I thought you might enjoy Karl Rove’s color commentary on what’s going on in Washington now as expressed in his piece in the Wall Street Journal:
There are three possible explanations. The first is that the Democratic establishment is spent. After the presidencies of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama and the defeat of Hillary Clinton, the traditional leadership of Democrats may have run out of ideas, energy and self-confidence.
This failure of nerve and imagination has left extremists in charge. Mr. Biden is like the French politician during the Revolution of 1848, who, perhaps apocryphally, said: “There go my people. I must find out where they are going so I can lead them.†The president is bowing to what he believes is inevitable—a party led by Mr. Sanders and the Squad, with him as the frontman. If you aren’t sure where this will end, look at what Jeremy Corbyn’s rise did to the British Labour Party.
A second explanation is that many traditional Democrats fear their rowdy left-wing base, which is big enough to win primaries and deep-blue congressional districts, but not purple or red territory. This may help explain the large number of Democrats in swing districts retiring from Congress.
A third explanation is that after eight years in the Obama White House being marginalized, ignored and treated as a kindly, lovable goofus, Mr. Biden likes being cheered by Democrats and media as potentially the most transformational president since FDR.
I think it’s some combination of #2 and #3. I strongly doubt that we’ve heard the last from the “Democratic establishment” or that the reins of the party have actually changed hands.
I think that the Democratic Congressional majority is so tenuous that the White House recognizes that they need the progressives and believe, incorrectly, that they can restrain them.
“A second explanation….”
Is nonsensical. If their appeal is that confined then there is nothing to worry about. Maxine Watters has been around forever, yet so-called mainstream Dems have not genuflected for her.
I think the real answer is one of two:
There are no mainstream Democrats. Their true colors are now showing because they have cover, from the Squad, from MMT and media dominance. Let’s party!! I know you disagree, but it ain’t your Kennedy’s party.
Or:
“I think that the Democratic Congressional majority is so tenuous that the White House recognizes that they need the progressives and believe, incorrectly, that they can restrain them.”
But what’s the difference?