The left is already looking to 2024. Some want to see a Biden primary challenge.

[JoeOtterbein]

Politico

“Will there be a progressive challenger? Yes,” said one prominent Democrat.

By HOLLY OTTERBEIN

01/01/2022 07:00 AM EST

When Joe Biden first came into office, progressives said he could be the next FDR.

Now, as Biden’s relationship with the left has come under strain, liberals are talking about treating him like former President Jimmy Carter instead — and mapping out a Democratic primary challenge in 2024.

“Will there be a progressive challenger? Yes,” said Jeff Weaver, Sen. Bernie Sanders’ former presidential campaign manager.

Weaver stresses that he is not advocating for such a primary campaign. But the chatter about a left-wing challenge to Biden, which was virtually nonexistent weeks ago, has suddenly burst into public view in the wake of Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) killing the president’s climate and social spending bill.

snip

more at link

[FoxNewsSucks]

1. Typical rightwing Politico spin.

The problem is NOT "the left". The problem is the corporate-friendly entrenched so-called conservadems with the prime example being Maserati Joe Manchin (D-Coal)

[brooklynite]

23. And by "spin" you mean "reporting what a left wing campaign manager says"?

They're not reporting on a problem; they're reporting on a developing political trend.

Instead, liberals believe lesser-known candidates are more likely to primary Biden if he seeks a second term, such as former Sanders campaign co-chair Nina Turner, 2020 presidential candidate Marianne Williamson or millionaire and $18-an-hour minimum wage advocate Joe Sanberg.

[FoxNewsSucks]

35. By "rightwing spin"

I mean they are focusing attention on the left negatively, instead of exposing the problem which is actually, as I said, conservative-type politicians and centrists.

It wasn't "The Left" that killed Biden's BBB, was it. It was the right and it's past time to address that elephant in the room.

[brooklynite]

50. But its "The Left" which is choosing to mount a challenge in 2024.

[FoxNewsSucks]

65. I didn't know that individual represented all of "The Left"

I would refer you to post #56 here. And remind that Politico is known to stir up shit. That's what this is.

Shitstir and bash the left, while distracting from the real problem. Straight out of the rightwing playbook.

[George II]

82. He represents several Super PACs / Committees on "the left"

[DemocraticPatriot]

128. NOBODY has "chosen" to do ANYTHING, yet.

Talk is cheap.

[Torchlight]

136. No, it's just individual voices within "The Left" that is choosing that route.

Let's not pretend to ourselves that a mere handful of voices represents the collective sentiment-- unless there is data supporting it as such.

[Trueblue1968]

117. i HATE .. Jeff Weaver, Sanders' presdcampaign manager. HE IS A ROTTEN LIAR

HE MADE UP STUFF ABOUT HILLARY TO MAKE HER LOSE AGAINST BERNIE. I would not believe a thing WEAVER SAID.

I. Hate. His. Guts. Lying POS.

[betsuni]

122. +1

[JustAnotherGen]

47. I'm considered a Corporate Democratic Party Member

By Justice Dems in my district.

Reality is - sitting on the Democratic Committee . . .I've Been integral in getting our county seat (red for 40 years prior to 2018) and flipping the 7th.

I wear my Corporate Democratic Party Member Badge with honor.

I noticed when calling around to see if we can get a Voting Rights Demonstration together for 1/17 - they aren't returning my calls. NAACP members are though . . .

[karynnj]

56. May depend on what is meant by left

The possible candidates are fringe left or maybe just fringe. Note this is not the progressive caucus in the Congress. Not AOC or Jaypal in the House or Warren or even Sanders in the Senate.

This is more like the normal fringe party candidates who run in most years. I suspect it is more likely if Trump or a Trumpy candidate is the Republican candidate that a Libertarian candidate will take more Republican votes than the fringe left will take from us. From 2000 FL or NH or various states in 2016 we know the fringe could hurt us, but the same may exist on the right.

As to primarying, there is no way that set of potential candidates could win even one state.

[Fiendish Thingy]

2. Jeff Weaver is not "the left", he is one guy, dedicated to shit stirring, who found a willing shill.

[George II]

21. Corbin Trent is presumably part of "the left". He's quite outspoken about our President there.

[Tom Rinaldo]

107. Or one could simply take him at his word

Which is that he is not advocating such a challenge but that he knows of others who are. Maybe that is too simplistic, but it also is plausible.

[calguy]

3. Jeff Weavet, A Bernie person

seems intent on tearing the party down, as do many current Bernie disciples.

[luv2fly]

7. Didn't take long for the Bernie haters to show up in the new year n/t

[George II]

22. If you're talking about "haters", this article seems to be about BIDEN "haters". For example:

Corbin Trent:

“He’s deeply unpopular. He’s old as shit. He’s largely been ineffective, unless we’re counting judges or whatever the hell inside-baseball scorecard we’re using. And I think he’ll probably get demolished in the midterms,” said Corbin Trent, co-founder of the progressive No Excuses PAC and former communications director for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).

[calguy]

30. Bernie folks seem to have a difficulties with comments that don't idolize him.

[LiberalFighter]

31. Says the kid who thinks he knows it all.

He lacks the knowledge about the workings of Congress. And the realities of life. Corbin Trent needs to be blackballed.

[lapucelle]

70. From an early interview of Mr. Trent about his new start up Brand New Congress

Theo: What is your relationship to the Democratic Party?

Corbin: Myself, personally? I have no relationship whatsoever. The organization has very little. We intend to run within their structures, and in their primaries, and we’re thankful that they’ve set up an infrastructure that’s going to allow candidates to run in primaries. But we think that the party has?—?a long time ago?—?stopped representing the needs of the American people.

https://inthesetimes.com/article/brand-new-congress-progressives-republican-party-democrat

[lapucelle]

80. And Trent is also uninformed about what President Biden has achieved in less than a year.

President Biden, Leader Schumer, Speaker Pelosi scorecard: Jan. 20,2021 - Jan. 1, 2022

- $3,000,000,000,000 in social spending and infrastructure legislation passed, signed, and enacted.
- 40 federal judges confirmed
- 67 Executive Actions signed
- 17 Trump Executive Actions rescinded

Trent is an political oppotunist with ties to two superpacs that spend their money AGAINST Democrats (rather than against Republicans). He is open about having no ties to the Democratic Party, other than using it to advance his personal agenda.

He's also a co-founder/co-director of JusticeDemocrats, an organization which, by its own admission is neither friend to nor part of our party.

When people tell you who they are, believe them.

==================================================================

[LetMyPeopleVote]

137. I am NOT a fan of the Justice Democrat group or their affiliates such as sunrise and BNC

I have been following the Justice Democrats and its predecessor for a while including the "brand new congress group" and other groups created by Zack Exley, Waleed Shahid Cenk, Kyle Kulinksi and their ilk. I am on the Justice Democrat email list and I have even listened once or twice to the Justice Democrat podcast which is amusingly called "Just Us" democrats. The Justice Democrats emails are fun to laugh at and I love the hatred this group shows to the Democratic Party, establishment Democrats and best of all corporate democrats. The posts attacking the DCCC for raising money to elect real Democrats are really amusing.

There are a large number of posters on twitter who have issues with the concept of the Justice Democrat group wanting to take over the Democratic party and remake into their image. It seems that this poster is a regular democrat who does not want the Democratic Party to be taken over by the Justice Democrat group.

Link to tweet

This poster is not the only person who has issues with the concept that the Justice Democrats want to take over the Democratic Party

Link to tweet

Again the above posts are consistent with the hatred of the Democratic Party that I see on the almost daily emails that I get from the Justice Democrats.

If you want to learn more about the Justice Democrats just enter "Just Us Democrats" in the search function of twitter.

[PatSeg]

106. "He's largely been ineffective"???

In what universe? They are only seeing what they want to see and they are undermining the party in the process. Talk like that will not serve us well in the mid-terms.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

111. Who the fuck is Corben Trent?

First time I've heard of the guy.

[George II]

112. He's deeply involved in a number of the far left organizations/PACs/Super PACs...

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100216201450#post18

He was a Sanders supporter/worker/surrogate in both his campaigns (but he calls BIDEN "old as shit"!)
He was AOC's communications director

And this:

More about Corbin Trent:

Co-founder of Brand New Congress
Co-founder and co-director of Justice Democrats
Director of communications of New Consensus
Co-founder of No Excuses PAC
Related to Natalie Trent, treasurer of Justice Democrats.

Justice Democrats: Carey Committee/SuperPAC
No Excuses PAC: a SuperPac
Brand New Congress: PAC - Nonqualified

He also has his fingers in some other groups, including Sunrise Movement and is a close associate of Cenk Uygur and Saikat Chakrabarti.

[JustAnotherGen]

41. Bernie?

Senator Sanders didn't write the article.

Politico is a right wing rag who benefits if blacks, asians, latinos, muslims, jews, GLBT, poor are disenfranchised in 2022 and 2024.

Who makes money if we are made second class citizens if the GOP takes over Congress?

This has nothing to do with Senator Sanders and everything to do with Politico agitating a divided Democratic Party.

[luv2fly]

46. Did you read the post I was replying to? n/t

[JustAnotherGen]

49. Yep

There's one I've read on this thus far.

They are entitled to their opinion.

We don't have to give them the time of day.

[Cha]

74. It's Called FACTS.. Just bc FACTS

are Being Reported Does NOT mean it's "hate".

[luv2fly]

83. You're right, it's a fact

Some people here just try to sow division in our party... FACT.

[mcar]

85. That is a fact

and the OP shows who is guilty of that. Thanks for pointing it out.

[Cha]

89. FACT.. Look to the OP on Politico..

"Sowing Division".

[George II]

92. Have you read any of the quotes from that OP article OR some of Trent's quotes that were added?

But you're right, some people here and other places "just try to sow division in our party". But they're not the ones you're accusing of doing that.

[Tom Rinaldo]

109. This reporting does not support that conclusion

Bernie had a broad center left coalition that extended well to the left of the coalition Biden built. Weaver would of course be acquainted with folks in it from across that full spectrum. It is no surprise that the far left of that coalition is often hostile to most of the Democratic Party. "Many" is a relative term. "Thousands of people" can be considered "many", thought they may constitute less that 1% of a group as a whole.

[SMC22307]

4. What garbage. This "Left" is looking at 2022...

and if we take control, Biden's progressive legislation won't get killed.

Signed,
A Bernie Supporter

[LetMyPeopleVote]

5. If there is a challenge by the left, then TFG will win the 2024 election

This seems like a dumb idea

[Boomerproud]

6. Consider the source. Politico is mostly garbage.

[samnsara]

13. ive quit reading it

[Shermann]

26. I don't see a bias or factuality problem on media bias fact check

https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/politico/

[George II]

29. That was last updated on August 26, 2021. It has since been sold to a right-wing German media outlet

[Shermann]

33. Oh snap! nt

[George II]

34. ...

[PatSeg]

108. Wow, I didn't know that

Explains a lot, doesn't it?

[LetMyPeopleVote]

133. Politico is not a reliable source and I have not been impressed with the work of the author

[DemocraticPatriot]

129. There is a big difference between a challenge, and a 'credible challenge'.

There may be some no-name or minor name challengers (such as the many little-known figures named in the article). If they decide to run, "good luck" because they will need it to avoid complete humiliation.

I agree that if there was a credible challenger, on the level of a Sanders or a Warren, it would likely ruin the party's chances of retaining the White House. No president in the modern era has been re-elected after being challenged with some strength in their own party for re-nomination by a credible candidate.

However, I don't believe any such challenge by anyone with any strength or credibility is in the cards. There would be no reason or justification for it. It is not as if President Biden has moved to the right, after his election. In fact, he has moved left. I consider myself to be part of "the left" (whatever that means), but I will support no challenger against President Biden's re-nomination and re-election.


Most people have forgotten, but President Nixon had a challenger for his re-nomination in 1972, I believe it was a little-known congressman. It went nowhere, and now I cannot remember his name.... and Nixon won re-election by a landslide.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

134. I am worried-see below

Such a challenge would be a very dumb move

Link to tweet

"Will there be a progressive challenger? Yes," Weaver told Politico. He told the outlet that a challenge would not be a "repudiation" of Biden but rather the result of the party's base moving further leftward. "Progressives are ultimately ascendant," he said. "And if nothing else, a progressive running who gets a lot of support will demonstrate that the ideas that the progressive movement embraces are, in fact, popular."

Despite Biden's lifelong reputation as a moderate and pragmatic Democrat, progressives embraced Biden in the early months of his presidency, as he vowed to unite the party's various factions to advance an ambitious agenda that encompassed many policy priorities Democrats have focused on for years. But after successfully pushing through a COVID relief bill last March, Biden's first-year legislative accomplishments have largely been limited to a bipartisan infrastructure bill authored by centrist Democrats with some support from leading Republicans. Progressives remained united with Biden in the push to pass his $3.5 trillion Build Back Better proposal, and largely avoided criticizing the slimmed-down version (at about half that size) that was meant to appease conservative Democrats like Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia. But party leaders pushed progressives to support the bipartisan infrastructure vote before a Build Back Better deal was struck, costing the left its primary point of leverage even before Manchin blew up BBB negotiations last month.

Weaver's interview reflects the fact that a growing number of progressives view Biden's early presidency as a failure as the White House kicks off a new year with largely the same legislative agenda — and midterm elections just 11 months away.

"He's deeply unpopular. He's old as shit. He's largely been ineffective, unless we're counting judges or whatever the hell inside-baseball scorecard we're using. And I think he'll probably get demolished in the midterms," Corbin Trent, co-founder of the progressive No Excuses PAC and former communications director for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., told Politico, endorsing Weaver's prediction. "People will smell opportunity, and D.C. is filled with people who want to be president."

[betsuni]

8. 50-50 senate and "the next FDR" have nothing to do with each other.

[lapucelle]

95. It's disgusting when folks who hate the Democratic Party try to appropriate our legacy.

Franklin Roosevelt when asked about his ideology answered,

"I am a Christian and a Democrat. That's all."

[betsuni]

97. Pretending FDR's Democratic liberalism was democratic socialism and therefore

socialism is the true legacy of the Democratic Party and why it needs to be taken over and returned to its roots. A deliberate lie. For political power and a fantasy revolution or whatever.

[kentuck]

9. I don't think this is something the Party will discuss until after 2022 elections.

Who knows? Maybe Joe will announce that he is not running for a second term? No one can predict the future at this time, in my opinion.

[samnsara]

11. he has announced hes running esp if trump** is

[Demsrule86]

15. Seriously? Pray that Joe is healthy and can run...who else can win? Also, the value of incumbency is

huge. You want to lose than primary Biden.

[samnsara]

10. let me guess...bernie.....again?

[George II]

25. But according to one of the sources, Biden is "old as shit", and Sanders is more than a year older.

[Cha]

75. Better Older and Wiser than

the "shit" they bring.

[DemocraticPatriot]

130. Sanders has stated that it is extremely unlikely that he will ever run again. nt

[Mad_Machine76]

12. Oh Brother

and is Jeff Weaver really a "prominent Democrat"? Really?!

This seems to have become a regular part of election cycles. If progressives want to see things get done, they need to get their butts to the polls in the midterms so that we can hold the House and add more Senators (and win more power at the State level to the extent possible). Then, Biden can get more done without having to worry about two recalcitrant Democrats. Once again, they keep acting as though a President can wave a magic wand and make whatever they want to have happen, happen, and it doesn't work that way (somebody really needs to teach Civics).

[Demsrule86]

14. If progressives primary Biden and cost us the election...I will never forgive them and believe it

is necessary to move to the center and win from there. Anyone who understands elections understands the value of incumbency. And a Progressive candidate and an let me clarify by saying an overtly progressive (Biden is very progressive-give him a real majority and see what happens)candidate will not win in the rust belt states which we must have in order to win the presidency...and I pray Virginia comes back into the fold.

[FoxNewsSucks]

36. Why fall for Politico spin?

That's the reaction the right wants.

Because it isn't "The Left" which is causing problems. "The Left" didn't torpedo Biden's agenda, quite the opposite in fact. "The Left" worked their asses off supporting Biden and his legislation.

The problem is coming from conservative and corporate type democrats, who side with republicons instead of us. But Politico doesn't want to talk about that. Or for the public to realize that.

[pwb]

16. Some want a primary challenge? Who Pukes?

Fuck that some want shit Politico. You foreign right wing rag.

[The Magistrate]

17. I Trust This Is A Warning To Shut Such Nonesense Down Before Harm Is Done, Sir

The idea is so stupid it can count as criminal.

[mcar]

86. Any "news" story that mentions Marianne Williamson

is deeply unserious and is only trying to sow shit.

New Year's greetings to you, Magistrate.

[George II]

18. Anyone find this particularly disturbing and divisive? Of Biden Trent says: "He's old as shit"....

“He’s deeply unpopular. He’s old as shit. He’s largely been ineffective, unless we’re counting judges or whatever the hell inside-baseball scorecard we’re using. And I think he’ll probably get demolished in the midterms,” said Corbin Trent, co-founder of the progressive No Excuses PAC and former communications director for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).

This coming from a Sanders supporter - the same Sanders who is more than a year OLDER than the person he's referring to! "Progressive"? I think not.

Do we really need this ageist, divisive stuff on Democratic Underground?

More about Corbin Trent:

Co-founder of Brand New Congress
Co-founder and co-director of Justice Democrats
Director of communications of New Consensus
Co-founder of No Excuses PAC
Related to Natalie Trent, treasurer of Justice Democrats.

Justice Democrats: Carey Committee/SuperPAC
No Excuses PAC: a SuperPac
Brand New Congress: PAC - Nonqualified

This guy, who thinks our President is "old as shit", controls quite a bit of dark money out there.

[JustAnotherGen]

38. Deeply offensive

Corbin Trent needs to shove off. He's not qualified to talk shit about President Biden.

[lapucelle]

72. Corbin Trent's latest startup, superpac No Excuses, spends its cash AGAINST Democrats

https://www.opensecrets.org/outsidespending/detail.php?cmte=C00765883&cycle=2022

[lapucelle]

73. And someone named Nathalie Trent signs the filings for the JusticeDemocrats superpac,

but it's a common last name.

[Cha]

77. He's a fucking Bigot.. and

not very bright.. that's what I think.

[mcar]

87. Trent is full of shit

Biden has "largely been ineffective?" Only by Newsmax standards.

[lapucelle]

116. The easy dismissal of the significance of filling judicial appointments is a privilege Trent

can apparently afford.

It reminds me of some of the nonsensical talking points I've read characterizing $3,000,000,000,000 in social and infrastructure spending as

"cute"

"scraps"

"crumbs"

Who benefits from diminishing Democratic Party achievements? Not Democrats.

Cui bono?

[Me.]

19. Who...Names & Sources Please

Some people say is very trumpian and weaver is not a credible enough source to base an entire article on this. And why does Ms. Otterbein have a bias against the president? Her reporting always seems to have an anti-dem slant.

[JustAnotherGen]

39. Off to look her up

She's not relevant to me.

[MineralMan]

54. Well, she's the OP's daughter, I believe.

There is relevance in that fact.

[PatSeg]

110. Yep

Deja vu from primary season.

[LiberalFighter]

20. Idiot weaver thinks someone other than Biden will change Manchin?

What has Weaver done to elect enough Democratic Senators to offset Manchin and Sinema?

Is Weaver trying to distract?

[AZSkiffyGeek]

51. Don't you know

Yelling at him when he’s at home, chasing him in parking lots and pounding on his car are the ways to change his mind!

[Cha]

78. What's Weaver done to

elect anybody?

[LiberalFighter]

84. He lost when he ran for office too.

[Cha]

90. Exactly.. he does Nothing but

"Sow Division".

[tritsofme]

24. If they want to run some irrelevant nobody in a few primaries and collect dozens of votes.

Who really cares?

[Kingofalldems]

27. Are you related to the author of this article?

[MineralMan]

55. He is. She's his daughter, if I remember correctly.

When she writes something, the OP always posts it here.

[Turbineguy]

28. Republicans need all the help they can get.

[Scrivener7]

32. Oh, FFS. Is this right wing rag still allowed here?

[JustAnotherGen]

37. What the hell is wrong with them?

Sowing discord and chaos in 2022.

There isn't going to be a legitimate election or electoral college certification in 2024 if they pump this idea up in 2022.

If these 5 women think they are saving anyone from Fascists and co-signing this article by the writer -

I will do everything in my power to ensure their opponent wins the nomination. Covid be damned - I got to roll over 11 vacation days. Looks like I'm knocking on doors out of state during the primaries this year.

My party, my party, my Democratic Party.

[alphafemale]

40. Because that worked so well when it was done to Carter?

Stop.

Full stop.

[JustAnotherGen]

44. +1000

[AZSkiffyGeek]

53. And Gore, and Hillary...

Hell, Bernie threatened it to Obama.

[karynnj]

60. Neither Gore or HRC were President, so it's not the same as primarying the president

With Carter, it was not something obscure person who could not even win back her congressional seat, but Ted Kennedy. To add to that, a relatively liberal Republican ran as an Independent when Reagan became the nominee. It looked like many Democrats went from Kennedy to Anderson.

Those dynamics are very different than a fringe challenge.

[lapucelle]

94. Yes, but President Obama was. N/T

[JustAnotherGen]

104. Whoa - I looked this up

Sanders and Obama.

That's not a good look for Senator Sanders. If he's affiliated with this Weaver guy in any way - he needs to denounce this idea immediately.

[SYFROYH]

42. I'm not sure I want Joe to run again, but I also unsure about a primary being useful.

[Greybnk48]

43. This sounds like a "some people say" Trumpian rumor

to plant a seed or cause trouble.

I have not heard this from anyone, anywhere. Anyone else?

[ms liberty]

45. Politico, stirring up shit again. Ask provocative questions of people

Who are provocative, and then report on it as if it's a real phenomenon. All to get eyeballs and people talking "dems in disarray again!" Fuck Politico, and the agenda they rode in on. I'm a progressive slash liberal and in 24 I plan on voting for Joe Biden again if he chooses to run and I expect him to...I've loved Joe Biden for longer than some of them have been alive. So to reiterate, fuck Politico.

[bigtree]

48. but it's the Democratic right that's blocking Pres. Biden right now

...tagging 'the left' for an election that hasn't begun is sophistry.

You have to wonder what's the motivation behind attacking the Democratic left for an imaginary election, when it's 'moderates' and 'centrists' who provided the margins of victory for trump in red states.

[MineralMan]

52. What Crap!

Sowing disunity is absolutely the wrong approach before Joe Biden has even been President for a year.

Weaver is a disgusting slimeball if he is saying that. I hope Bernie Sanders repudiates him immediately. I'll be watching for that.

[stopdiggin]

59. and maybe AOC could throw a little water

on this as well? Or is she still all in with the 'Justice' people?

[MineralMan]

69. I don't exactly where AOC is. She's not my Congress member, so I don't

pay close attention to her. Hard to say what she'll do.

[MineralMan]

57. Your signature line should reference your relationship with that author, I believe.

Seriously. Please notice the questions about that in this thread.

Full Disclosure, please.

[JoeOtterbein]

61. I used to always do it, until...

...I was told that I was "bragging" about her too much.

Thanks to all who read the article!

[DFW]

68. I think your worries can be laid to rest in this case

Any article quoting Jeff Weaver is nothing to brag about, especially on this board.

[stopdiggin]

58. and the name of this 'challenger?'

I can't think of a real 'name' out there - that would touch this with a ten foot pole. This kind of sounds (to me) like a handful of voices that are desperately trying to maintain relevance.
----- ---- ---- -----

[Emile]

62. Where did this breaking news come from, Russia?

Don't fall for this shit!

[totodeinhere]

63. The article mentions that it happened to Jimmy Carter.

And we all know what happened. Jimmy Carter prevailed over Teddy Kennedy but lost the general election. We don't want that scenario to play out again.

[MichMan]

67. If Kennedy didn't run in the primary, would Carter have then won the election ?

[karynnj]

79. You never know for sure the path not taken, but I doubt it

I think a good second question is if Carter would have won if Anderson did not run. If you look at the state level, Carter lost every state except Minnesota, Mondale's state. He lost Massachusetts!

In addition, something big was happening. It was not just a red wave, it was a tsunami! In the Senate 10 incumbent Democrats, including many who were big stars, like Birch Bayh, Magnuson and George McGovern.

Given the change in the Senate, the country was demanding a change and they bought the fake promises of Reagan.

[Demsrule86]

91. Yes I believe Carter would have won... the primary weakened him.

[MichMan]

96. That would mean Sen Kennedy was responsible for the election of Reagan

If that ultimately caused the re election of Pres. Carter to be lost.

[totodeinhere]

115. We will never know but he might have had a better chance. He had to devote a lot

of energy and resources in his primary fight which he could have better used in the general election. And just think how much better off our country would have been had he won. Reagan did a lot of damage and we are still suffering from the consequences of that today.

[DemocraticPatriot]

132. 'Resources' maybe, but Carter spent little "energy" fighting off the Kennedy challenge--

he never left the White House to campaign, as I recall, and refused to debate. It was referred to as 'the Rose Garden strategy'.

It was the Iranian hostage crisis which ultimately saved his re-nomination for him, as the party "rallied around the president in a time of crisis". Carter went from being down 2-to-1 in Democratic polls, to being up by nearly the same margin, almost overnight.

Ironically, it was also the same year-long hostage crisis which was ultimately his undoing in the general election.



All the same, the Kennedy challenge was a mistake. I was with him at the time, but have grown wiser since.

[BannonsLiver]

64. Do they pay Holly in rubles?

[Hortensis]

66. No one should be fooled by dishonest language of the anti-establishment left.

The Democratic Party is a PROGRESSIVE party, believing a major role of government is to use government power to meet the people's needs. The Republican Party is ANTI-progressive, that "small government," "stop the encroachment of the welfare state," "tear down DC and bury it" ideology.

This has been our big ideological breakdown for many decades: liberal progressive, pro- federal government left -- conservative anti-progressive, anti- federal government right.

Most of those OUTSIDE the Democratic Party who insist only they are "progressive" and Democrats are lying, some about both. By definition they're anti-Democratic left, and a large majority of those antagonistic, anti-establishment populists, the kind who saw tRump's RW populism as an alternative to LW populism in their fight against the Democratic Party's liberal progressivism. Good trick telling people they're fighting for "progressive government" while using them to take down the government.

Another term: THE LEFT is the entirely roughly half of all Americans who lean or are liberal and progressive. (As opposed to "the right." We know who those are.)

The much smaller groups farther left of the very large liberal mainstream become increasingly illiberal, anti-establishment, and often both authoritarian-leaning and anti-democratic (not just anti-Democratic) the farther "left" they are. Some of these LW groups are so far out there that they consider Senator Sanders just another corporatist Democrat and that the only "solution" to democracy is to destroy it and put them in power.

If that sounds like today's right, yup. Far left extremists and populists have a great deal in common with the far right. Since people in sane times would never elect these scary nuts, they all plan to burn the whole barn down to take power.

But all these people get real unhappy when Democrats prove them wrong about who we are, along with their reasons for political existence. Must. Demonize. And. Deny.

And you tell faux progressives passing themselves off as the real thing by how much time they spend smearing Democrats and the levels of dishonesty and virulence.

Real progressives are nice people. They can tell the truth about what they're doing, to themselves as well as others.

Those who say nice things for the MSM and then vicious lies about Democrats to fellow believers are something else entirely. Believe them when they show you what they are.

[mcar]

88. Well said

[bigtree]

93. 'dishonest language of the anti-establishment left'

...that's a load of crap, right there.

That 'left' you sneer at drives progressive change, while moderates work to slow it down, most often at the behest of the industries in their states which promoted them into office.

In almost every instance of 'moderate' or centrist politics, there's a corporate interest driving decision making. It's perverse that these centrist interests in the way of progress on Pres. Biden's landmark legislation are allowed to cast their obstinacy as pragmatism - when its really the worst of establishment politics at the expense of the voters who brought them to power - and the left regularly excoriated for insisting on providing more.

In this case, the left is fighting to just hold onto the fraction of BBB that remains after Manchin and his counterparts in the House eviscerated mostly social initiatives in negotiations for a bill he didn't intend to vote for.

Thank the 'left' for whatever exists, and whatever remains of progressivsm in that legislation.

[Hortensis]

100. Well, that's disposed of. How about hostile elements INVOKING Sanders'

name and ideals to trick well-meaning Sanders progressives into the service of extremist, anti-Democratic AND anti-democratic elements? Including enemies foreign and domestic -- such as antiestablishment and authoritarian populist movements from both the left and the HUGE, powerful RW versions.

After 2016 our intelligence services did warn us that the Kremlin, more than happy with the success of weaponizing both the tRump and LW populist movements, intended to grow and unite them into a destructive majority.

[bigtree]

101. that reads like a cheap spy novel

...how about just listening to Sen. Sanders?

[Hortensis]

102. How about the innocent dupe in spy novels who make some

nice new friends. Meetings with hundreds on bar stools have been replaced with contacts with millions on line. In the real world, the Russians have always called them useful idiots and then assets as they're developed and that's reportedly still the case. They're still standard characters in both cheap and very good spy novels.

You DID know that Russia invoked Sanders's name and ideals in a massive campaign to deceive voters into not voting for Democrats, right? But Russia mostly helps domestic subversive groups become powerful, using its enormous information warfare resources to augment their messages to targets in databases and through media across the nation.

[bigtree]

103. so fiction, then

...when talking about anyone actually in a position to influence Democratic policy.

Actors in a political play.

Still has zero to do with anyone in our party, least of all any legislator associating themselves with anything termed the Democratic left.

Still no one identifying themselves as 'anti-establishment' left. That's 2008, man.

[lapucelle]

119. Thank President Biden, Leader Schumer, and Speaker Pelosi.

- $3,000,000,000,000 in social spending and infrastructure legislation passed, signed, and enacted.
- 40 federal judges confirmed
- 67 Executive Actions signed
- 17 Trump Executive Actions rescinded

Corbin Trent of JusticeDemocrats SuperPac and NoExcuses SuperPac on Democratic Party leadership and achievements:

[Biden is] deeply unpopular. He’s old as shit. He’s largely been ineffective, unless we’re counting judges or whatever the hell inside-baseball scorecard we’re using.

Whose interest does the dismissive Mr. Trent serve besides his own?

Who (other than the privileged) would diminish the importance and significance of 40 federal judges confirmed in one year as nothing more than a "whatever the hell inside baseball scorecard we're using"?

Cui bono?

https://www.acslaw.org/judicial-nominations/on-the-bench/

[bigtree]

121. Corbin Trent of Justice Democrats?

...no one, but no one cares what Corbin Trent says or thinks as much as people who make it their busisness to bash 'the left' like it's some threat.

Corbin Trent didn't challenge Rep. Nancy Pelosi's speakership numerous times, conservative, self-identified, 'blue dog moderates' did.

Corbin Trent didn't eviscerate initiatives in President Biden's infrastructure bill, self-identified 'moderates' did.

Corbin Trent isn't withholding support for Pres. Biden's Build Back Better bill, a self-identified moderate is obstructing its passage after cynically eviscerating progressive initiatives from the legislation.

Corbin Trent doesn't threaten this presidency, self-identified 'moderates' are obstructing this president's landmark legislation, threatening the future of our leadership in the House and Senate.

Corbin Trent... how politically inane can you get, pretending that some outside activist, former 'aide' to someone represents anything of substance within the party that actually poses a threat to the Democratic party or the WH?

Joe Manchin to reengage with BBB talks — if Dems kill the enhanced child tax credit
https://www.rawstory.com/joe-manchin-build-back-better-2656207550/

Link to tweet

[lapucelle]

125. So the writer of the Politico piece is "politically inane" for using Corbin Trent as a source?

Interesting.

Corbin Trent is the opportunist spinning narratives about Democratic Party achievements being meaningless.

Joe Biden is not characterizing his agenda as "eviscerated". And he's the president.

[betsuni]

98. +1

[mcar]

71. Tiger Beat on the Potomac starts the year in true style

What a load of nonsense.

[GoneOffShore]

76. Love that! 'Tiger Beat On The Potomac' sounds about right.

[Crunchy Frog]

81. National suicide if it happens. nt

[lapucelle]

99. Progressives in the House, Senate, & Progressive Caucus are not talking about primarying Biden

according to the Politico story

“Progressives in the House, in the Senate, in the Progressive Caucus are not talking about primarying Biden,” said an aide to a senior House progressive.

snip==========================================================

“President Biden and his senior team have made a concerted effort to reach out to me since Sen. Sanders’ campaign ended and seek input into legislation and strategy,” said Rep. Ro Khanna, a former Sanders campaign co-chair. “He wants to implement a bold progressive vision, and he will have my enthusiastic support in 2024 so we have eight years to do it.”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So who is talking about primarying Biden?

- Jeff Weaver
- Corbin Trent
- Marianne Williams
- Nina Turner
- media guy Mark Longabaugh (Corbin “People will smell opportunity" Trent mentioned opportunists)

[JustAnotherGen]

105. Interesting

Hmmm . . .

I'll keep an eye on these Democratic Party outsiders.

[MineralMan]

113. It is notable that this thread has received ZERO DU Recs.

Perhaps that will send a message regarding similar posts of this nature.

[brooklynite]

126. I post things that are topical and newsworthy. You're free not to read them.

FWIW I also never rec posts.

[MineralMan]

127. My reply was to the OP of this thread, not to you.

Unless you are also JoeOtterbein here.

[jalan48]

114. I would think it would depend on whether or not the Centrists can stop the Fascists. If Centrist

leadership proves to be incapable of doing so voters will demand a change.

[TheFarseer]

118. There is plenty of talk

That Biden won’t run for a second term. I’m nearly certain no one remotely credible will run against Biden if he runs. If he doesn’t run, it’s fair game and I think that’s where this talk is coming from even though plenty of people are twisting this in order to shit on the “left”. Please note, I’m not saying op is doing this.

I will add that if Kamala or anyone that feels like a “favorite” runs, the media and establishment will have fit over any primary challengers and act like they are destroying party unity and “ handing the election to the Republicans”

[ismnotwasm]

120. Your daughter is very talented

I hope that talent takes her right out of Politico. I’m flat out not clicking on it

[RFCalifornia]

123. Good. I love Biden, but he was a bridge to the next gen

[Bucky]

124. "The Left" is looking, huh?

That's weird, cause I'm a member of The Left and I don't even remember a meeting being called about

[GoodRaisin]

131. Well, hope not.

Hope we can avoid counterproductive stuff and all get behind our incumbent, and direct our efforts to Senate, House, and other important down ticket races.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

135. Former Bernie Sanders campaign manager: Biden will face progressive challenger in 2024

Such a challenge would be a very dumb move

Link to tweet

"Will there be a progressive challenger? Yes," Weaver told Politico. He told the outlet that a challenge would not be a "repudiation" of Biden but rather the result of the party's base moving further leftward. "Progressives are ultimately ascendant," he said. "And if nothing else, a progressive running who gets a lot of support will demonstrate that the ideas that the progressive movement embraces are, in fact, popular."

Despite Biden's lifelong reputation as a moderate and pragmatic Democrat, progressives embraced Biden in the early months of his presidency, as he vowed to unite the party's various factions to advance an ambitious agenda that encompassed many policy priorities Democrats have focused on for years. But after successfully pushing through a COVID relief bill last March, Biden's first-year legislative accomplishments have largely been limited to a bipartisan infrastructure bill authored by centrist Democrats with some support from leading Republicans. Progressives remained united with Biden in the push to pass his $3.5 trillion Build Back Better proposal, and largely avoided criticizing the slimmed-down version (at about half that size) that was meant to appease conservative Democrats like Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia. But party leaders pushed progressives to support the bipartisan infrastructure vote before a Build Back Better deal was struck, costing the left its primary point of leverage even before Manchin blew up BBB negotiations last month.

Weaver's interview reflects the fact that a growing number of progressives view Biden's early presidency as a failure as the White House kicks off a new year with largely the same legislative agenda — and midterm elections just 11 months away.

"He's deeply unpopular. He's old as shit. He's largely been ineffective, unless we're counting judges or whatever the hell inside-baseball scorecard we're using. And I think he'll probably get demolished in the midterms," Corbin Trent, co-founder of the progressive No Excuses PAC and former communications director for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., told Politico, endorsing Weaver's prediction. "People will smell opportunity, and D.C. is filled with people who want to be president."

[JohnSJ]

138. What crap. Same usual suspects working hard for trump