Peter Daou Profile picture
Oct 6, 2018 10 tweets 4 min read
THREAD―FAILED STRATEGY: HOW DEM LEADERS BUNGLED #Kavanaugh

I'm seeing a lot of blame going around so I want to provide some clarity on what I believe Dems did wrong. First and foremost, they failed to realize that the GOP would use their majority to seat Kavanaugh AT ALL COSTS.
THREAD―FAILED STRATEGY

Understanding that the GOP would not settle for anything less than Justice Kavanaugh, Democrats should have walked out of what they called a "charade" and a "sham." When you call something a sham and then participate in it, you're legitimizing it.
THREAD―FAILED STRATEGY

Democrats had ample reason to refuse to participate: Kavanaugh was nominated by a president who may have committed federal crimes. His records were being withheld. And so on. Simply applying the #MerrickGarland standard, Kavanaugh didn't merit a hearing.
THREAD―FAILED STRATEGY

For anyone whose response is "well if Dems walked out, Republicans would have immediately confirmed him," HE WAS ALWAYS GOING TO BE CONFIRMED. The real strategic question was not how to change GOP minds, but how to delegitimize Kavanaugh altogether.
THREAD―FAILED STRATEGY

Now let's talk about the sexual assault allegations. Feinstein knew about them BEFORE the hearings began. Without violating #DrFord's confidentiality, Democrats could have simply said, "We are aware of allegations that disqualify Kavanaugh." Period.
THREAD―FAILED STRATEGY

If the GOP called foul, Dems could have stuck to the #MerrickGarland standard, refusing to participate in hearings until the investigation of Trump was concluded. They could have called for a confidential FBI investigation of Ford's accusation in July.
THREAD―FAILED STRATEGY

Democrats should never have played along with the sham hearings, but once they did, they made a crucial strategic error focusing on calling for an FBI investigation of sexual assault accusations. #JeffFlake saw the easy opening and walked right through it.
THREAD―FAILED STRATEGY

Instead, Dems should have zeroed in on #Kavanaugh's lies under oath, which even Trump and Republicans conceded were deal-breakers. The Dem line should have been: "We believe the women, but even if you don't, his lies disqualify him." FOCUS ON THE LYING.
THREAD―FAILED STRATEGY

Dems had it within their power to focus attention on Kavanaugh's lies and to lay down the gauntlet: Will the GOP confirm a perjurer to the highest court? That would have done more of a service to survivors by sparing them the GOP's hideous attacks.
THREAD―FAILED STRATEGY

Again, Republicans planned to seat #Kavanaugh NO MATTER WHAT. Democrats would have been wiser to walk out, call for a lawful and peaceful #generalstrike and avoid the monstrosity we witnessed the past two weeks.

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More from @peterdaou

Feb 10
BREAKING: Nancy Pelosi calls for a strong Republican Party.

Pelosi says America "needs a strong Republican Party. They've made great contributions to our country."

Here are previous quotes from Democratic leaders supporting the GOP instead of a leftist party.

directleft.com/p/joe-biden-pr…
If you're sick of the establishment and its propaganda-spewing echo chamber, sign up for DIRECT LEFT.

I'm building it to amplify leftist voices and values.

DirectLeft.com
Read 4 tweets
Feb 8
PIANO FOR YOU - THE SANCTUARY

As part of @DirectLeft, I've created a peaceful space where you can get a break from politics. It features my original piano meditations + @leeladaou's beautiful photos.

May it bring you some tranquility and healing 🙏🏽❤️

thesanctuary.substack.com/p/reflection-1
Read 5 tweets
Feb 2
THREAD - Money Over Lives: America's Deadly Pandemic Policy

#COVID19 is killing Americans at much higher rates than citizens of other wealthy nations. Blame the capitalist criminals of the ruling parties.

directleft.com/p/money-over-l…
Democratic propaganda calls this a “pandemic of the unvaccinated” to conceal the Biden administration’s horribly inadequate vaccine-only strategy and its reckless claim that the pandemic would end by July 4th, 2021.
Republican propaganda frames this as an issue of personal liberty, discouraging vaccines, masks, and other mitigation measures — thus killing more people. Beyond the spin, the truth is more sinister...
Read 4 tweets
Jan 30
Nazis on the streets in Florida.

REMINDER:

#ANTIFA = ANTI-FASCIST

directleft.com/p/antifa-means…
And let me add: It's tempting to scoff at a handful of haters outside a mall, but rightwing extremism exists across American society, it's not just some fringe belief. We MUST remain vigilant against these violent and hateful people.
Read 5 tweets
Jan 23
Was doing a show with my band in Paris (part backing track, part live). Lost power on all the gear except the piano so had to play solo until it was fixed.

#musicianstories
Played one of the first ever raves in LA, at the Shrine. Late 80s or early 90s.

#musicianstories
Worked with Frankie Knuckles during the inception of house music. That's the story.

#musicianstories
Read 4 tweets
Nov 3, 2021
Why Democrats Lose (THREAD)

As a former Dem insider, hear me out:

After 20 years of waking up to yet another miserable Dem defeat, I realized this is the DESIRED outcome. By watering down real progress, Biden, Pelosi, etc. actively preserve the system and keep the GOP strong.
Why Democrats Lose (cont.)

For too long, I subscribed to the common myth that Democrats lose because they "bring a knife to a gunfight," i.e. that they are well-meaning but ineffectual in the face of the fascist GOP.

But the facts say otherwise...
Why Democrats Lose (cont.)

Just look at the ludicrous Build Bigger Billionaires "negotiations." Despite Dem control of two branches, the bill keeps shrinking and shrinking. From $10T to $1.75T.

"It's Manchin!" they yell. "It's Sinema!" "It's the Parliamentarian!"

Please.
Read 8 tweets

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