Ben Jealous: "I'm a venture capitalist, not a socialist.

[lapucelle]

I have never referred to myself as a socialist nor would I govern as one.”

Maryland Democratic gubernatorial nominee Ben Jealous clearly does not like being called a socialist.

On Wednesday, the former NAACP chief was asked at a news conference whether he identified with the term “socialist,” as his political opponent, Gov. Larry Hogan (R), has labeled him.

“Are you f---ing kidding me?” Jealous responded, visibly surprising some of the Democratic elected officials who had gathered to endorse him.

Link to tweet

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/asked-if-he-identifies-with-the-term-socialist-ben-jealous-drops-an-f-bomb/2018/08/08/1f67ca30-9b2b-11e8-b60b-1c897f17e185_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.059f47e05c97

[FSogol]

1. If you are anywhere near the MD-DC-VA area, you know the airwaves are been flooded with accusations

of Jealous being a tax and spend socialist. The GOP uses the same scary play book whether it fits or not. Rest assured, Ben Jealous is the most liberal person running in this race.

[lapucelle]

3. I have no no doubt that Jealous is liberal and would make an excellent governor.

I'm happy he won the primary, and hope he wins office in November.

I also have no problem with his identification as a "venture capitalist" or the work he does in that capacity. I don't see the designation as negative. Jealous invests in people who have good ideas, but who need funds to start up and have difficulty in finding investors.

Maryland Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ben Jealous is best known for his successful stewardship of the NAACP during a five-year tenure as president and CEO that ended in 2013. And he’s second-best known for his highly visible role in Bernie Sanders’s 2016 presidential campaign.

But by vocation, at least since he joined the firm Kapor Capital in 2014, Jealous is a venture capitalist, albeit one focused on creating opportunities for people normally left behind in the 21st-century economy, and particularly the tech sector. He’s grown accustomed to mentioning this affiliation whenever he is asked, as anyone close to Bernie Sanders often is, whether he is a “socialist.”

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/08/ben-jealous-deploys-logic-f-bomb-against-socialism-charge.html

[LenaBaby61]

2. Too bad ....

That most Dems don't know HOW to message better, and then hammer thuglicans over their heads with a strong message continuously, efficiently ruthlessly like thuglicans do vs them

[lapucelle]

4. I think it's wonderful that Jealous does not allow others to define him.

It's pretty remarkable that "venture capitalist" immediately sounds evil in some quarters especially among those who don't even know what it means.

I also admire Jealous's particular brand of "venture capitalism". He invests in people who would otherwise have their very good projects wither due to lack of funding.

What I do have a problem with is partisans who insist that "socialism" (however they define it) is the only way forward for Democrats.

[brooklynite]

5. Really doesn't matter...

Every Republican isn't a Trump Republican and Hogan has approx 70% positive ratings; this isn't a Governorship that's going to flip.

Meanwhile:
Illinois
New Mexico
Alaska
Florida
Iowa
Maine
Michigan
Nevada
Ohio
Georgia
Wisconsin
Arizona
Kansas

[lapucelle]

6. Be sure to pass that inspirational message on to the Democrats in MD.

[honest.abe]

8. Im in Maryland and I think brooklynite is correct.

Hogan is very popular here on all sides. I have not seen any recent polling but I suspect Hogan would be leading by at least 15 points.

Also, I dont think Ben was the best candidate to go against Hogan. We needed someone more mainstream, moderate and well known like a Martin O'Malley type.

[lapucelle]

10. I'm sure he's right about Jealous's chances.

It's the "it really doesn't matter" part that I find defeatist going forward.

[honest.abe]

11. Yes, I see your point.

But I think brooklynite is totally focused on winning which I also understand.

[lapucelle]

13. I get it, but I don't quite agree with the premise

that it is a waste of time to work hard now to build the narrative and the party going forward, even in places where results will likely not be seen this cycle.

It's unnecessarily dismissive of people's local efforts.

[NCTraveler]

7. Jealous is generating a solid narrative for centrist Republicans to hear in that state.

While we won’t win this seat, this is what we need.

People love the fifty state strategy except when they hate it. This is building a narrative for the future.

[lapucelle]

9. I agree with you. Building a narrative for the future is exactly what we need.

I'm not trying to question or raise doubts about Jealous's commitment to Democratic Party core values and principles, the Democratic platform, or our Party's vision going forward.

My real point is that Ben Jealous is the expert on his own, personal political philosophy and that the Democratic Party is a big tent.

[NCTraveler]

12. +1

There is nothing out of place with his comment when it comes to fitting into the party. Everyone from Bernie Sanders to Joe Manchin has dipped into venture capitalism.