It’s tempting to cling to a narrative about the formidable power & consolidation of the Establishment, the bias of the punditry, the stacking of the deck—because it’s all true.
But the truth is the Sanders campaign came within reach—within the ground gained or lost by maneuver.
But the truth is the Sanders campaign came within reach—within the ground gained or lost by maneuver.
The lessons to be gleaned from Bernie 2020 have very little to do with the power, consolidation, and shittiness of the Dem Party’s old guard. We already knew that, there’s little more to learn.
The big lessons pertain to our own ability and capacity to persuade and to maneuver.
The big lessons pertain to our own ability and capacity to persuade and to maneuver.
The Democratic Party Establishment isn’t going to get less shitty on its own. The factor that can change in the months and years ahead is the subjective factor: the leaders, organizations, and movements we build to challenge them and wrest the helm.
In short, we need a much larger core of dedicated revolutionary leaders who commit to learning how to DO politics, not just HAVE politics; who learn and master the political skills of organizing, persuasion, symbolic contests, statecraft, etc.
The “good news” is that the Dem Party’s old guard is totally inept in this contest. They don’t understand the popular moment at all. They’re insulated and out of touch. (Think Nancy Pelosi in front of her luxury fridges)
They are not strong.
The problem is we’re not either.
They are not strong.
The problem is we’re not either.
This “good news” of Dem Establishment ineptitude is terrifying considering that they are the ones responsible for defeating Trump in November.
The better news is that we are on a trajectory of relearning the political skills it will take to build a popular insurgent force that can wrest the helm.
With each issue and electoral campaign we can continue to build the bench of skilled leaders, campaigners, and candidates.
With each issue and electoral campaign we can continue to build the bench of skilled leaders, campaigners, and candidates.
We’re at the tail end of a 40-year decline in left infrastructure: a decimation of our forces bc of neoliberal consolidation, attacks on organized labor, “cultural backlash,” and the general decline in collective action with the rise of individualism.
It’ll take time to rebuild.
It’ll take time to rebuild.
That Bernie 2020 came within reach would have seemed like a utopian dream to my 2010 self.
We’re on the path, eyes on the prize. The rising generation is the most progressive and diverse generation in this nation’s history. When this generation comes to power it will be battle-hardened, mad as hell, and ready to do very big things.
I emphasize political skills and leaders not bc this is more important than mass participation—but because these things are inseparable. Today millions are with us on the issues. But millions don't participate spontaneously—leaders must provide onramps. That takes savvy & skill.
Most people won't just jump aboard a foolhardy adventure that seems to have zero chance of success. Some will on principle, yes, but masses of people, no. Insurgent leaders, organizations, and campaigns have to demonstrate that they can get results—a believable trajectory.
Thinking on this was just reminded of this related blog post I wrote several years back about underdogs and winning teams: jonathansmucker.org/2012/08/16/und…
