At Washington Monthly Martin Longman gives advice very much along the lines I’ve been giving. After taking note of an article advising Democrats to offer white working people “palliative care” rather than the opportunity to thrive, he writes:
But it’s not actually a misinterpretation of political self-interest that appalls me in this case. It’s the idea that the modern left can self-define itself in a way that leaves out any hard-pressed community. I believe Anti-Monopoly policy can bring economic vitality back to these communities and that it is simply irresponsible to tell them that their communities are doomed without having made a real effort to save them. If I lived in a culturally working class county, it would be as clear as day to me that the left, as currently comprised, has no plan for me. I completely understand why the Democrats have cratered in county after county after county in this country. We like to tell them that they’re voting against their self-interest, but how is it in their self-interest to latch onto a party that thinks they’re beyond help?
I’m not saying the whole Democratic Party feels this way, but the default position among a lot of progressives since the election has been that to even talk about these folks is to pander to their racism and dilute the party’s commitment to civil rights, women’s rights, gay rights, and the environment. If we want to draw up our battle lines like that, then they sure as shit are going to take the hint.
It is a question of priorities. As long as searching for heretics maintains a higher priority than looking for allies, you are more likely to find the former than the latter. Structural considerations and simple mathematics dictates that getting out the base isn’t enough.
Speaking of hunting for heretics, here’s Bernie Sanders getting close to the wrong side on requiring a religious test for Presidential appointments.
And that’s why some voters prefer Trump and Republicans, despite his and their many flaws.
My perception is that Democrats think an energized base is necessary to take back Congress and give Trump a bloody nose before finishing him off. What they don’t realize is the way they are energizing their base is just as likely to cut off the Democrats nose.
Sadly, Sen. Sanders did not understand what Mr. Vought was saying to him. It was a complete failure of communication.
BTW, although a significant minority of Christians believe as Mr. Vought does not all do. So, for example, from Nostra aetate one of the documents of Vatican II:
It’s also among the shortest of the documents of Vatican II, only a page long. It reflects a significant difference between what Roman Catholics believe and what members of some other denominations believe.
The Apostle Paul wrote clearly in this vein (1 Corinthians 12:18) “if it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
I’m not sure what Sanders wants; he could have taken the sting out by saying, “I apologize to anyone offended if they took my question as saying the nominee’s religious beliefs made him unqualified for office, I meant to say….”. As it is, the clip is going to a prime example of my point that Democrats are firing up Republicans as much as they are firing up Democrats.
Sen. Sanders was asking the wrong question. Rather than asking what the nominee believed, something that is clearly unconstitutional as a gauge of his fitness for office and for which Sen. Sanders has opened himself up for impeachment, he should have asked Mr. Vought whether his beliefs would prevent him from dealing with Muslims in accordance with the law, a question which would be constitutional and proper.
100% agree. Sanders could have asked along that vein, or what Vought would do if he had to apply a law that he objects to because of his beliefs.