocalyptic harbinger of the end-times, it’s possible that his buffoonery poses no lasting danger. Quite the contrary: His unexpected monopoly of center stage may well be the best thing to happen to our politics since the arrival of Barack Obama. ... As Ross Douthat, a reform conservative, wrote in August, Trump has tapped into the populist resentments of middle-class voters who view the GOP and the elites who run it as tools of “moneyed interests.” If the Republicans “find a way to crush Trump without adapting to his message,” he added, the pressure of that resentment will keep building within the party, and “when it bursts, the GOP as we know it may go with it.”"
A longer-than-usual MUST-READ analysis of the real damage Trump is causing for both parties -- but especially the Republicans! Frank Rich is in high form here! -- Nuggetsman
"Far from being an apocalyptic harbinger of the end-times, it’s possible that his buffoonery poses no lasting danger. Quite the contrary: His unexpected monopoly of center stage may well be the best thing to happen to our politics since the arrival of Barack Obama. ... As Ross Douthat, a reform conservative, wrote in August, Trump has tapped into the populist resentments of middle-class voters who view the GOP and the elites who run it as tools of “moneyed interests.” If the Republicans “find a way to crush Trump without adapting to his message,” he added, the pressure of that resentment will keep building within the party, and “when it bursts, the GOP as we know it may go with it.”"
A longer-than-usual MUST-READ analysis of the real damage Trump is causing for both parties -- but especially the Republicans! Frank Rich is in high form here! -- Nuggetsman
Behind the scenes with Bernie Sanders
Three days in Iowa that explain why Hillary’s fading and the Dems have a new front-runner (Shane Ryan) from Salon
"He has a few favorite stats he likes to deploy to illustrate the scope of the problem, starting with the fact that in America, the top one-tenth of 1 percent owns almost as much wealth as the bottom 90 percent. He hammers this message home as his rabid crowds rage along: One family, the Waltons, owns more wealth than the bottom 40 percent; the 14 wealthiest individuals have added $156 billion to their fortunes in the past two years, which is more than the combined assets of the bottom 130 million Americans; 56 percent of all new income goes to the top 1 percent; the Koch brothers, as a result of the Citizens United decision, will spend more money on the 2016 election than either Republicans or Democrats."
"He has a few favorite stats he likes to deploy to illustrate the scope of the problem, starting with the fact that in America, the top one-tenth of 1 percent owns almost as much wealth as the bottom 90 percent. He hammers this message home as his rabid crowds rage along: One family, the Waltons, owns more wealth than the bottom 40 percent; the 14 wealthiest individuals have added $156 billion to their fortunes in the past two years, which is more than the combined assets of the bottom 130 million Americans; 56 percent of all new income goes to the top 1 percent; the Koch brothers, as a result of the Citizens United decision, will spend more money on the 2016 election than either Republicans or Democrats."
The Donald and Bernie ... Worlds Apart
Nate Silver: 'Stop Comparing Donald Trump And Bernie Sanders' (Laurence Lewis) from Daily Kos
"Nate Silver took a look at the media's comparisons of Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders and found them lacking. He makes ten points, each of which are blockquoted below and followed by my own reactions, but you'll have to click through to read the entirety of Silver's analysis."
"Nate Silver took a look at the media's comparisons of Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders and found them lacking. He makes ten points, each of which are blockquoted below and followed by my own reactions, but you'll have to click through to read the entirety of Silver's analysis."
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