I will leave it to you guys who care as to whether moderation helps with electability. But it definitely helps with governance. And yet when Whitmer tried to work with Trump on issues, she was immediately branded as a traitor. Cooperation needs to be issue specific but there is plenty of room there.
This whole “moderation depresses Democratic turnout” is a ‘progressive’ canard. As someone on the moderate/liberal line and far from most things the CPC says, every time I hear Ro Khanna, AOC or Bernie open their traps it depresses my interest in donating or voting for the Democratic Party. I’m not alone - watch the electoral beating that progressives have taken in the bluest states and bluest cities of the West Coast.
The most enthusiasm I have for politics these days is helping defeat progressives in primaries.
Just spent 4 weeks in France with the French members of my amily, and I am bilingual. Will make a few points:
1. French media is beserk over Trump, the people not so much. Taxi drivers ( I spoke at length with two), and ordinary working class people are open minded and think maybe he is not so bad. They can't stand Macron and their own political class. 2. NO ONE I met, from highly educated. to working class supports the Ukraine war. This is a project of elites. 3. The elites and media lost a lot of trust due to covid craziness and Ukraine war. 4. Most French are fundamentally anti-woke, even if the elites and media are pro-woke. By the way, I have yet to see a gender neutral bathroom.
So, what did we learn this week, gang? 1) Tariff is still Trump's favorite word; 2) Trump doesn't know what it means; 3) Trump doesn't know what they are good for; 4) Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is supposed to be the adult in the room; 5) Bessent has no credible rivals. Stayed tuned for more fun, chaos and blinking.
Democrats may yet come to the realization that not moderation alone, but authentic moderation rather than that contrived at election time to market an unelectable candidate (see the Harris/Walz ticket 2024) as a stark example of mishandled, shallow identity politics.
Admittedly, some of these problems have deeper roots, and probably cannot be solved until careerist politicians are moderated and removed by term-limiting every elective office.
I am 83, have graduated from high school in 1959. Most of my addult life I have watched this once admirable nation go downhill rather rapidly. I have come to the conclusion that a democracy cannot survive as a serious contender for world power. As a vassal state, perhaps. Your article emphasizes Trump's popularity among voters. I have been no fan of Trump, but history indicates that his actions are unpopular with voters, he probably doing the right thing.
The psycho-drama coming out of DC is a bit too much for me. We are in an attention economy and Donald Trump is getting most of the attention. He may not care whether it is good or bad.
If anyone wants to make a cash offer on a dream home...now is a good time. R.E. is flat and sellers will think long and hard about your offer and what they can spend it on.
I will leave it to you guys who care as to whether moderation helps with electability. But it definitely helps with governance. And yet when Whitmer tried to work with Trump on issues, she was immediately branded as a traitor. Cooperation needs to be issue specific but there is plenty of room there.
This whole “moderation depresses Democratic turnout” is a ‘progressive’ canard. As someone on the moderate/liberal line and far from most things the CPC says, every time I hear Ro Khanna, AOC or Bernie open their traps it depresses my interest in donating or voting for the Democratic Party. I’m not alone - watch the electoral beating that progressives have taken in the bluest states and bluest cities of the West Coast.
The most enthusiasm I have for politics these days is helping defeat progressives in primaries.
Polarization always comes with a "Bi-" in front. Many like Whitmer.
Just spent 4 weeks in France with the French members of my amily, and I am bilingual. Will make a few points:
1. French media is beserk over Trump, the people not so much. Taxi drivers ( I spoke at length with two), and ordinary working class people are open minded and think maybe he is not so bad. They can't stand Macron and their own political class. 2. NO ONE I met, from highly educated. to working class supports the Ukraine war. This is a project of elites. 3. The elites and media lost a lot of trust due to covid craziness and Ukraine war. 4. Most French are fundamentally anti-woke, even if the elites and media are pro-woke. By the way, I have yet to see a gender neutral bathroom.
Nice to get a report from someone on the ground
So, what did we learn this week, gang? 1) Tariff is still Trump's favorite word; 2) Trump doesn't know what it means; 3) Trump doesn't know what they are good for; 4) Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is supposed to be the adult in the room; 5) Bessent has no credible rivals. Stayed tuned for more fun, chaos and blinking.
Democrats may yet come to the realization that not moderation alone, but authentic moderation rather than that contrived at election time to market an unelectable candidate (see the Harris/Walz ticket 2024) as a stark example of mishandled, shallow identity politics.
Admittedly, some of these problems have deeper roots, and probably cannot be solved until careerist politicians are moderated and removed by term-limiting every elective office.
I am 83, have graduated from high school in 1959. Most of my addult life I have watched this once admirable nation go downhill rather rapidly. I have come to the conclusion that a democracy cannot survive as a serious contender for world power. As a vassal state, perhaps. Your article emphasizes Trump's popularity among voters. I have been no fan of Trump, but history indicates that his actions are unpopular with voters, he probably doing the right thing.
And it's not over yet.
No? More to come? Geez, I miss the days when I could keep up with what's been going on.
The psycho-drama coming out of DC is a bit too much for me. We are in an attention economy and Donald Trump is getting most of the attention. He may not care whether it is good or bad.
“Say anything you like about me, but spell my name right." -- P.T. Barnum.
If anyone wants to make a cash offer on a dream home...now is a good time. R.E. is flat and sellers will think long and hard about your offer and what they can spend it on.