Progressives raise expectations ahead of big primary night

[RandySF]

Progressives are anticipating a series of primary wins on Tuesday, seeing opportunities to take out two establishment-backed candidates in Kentucky and New York.

Jamaal Bowman, a former middle school principal backed by liberal groups like Justice Democrats, is on the cusp of unseating 16-term Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.) in New York’s 16th District. And in Kentucky, state Rep. Charles Booker is benefiting from an eleventh-hour surge in his bid for the Democratic Senate nomination against former Marine combat pilot Amy McGrath.

Publicly, progressives are still managing expectations. But if they are able to pull off wins in both races on Tuesday, it would be one of their biggest triumphs of the election cycle to date.

So far, their efforts to oust establishment-backed challengers and incumbents have yielded a mixed bag of results. The Democratic presidential nomination slipped through their fingers earlier this year, after former Vice President Joe Biden staged a comeback in late February



https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/503938-the-hills-campaign-report-progressives-raise-expectations-ahead-of-big

[zipplewrath]

1. All elections are local.

If locally, voters want a progressive candidate, Biden's candidacy can help. It's called coattails and this time there is that opportunity, whether one is in lockstep with him or not.

Advocate for your candidate, it could mean that Biden could help merely by getting more voters out.

[riversedge]

2. I was surprised that Amy McGrath in Kentucky was behind when I read that a few days ago.

I still am.

[PTWB]

3. Why?

[riversedge]

6. I really only read about her for a LONG timeand then it seems Booker came out of blue. I know

he is a Rep. but the name really did not register for me for a while.

[Nevilledog]

4. I know.

I didn't even realize she had an opponent til last week. I assumed it was all about McGrath v. Turtle in the GE.

[2naSalit]

8. Same here.

When endorsements started showing on the national stage, what last week?, is when I even first heard of him.

[R B Garr]

5. It's too late to manage expectations considering Biden's

convincing wins. It’s obvious where most of the country is putting their trust.

[JT45242]

7. Lots of Republican support

Here in Iowa there were many attack ads against the traditional Democrat. Same in Kentucky against McGrath.

Who wants a Bernie backed Dem on the ballots --- Moscow Mitch.

What is the best way to prevent down ballot losses especially in the all important Senate where good bills go to die? Make Republican voters in blue states say ...I can't stand Trump, so I will vote for Biden.but no way will I vote for Xxx, the Bernie backed commie for Senate.

As McGrath pulls even with Mitch, attack ads against her paid for by one of his many surrogate groups increased. He wants weaker opponents in the general election so that the calculus works for less money per Senate seat since the anchor of trump is putting even what should be safe seats into play.

[DeminPennswoods]

9. IMO, populist candidates play well in states

like Kentucky where economic hardship is rampant. Why do you think Andy Barr uninvited AOC to visit KY and talk to voters? Because her message would've resonated with Kentuckians. Sometimes I think Dems make the mistake of thinking conservative Dems are the answer in these states, but they can be so bland as to be uninspiring.

[Polybius]

10. Any recent polls?

I know, it's tonight but I can't wait that long.