Democrats winning vs. losing

[iemanja]

Last edited Sat Dec 4, 2021, 04:44 PM - Edit history (1)

Doris Kearns Goodwin was on Brian Williams' show last night. She made the point that Democrats should focus on what they can actually get through congress in order to present an image of themselves as winners. She said that focusing on things like the filibuster, which can't be won, only reinforces the notion that Democrats can't get things done. I thought it was an excellent point, not because some of the more progressive demands aren't worthy but because of the optics of politics. She also said momentum is important, and presidents have to get their legislative achievements done in the first two years of their presidency.

Thoughts?

ETA: I don't think this is about notions of bipartisanship but rather getting the Democrats to hold together on legislation.

[lame54]

1. Low hanging fruit

[onecaliberal]

2. Tax cuts for the rich and even less restrictions on guns is

The only thing cons will vote for so no,

[iemanja]

4. It's less about the cons

Last edited Sat Dec 4, 2021, 09:01 PM - Edit history (1)

than the whole Democratic caucus.

[Kath2]

3. I think that is a good point.

I think that if the Build Back Better initiative really gets rolling and people see the benefits of it before the mid-terms, we won't see the Republican landslide being predicted. If it doesn't, with the gas prices and inflation as they are, we could get slammed hard in the mid-term elections.

[NewHendoLib]

5. I love DKG - but I see it as "old" thinking. Things have changed.

No matter what Dems want to do, Repubs will be against it. There is no longer reason. The horse race, both sides do it media pour gas on the fire.

I don't know how we get out of this mess - but it is a mess. The single republican platform plank is "own the libs".

[iemanja]

7. It's not about Republicans

It's about what can get through the Democratic caucus. Continually focusing on legislation that can't pass reinforces the idea that Democrats can't win.

[Alpeduez21]

6. Very good point Stop letting perfection

Be the enemy of good enough. If you don’t win you can’t make policy. Duh 🙄

[leftstreet]

9. She means well, but her thinking is outdated

She probably imagines she sounds pragmatic, but abandoning a goal because "it can't be done" is the opposite of pragmatism and actually reinforces the bad optics.

Rethinking and redesigning your strategy until you reach that goal is pragmatic

[MadameButterfly]

10. we just need 2 more Democrats, and we don't have them

The Democrats minus 2 have been very good at compromising and getting things done. Manchin and Sinema are constantly pulling a bait and switch. In negotiations they say yes, then when the time comes to vote, they raise a new concern. I'm now convinced they don't ever plan to vote yes, didn't ever plan to vote yes, but they won't admit that outright. Dems keep compromising, but it's Lucy with Charlie and the football with those two. Manchin and Sinema must have agreements on the side with donors, corporations, Republicans, which we aren't privvy to, and they are playing a different game.

Let's face that we don't really have the majority we need to save democracy, but everyone has to be nice to Manchin and Sinema because we need their votes on judges. You can't really pull a rabbit out of a hat.

When even the liberal media goes after the Dems, the low information voters think they have to vote Republican to "get things done." Where is the Republican bill that would pass if they had the majority? Why aren't we talking about that?

Then the Dems turn on the Progressives, who have been negotiating in good faith all along. They aren't the ones who refuse to vote for what they've agreed to. It's likely that there is no BBB bill Manchin and Sinema will agree to, having tricked Biden into passing their infrastructure bill. But they won't say it, so the torture continues and we find everyone to blame except the people who are to blame.

[iemanja]

11. Yeah, Manchin and Sinema are serious obstacles

that make everything difficult. They and the hold outs in the House.

[Demsrule86]

13. First of all...we are not going to get paid leave so just drop it...and move on unless those in

the house want to spend the next ten years in the minority watching the GOP destroy this country. As for Manchin and Sinema ...give them what they want...there is no other choice.

[Demsrule86]

14. And if we want more Democrats, we have to pass those bills we can.

[Demsrule86]

12. I absolutely agree...pass what can with the Build Back bill, get a deal on defense...get what we can

and move on.

[In It to Win It]

15. I agree.

Considering the make up of Congress, Democrats have lofty goals and ambitions. The country has changed but unfortunately for us Congress has not changed.

The filibuster is here to stay for the time being. Pass things that can get done through reconciliation and with only the Democratic caucus.

Compromise with republicans if you can but get what you can get without them. If we want to pass our policies, we have to win more seats. Until then, reconciliation is our friend.