This is great. One thing I'm thinking about is how the other side did it: with a decapitation primary. Jeffries is in a Harris +44 seat, but if you look at his scores he's right in the middle of the caucus on both econ and other. Not sure there's a better way to send the signal that the party is heading in a different direction than that.
There's a lot here and it's impressively researched. Making this an either/or is an unnecessary mistake. To the observation that:“Progressive lawmakers in safely blue districts face little threat from Republican challengers and operate with more independence from the pressures of the DCCC and its donor networks.” – what to make of Reps. Cori Bush in Missouri and Jamaal Bowman in New York who got swallowed whole from the blue inside?
If there are impressive people in Nebraska, Iowa, Utah, etc., is the right move to let them die on the vine like the Dems did to Cheri Beasley in the 2022 Senate race in N. Carolina by deciding they should spend money elsewhere?
Bowman & Bush had non-political issues (Bush's security snafu & Bowman's fire alarm trick), Bowman got redistricted to basically a new seat, they went against a President who was likely more popular than they were in their own district, and above it all, they weren't great politicians.
You can be a mediocre politician if you're also going to be a party hack. If you're going to be super moderate or super progressive, you need to be a good politician - something both Sinema and Bush and Bowman learned.
Cherie Beasley not being supported as the Dem candidate in the 2022 Senatorial race reflected the creaky, antiquated (off base, out of touch, timid, inward, oh yes, entrenched) state of the NCDP, which it is trying to shed right now with new party chair, young Anderson Clayton. Politics in NC right now are messy and building it’s ‘infrastructure’. The patronage foundation, as Waleed describes, needs more cement! (IMHO as NC resident)
Thank you SO MUCH! This is so helpful for my blue state organizing in Washington. I appreciate you!
This is great. One thing I'm thinking about is how the other side did it: with a decapitation primary. Jeffries is in a Harris +44 seat, but if you look at his scores he's right in the middle of the caucus on both econ and other. Not sure there's a better way to send the signal that the party is heading in a different direction than that.
Not sure about Jeffries but that was essentially AOC vs Crowley (in-line to be next Speaker) and why the ideological pay-off was greater.
Ooo. yeah. I forgot Crowley was a leadership heir apparent too.
There's a lot here and it's impressively researched. Making this an either/or is an unnecessary mistake. To the observation that:“Progressive lawmakers in safely blue districts face little threat from Republican challengers and operate with more independence from the pressures of the DCCC and its donor networks.” – what to make of Reps. Cori Bush in Missouri and Jamaal Bowman in New York who got swallowed whole from the blue inside?
If there are impressive people in Nebraska, Iowa, Utah, etc., is the right move to let them die on the vine like the Dems did to Cheri Beasley in the 2022 Senate race in N. Carolina by deciding they should spend money elsewhere?
Wit due respect, I beg to differ.
Bowman & Bush had non-political issues (Bush's security snafu & Bowman's fire alarm trick), Bowman got redistricted to basically a new seat, they went against a President who was likely more popular than they were in their own district, and above it all, they weren't great politicians.
You can be a mediocre politician if you're also going to be a party hack. If you're going to be super moderate or super progressive, you need to be a good politician - something both Sinema and Bush and Bowman learned.
Cherie Beasley not being supported as the Dem candidate in the 2022 Senatorial race reflected the creaky, antiquated (off base, out of touch, timid, inward, oh yes, entrenched) state of the NCDP, which it is trying to shed right now with new party chair, young Anderson Clayton. Politics in NC right now are messy and building it’s ‘infrastructure’. The patronage foundation, as Waleed describes, needs more cement! (IMHO as NC resident)
IL-7 is another example. Danny Davis, a centrist, retired at age 83 or so. The district is bright blue, but the announced candidates are time-servers.
Go Zoooooooohran! I know ZM will raise the trophy come Election time! He’s crushing it😎