The Partisan Divide on Issues

[David Horn]

(08-22-2022, 03:52 AM)Eric the Green Wrote:

(08-21-2022, 12:20 PM)David Horn Wrote: ...  In more Progressive areas (though toss-ups in the fall), primary challenges may do to the Democrats what the Trumpist far-right challengers are doing to the GOP: nominate unelectable candiates in the general.  It can play both ways.  The next few weeks should tell the tale.  

Challenging Sean Patrick Maloney in his reconfigured district seems near suicidal.  He may not be the most Progressive candidiate running, but he wins and helps others win too.  And he's pretty decent overall.  He's only one example.  With the count so close, outright failure is both possible and likely to be devastating if it occurs.

My impression of you has been that you support such challenges from the left (except if they are SJW culture warriors, I suppose). But I agree with your above. I don't know if such suicidal primary actions are happening; primaries are about over by now anyway. The right-wing may be giving us a present. But that depends if the people realize this and vote accordingly.

I thought Sean Patrick Maloney spoke very well today on Meet the Press. It took him a while to sort of dodge Chuck's question about Democrats' support for a MAGA primary candidate in Michigan; not a good idea even if understandable strategy. We should never underestimate the appeal of fascism.

You made a good point about my take on Progressive challenges, so I'll address that. I have no problem adding Progressive voices to Congress, both in the House and the Senate. I welcome it. I do have a serious issue playing with fire, when the district is not all that friendly to the Progressive agenda. It's better to elect a decent Dem than any Republican in almost every case (perhaps not Kristin Sinema or Joe Mancin, but those are discussions for another day).

On supporting MAGA challengers to more centrist Republicans, Maloney is doing unto them what the Tea Party and Ultra-MAGA types have done to themselves: elect Dems in the fall. It may be risky in some races but the odds of keeping the House are on the table. You can't fault the political guy for playing the odds.