THREAD: WHY I'M CALLING OUT DEMOCRATS (1/15)
In recent days I've spoken out about the Democratic Party's failure to rise to the gravity and intensity of this dangerous moment in American history. My words seem to have resonated but also raised questions.
dailykos.com/stories/2018/6…
In recent days I've spoken out about the Democratic Party's failure to rise to the gravity and intensity of this dangerous moment in American history. My words seem to have resonated but also raised questions.
dailykos.com/stories/2018/6…
Why I'm calling out Dems (2/15):
I've done a lot of soul searching over the past two years about my staunch support for Hillary Clinton, my harsh critique of Bernie Sanders, and my unwavering support for the Democratic Party. It's NOT how I started my political career.
I've done a lot of soul searching over the past two years about my staunch support for Hillary Clinton, my harsh critique of Bernie Sanders, and my unwavering support for the Democratic Party. It's NOT how I started my political career.
Why I'm calling out Dems (3/15):
As part of the netroots, what united us was fierce opposition to Bush and frustration with a meek Democratic Party. I was very critical of Dems who caved to Bush on civil libs, Iraq, etc. I criticized Obama for continuing some of those policies.
As part of the netroots, what united us was fierce opposition to Bush and frustration with a meek Democratic Party. I was very critical of Dems who caved to Bush on civil libs, Iraq, etc. I criticized Obama for continuing some of those policies.
Why I'm calling out Dems (4/15):
Politicians like John Kerry and Hillary Clinton hired me as a liaison to the progressive community, NOT because I was a Democratic insider. I've never felt comfortable (or welcome) in Beltway culture. nytimes.com/2006/06/27/nyr…
Politicians like John Kerry and Hillary Clinton hired me as a liaison to the progressive community, NOT because I was a Democratic insider. I've never felt comfortable (or welcome) in Beltway culture. nytimes.com/2006/06/27/nyr…
Why I'm calling out Dems (5/15):
After working for Hillary and Kerry, I came to see the mainstream press as a huge part of the problem, echoing and reinforcing rightwing frames out of fear of being called the dreaded "liberal media." They're STILL doing it, and helping Trump.
After working for Hillary and Kerry, I came to see the mainstream press as a huge part of the problem, echoing and reinforcing rightwing frames out of fear of being called the dreaded "liberal media." They're STILL doing it, and helping Trump.
Why I'm calling out Dems (6/15):
I was always more in line with the politics of Paul Wellstone (and yes, Bernie Sanders) than the Clintons, but I got to know Hillary in 2007 and 2008 and I saw a completely different person from the monstrous caricature.
I was always more in line with the politics of Paul Wellstone (and yes, Bernie Sanders) than the Clintons, but I got to know Hillary in 2007 and 2008 and I saw a completely different person from the monstrous caricature.
Why I'm calling out Dems (7/15):
I came to see my defense of Hillary as a proxy for the larger battle against the brutally efficient rightwing attack machine (Fox, Drudge, Limbaugh, etc.). So when people on the left echoed those anti-Hillary narratives, I fought back hard.
I came to see my defense of Hillary as a proxy for the larger battle against the brutally efficient rightwing attack machine (Fox, Drudge, Limbaugh, etc.). So when people on the left echoed those anti-Hillary narratives, I fought back hard.
Why I'm calling out Dems (8/15):
I also saw my advocacy for Hillary as a way to fight entrenched misogyny and sexism in the media and political establishment. It is beyond reprehensible that America has NEVER had a woman president and I wanted to do my best to help change that.
I also saw my advocacy for Hillary as a way to fight entrenched misogyny and sexism in the media and political establishment. It is beyond reprehensible that America has NEVER had a woman president and I wanted to do my best to help change that.
Why I'm calling out Dems (9/15):
2016 was a terrible year for so many people. @LeelaDaou underwent emergency surgery for an ectopic pregnancy, our first baby together. That crushing loss happened as Russians were threatening to murder us. Then to top it off, Hillary lost.
2016 was a terrible year for so many people. @LeelaDaou underwent emergency surgery for an ectopic pregnancy, our first baby together. That crushing loss happened as Russians were threatening to murder us. Then to top it off, Hillary lost.
Why I'm calling out Dems (10/15):
My unwavering defense of Hillary turned me into a caricature too: Many Bernie supporters saw me as an anti-progressive, establishment Dem "shill." Apparently I was raking in money to protect the DNC. Nothing could be further from the truth.
My unwavering defense of Hillary turned me into a caricature too: Many Bernie supporters saw me as an anti-progressive, establishment Dem "shill." Apparently I was raking in money to protect the DNC. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Why I'm calling out Dems (11/15):
I've been going after regressive Republicans for two decades and questioning the weakness of Dem strategy and messaging. I've spoken out against Democrats on fracking, Gitmo, extrajudicial killing, drones, and timidity on universal healthcare.
I've been going after regressive Republicans for two decades and questioning the weakness of Dem strategy and messaging. I've spoken out against Democrats on fracking, Gitmo, extrajudicial killing, drones, and timidity on universal healthcare.
Why I'm calling out Dems (12/15):
Not only am I not paid for my activism, it has cost me dearly. Consulting clients don't want someone who is "polarizing." Leela and I are hardly well-off. I do what I do because I want to leave something good behind and to make my family proud.
Not only am I not paid for my activism, it has cost me dearly. Consulting clients don't want someone who is "polarizing." Leela and I are hardly well-off. I do what I do because I want to leave something good behind and to make my family proud.
Why I'm calling out Dems (13/15):
I have trauma from growing up in war, from being displaced by violence as a child, from witnessing unspeakable horrors. PTSD and hypervigilance. My scars motivate me to fight for justice and fairness so others don't have to face the same thing.
I have trauma from growing up in war, from being displaced by violence as a child, from witnessing unspeakable horrors. PTSD and hypervigilance. My scars motivate me to fight for justice and fairness so others don't have to face the same thing.
Why I'm calling out Dems (14/15):
From 2015 to 2017, I believed it was IMPERATIVE to set aside my critiques and wholeheartedly support the Democratic Party because it was the ONLY way to defeat the most dangerous candidate in my lifetime. But now I see that isn't enough.
From 2015 to 2017, I believed it was IMPERATIVE to set aside my critiques and wholeheartedly support the Democratic Party because it was the ONLY way to defeat the most dangerous candidate in my lifetime. But now I see that isn't enough.
Why I'm calling out Dems (15/15):
The Democratic Party is NOT acting in unison. It is NOT speaking with a unified voice. It is NOT doing everything in its Constitutional power to resist the rise—and dominance—of white nationalism. And its leaders aren't leading.
END OF RANT.
The Democratic Party is NOT acting in unison. It is NOT speaking with a unified voice. It is NOT doing everything in its Constitutional power to resist the rise—and dominance—of white nationalism. And its leaders aren't leading.
END OF RANT.
