1. Ok, Real Talk. Pragmatism isn’t the same as Centrism. Pragmatism is playing out the string, carefully considering the outcomes and playing the long game. Vetting candidates, policies and strategies is CRITICAL, not divisive.
2. I’m tired of hearing 2020 placed in the misguided construct of targeting swing voters vs. the base in terms of center and far left lanes. Our base is WOC. The nominee must have their support to win and they’re not generally far left voters. For good reason.
3. WOC are the most vulnerable. The risk to them is higher if we fail. We all need to vote with our base in mind, and we cannot let them down. Sure, I want big, structural change, but I’m very concerned about empty promises or shortsightedness.
4. Consider Medicare for All. First, you must have the votes in Congress to get it passed. Guaranteed GOP will pick up some seats if our POTUS nominee is running on this. If we do it by EO, you can be even more certain of a GOP 2022 rally. But, everyone will like it, you say…
5. Some will, some won’t, but you can be sure the first roll out will be clunky. There will be confusion and frustration and not enough time to assess success or work out the kinks before the GOP boomerangs off it. See the ACA, and, remember, that didn’t affect *everyone*.
6. If GOP takes back control in 2022, we get a repeat of what happened with Obama and a strangulation of legislation we ran on. Wash, rinse, repeat. Further, what keeps the GOP from weaponizing such a plan against repro rights or marginalized groups next time they take the WH?
7. We owe it to our base to be measured, honest and sure-footed. We owe it to black women to listen to them and not talk at them. Their concerns should be all of ours. #VoteLikeABlackWoman #DemsWork4USA
h/t @Ange_Amene - I borrowed your hashtag 💙🙏
