The Thread of Democrats

[Sean Hayden]

It's going to suck. I'm making a conscious effort today to cut the righteous indignation. It's doing nothing for my BP. Instead, I'll be reading up on Democrat history e.g. What It Took to Win: A History of the Democratic Party

[Brian Peacock]

Local activism.

Just sayin'

[pErvinalia]

Antifa!

[Brian Peacock]

Think Global: Act Local!

[Sean Hayden]

--even Jesus knew better than to engage with his home town

[L'Emmerdeur]

It's going to suck. I'm making a conscious effort today to cut the righteous indignation. It's doing nothing for my BP. Instead, I'll be reading up on Democrat history e.g. What It Took to Win: A History of the Democratic Party

I heard an interview with the author of that book. He seemed to have a clear-eyed view of the party, which as the oldest party in the US has plenty of sordid episodes in its history. One of the things he pointed out (as have others) is that the contemporary Democratic Party needs to put more focus on local elections. I expect I'll pick up the book at some point.

[Tero]

If the Ukraine war is over by Nov, Democrats may benefit.

[rasetsu]

Nothing helps a leader's numbers like a good war.

[Tero]

Fetterman was involved in stopping the GOP stealing PA last time. Plainspoken man popular, and has GUN.

To be clear, Fetterman may lose the general election. This year is shaping up as a difficult one for Democrats, and the Republican campaign will no doubt use his progressive positions to claim he is a leftist out of step with Pennsylvania’s voters. Republicans may also point out that Fetterman has a graduate degree from Harvard and that he pulled a gun on a jogger in Braddock during a disputed 2013 encounter.

Still, I find Fetterman to be notable because Democrats have nominated so few candidates like him in recent years. The party is more likely to choose ideologically consistent candidates whose presentation resembles that of a law professor or think-tank employee. Fetterman, like many working-class voters, has a mix of political beliefs. On the campaign trail, he wears shorts and a hoodie.

NYT

[Tero]

Who knew? A Democrat in Iowa.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_T._Franken

[L'Emmerdeur]

Welp.

'Propelled to Victory by Dem Leaders, Cuellar Says $7.25 Too Much for Millions of Workers'

Labor experts and advocates on Wednesday expressed disbelief and outrage as the details of an "unconscionable" new bill purporting to expand "flexibility and choice" in workplaces came to light, condemning Democratic co-sponsor Rep. Henry Cuellar for proposing the gutting of minimum wage protections.

The Worker Flexibility and Choice Act (WFCA) was originally announced by Cuellar (Texas) and his Republican co-sponsors, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) and Michelle Steel (R-Calif.), on July 20, but it wasn't until Wednesday that law professor Veena Dubal shared the text of the bill on social media, describing the proposal as "terrifying."

Aiming to create a new classification for people working in the gig economy for companies like Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash, the bill would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 by establishing "worker flexibility agreements" in which a worker "will not be treated as an employee for federal tax purposes" and "is not subject to the minimum wage and overtime protections."

Cuellar is a real piece of work. Of course he is also against women's bodily autonomy--supports outlawing abortion.

Cisneros [Cuellar's challenger in the primary election] has called Cuellar the Joe Manchin of Texas, referring to his conservative stances on oil, unions, immigration, child care, and abortion.

[source]

[Brian Peacock]

[Tero]

Although Wisconsin's primary won't take place until August 9, Barnes, who was already leading in the polls, is all but guaranteed to secure the Democratic nomination. The lieutenant governor and former State Assembly member is expected to face a difficult campaign as he seeks to unseat Johnson, who has served in the Senate since 2011.

However, the most recent polling for the race suggests that Barnes is narrowly ahead of the incumbent. A survey conducted by Marquette Law School from June 14 to 20 showed Johnson behind the Democratic challenger by 2 points.

https://www.newsweek.com/mandela-barnes ... ls-1729304

[L'Emmerdeur]

Getting the egregious shitbird Johnson out of the US Senate would be a fine step in the direction of sanity.

* * *

It's a ragged shadow of a once ambitious bill, but merits mention here. Sinema and Manchin had their interests catered to, and the Democratic Party managed to accomplish something which may improve things in the US somewhat. Given the likely Republican takeover of the House of Representatives in this year's election, this bill is probably a last hurrah before intransigence once again reigns.

'Senate Dems pass long-awaited climate, tax and health care bill'

Senate Democrats passed their signature climate, tax and health care package Sunday afternoon, handing a long-sought victory to President Joe Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer even as the bill hit some last-minute snags.

In a 51-50 vote, Senate Democrats approved their party-line package after an amendment process that spanned more than 15 hours. Democrats fought off most GOP efforts to change their fragile deal but did make a change just before the bill’s final passage that adjusted the corporate minimum tax provisions.

[Tero]

Biden popularity rockets up to...39%! From 38%.

A week later: "government does not produce anything" and "reckless Democrat spending causes recession!"