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While reasonable, this thread plays the conventional game of assuming Democrats can’t do anything alone; that Republicans have sole veto power because they refuse to compromise—even when the future is at risk. It sums up what Dems should settle for.
Post-2020, we can do better.
Post-2020, we can do better.
2020 will be a generational election, in which Dems have the chance to flip the White House and build an ironclad majority in Congress by drawing as sharp a contrast as possible with the corrupt, failed party in power.
You can’t do that by aiming for uninspiring compromise.
You can’t do that by aiming for uninspiring compromise.
Which is more likely to catch fire with 2020 voters—a bold plan for a reimagined future that’s green, just and humane, or...a bill to try to our best to reduce livestock farts?
I think you know the answer.
I think you know the answer.
The Green New Deal tells a simple story that calls back to programs that are seen as among the most popular in Democratic history, while reaching forward to boldly address a future that Republicans refuse to even acknowledge.
The Green New Deal will need to be focused, and will likely get trimmed. But going into 2020 with a jumble of small, narrow programs without an uplifting vision or unified message risks utter disaster.
Trump won because of foreign interference, voter suppression and media malpractice—but also because he was able to boil his message down into three key points:
1. America was great once
2. That greatness was when white people were firmly in charge
3. America can be great again
1. America was great once
2. That greatness was when white people were firmly in charge
3. America can be great again
It was a vain, malignant message that appealed to the worst impulses of the white electorate. But it was simple and electrifying and it elected a vain, malignant president, and swept his party into total control of the legislature.
Democrats can’t prevail by being reasonable compromisers, playing not to lose.
They have to play to *win*—with messaging designed to instill viral passion in their base: big but readily comprehensible ideas; bold, uplifting rhetoric to counter the fascist shriek of Trumpism.
They have to play to *win*—with messaging designed to instill viral passion in their base: big but readily comprehensible ideas; bold, uplifting rhetoric to counter the fascist shriek of Trumpism.
That’s why the biggest announced Dems have already endorsed it: Harris, Booker, Gillibrand, Warren. Castro & Gabbard have embraced it in principle. Unannounced Sanders is a cosponsor, of course.
Will they be able to carry the message effectively? Whichever does will likely win.
Will they be able to carry the message effectively? Whichever does will likely win.
