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Showing Original Post only (View all)Progressives Seek Control Of The Democratic Party [View all]
As Republicans take control of Congress for the first time since 2006, the Democrats' crushing midterm defeat and the rise of Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) have empowered the progressive wing to step up their fight for the soul of the party ahead of the 2016 presidential election.
Their message: Stop catering to big business. Listen to populists like Warren on how to rebuild the tarnished brand. Champion transformative ideas that will improve the lives of middle class Americans. If not, Democrats are toast in 2016.
"I can tell you, if Democrats try to adopt a Third Way, Democratic Leadership Council-type philosophy where we abandon average working Americans, we're not going to be successful [in 2016] or in general," Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, told TPM. "This is a time where people talking about raising wages, fair trade bills that do no offshore our jobs, strengthening the right to organized labor unions. This is that moment to grab those issues in order to be successful. And if we abandon those issues and we sort of become Republican-lite, we're not going to be successful."
With Democrats' popularity at a record low and the party now in the minority in the House and Senate, the progressive caucus and outside activists say the party is now free to stop cutting bad deals with Republicans and must draw red lines against legislation designed to help narrow, wealthy interests.
....
TPM
Their message: Stop catering to big business. Listen to populists like Warren on how to rebuild the tarnished brand. Champion transformative ideas that will improve the lives of middle class Americans. If not, Democrats are toast in 2016.
"I can tell you, if Democrats try to adopt a Third Way, Democratic Leadership Council-type philosophy where we abandon average working Americans, we're not going to be successful [in 2016] or in general," Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, told TPM. "This is a time where people talking about raising wages, fair trade bills that do no offshore our jobs, strengthening the right to organized labor unions. This is that moment to grab those issues in order to be successful. And if we abandon those issues and we sort of become Republican-lite, we're not going to be successful."
With Democrats' popularity at a record low and the party now in the minority in the House and Senate, the progressive caucus and outside activists say the party is now free to stop cutting bad deals with Republicans and must draw red lines against legislation designed to help narrow, wealthy interests.
....
TPM
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Yep. We want Dems to uphold Democratic principles in office! Thanks for posting.
RiverLover
Jan 2015
#1
The current Progressive movement is, I think, Inspired by the Progressive movement in the early
JDPriestly
Jan 2015
#64
And they're using those Pew "polls" as proof Americans want their conservative policies.
RiverLover
Jan 2015
#46
The party of "not republicans" is definitely how some advertise themselves here.
NewDeal_Dem
Jan 2015
#71
I'm inclined to agree -- Bill Clinton & Poppy Bush, for example, have been 'buds'
whathehell
Jan 2015
#67
The best strategy for the oligarchy is to weaken the Democratic Party by supporting
rhett o rick
Jan 2015
#6
I recommend that you support Progressive DEmocrats via organizations outside
rhett o rick
Jan 2015
#30
Many communities, towns, and cities, have Democratic Clubs. Find one that aligns
Luminous Animal
Jan 2015
#51
The small city of Richmond California shows how years of local hard work can yield
Luminous Animal
Jan 2015
#55
While I agree this is very important, I think there is a huge schism between local
rhett o rick
Jan 2015
#54
Those Democrats that claim it can't be done? The ones that say vote for the lesser of two evils?
Enthusiast
Jan 2015
#32
And they should. With the Democrats being flattened by the GOP, and the party at record low
dissentient
Jan 2015
#9
+1. My thoughts as well. If they can't beat a bunch of blathering idiots with 3rd grade mentalities
adirondacker
Jan 2015
#12
Conservatives are in the Democratic Party to help Republican interests... there is no 3rd way
whereisjustice
Jan 2015
#10
It's very sad that people will not engage politics .. when it has so much influence over the quality
YOHABLO
Jan 2015
#45
I am a progressive Democrat, or an independent. I am not an automatic Democrat. I certainly
Maineman
Jan 2015
#17
I wish it were so, but the bottom has fallen out of the bitumen sludge market.
hedda_foil
Jan 2015
#35
Damn straight!!!! We're not losing because voters prefer Republicans, we're losing because.......
LongTomH
Jan 2015
#24
The dem party should start disseminating this as widely as possible & then ask,
CrispyQ
Jan 2015
#25
K&R! I'm tired of republicans in nature being democrats. The democratic party needs to
RKP5637
Jan 2015
#29
The "centrists" have just about killed the party. let's hope it's not too late
Doctor_J
Jan 2015
#60