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brooklynite

(96,882 posts) Wed Jan 23, 2019, 11:37 AM Jan 2019

Sherrod Brown: Dems will lose if we have to choose between speaking to progressive base and workers [View all]

Source: The Hill

Sherrod Brown: Dems will lose if 'we have to choose' between speaking to progressive base and workers

Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown (D) called on Democrats not choose between speaking to workers or the party's progressive base in 2020 and instead urged the party's eventual nominee to reach out to all Americans and build a broad coalition of voters.

In an interview with MSNBC's "Morning Joe," Brown warned that such a choice between working-class voters and progressive activists was a trap that spelled defeat for the party.

"To me, no matter who the presidential nominee is, it..should be somebody whose centerpiece of the campaign is dignity of work," Brown said, riffing off of his "Dignity of Work" tour which has brought the senator to several key primary states.

"I've seen so many national Democrats look at this as you either speak to the progressive base, or you speak to workers, working-class voters of all races. And if we have to choose between the two, we lose," he added to MSNBC's Mike Brzezinski.

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Sherrod Brown: Dems will lose if we have to choose between speaking to progressive base and workers [View all] brooklynite Jan 2019 OP

I think he's right, which is one reason I hope runs marylandblue Jan 2019 #1

Same here. I also really hope he runs. justhanginon Jan 2019 #8

A major funder I know says she's already committed to him... brooklynite Jan 2019 #20

He's at the top of my list. ooky Jan 2019 #73

Mine too. Brown has consistently voted correctly (almost prophetically) on everything since 1993. stuffmatters Jan 2019 #89

Yes we will. redstatebluegirl Jan 2019 #2

I think he could win. I hope he runs. His message is right. yardwork Jan 2019 #3

I don't understand. Who thinks that the Dems can't speak to both? Autumn Jan 2019 #4

I know who. (But I'm not saying.) NurseJackie Jan 2019 #7

that was my first thought still_one Jan 2019 #9

I agree, smells like a litmus test to me beachbum bob Jan 2019 #16

That was my take. also. efhmc Jan 2019 #71

I think he means titaniumsalute Jan 2019 #5

Good point. The fact is though those wedge issues will come up, we just have to hope the common still_one Jan 2019 #14

Yeah it is pretty inevitable during a campaign titaniumsalute Jan 2019 #17

Sounds like Her ward Dean's 50 state strategy. +++++++++++ still_one Jan 2019 #18

I'm not sure what he means by the Progressive base. I was under the impression progressives jalan48 Jan 2019 #6

You'd think so, wouldn't you? NurseJackie Jan 2019 #12

Yes indeed, from FDR onward, progressives have championed... RobertDevereaux Jan 2019 #15

"Eleanor-and-Franklin roots" Basic LA Jan 2019 #24

Progressives are also seen as supporting a range of civil rights and "identity politics" issues... brooklynite Jan 2019 #37

So we need to jettison the whole "deplorables" thing. jalan48 Jan 2019 #44

NO! That's not what either Senator Brown or Brooklynite said. KPN Jan 2019 #58

So you're thinking it will be a good idea to call a block of voters a name? Do you think that will jalan48 Jan 2019 #79

What? You are putting words in my mouth. KPN Jan 2019 #80

Sorry, misread what you said. I think we're on the same side here. I like Brown. jalan48 Jan 2019 #82

trump's deplorable base will never vote for a democrat rampartc Jan 2019 #85

I think calling voters names is a really bad idea. If we focus on the issues and not label "bad" jalan48 Jan 2019 #87

gender neutral pronouns and bathrooms do not sell out here rampartc Jan 2019 #84

He's right Bayard Jan 2019 #10

He's right. n/t MBS Jan 2019 #11

The problem is what "workers" means Recursion Jan 2019 #13

Very astute. Scruffy1 Jan 2019 #23

I prefer the term "Employees" Basic LA Jan 2019 #25

Thank you for this. violetpastille Jan 2019 #27

+1 ... it is a bit of a quandary, just as you describe so well ... (nt) mr_lebowski Jan 2019 #30

I have nothing to add Blackjackdavey Jan 2019 #61

Actually, Medicare for all would replace Medicaid TexasBushwhacker Jan 2019 #86

Post removed Post removed Jan 2019 #19

Get a haircut. That's funny. violetpastille Jan 2019 #26

He's my candidate. He's right ... can't fall for the either or trap MaryMagdaline Jan 2019 #21

Ugh. . . . h2ebits Jan 2019 #22

I think he means coaltition building. Workers and Progressives dont' need to be on different sides. haele Jan 2019 #28

the working class IS the progressive base ProfessorPlum Jan 2019 #29

I think his point is you have to frame the issues correctly ;) (nt) mr_lebowski Jan 2019 #31

You don't live in NE Ohio JohnnyRingo Jan 2019 #34

I hear what you're saying ProfessorPlum Jan 2019 #35

Exactly. KPN Jan 2019 #59

Johnny Ohiogal Jan 2019 #54

I'm not so sure anymore Tom Rinaldo Jan 2019 #41

the last part is about framing and messaging ProfessorPlum Jan 2019 #42

I'm a little confused too LiberalLovinLug Jan 2019 #55

I like Brown, but don't like the "dignity of work" line... doompatrol39 Jan 2019 #32

if he runs, I may switch my support from kamala to him AlexSFCA Jan 2019 #33

The Democratic "base" is made up of workers. It's not an either/or situation. pnwmom Jan 2019 #36

He's talking about all workers. Some of them won't vote Democrat because they are basically KPN Jan 2019 #60

If so, why is he talking about the base vs. workers? pnwmom Jan 2019 #88

Because they have driven priorities on the KPN Jan 2019 #91

But that isn't answering my question. Why is he viewing this as an either/or? pnwmom Jan 2019 #93

Progressives/Liberals have always supported and been part of the working/middle class Freethinker65 Jan 2019 #38

False Dichotomy That Trump Himself Promotes TomCADem Jan 2019 #39

I heard this discussion on MSNBC with Rachael last night mysteryowl Jan 2019 #40

Excellent, I hope Brown enters the race. appalachiablue Jan 2019 #43

and The Hill will do it's best to hammer home the differences and divide Dems pecosbob Jan 2019 #45

Working class white Yosemito Jan 2019 #46

false dichotomy NotHardly Jan 2019 #47

way to miss the point, sen KG Jan 2019 #48

What point? KPN Jan 2019 #62

Historically, workers were always at the front of progressive movements Yavin4 Jan 2019 #49

As a progressive, I disagree -- based on the record over the past 40+ years and some who have called KPN Jan 2019 #67

By "historically", I mean further back than the last 40 years. Yavin4 Jan 2019 #72

As well as other wedge issues, control of radio waves,control of MSM, KPN Jan 2019 #78

Is there that much of a gap between progressives and workers? apnu Jan 2019 #50

I think when it comes to legislative priorities, and the record over the past 40+ years, yes. KPN Jan 2019 #66

Hey Sherod! Maybe I should remind you maxrandb Jan 2019 #51

Did it ever occur to you that maybe all workers don't agree with that and KPN Jan 2019 #64

Somebody explain to me HopeAgain Jan 2019 #52

The wedge issue is environmentalism Yuorik57 Jan 2019 #53

This. apnu Jan 2019 #75

"I've seen so many national Democrats look at this as you either speak to the progressive base, or 50 Shades Of Blue Jan 2019 #56

He's there, he ought to know I'd think. I'll take his word for it. The record certainly supports KPN Jan 2019 #63

Then he needs to be specific, not broad, so we all know. 50 Shades Of Blue Jan 2019 #65

Why? That isn't going top change anything. If you can't interpret the record to equate to that KPN Jan 2019 #68

Because he pretty much can't have it both ways. 50 Shades Of Blue Jan 2019 #69

Have what both ways? Your unwillingness to understand or agree? KPN Jan 2019 #70

I am not a mindreader. So what "national Democrats" is he referring to? 50 Shades Of Blue Jan 2019 #81

Thank you Senator Brown. KPN Jan 2019 #57

Liberal, progressive, Democrat here DeminPennswoods Jan 2019 #74

Many workers are progressives Mr. Brown. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #76

I disagree... BlueJac Jan 2019 #77

Brown is part of the Franken Railroad. LakeArenal Jan 2019 #83

I agree, at least in part, I don't think the Dems can win with a progressive, inexperienced... olddad56 Jan 2019 #90

Oh, but the REALLY liberalhistorian Jan 2019 #92

He forgot the purity-seeking part n/t Apollyonus Jan 2019 #94