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DonViejo

(60,536 posts) Mon Feb 12, 2018, 10:26 AM Feb 2018

Progressives storm Democratic primaries [View all]

Veteran blue-state incumbents are hitting unexpected turbulence this year.

By LAURA NAHMIAS and LAUREN DEZENSKI 02/11/2018 05:30 PM EST

Progressive insurgents are launching challenges to Democratic members of Congress in some of the country’s bluest districts, sparked by deep frustration with the party establishment and anti-Trump anger.

Most of the challengers are long shots at the moment. But some are putting a scare into entrenched incumbents, thanks to their muscular fundraising and a message of liberal disaffection on issues including Wall Street, criminal justice reform and single-payer health care.

Six veteran incumbents already face energetic primary challenges from younger candidates in New York and Massachusetts. In Illinois, two Chicago-based members are being targeted from the left.

“I think Donald Trump getting elected president is part of it — the old institutional political knowledge we had about the way things works clearly just doesn’t work. And now people are knocking down the door,” said Bill Hyers, a political consultant and campaign strategist for New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. “There’s a new energy and excitement out there in a new way, and it's palpable.”

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https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/11/democratic-primaries-2018-progressives-402096?lo=ap_f1

244 replies

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Progressives storm Democratic primaries [View all] DonViejo Feb 2018 OP

Are the incumbents bad Democrats, or are the so-called "progressives" just taking advantage Hoyt Feb 2018 #1

So called? zipplewrath Feb 2018 #3

It cost us in November. Not saying it's wrong at all, but it cost us. I hope that doesn't happen Hoyt Feb 2018 #5

It will probably happen again. Some want to cause democrats to lose. Eliot Rosewater Feb 2018 #53

Yep blow up the system is what they seem to be about. redstatebluegirl Feb 2018 #58

I hear/read you, and totally agree. Hoyt Feb 2018 #59

That is what they do. Demsrule86 Feb 2018 #76

Yes, but we can help enlighten those who are mislead into Hortensis Feb 2018 #92

What cost us was the failure of the primary system to select the most electable candidate. lagomorph777 Feb 2018 #90

Who is us? oasis Feb 2018 #96

Well, one of the other candidates main platform was reneging on trade agreements. Hoyt Feb 2018 #97

The other candidate didnt get the votes, mostly because of the poor performance of his asshat emulatorloo Feb 2018 #108

Nope, the most electable candidate was nominated. GOP held off on Sanders intentionally stevenleser Feb 2018 #120

lol, when more people vote for a candidate, it's called a win. R B Garr Feb 2018 #121

Those maths again.... ehrnst Feb 2018 #147

Yes, and Democrats voting for the Democrat is R B Garr Feb 2018 #160

Well, President Clinton will be relieved to hear that. lagomorph777 Feb 2018 #149

Well, I suppose HRC could have gone in and single handedly undone voter suppression ehrnst Feb 2018 #154

You were clearly implying that Bernie was cheated by R B Garr Feb 2018 #157

What candidates are you referring to? ehrnst Feb 2018 #148

Thumbs on the scale? Really????? George II Feb 2018 #164

Actual voters showed who was the most electable candidate. What polls are you talking about? ehrnst Feb 2018 #169

Lagomorph, Judicial Watch alone had intensive scandals Hortensis Feb 2018 #183

Oh, and progressives were forced to choose between establishment Dems and new blood/ideas Weed Man Feb 2018 #132

Hillary ran on the most progressive platform the Dems ever had. Yes, she is progressive. ehrnst Feb 2018 #150

+1 Go Vols Feb 2018 #193

Nobody is questioning the right of people to challenge incumbents in a primary Proud Liberal Dem Feb 2018 #6

Ask all 4 zipplewrath Feb 2018 #9

That is weird Proud Liberal Dem Feb 2018 #18

As of February 5, he is. ehrnst Feb 2018 #152

I'm putting my money on the "Restaurant Owner and Felon"... brooklynite Feb 2018 #107

Cardin filed on February 5... ehrnst Feb 2018 #151

Thanks! Sophia4 Feb 2018 #7

So called for sure...I a sick of this shit...in a year when we have nothing these folks waste money Demsrule86 Feb 2018 #75

And if they win the primary? zipplewrath Feb 2018 #78

I always vote for the Democrat...but an incumbent has an advantage thus if they win...the seat could Demsrule86 Feb 2018 #84

Their being awfully quite about it zipplewrath Feb 2018 #87

Supposedly Move On did field a candidate. They said they did. Demsrule86 Feb 2018 #99

In what context zipplewrath Feb 2018 #109

Tim Ryan comes from a district that went for Trump but not in a huge way but he feels the need to Demsrule86 Feb 2018 #113

So when did the "smoke filled room" come back? ehrnst Feb 2018 #168

It hasn't zipplewrath Feb 2018 #170

On the part of whom? Can you name examples? ehrnst Feb 2018 #171

I'm talking about this thread zipplewrath Feb 2018 #172

But is it actually happening IRL? ehrnst Feb 2018 #173

Post removed Post removed Feb 2018 #175

Which primaries? ehrnst Feb 2018 #179

хорошего дня George II Feb 2018 #191

They're probably just running. Orsino Feb 2018 #27

Lipinski, for one, is a VERY bad Democrat. Jim Lane Feb 2018 #66

OK, there's one. Hoyt Feb 2018 #67

I think that seat will be OK as the GOP running but should he win ...it is one vote less for taking Demsrule86 Feb 2018 #77

"These folks cost us in 16...." -- such hypocrisy. Jim Lane Feb 2018 #93

That is not my opinion. My opinion is that the so called progressives should Demsrule86 Feb 2018 #98

Really, establishment? GulfCoast66 Feb 2018 #103

There will always be some sore losers who defect in the general if their candidate lost the primary. Jim Lane Feb 2018 #104

Could not disagree more. GulfCoast66 Feb 2018 #111

Yet you are, apparently, agreeing with what I actually wrote. Jim Lane Feb 2018 #112

There are more actual RW'ers at that JPR website than there are here, so R B Garr Feb 2018 #122

In Lipinski's case, the Democratic establishment is squarely on the side of the opponent. ieoeja2 Feb 2018 #212

hindsight being 20/20 and all BoneyardDem Feb 2018 #159

With the exception of outliers like conservative Dem Dan Lipinski... brooklynite Feb 2018 #105

Hoyt saidsimplesimon Feb 2018 #129

Dude, we need new blood Weed Man Feb 2018 #131

I suggest we win in 2018 before having "new blood" and the incumbent bloody each Hoyt Feb 2018 #133

Fine, we can win 2018, but with NEW blood. Weed Man Feb 2018 #142

Spare me the "progressive" lecture too. Hoyt Feb 2018 #158

That's the same old song and dance we got all through 2016 that caused division and bled off .... BoneyardDem Feb 2018 #162

Democrats have produced "nothing" in your "lifetime?" ehrnst Feb 2018 #184

That was almost all Obama Egnever Feb 2018 #192

Defending Planned Parenthood? CHIP? IDEA? ehrnst Feb 2018 #194

If you're "a young blood", how can you be "tired of establishment Democrats"? George II Feb 2018 #187

Good question. ehrnst Feb 2018 #188

Want some cheese with that whine? GulfCoast66 Feb 2018 #207

FMLA, IDEA... the list goes on. ehrnst Feb 2018 #209

You mean like this? ehrnst Feb 2018 #217

Poorly written article looking to create dividsion. NCTraveler Feb 2018 #2

Any Democrat in Congress who voted for the Iraq War should be voted out. Sophia4 Feb 2018 #8

I don't think anyone in congress who voted against a pathway to citizenship should be in office. NCTraveler Feb 2018 #11

Agreed about voting against a path to citizenship! Sophia4 Feb 2018 #17

As a matter of fact we've gained seats in both the House and Senate, and just barely... George II Feb 2018 #73

We should quit spreading this kind of pernicious misinformation R B Garr Feb 2018 #116

I am a Democrat -- lifelong. I belong to a Democratic Club, and have served as Sophia4 Feb 2018 #163

How absurd that you pretend you hurt my feelings. R B Garr Feb 2018 #166

It wasn't just Hillary who lost. Sophia4 Feb 2018 #177

Bernie also lost. Since you are so invested in digging up who lost, R B Garr Feb 2018 #180

Reminds me of someone named Sabrina. ehrnst Feb 2018 #199

JD R B Garr Feb 2018 #204

And gerrymandering. You left that little thing out. ehrnst Feb 2018 #198

I agree lunamagica Feb 2018 #56

ahhh, I've heard this argument before BoneyardDem Feb 2018 #14

Good question mcar Feb 2018 #19

Lets add to that. NCTraveler Feb 2018 #22

The reason that new candidates, new Democrats are challenging incumbent Democrats Sophia4 Feb 2018 #24

So why aren't they going after red seats instead? Blue_Tires Feb 2018 #25

Good question. BoneyardDem Feb 2018 #26

I'm technically not allowed to mention this, but Blue_Tires Feb 2018 #29

I'd technically say you are on target BoneyardDem Feb 2018 #31

My guess is you are on to something mcar Feb 2018 #32

Word. NurseJackie Feb 2018 #34

Did most elected Democrats bow to kiss Hillary's ring? Jim Lane Feb 2018 #45

Hillary had the credentials, the history and never campaigned against a Democratic incumbent. LuvLoogie Feb 2018 #69

Hillary never required it not did her supporters. Demsrule86 Feb 2018 #115

Post removed Post removed Feb 2018 #124

You really should try for consistency. It was a "political process" that saw R B Garr Feb 2018 #125

Thank you for proving my point! (n/t) Jim Lane Feb 2018 #127

And you as well. It's clear what your posts are really advocating, so R B Garr Feb 2018 #128

Indeed. (nt) ehrnst Feb 2018 #140

Who mentioned superdelegates? George II Feb 2018 #167

Yup lunamagica Feb 2018 #57

Nailed it... SidDithers Feb 2018 #88

Yep. (nt) ehrnst Feb 2018 #141

Nailed it. Thats exactly what this is about. nt R B Garr Feb 2018 #144

It's a very Sarandonesque way of thinking. Maddening, huh? NurseJackie Feb 2018 #35

Uhhhhhhhhhh yep Eliot Rosewater Feb 2018 #36

Uh, maybe they don't live in those districts? Jim Lane Feb 2018 #51

And once again you fail to grasp how politics works... Blue_Tires Feb 2018 #190

Blue_Tires, meet Blue_Tires Jim Lane Feb 2018 #95

The difference here is Tulsi is in the Bernie club so she's safe Blue_Tires Feb 2018 #189

Seems like an odd question Egnever Feb 2018 #130

I just don't get what's so sexy about cannibalization... Blue_Tires Feb 2018 #196

I don't understand what you are saying Egnever Feb 2018 #202

no, not every time... Blue_Tires Feb 2018 #206

People run where they live. Sophia4 Feb 2018 #195

Sometimes... Not always. Blue_Tires Feb 2018 #197

"Losing an election is a message from the electorate that the voters prefer the opposing candidate" BoneyardDem Feb 2018 #28

Well said! mcar Feb 2018 #33

Who in the hell said THAT? Eliot Rosewater Feb 2018 #37

WELL...... BoneyardDem Feb 2018 #40

sigh Eliot Rosewater Feb 2018 #41

Again, the candidate who chooses to run is responsible for creating a campaign Sophia4 Feb 2018 #42

your writings tend to go on a bit. BoneyardDem Feb 2018 #63

Exactly, and the actions are the exact opposite of R B Garr Feb 2018 #153

for a second there, I thought I was the only one seeing it that way. Thanks :) BoneyardDem Feb 2018 #155

I would argue that Comey should be listed at the top of that list. StevieM Feb 2018 #61

What you wrote isnt logical. If they are incumbent that means they won their seats emulatorloo Feb 2018 #38

Incumbents won their own seats, but they did not create an environment in which Sophia4 Feb 2018 #47

Thanks. Sophia4 Feb 2018 #48

you know what happened in Alabama? BoneyardDem Feb 2018 #50

I know what happened in Alabama. Sophia4 Feb 2018 #62

so why state it can be repeated everywhere...so much rubbish n/t BoneyardDem Feb 2018 #65

My view is that we need to focus on the future. Sophia4 Feb 2018 #72

focus on the future by trying to reinvent the past mistakes of the purists BoneyardDem Feb 2018 #86

Yes, let's quit advocating for third party candidates who can't win elections. R B Garr Feb 2018 #213

Extremists in primaries are part of why the system breaks down. ehrnst Feb 2018 #143

not sure I can count all the ways in which I disagree with your post...but here is another one BoneyardDem Feb 2018 #49

I stand by my statement. Sophia4 Feb 2018 #55

your arguments are not convincing, they are the same words I heard all through the Primaries BoneyardDem Feb 2018 #60

So, with all of that, do you have any suggestions on how to accomplish any of that? George II Feb 2018 #74

Focus on the future, on how we Democrats are the Party that can integrate Sophia4 Feb 2018 #83

That's all well and good, but in this discussion you also said.... George II Feb 2018 #85

I'm confused..... George II Feb 2018 #79

I hope that I have answered your questions. Sophia4 Feb 2018 #161

So you think that Obama should have been primaried? Really? ehrnst Feb 2018 #182

"It is up to the winner to reach out to the losers to reunite the Party after a primary." ehrnst Feb 2018 #156

If "purity" cuts off one's nose to spite one's face, it should be called out as such. ehrnst Feb 2018 #181

"Losing an election is a message from the electorate lapucelle Feb 2018 #205

Yes. It was. I am in California, and my vote simply did not count. Sophia4 Feb 2018 #222

The Bernie or Bust movement went way beyond California R B Garr Feb 2018 #225

Shunning divisiveness is commendable. Sophia4 Feb 2018 #227

Ah yet more self-serving revisionist history couched in R B Garr Feb 2018 #229

I am reminded of one of my daughters who didn't like one of her classmates. Sophia4 Feb 2018 #232

Your stories about three-year-olds and little girls are as R B Garr Feb 2018 #234

I live in California. When Democrats dare to stand up for the right of Californians Sophia4 Feb 2018 #235

More tortuous denials. Completely self-serving. You should just admit R B Garr Feb 2018 #237

You can vote for who you want but a vote for Hillary in the GE is the price for DU membership seaglass Feb 2018 #231

You'll be happy to hear about this challenge - "new blood" vs a 28 year capitol hill veteran: ehrnst Feb 2018 #218

Well he left to become the Secretary of State...but Kerry voted for the Iraq war...as did most Demsrule86 Feb 2018 #80

Any politician in office who voted against the Brady Bull shoiuld be voted out. lapucelle Feb 2018 #208

Tell us; did you vote to re-elect President Obama in 2012? brooklynite Feb 2018 #224

Yes. Once we were in, we almost had to stay. The very reason I say that anyone Sophia4 Feb 2018 #226

In light of today's tragic and preventable events in FL, lapucelle Feb 2018 #243

I agree. Sophia4 Feb 2018 #244

govtrack has Capuano rated in the middle of the Democrats FarCenter Feb 2018 #15

Solid Progressive. NCTraveler Feb 2018 #23

Sorry, what's the "truth to powoer crowd?" Sounds attractive. nt LAS14 Feb 2018 #46

Bad strategy mcar Feb 2018 #4

They want to run against Republicans, but they have to run against certain Democrats Sophia4 Feb 2018 #10

Not in a Republican district, they don't mcar Feb 2018 #16

That's because they're stupid. Squinch Feb 2018 #12

Primaries are being "stormed" by mostly long shots? Hortensis Feb 2018 #13

Extreme longshots Gothmog Feb 2018 #230

:) Extreme. Well, running's fine and good, and Hortensis Feb 2018 #233

We Need to Stop the Infighting BlueDog22 Feb 2018 #20

How to stop the infighting: Everyone who disagrees with me stands down. Jim Lane Feb 2018 #106

Exactly what KPD said to SDP in 1933. I wonder how much they thought of that on their way to stevenleser Feb 2018 #123

I believe you've misinterpreted my post. Jim Lane Feb 2018 #126

It will be interesting to look back, following the primaries MineralMan Feb 2018 #21

I am personally working and contributing to DEMOCRATS... pbmus Feb 2018 #30

Any group who does this sort of thing...including Our revolution, Democracy for American and/or Demsrule86 Feb 2018 #81

I am for progressives running anywhere mvd Feb 2018 #39

It makes sense to do this in the "country's bluest districts" aikoaiko Feb 2018 #43

I will never support a candidate backed by Justice Democrats, Brand New Congress or Our Revolution seaglass Feb 2018 #44

Weird that, two groups want to UNSEAT democrats. Not just one anymore, two. Eliot Rosewater Feb 2018 #52

Squabbling BlueDog22 Feb 2018 #71

Great to hear. Nothing wrong with competing ideas being debated in public. jalan48 Feb 2018 #54

Bad to hear...could cost us the house...we have limited resources which need to be spent unseating Demsrule86 Feb 2018 #82

I believe in Democracy. This is how it works. jalan48 Feb 2018 #100

We won't have a Democracy if we don't start winning elections. Demsrule86 Feb 2018 #114

Hitting the snooze button is no longer an option-time to get involved! jalan48 Feb 2018 #117

Nope, Democracy isn't an excuse to turn off your brain. Democracy includes coalition building stevenleser Feb 2018 #119

Let's have robust primaries. It will help us to better gage what the voters want. As opposed to top jalan48 Feb 2018 #139

Robust primaries?? Does that mean multiple candidates R B Garr Feb 2018 #174

Hopefully it's about issues, not name calling. jalan48 Feb 2018 #178

At what point in my life did anyone but me vote? Hortensis Feb 2018 #228

Short of making all the primaries closed, what's the solution? Only one candidate? jalan48 Feb 2018 #238

The choice isn't and never was one or none, black or white. Hortensis Feb 2018 #239

Who decides who is honest and worthy? jalan48 Feb 2018 #240

You were supposed to say YES, Hortensis Feb 2018 #241

Having a number of Democrats running in a primary doesn't bother me at all. jalan48 Feb 2018 #242

Even if every one of these candidates wins it will not get them the change they say they want. StevieM Feb 2018 #64

Crowley has already switched on health care. Jim Lane Feb 2018 #68

Changing the mind of a Democrat from Queens won't get single payer. StevieM Feb 2018 #70

You completely miss the point. Changing the mind of ANY one Democrat won't get it. Jim Lane Feb 2018 #89

I guess the question is whether it is a good idea to run single-payer supporting candidates StevieM Feb 2018 #94

I for one am glad to see this kurtcagle Feb 2018 #91

Good, isn't that what everyone told us to do? vi5 Feb 2018 #101

Have you notice ...Democrats have no power in Washington...timing is everything. Demsrule86 Feb 2018 #137

at what juncture in the last 30 years of politics would you have made a different argument, really? JCanete Feb 2018 #176

Anytime...I can 't remember a time we had nothing...maybe the first two years in the Reagan Demsrule86 Feb 2018 #186

Nailed it Egnever Feb 2018 #203

Interesting GaryCnf Feb 2018 #102

Why has 'progressive' become a bad word? left-of-center2012 Feb 2018 #110

Probably because they enabled the seating of George W. Bush and Donald Trump nt stevenleser Feb 2018 #118

+1000 Demsrule86 Feb 2018 #136

Some threads are worth saidsimplesimon Feb 2018 #134

Progressive is a great word and political ideology...but when some confuse progressive with Demsrule86 Feb 2018 #135

Bingo. (NT) ehrnst Feb 2018 #146

Love the Alinksy quote. Demsrule86 Feb 2018 #211

Yeah, like Democrats Cha Feb 2018 #201

Exactly, the "Young Turks" wing (not Democrats any of them) costs us elections. We pay a heavy Demsrule86 Feb 2018 #210

Imo, serious judgement and behavior issues among a minority. Hortensis Feb 2018 #165

I honestly find the responses in this thread shocking Egnever Feb 2018 #138

+1 Nevernose Feb 2018 #185

Who is suggesting that? ehrnst Feb 2018 #215

Who are the candidates running for Mayor in Burlington Vermont this year? George II Feb 2018 #220

Maybe if a person doesnt like the outcome of a given primary, maybe that is the problem here Eliot Rosewater Feb 2018 #223

When have primaries ever NOT determined what a majority of citizens want? George II Feb 2018 #216

When they have been supplanted by caucuses.... ehrnst Feb 2018 #219

Precisely - caucuses result in bullying, intimidation, and "mob rule". Primaries are the way to go.. George II Feb 2018 #221

It sounds like you feel like you're being oppressed. ehrnst Feb 2018 #214

There is evidently a Texas primary contest that fits this thread Gothmog Feb 2018 #145

Oh? Good of them to join us. FINALLY. JNelson6563 Feb 2018 #200

A former business associate of my wife reached out about her campaign for a House seat... brooklynite Feb 2018 #236