KY-SEN: Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez endorse progressive Democrat running against McGrath

[RandySF]

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), two leading progressives in the Democratic party, announced Tuesday that they are endorsing Kentucky state Rep. Charles Booker (D) in the Kentucky Senate primary race.

Booker is one of several Democrats running in the Kentucky primary — including Amy McGrath, a candidate backed by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) — to challenge Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.).

“As Louisville has become an epicenter of national tragedy and protesters due to the police murders of Breonna Taylor and David McAtee, Charles has shown leadership by showing up on the frontlines,” Sanders said in an email to supporters, noting two black Louisville residents killed by police.

Sanders also noted Booker’s support for “progressive policies such as criminal justice reform, Medicare for All, and getting big money out of politics.”



https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/501834-sanders-ocasio-cortez-endorse-progressive-democrat-running-against-mcgrath

[Beakybird]

1. Where are the polls showing their candidate TIED with McConnell?

Back the candidate who will win the election, not win the ideological purity contest!

[Amishman]

44. This, a progressive has zero chance of winning in kentucky

This is a waste of resources at best, potentially damaging at worst.

[TreasonousBastard]

2. Yeah, we heard, but this is fucking Kentucky! Booker might be a great guy, but...

can he beat the turtle?

Sorry, but that's the only question right now.

[Budi]

20. I'd like either of them to explain why tf they're doing this at the last minute.

Considering their House & Senate votes, it seems defeating Moscow Mitch isn't their goal.

What else are we to take away from their latest move today?

What?
I want someone to answer that.

Sabotuers....? Hope not.

They Dem Party & tough warrior Amy McGrath & every voter who had watched McConnell descimate our once fair Fed judge nominees, protected Trump, maneuvered the Senate to vote down every PROGRESSIVE attempt the House has offered, & refused to impeach Trump & helped every step of the way to bring America down, IS OWED AN ANSWER.

[Corgigal]

53. He's got a better chance then Amy.

She just phoning it in. I don’t even know why she’s running.

I will vote for her, if I must but my house voted Booker. At least he’s a real democrat.

[mzmolly]

63. Any polls to back

up your assertion?

[TreasonousBastard]

64. OK, that's your home turf and we have to take your opinion seriously, but...

do you have any background on this?

Our Congressional primary has four people running with great resumes, but the truth is out there. Way out there.

So I understand how we can miss stuff you see on the ground there.

[Corgigal]

71. I've met Amy McGraft twice.

Gave her funding, and enjoyed all the Democratic events when she was running for Congress. She not a good speaker, she’s cold, and is awful in debates. I have no idea why she’s running, where she actually came from , and why she’s married to a republican.

Now, that’s all just feelings. Mine, actually. However, Booker to me is more of a fighter. In what he can fight for, Mitch can’t even touch it.

I will vote for whoever is running against McConnell, just now Booker might just shake up the Mitch game plan. Might make him worry.

[PunkinPi]

80. She was recruited by Chuck Schumer...

(not trying to argue with you, just answering the "where she came from" part)

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/02/12/schumer-amy-mcgrath-1167184

[Corgigal]

82. I read that.

No idea why he thought she would be good enough to go after McConnell after her last lost. I hoped we would have someone stronger. I was asking around, where’s our Mayor Pete? You know, smart, aggressive, great in debates.

However, if Amy wins, and she is over Booker by some ten points. I will fall in-line. We have a Democratic Governor now, if Booker comes across honest, then he will take Kentucky.

Thanks for the information response. We will see how it goes shortly.

One last thing, I’ve only lived here 3 years but no one claims to like McConnell. Claims, because some how he keeps winning. That’s the part that scares me. McConnell is running tons of commercials here. Maybe, he worried?

[PunkinPi]

83. Well, I do hope the bluegrass state turns blue and boots McConnell.

I too, don't understand how McConnell has a 30-20% approval from his state, but continues to win elections. I'm in VA, and I've seen several McGrath ads here and I know she's getting donations from all over to unseat McConnell. Good luck.

[Budi]

3. This is so much bull shit, unfkingbelievable.

Let's see who's got the BIG MONEY IN POLITICS.
It's not Amy McGrath.!

Why would anyone stump for someone who clearly would never win against McConnell? Of all the races to divide the Dem voting block, they chose the one to defeat Moscow Mitch McConnell.
Why?
Oh ya. Because That Is Not The Motive.

Got it.

Anti McGrath swiftboating ads are being written as we speak...

[PCIntern]

5. I would like to post my opinion

But it would be alerted on immediately.

[Budi]

10. Pity isn't it..Everything's at stake in November & they show up just when Moscow Mitch met his match

Pity we can't tell it like it is.
Slap a D behind your name & you're in.

[redstateblues]

4. What a stupid strategy. Anyone that knows anything about KY politics

Would realize that running someone like Booker will likely never win a statewide election in KY

[Budi]

12. That's not the goal.

[jorgevlorgan]

19. it is the goal.

And nobody knows for a fact Booker cannot win.

[Budi]

21. Nobody knows Booker. Now he jumps in the race after McGrath has done the hard work of

..calling out McConnell?
Booker ain't done shit to defeat McConnell.
McGrath has been at his heels for the duration.

Thanks for nothin. AGAIN!

[LiberalFighter]

46. Good point.

[Corgigal]

54. Yeah we do.

I just live here though, what do I know?

[redstateblues]

35. Oh please! Get real. McGrath has a good shot. Booker has none.

[jorgevlorgan]

37. he has a slightly worse shot than hers. which is also slim to none.

[RandySF]

76. That's why I direct my money to other races.

[jorgevlorgan]

77. wise.

Although "slim to none" can change over time. I still see a maayyyybe 1-2% chance Democrats will pick up an impeachable majority this year. As in, almost every republican held sea and the most seats in history. But at this point, it seems very highly unlikely.

[uponit7771]

87. Did we ship back the greatest chance of winning

[The Magistrate]

6. It Has To Hurt To Be This Stupid And Doctrinaire, Sir

Ms. McGrath actually has a decent shot at beating McConnell. This Booker fellow as the nominee would see McConnell victorious in a landslide.

[DenverJared]

66. Trying to find relevance.

I sent another donation to Michelle Caruso Cabrera. AOC has to go - she is too divisive.

[The Magistrate]

69. I Think She Is Fine In Congress, Sir

I think the place to urge more left candidates is in solid districts where support for a Democrat can be relied on. In a place like Kentucky, trying to run to the left is suicidal. Ms. McGrath is certainly to the left of McConnell, and that is what counts, if one wants to move the country's politics leftwards.

[womanofthehills]

74. Why are you sending money to a candidate who wrote about eliminating SS and Medicare??

MCC has been a Republican until very recently and is being funded by Republicans. She believes we should not tax the super wealthy “in these times” - 0MG!

[DenverJared]

86. She supported Biden from the get go

[mzmolly]

7. AOC is a narcissist

too. It's more about 'her' than the country. WTF.

[mzmolly]

62. Darn, I missed

something - "post removed."

[DenverJared]

65. +++++

[womanofthehills]

75. You have it backwards on AOC. Have you heard her in Congress? She tells it like it is.

[mzmolly]

90. I like much about her.

I don't care for her refusal to endorse the Democratic Nominee, and/or Democrats who can take out dangerous Republicans. Why do you suppose that is?

[PTWB]

84. WOW! I wonder if you'd be saying that if she was a man...

Or not a woman of color. Is she not allowed to have her views and opinions? Should she “know her place?” She’s one of the strongest Democrats we have.

Quite frankly I am disgusted by this comment.

[mzmolly]

89. Of course.

Last edited Wed Jun 10, 2020, 10:34 PM - Edit history (1)

I'm ok with your level of disgust and clear inability to weigh my comments fairly.

Any idea why such a 'strong Democrat' will not endorse the Democratic Nominee?

Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, who said she will vote for Mr. Biden but has declined to endorse him, acknowledged during an interview with NPR that there is some credibility to the claim by Tara Reade, a former Senate staffer who accused the then-senator of pinning her against a wall and digitally penetrating her without her consent in his office in 1993.

Or why she gives any credibility to Tara Reade?

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/may/8/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-tara-reade-allegation-a-m/

Or why she's helping McConnell when we have a chance at taking him out of the Senate - with a Woman candidate, mind you?

https://www.newsweek.com/amy-mcgrath-takes-narrow-lead-over-mitch-mcconnell-kentucky-senate-race-poll-shows-1509691

[AlexSFCA]

8. counterproductive

[honest.abe]

9. Got to be kidding me.

Are they this stupid and do they really just want to help the Republicans?!?!

[Happy Hoosier]

11. Some folks have no political sense. NT

[sinkingfeeling]

13. Sad.

[rwheeler31]

15. I am so disappointed that some still want

to divide. This is just foolish at this time.

[PatSeg]

25. I know

We get enough divisiveness from Trump and the republicans. We don't need it from within our own party. Terrible timing for this. I'm sure Mitch is loving it.

[Budi]

16. No one HAS to like these people. Thank god.

No one has to pretend to agree with what they do & say because they conveniently slapped a D behind their name back in 2016.

Cenk, Ocasio Cortez, Sanders....
btw..through their own PACS they are ALL millionares today.

Their old message falls flat today.

👎

[tritsofme]

17. This is just stupid. Why is she trying to help Mitch?

[jorgevlorgan]

18. I would prefer Booker, but McGrath may stand a better chance.

We'll see what happens!

[Budi]

27. Booker has zero creds to run on. He doesn't even run in the same league of warriors as McGrath

Odd that suddenly he NOW decides to jump in.

We damned well have seen this drill before & it's nothing to be proud of, considering the high stakes of this election.
Hang their f'in heads in shame.

The only way to gain our House & Senate leverage is as a unified block.
This stunt ain't it.


And no, I don't HAVE to approve of what is taking place.
I will support the strongest fighter we have if it means wiping McConnel from the Senate roster.

Unity or failure..those are out options.
McGrath has been steadily earning her place in the Senate to defeat Moscow Mitch.

[jorgevlorgan]

34. his creds of actually winning an election, you mean?

And having a legislative record to put his money where his mouth is?

[redstateblues]

36. Booker has no chance.

[jorgevlorgan]

39. .

Neither does mcgrath, really.

[redstateblues]

40. You obviously haven't looked at the polling. She is even. Socialism will not sell in Kentucky.

I live in a neighbor state and I watch KY politics closely. Bernie Sanders will get crushed in the Presidential primary the same way he did in the rest of the south.

[Cha]

51. Don't be so negative about Amy McGrath Winning Kentucky.

[jorgevlorgan]

58. well.

Maybe she can based on this poll. I'll only believe it when I see any Democrat win Kentucky though. I think if we win there, we will also have won in other long shot states like SC, NC, AR, LA, AL, OK, KS, IA and both GA seats. All in all if any Democrat beats McConnell it wouldnt just be good for us in KY, but probably get us an impeachable majority in the Senate. I'll keep dreaming if you do!

https://www.newsweek.com/amy-mcgrath-takes-narrow-lead-over-mitch-mcconnell-kentucky-senate-race-poll-shows-1509691?fbclid=IwAR0N01zgcRZH7lTdj7014SIqJFYJX1soSwIr3K1zZgWZWQNKmpF92ohX0ZI

[Cha]

59. Think Gov Andy Beshear.

[jorgevlorgan]

60. scandal really helped him, I think. mcconnell would be a harder fish to fry.

But you put up a McConnell defeat by anybody I'll raise you a Southern and midwest Democratic sweep that'll get us close to winning Idaho and Kansas. It's a long shot but I admire your optimism.

[helpisontheway]

22. Figures..they just want to screw things up. Nt

[OrlandoDem2]

23. I have no problem with this, but if and when McGrath wins they need to endorse her.

Bernie and AOC are entitled to their beliefs and they are entitled to supporting Democrats who they believe should represent the party. They should also coalesce around the ultimate winner for the general election.

[Fiendish Thingy]

24. Well that should help McGrath establish that she's not a member of the far left

As if there was any doubt.

Bernie and AOC May have done her a favor.

[PatSeg]

26. That's a good point

I'm not sure Bernie or Ocasio-Cortez realize that different areas of the country have different needs and preferences. What works in New York City probably won't fly in Kentucky or Tennessee. What they're doing is actually poor politics.

[Budi]

30. Good point. We'll realize the weight of their celebrity.

I don't know how KY looks at socialists, ( & you know that's the 1st bomb he'll lob at Booker) but we'll see when McConnell puts out his multimillion$$$ ad campaign to protect his seat
His ads will make hard hitting Sirota & Grimm look like amatuers.
Unless...Mitch isn't their target. We be watching this battle.

[lagomorph777]

29. This is unacceptable. McGrath is kicking Moscow's ass. She needs to be the one.

AOC and Bernie lose a lot of respect from me for this stunt.

[smirkymonkey]

91. +1000

This just pisses me off beyond belief. I am so sick of these two egomaniacs and their grandstanding. I wish they would just go away.

[beachbumbob]

31. ZERO chance for a progressive to win in Kentucky. Huge mistake

[BGBD]

32. honestly....

AOC endorsing your opponent is a good thing in Kentucky. Probably helps McGrath in general.

[stillcool]

33. They're sending a message..

not sure what it is.

[redstateblues]

38. This is why we can't have nice things- like a Democratic Senate

[empedocles]

41. If the 'activists', and their record, keep doing their 'thing', and they will . . .

[ismnotwasm]

42. This endorsement appears to be bitterly cynical

I encourage people with any extra change to donate to Amy Mcgrath.


This is how Booker is doing politics

Charles Booker paints Amy McGrath as someone who will ‘help Trump’ in his first TV ad
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article243390726.html

To donate to Amy:

https://amymcgrath.com/

[DFW]

48. Already done

As in four figures about six months ago.

What amazes me is that after six months of hard work, Sanders and AOC think they can jump in after McGrath has spent over half a year tirelessly building up a statewide--and CREDIBLE--opposition to Moscow Mitch. "Thanks for all the hard work, Amy, now get lost. We'll take it from here," with an emphasis on TAKE. As in "theft."

If there's ANYTHING Amy McGrath will NOT do, it's help Trump. There is only one person in this race who will help Trump, and that is the person who has been helping Trump all along: Moscow Mitch. If Sanders and AOC back someone who puts THAT in their first TV ad, they are officially useless in my book. Self-aggrandizing, publicity-seeking USELESS. As if someone handed them a definitive handbook of Kentucky state politics in the first place. Maybe McTurtle had Rand Paul whisper in Bernie's ear, and he fell for the scam.

[ismnotwasm]

49. Yeah, I'm just disgusted

Every time I expect, I don’t know, just better? Plain decency? I get shit like this. Really disappointing and discouraging but unfortunately not unexpected

[Cha]

55. Mahalo for this, ismnotwasm..

smh.

Best of Good Luck to Amy McGrath!

[kickitup]

43. The Lexington Herald Leader just endorsed Booker.

I can't link to it due to the paywall, but this is a big deal. Matt Jones came out for him a few days ago and that is also a big deal.

[Corgigal]

56. I'm trying my best to tell you,

Amy is an awful candidate. We all can see it. Mitch couldn’t be happier to run against her.
He already laughed at her with her stupid answer about Judge Kavanaugh.
I cringed.
I gave her money when she was running against Congressman Barr, and met her twice.
Yeah, great commercials. Clap, clap.

[kickitup]

57. I voted for Booker on my mail in ballot just yesterday. Also sent him some money.

I contributed and voted for McGrath when she ran against Barr. If she couldn't win that one, I don't know how she'll win against Mitch. All he has to do is run that damn clip of her saying she's the most progressive person in Kentucky and they'll fall back in line.

My point in sharing the information about the Herald Leader endorsement is to get people to realize it's not just Bernie and AOC.

[Corgigal]

61. Thank you.

Felt all alone. Just saw a new commercial from Booker, in which Amy talks about how everyone here voted for Trump, and things aren’t being done for him. When you see that ad, soon, it’s devastating. I even forgot about that stupid comment.

I was like you for her first run too. Mitch will win against her, easily. I’m sure he’s counting on running against her, so let’s shake it up.

[msongs]

45. contested primaries are what is known as democracy. good for him nt

[LiberalFighter]

47. What is the worth of Sanders' endorsement?

I don't believe he has a good track record.

[Awsi Dooger]

50. Apparently nobody learned anything from the Andrew Gillum disaster

Gwen Graham would be Florida governor right now if the Sanders wing hadn't been so incomparably ignorant to force Gillum through a primary upset, assuming it didn't matter.

At least Gillum had a chance, even though it was substituting a sure thing for a toss up. Graham had always fared better in matchup polls than Gillum did. This Kentucky mess is guaranteeing a landslide.

Turnout means nothing compared to raw preference. Progressives will be rejected on preference in one key race after another. Too many dunce purists in our party are still in comical denial about that.

[treestar]

52. They do not understand KY politics

They do not understand reality. FFS. This is a change to beat the Turtle and they are messing with it? Do they not know the Turtle's role in stopping all progressive legislation from even being voted on?

[gulliver]

67. It will help McGrath a lot against Moscow Mitch.

[DenverJared]

68. On the bright side

This will allow McGrath to become more centrist and thus win against Moscow Mitch.

Bernie's endorsement would have been an albatross.

[ecstatic]

70. I think they should stay out of this one

Sometimes I wonder if his ultimate goal is sow division in order to keep republicans in power. I get why AOC might be going down this path--she's new and may not know any better. But Bernie? He knows what's at stake here. We need all hands on deck!

[fifthoffive]

72. Chances

McGrath is ahead 41% to McConnell's 40%. That leaves a hella lot of undecideds, which will go to McConnell. McGrath has no ideas or opinions of her own. She is a tabula rasa that the money will write on.

McGrath has no chance, but AOC's endorsement does nothing to help Booker in Kentucky.

I grew up in Kentucky, but no longer live there. If I did, I'd be voting Booker.

Hard to know what is best for the general election, but I dislike how the national party decides the candidates before the primary even happens. I wish they would stay out of the election until the general. Let the actual constituents decide the candidates.

[Music Man]

73. I don't know if Charles Booker can beat McConnell.

But I will say this: People outside of Kentucky tend to be more excited about Amy McGrath than Kentuckians tend to be (in my opinion). Her fighter pilot commercials led to lots of national excitement, but I believe people not in Kentucky tend to think she's more of a player and "rising star" here than she really is.

She lost her house race (albeit closely) in a district that included Lexington, during a wave election year, and I have doubts that voters in rural Kentucky will have any different opinion in a statewide election. If she pulls it off, it will be because voters are discontent with Mitch McConnell. I know there are polls that are showing them tied, but I have not trusted Kentucky in U.S. Senate races.

Thus, I believe there is a segment of Kentuckians who find McGrath to be rather milquetoast and are inspired by a passionate, authentic progressive like Charles Booker, who has truly lived a bootstraps story.

It takes all kinds of Democrats across the country to win a strong majority, as shown by Doug Jones in Alabama and Conor Lamb in Pennsylvania. One size doesn't fit all. But there are many of us who respect Amy McGrath and will vote and work for her in the fall, but just can't get excited.

[Cha]

78. It is imperative McConnell be ousted: Amy McGrath Takes Narrow Lead Over Mitch McConnell in Kentucky

Link to tweet

[betsuni]

79. Ugh.

[Danmel]

81. Bernie being Bernie

I hate these purity people. Getting rid if McConnell and taking the Senate back is possibly as important as getting rid of the festering boil in the white house. Wtf is wrong with them.

[brooklynite]

85. If he wins, that will be one less Senate race for me to spend money on...

McGrath is still a stretch; Booker would put the race out of reach.

[uponit7771]

88. Must be nice to be privileged enough to be able to make statements versus winning elections