The setback for progressives and their march forward (1 Viewer)

[Phys251]

Progressives' plan for victory just took a gut-punch. Now what do they do?

Progressives were hoping Tuesday's elections would finally give them definitive proof that Democrats can run and win on unapologetically liberal issues in swing districts and states.

That didn't happen.

Despite a good night for congressional Democrats overall, nearly all of national progressive groups' star candidates fell short in their contests in red or purple districts and states, potentially slowing the momentum the emboldened left had enjoyed since Hillary Clinton's loss two years ago.

I know that a lot of progressives look to success stories such as those of Ocasio-Cortez. But the truth is, those have been few and far between. Ocasio-Cortez just won in a D+29 district, a slam-dunk win once she emerged from the primary. Many others haven't done so well. The article lists Ben Jealous, for example, who lost the governor's race by double-digit margins to a Republican in a safely blue state.

Now, I like a lot of the progressives' ideas. We need immigration reform. We need an economy that works for the middle class, not just the ultrarich. We need a feasible pathway to single-payer. And Citizens United has got to go.

But it just feels like they've hit a wall...somewhere. This can't be dismissed to events that happened years ago--it's 2018 now, and aside from a few, very blue districts and states, their message just seems not to be sticking. So, how? How do the progressives get their ideas out into the mainstream and become a potent force for good?

 

[ajn678]

Progressives' plan for victory just took a gut-punch. Now what do they do?



I know that a lot of progressives look to success stories such as those of Ocasio-Cortez. But the truth is, those have been few and far between. Ocasio-Cortez just won in a D+29 district, a slam-dunk win once she emerged from the primary. Many others haven't done so well. The article lists Ben Jealous, for example, who lost the governor's race by double-digit margins to a Republican in a safely blue state.

Now, I like a lot of the progressives' ideas. We need immigration reform. We need an economy that works for the middle class, not just the ultrarich. We need a feasible pathway to single-payer. And Citizens United has got to go.

But it just feels like they've hit a wall...somewhere. This can't be dismissed to events that happened years ago--it's 2018 now, and aside from a few, very blue districts and states, their message just seems not to be sticking. So, how? How do the progressives get their ideas out into the mainstream and become a potent force for good?

Change them.

 

[Hawkeye10]

Progressives' plan for victory just took a gut-punch. Now what do they do?



I know that a lot of progressives look to success stories such as those of Ocasio-Cortez. But the truth is, those have been few and far between. Ocasio-Cortez just won in a D+29 district, a slam-dunk win once she emerged from the primary. Many others haven't done so well. The article lists Ben Jealous, for example, who lost the governor's race by double-digit margins to a Republican in a safely blue state.

Now, I like a lot of the progressives' ideas. We need immigration reform. We need an economy that works for the middle class, not just the ultrarich. We need a feasible pathway to single-payer. And Citizens United has got to go.

But it just feels like they've hit a wall...somewhere. This can't be dismissed to events that happened years ago--it's 2018 now, and aside from a few, very blue districts and states, their message just seems not to be sticking. So, how? How do the progressives get their ideas out into the mainstream and become a potent force for good?

HERE IS YOUR ANSWER!: Go investigate what America is. ....Concentrate on listening.

 

[MTAtech]

Progressives' plan for victory just took a gut-punch. Now what do they do?



I know that a lot of progressives look to success stories such as those of Ocasio-Cortez. But the truth is, those have been few and far between. Ocasio-Cortez just won in a D+29 district, a slam-dunk win once she emerged from the primary. Many others haven't done so well. The article lists Ben Jealous, for example, who lost the governor's race by double-digit margins to a Republican in a safely blue state.

Now, I like a lot of the progressives' ideas. We need immigration reform. We need an economy that works for the middle class, not just the ultrarich. We need a feasible pathway to single-payer. And Citizens United has got to go.

But it just feels like they've hit a wall...somewhere. This can't be dismissed to events that happened years ago--it's 2018 now, and aside from a few, very blue districts and states, their message just seems not to be sticking. So, how? How do the progressives get their ideas out into the mainstream and become a potent force for good?

Let me reassure you and boost your optimism. Democrats picked up at least 34 seats nationwide. Those included districts that Trump won just two years ago. Young voters came out and voted for Dems -- possibly creating a decades long realignment. Turnout was the best in modern history for a midterm. Besides the House, Dems also won 7 governor mansions and over 300 state legislative seats -- flipping several state legislatures blue.

Notably, many of the wins came in districts or states that Trump won, like Kansas.

Yes, there is likely a lose of 1 or 2 Senate seats but the Senate election was tilted against Democrats. Jon Tester even got re-elected in ****ing Montana! Also notable was that Trump had no ability to persuade where it mattered. Candidates he stumped for lost in bigger margins than GOP candidates he didn't stump for.

 

[EMNofSeattle]

Progressives' plan for victory just took a gut-punch. Now what do they do?



I know that a lot of progressives look to success stories such as those of Ocasio-Cortez. But the truth is, those have been few and far between. Ocasio-Cortez just won in a D+29 district, a slam-dunk win once she emerged from the primary. Many others haven't done so well. The article lists Ben Jealous, for example, who lost the governor's race by double-digit margins to a Republican in a safely blue state.

Now, I like a lot of the progressives' ideas. We need immigration reform. We need an economy that works for the middle class, not just the ultrarich. We need a feasible pathway to single-payer. And Citizens United has got to go.

But it just feels like they've hit a wall...somewhere. This can't be dismissed to events that happened years ago--it's 2018 now, and aside from a few, very blue districts and states, their message just seems not to be sticking. So, how? How do the progressives get their ideas out into the mainstream and become a potent force for good?

Emigrate to a communist country...

 

[MTAtech]

Emigrate to a communist country...

Perhaps you should emigrate to a totalitarian country, because it seems that you are antithetical to the concept of democracy and free elections.

 

[EMNofSeattle]

Perhaps you should emigrate to a totalitarian country, because it seems that you are antithetical to the concept of democracy and free elections.

Democracy is a nice idea, the problem is too many people who don’t know anything about government are allowed to vote


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Tanngrisnir]

Progressives' plan for victory just took a gut-punch. Now what do they do?



I know that a lot of progressives look to success stories such as those of Ocasio-Cortez. But the truth is, those have been few and far between. Ocasio-Cortez just won in a D+29 district, a slam-dunk win once she emerged from the primary. Many others haven't done so well. The article lists Ben Jealous, for example, who lost the governor's race by double-digit margins to a Republican in a safely blue state.

Now, I like a lot of the progressives' ideas. We need immigration reform. We need an economy that works for the middle class, not just the ultrarich. We need a feasible pathway to single-payer. And Citizens United has got to go.

But it just feels like they've hit a wall...somewhere. This can't be dismissed to events that happened years ago--it's 2018 now, and aside from a few, very blue districts and states, their message just seems not to be sticking. So, how? How do the progressives get their ideas out into the mainstream and become a potent force for good?

Still, it's a huge change for the better. For the first time that I can remember, Orange County will not be represented by a single republican, and the entire state of New Jersey will be repped by only 1.

 

[Tanngrisnir]

Emigrate to a communist country...

There are no communist countries.

No, no need to thank me. You're most welcome.

 

[Phys251]

Let me reassure you and boost your optimism. Democrats picked up at least 34 seats nationwide. Those included districts that Trump won just two years ago. Young voters came out and voted for Dems -- possibly creating a decades long realignment. Turnout was the best in modern history for a midterm. Besides the House, Dems also won 7 governor mansions and over 300 state legislative seats -- flipping several state legislatures blue.

Notably, many of the wins came in districts or states that Trump won, like Kansas.

Yes, there is likely a lose of 1 or 2 Senate seats but the Senate election was tilted against Democrats. Jon Tester even got re-elected in ****ing Montana! Also notable was that Trump had no ability to persuade where it mattered. Candidates he stumped for lost in bigger margins than GOP candidates he didn't stump for.

Still, it's a huge change for the better. For the first time that I can remember, Orange County will not be represented by a single republican, and the entire state of New Jersey will be repped by only 1.

Oh I definitely have more optimism than I did three weeks ago. But I also am realistic about who took the House back. Hint: It wasn't the progressives.

 

[MTAtech]

Democracy is a nice idea, the problem is too many people who don’t know anything about government are allowed to vote

Written like a true totalitarian -- 'we'll decide who has the intellect to choose government representatives.' If you do not believe in the right to vote for those you disagree with you do not believe in it at all.