Sherrod Brown's warning in Iowa: 'Democrats simply aren't talking to working class families'

[brooklynite]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by The Polack MSgt (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: The Hill

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) believes that Democrats are failing to deliver an economic message to voters in the Midwest, where the senator is currently traveling as he considers a potential 2020 bid for the presidency.

At an event Thursday, Brown told Iowa Democrats that members of the party were making a false choice between campaigning for the party's progressive base or working class families, according to the Des Moines Register.

"Democrats simply aren’t talking to working class families," Brown said. "It’s almost like this view that you either talk to the progressive base to excite them or you talk to working class families and you hear about their families and their problems. And no, you’ve got to do both."

"Wall Street just totally ignores communities like this and so, too often, does state and national government. So we chose to come here," he added Thursday.

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/428040-sherrod-brown-pitches-economic-message-in-trip-to-iowa-democrats-simply-arent

[pangaia]

1. From what little I see, that is not the case.

About DEMS not talking to 'working class families.'
Not at all.

PLUS, there are 'working class families' and communities everywhere.

Take UPSTATE NY, for just one example.

[bearsfootball516]

2. I love Sherrod, but I disagree here. The republicans were demolished in the midwest in midterms

Mostly because Democrats in the midwest ran on dinner table issues, healthcare, jobs, etc.

[TomCADem]

17. I Hope He Is Not Dog Whistling White Voters

Republicans often use working class as a euphemism for white people when they attack Democrats and progressives for being out of touch with the concerns of white voters regarding immigration and foreign trade.

[rogue emissary]

36. Sadly I'm thinking that's what he's talking about.

Last edited Fri Feb 1, 2019, 04:20 PM - Edit history (1)

All of the candidates that are running are talking about Medicaid for all, taxing the richest American to pay for these programs etc.

If those positions aren't directly going to address the concerns of the "working class". He's got to be talking about socal issues.

[brooklynite]

37. No, actually it's the reverse...

One of concerns expressed by Obama-Trump voters (not the base, the 5-10% margin on top of that) was that liberals were focusing on "transgender bathrooms" and progressive social issues rather than jobs and the economy.

[TwistOneUp]

40. Agreed. And I'm trans. nt

[rogue emissary]

45. T.S.

We are not going to abandon our liberal brothers and sisters to placate their hate boners.

So they need to decide do they want the Republicans to poison the air, water and food. Give every benefit and concession to the ultra rich just to get their bathrooms patrolled.

[brooklynite]

46. You can implement socially progressive policies AFTER YOU GET ELECTED...

and to do THAT, you don't have to a build a campaign message around socially progressive policies.

[rogue emissary]

47. That's lying by omission to me.

To your original post. Where are any of the declared Democratic talking about Trans rights, BLM policy, Women's equality?

So would you agree Brown is at least exaggerating that our candidates aren't talking to the working class?

[ck4829]

3. As someone who is both of the left wing and lower class...

I'm interested in finding cures for the crippling conditions such as affluenza as well as the pathological need for individuals to hoard billions of dollars.

Find a cure.

[Ohiogal]

28. This

[BumRushDaShow]

4. I truly hope

he is not doing the false dichotomy that assumes that many in the Democratic "base" is not somehow "working class". I would expect that some 90% of the POC "base" are "working class" - bus/trolley/subway drivers, sanitation workers, assembly line workers (like those at the car plants and at other factories), hospitality & healthcare workers (who are NOT medical personnel like doctors), and more recently because many urban areas FORCED them to hire minorities - construction workers, and so forth. I.e., many are doing the jobs that "white working class" won't do.

[SWBTATTReg]

12. I agree w/ you. I don't think he's really looked at the democratic base and what they are...

comprised of. I'm surprised. BumRushDaShow's list of workers is exactly what I see overwhelming here in STLMO (heavily democratic) while at the same time, I seem to see the billionaire/millionaire tag constantly being applied to the republicans, and how elite they are. Can't join the republican club unless you have $5 million or more. Democratic efforts in many areas has forced an increase in minimum wages. Democratic efforts are also pushing into areas such as addressing high health care costs and prescription drugs. Efforts are also trying to enhance voter participation, more accurate taxation on the ultra rich (when the ultra rich is paying less in % vs. a secretary's % paid in taxes, something is wrong).

All of these efforts are going on now. I just touched the tip too. So where is he getting 'not in touch' with workers etc.? I'm going to keep an eye on this guy for it does bother me. Of course it's way too early to really make a decision yet. We have so many good candidates out there now and I'm sure that more will step forward. I look forward to this and am truly excited, for if anything, we can finally get the so called president and his gutter administration out of office and start repairing the damages, and go after the crooks.

[BumRushDaShow]

20. He was actually one of my top picks

when the rumors were flying and before people started to announce. IMHO, with him being from OH, he should have him take a look at the "working class" of Cleveland, OH, which is 50% black/40% white and consider what they are doing as "work" and whether they qualify as "working class".

The other thing that has come to mind over the past decade is that there has been a narrative that has focused on the term "middle class". And in the old class structure, that "class" was in a higher income bracket than the traditional "working class" (which were considered "lower class" or "lower-middle class" ). I.e., since no one wants to be called "lower class", suddenly "everyone" below the high-income professional/college graduate "upper classes" were deemed "middle class". This then left the moniker "working class" as an orphan term that quickly got used to reference non-urban/non-POC - to wit, "white", non-college-educated manual laborers.

I know there is a century's old debate about "higher education" vs "vocational education", with one side pushing for the former to get the higher salaries but not realizing that not everyone is willing or able or even interested in college. Meanwhile the other side looks at those pushing advanced education as "elists" and they are finding that more and more, vocational training is being phased out of the high schools and/or are often primarily offered via scam companies promising training while absconding with their money before they fold. Thus the "class warfare" is now engaged.

IMHO, there is room for BOTH and there is definitely a need for BOTH.

[SWBTATTReg]

23. Absolutely a need for both! I totally, totally agree w/ you. I just wrote a blurp on IT ...

programming, etc., and stated that either college or a vocational training was good enough (hope I got the link right). Schools weren't keeping up w/ job demand, so at my company we hired both college and non college students and trained them. Both worked out great! Goes to show you that the human spirit is strong no matter what the schooling is. It is the strong desire to make a good and decent living ... and you don't have to spend zillions of bucks either. Take care!

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=11758172

[BumRushDaShow]

38. You bring up a good point about "training"

For some reason, U.S. companies stopped "training" people many specialized jobs and started demanding "instant, already-trained" individuals. They just didn't believe it was good for their "bottom lines" because there was a cost associated with it (both in trainers/materials and time). That coupled with less and less "hands-on" type training classes being offered in the primary/secondary schools, including apprenticeships and mentoring, and it lead to many businesses actually "importing" workers from countries who actually invested in training their populace.

We need to get out of that ridiculous mentality and consider "training" as a long term investment, not a burden that ends up being looked at as ripe for becoming a cost-cutting measure. But it's going to be difficult because of the latest business mentality of maximizing profits for the investors.... which is often done by keeping wages low, eliminating benefits, increasing productivity, and cutting anything else that they consider "ancillary".

[JHan]

26. +++++

[Nitram]

5. I believe Democrats do listen to working class families, and do care about their plight.

Democrats won't, however, support racism, bigotry agains LGBT people, laws that make it harder to get an abortion, etc. If that's "not talking to working class families," it won't change just to get votes.

[WA-03 Democrat]

6. I love him but he is wrong on this point by 10 miles. Mid terms made this about getting trump and co

[brooklynite]

44. Perhaps you weren't paying attentiong?

I spoke to dozens of House and Senate candidates in the 2018 midterms. NONE of them said voters wanted attention focused on Trump/Russia/Impeachment. Nor did they want progressive social issues addressed. They wanted to focus to be on bread & butter economics: jobs, education and health care costs, retirement, etc.

[Power 2 the People]

7. I really like Sherrod Brown. He says what needs to be said.

I think his message will resonate with working class families.

[TomCADem]

18. So, AOC is ignoring working class voters?

This strikes me as hard to believe.

[True Blue American]

21. The new ones

That were elected to the House did the same thing Sherrod is talking about. They talked to them about their problems and what they intended to do for them. Nothing else.

They want decent health care, good paying jobs decent educations for their kids. They felt left out. A Government that works for them. They do not see thatnow.

With a new group they want change.

[ProfessorPlum]

8. why does he keep trying to make this stupid point?

the working class ARE progressives, if you frame the issues to them correctly. All the polls show that progressive positions are HUGELY popular in the country, even with the working class.

All this does is try to create a divide where there isn't one.


What is "talking to working class families", if not about progressive economics (and health care, and social safety programs, etc.)

Is he talking about racism? what the hell?

[True Blue American]

22. Those workers he is speaking to

Want some one to care about them.

[ProfessorPlum]

27. He seems to be implying that they also need someone to hate

if progressive policies are not something they can get behind.

It's sad that the systematic impoverishment of America (minorities first, then the bulk of the working class, and now the middle class) is making people feel uncared for. Let's hope progressives can message properly so that the working class realize that progressive policies will care for them.

but christ, it is bad policy to imply that the working class isn't progressive, or that progressives don't have a natural home and rooting section in the working class. The message should be that the two are one in the same, since their interests are practically identical. Except for the racism part. It still seems like he is trying to shoehorn racism between the two groups.

[True Blue American]

39. Ot sure what you heard.

I have been watching Sherrod Brown since he flew back to DC from his Mothers funeral to cast the deciding vote on the ACA at midnight.

Last night he spoke about tariffs and the 50% tax break companies get to move oer seas. He told Trump this.

You are making a mistake not listening to what he says rather than decide you do not like him.
based on perceptions.

Workers know he is fighting for them.

[durablend]

9. Which "working class" is he talking about?

The ones that will/might vote for us or the ones that would sell their souls to Russia (if they haven't already) long before *ever* voting for us?

[TomCADem]

19. White people and fears of an immigrant hoard?

Progressives need to resist the urge to dog whistle on race and immigration issues.

[ProfessorPlum]

24. ? the fuck

[TomCADem]

33. Stacey Abrams's new essay on identity politics reveals why she's a rising star

We are not going to beat Trump by ignoring or worse copying how he attacks efforts to achieve social justice as somehow being contrary to he interests of white working class voters as explained by Stacy Abrams.

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/2/1/18206769/stacey-abrams-state-of-the-union-response-essay-identity-politics

[True Blue American]

41. Those workers you are speaking about come in all colors and nationalities.

They are not all white!

[dalton99a]

10. I hope he's not going back to the latte-drinking Prius-driving Birkenstock-wearing divisive bullshit

that we saw in previous Democratic primaries

[TomCADem]

49. I Would Have Expected This From Bernie, Not Sherrod

But perhaps Sherrod thinks he needs a Sista Soulja moment to keep Ohio in the fold.

[Catch2.2]

11. I have to disagree with Sherrod Brown...

Look at the policies/legislation that the Dems want to push forward. It benefits the middle class greatly! If anything, maybe they need to communicate their message better. Compare the two parties and tell me which one benefits the Middle Class.

[RockRaven]

13. What utter horses**t. Healthcare is consistently voters' most important issue, and Dems

consistently rank as having preferred health care platforms compared to Repukes.

Are Dems too beholden to corportions? F--k yes they are. And that sucks. But they display nowhere near the religious abject fealty to corporations shown by the GOP.

To claim that Dems aren't speaking to the working class is to excuse working class voters voting for GOP candidates who will enact policies MORE harmful to the working class than Dems. Why are they voting thusly? It isn't because of a careful consideration of Dems' health care or economic policies -- if they were voting based on those issues, they'd be voting for Dems.

[NRaleighLiberal]

14. They are talking, but the WCFs are brainwashed and not listening

[JI7]

15. Kamala Harris DID . Many of those people in Oakland are working class

[mpcamb]

16. I think in 2016 they failed to deal with the anger of those left behind, especially whites.

So they were taken in by trump's swagger and promises.
Many have since done a turn around- or begun one anyway.

[ProfessorPlum]

25. "especially whites"?

Messaging has _always_ been the Democratic party's weak spot, at least since I was a child.

since the people who are impoverishing those left behind are rich white corporatists, I guess Democrats should demonize them.

Trump's trick was demonizing brown people, which is an enemy these angry whites were more than happy to dump on.

Fuck the anger of the especially white left behind. They need to realize that progressive policies are what will save them, not racism, and the Democratic party needs to embrace progressive policies and message them to the working class.

This is madness.

[mpcamb]

42. I'm for demonizing white corporatists.

It's easy to say what a moron trump is- I've done it daily- but we're foolish to think his fueling of anger with people who feel left behind isn't effective.
He has a genius for it. Hate to say it. Nonetheless it's the only reason he's still around, given the way he's trashed the government.
The flip in the midterms shows it's changing.
It's a process.
People hate to admit they were wrong.

[Takket]

29. progressive values and working class values are the same thing

the problem isn't with our positions, it is with the brainwashing from the right the convinces people to vote against their own best interests.

[saljr1]

30. That was a stupid self-serving statement

If you want to get in the race, then get in. No invitation needed.

[NurseJackie]

31. What good purpose does it serve to use language like this?

He's not winning me over. My gut instinct about him was correct.

[matt819]

32. A modest suggestion

Can Dem candidates stop bashing each other and Dems generally.

Instead of saying that Dems aren't talking to working people, just say that you are talking to working people. The problem with bashing Dems is that when it comes time to support the candidate, the also rans have to be ready to support the candidate, and that's made more difficult (and hypocritical) when your Dem-bashing remarks are played back.

So. . . tell us what you are going to do, and then do it. But don't bash anyone else.

I'm not proposing that you have to love every other wannabe, just that you don't have to bash them.

[Docreed2003]

35. +1

[True Blue American]

43. Thank you.

[Docreed2003]

34. I'd be very interested to know one thing Sen Brown

Who are the "progressive base" and who are "working class" because that shit sounds decisive as hell. It's a nice touch to add "you've got to talk to both" at the end like that somehow wipes away the fact that your imagery of "working class families" vs "progressive base" isn't interpreted by many people as being incredibly racist!

[DeminPennswoods]

48. The "beer vote" as it was described by

Rick Stengel a few days ago on "Deadline:WH", iirc.

[The Polack MSgt]

50. After some discussion, the Forum Hosts have decided to lock this thread as of topic for LBN

Please move this to GD.

V/r TPM