Cornel West lost me when he went on the attack against Obama for what West perceived as a snub (not getting invited to the inauguration, I think.) He lost me again when he abandoned the Democrats and decided Third Party was the way to go.
Of course an independent candidate will go against the Dems. It won't divide us but it will weaken us if there are enough votes.
I'm a Democrat. I want the Democrats to win. No Third Party candidate has a chance in hell of winning the presidency. All they will do is mess up the Democrat's chances. And they all know this.
I’m curious because early on (before he criticized Obama), I was drawn to his rhetoric. I thought he could be the Democratic candidate who actually got angry and the injustices on our world and the Republican lunacy that permits it. He’s not seen as too modest and I think would do a good job of rallying Democrats together in a more impassioned fight. I agree with you. I think having a third party candidate will weaken the party and dilute our liberal votes across two candidates. I want the Dems to win. I was hoping that West might be that candidate, but it looks like he’s not going to be.
He's been a spoiler since the Obama 'snub'. He makes no bones about his dislike for the Democrats and paints them as neoliberals and corporatists. Now he's running as an Independent, so I think you can give up on any hope he'll change his mind.
He claims to want what all Democrats want--fair housing, clean air, decent jobs, equity--but he wants to do it outside of any party affiliations.
It simply can't be done without the massive efforts of an organized party. It's wishful thinking to think otherwise, and to go against the only party that can possibly make a difference seems to me reckless folly.
Agreed. I resonated with his intended promises because they aligned so much with our party, except with a gospel flair. I appreciate criticism of our own party, as long as it moves us in a positive direction.
I appreciate your piece here for that same reason. I love gathering different perspectives so that I can feel more informed when it comes time to vote.
Thanks for writing! You do a beautiful job articulating my own feelings in these months before November.
I can't begin to be as eloquent as you have just been - beautifully said. What comes to mind is that maybe we I/we can focus on what Joe has accomplished in our articles - because what I've been hearing is that the dems aren't talking about what he has done and is doing. I can't imagine where we would be today if Trump were president.
Thank you, Janice. I hope it's not too late for a lot of us to change course and concentrate on the good things Biden and the Dems have done instead of picking them apart as some sort of 'fairness' angle.
There will be no fairness where Trump is involved. He simply cannot be allowed to win.
When we focus on Trump's indiscretions and cover him ad nauseam in the news - it brings attention to the wrong subject. I haven't counted, but suspect he gets more air time than the President does.
Oh, by far, and the number of 'serious' journalists who are calling on Biden to quit is troubling and scary. Those of us supporting Biden have our work cut out for us!
This is a new Substack for me and I need to do some reading to get caught up on your thinking.
However, you are spot on, IMHO, about what the D’s have not been doing and need to do to wake the voters up. All of them.
It’s like the D’s are playing by the Queensbury Rules of boxing, a more “gentlemanly” form of boxing, while the R’s are fighting under a much loosened set of UFC cage fighting rules with one-eyed brain dead referees, aka, MSM.
Further, some factions within the D hierarchy are incorrectly elevating “less important” issues in the current “battle for the life of democracy” and splintering the D’s forces.
This splintering plays into the R’s unhinged cage fight game, particularly when the R’s are currently controlled and directed by TFG, who has nothing to lose, through his acolytes who follow his every whim out of abject fear.
The R position is actually much more threatening after Reagan merged the White Christian Nationalist religious faction with the RNC by using the so called Southern Strategy to gain southern voters. The WCN groups seek nothing less than a Bible based white Christian theocracy where world history is only 6000 years old and humans lived with dinosaurs.
Add in corporate voices as “effective citizens” under Citizens United, FEDSOC, Leonard Leo, the Heritage Foundation and a now heavily biased SCOTUS, and the R’s written long term strategic plan (Project 2025) and the HF’s supporting “Conservative philosophical writings”, the R’s have a strategic battle plan to work with.
The R’s strategic battle plan gives rise to the many “short term” tactical plans (the recent Abbott “border invasion”, the Congressional “border bill” debacle, Roe, “immigration”, etc) that are dauntingly difficult to thwart under the D’s self imposed Queensbury Rules.
The “only” D written “plan” that I’m aware of is the DNC’s national platform that lists its “goals and principles.” However, that platform is not a strategic or a tactical plan and offers no specific guidance to anyone about how to win the Battle for Democracy. Like any capable commander, the R “leadership” has been taking advantage of those two facts for more than 50 years without any effective opposition, and still are.
Continuing to babble ineffectively about MSM, bothsideisms, TFG being a rotten skunk, the Freedom Caucus and R’s cowering in fear of TFG’s stinking and possibly deadly retribution, etc, simply won’t work.
I could go on, but my message, like yours, Ramona Grigg, is that the D’s must focus their strategic efforts like the point of a spear, and back that up with legions of tactical archers, to win this battle, then keep going until the “Conservative voices” are subdued fully.
I couldn't agree more with everything you've pointed out here. And don't forget the Koch brothers, ALEC, and the Tea Party. The destruction of our democratic values has been insidious and ongoing. So much so there are entire generations that don't see a problem. They've lived like this their entire lives.
BTW, I think it's time you started up your blog. We're going to need you!
Thanks. I’ve been reluctant to start a blog having never done such a thing. Not sure how or where to begin.
Paddy Chayefsky’s Network scenes come to mind with folks hanging out of their windows banging pots and pans and yelling “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.” But, folks aren’t wound up enough to do that today and there isn’t a D charismatic leader who can wind anyone up.
It doesn't have to be intimidating. It's just you and your thoughts on a page, once you get to that point.
Every one of our voices needs to be heard. Our numbers alone will demand attention.
If it helps, I've put together a short Substack tutorial for beginners. Here is the link. If you need further help on any section just let me know in the comments and I'll get the message. Or email me at ramonagriggwriter at gmail dot com.
I think it’s interesting that the republicans that brought us to this point using this strategy are now trying to get the democrats to use it. I say to all the Never Trumper republicans. Go at it. Use your skills to take down the monster you created, but I think my side should still tout our successes and not stoop to the lows the republicans have used for the past half century that have nearly destroyed this country.
I totally agree with you on helping the Democratic Party improve their own PR. There are plenty of advertising executives, lecturers , authors and other experts that could really help craft powerful messages.
The economy is going very well but the majority don’t believe it because those of us who aren’t stock market geeks don’t feel the improvement. Not while gas is still so high, you cannot even afford a steak once in a while, and mortgage interest makes homeownership out of reach for many. Surely, we don’t have to wait for the erroneous “trickle down” effect. The target for campaigning is the fence sitters and under informed.
Biden shouldn’t be hiding. He needs to be out front explaining why the choice this election cycle couldn’t be any more diametrically opposite. He doesn’t have to speak ugly like tRump but he has to be open and honest. The campaign needs to talk about the future as Democrats see it and how they will make it happen.
The. Urrent ads I see daily look like something created decades ago. He maybe old but the campaign doesn’t have to be.
Thank you, Ramona, for putting on your mom face. Thank you for the reminder that we have to play up the successes of those that must, must come out ahead. The alternative is unthinkable.
I HATE that we're in a position once again to have to agonize over the bad guys taking over and doing great damage. What is wrong with us?? I don't know but I won't have time to figure it out. I'm going to be PRing and cheer-leading and fighting off the nay-sayers.
My 'drive' is pure desperation. Donald Trump can't win in November. The Republicans can't win in November. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris must be allowed to continue their work.
I agree we need to be fierce advocates and learn how to say the things that need to be known. The problem isn't only Dem's being aw-shucks reluctant to tout their accomplishments. It's also this fractured media environment that makes it damned hard to break through the noise. That said, however, I am going to write up a list and keep it with me, because it's a long one, of the things this administration has accomplished for the Amercian people.
I think your list is a great idea. Someone did that late in Hillary's campaign in 2016 (possibly too late) and many of us used it as quick proof as we argued that Hillary was a fine candidate with a long history of public service--and shown point by point in the list.
Let me know if you want to make it public and I'll promote it all I can.
I haven't made that list, which is easy to find with a Google search, but it occured to me this morning that I could pop back here and recommend two Substacks for your readers who are interested in pulling themselves out of despair and into action. First, Jessica' Craven's Chop Wood Carry Water, which gives actionable steps for saving democracy and features a Sunday round-up of good news, which is often quite long. Second, Simon Rosenberg's relentlessly positive Hopium Chronicles, which focuses on why Dems should feel hopeful. And a third resource for volunteering support is Vote Save America, the political action wing of Crooked Media, the Pod Save America folks, a great place to level up your political action in a nationwide community of activitists and really nice people.
I’m curious. What are your thoughts on Dr. Cornel West and his progressive platform? Is running as an independent candidate going to divide the Dems?
https://apnews.com/article/cornel-west-president-independent-green-party-2024-57dd7dbc0bccc10ea866005663398823
Cornel West lost me when he went on the attack against Obama for what West perceived as a snub (not getting invited to the inauguration, I think.) He lost me again when he abandoned the Democrats and decided Third Party was the way to go.
Of course an independent candidate will go against the Dems. It won't divide us but it will weaken us if there are enough votes.
I'm a Democrat. I want the Democrats to win. No Third Party candidate has a chance in hell of winning the presidency. All they will do is mess up the Democrat's chances. And they all know this.
Why do you ask?
I’m curious because early on (before he criticized Obama), I was drawn to his rhetoric. I thought he could be the Democratic candidate who actually got angry and the injustices on our world and the Republican lunacy that permits it. He’s not seen as too modest and I think would do a good job of rallying Democrats together in a more impassioned fight. I agree with you. I think having a third party candidate will weaken the party and dilute our liberal votes across two candidates. I want the Dems to win. I was hoping that West might be that candidate, but it looks like he’s not going to be.
He's been a spoiler since the Obama 'snub'. He makes no bones about his dislike for the Democrats and paints them as neoliberals and corporatists. Now he's running as an Independent, so I think you can give up on any hope he'll change his mind.
He claims to want what all Democrats want--fair housing, clean air, decent jobs, equity--but he wants to do it outside of any party affiliations.
It simply can't be done without the massive efforts of an organized party. It's wishful thinking to think otherwise, and to go against the only party that can possibly make a difference seems to me reckless folly.
Agreed. I resonated with his intended promises because they aligned so much with our party, except with a gospel flair. I appreciate criticism of our own party, as long as it moves us in a positive direction.
I appreciate your piece here for that same reason. I love gathering different perspectives so that I can feel more informed when it comes time to vote.
Thanks for writing! You do a beautiful job articulating my own feelings in these months before November.
Thank you so much! I've enjoyed this conversation. Come back again.
Cornel West supports creatures like Nina Turner and Brianna Joy Grey.
He is human refuse.
I can't begin to be as eloquent as you have just been - beautifully said. What comes to mind is that maybe we I/we can focus on what Joe has accomplished in our articles - because what I've been hearing is that the dems aren't talking about what he has done and is doing. I can't imagine where we would be today if Trump were president.
Thank you, Janice. I hope it's not too late for a lot of us to change course and concentrate on the good things Biden and the Dems have done instead of picking them apart as some sort of 'fairness' angle.
There will be no fairness where Trump is involved. He simply cannot be allowed to win.
When we focus on Trump's indiscretions and cover him ad nauseam in the news - it brings attention to the wrong subject. I haven't counted, but suspect he gets more air time than the President does.
Oh, by far, and the number of 'serious' journalists who are calling on Biden to quit is troubling and scary. Those of us supporting Biden have our work cut out for us!
This is a new Substack for me and I need to do some reading to get caught up on your thinking.
However, you are spot on, IMHO, about what the D’s have not been doing and need to do to wake the voters up. All of them.
It’s like the D’s are playing by the Queensbury Rules of boxing, a more “gentlemanly” form of boxing, while the R’s are fighting under a much loosened set of UFC cage fighting rules with one-eyed brain dead referees, aka, MSM.
Further, some factions within the D hierarchy are incorrectly elevating “less important” issues in the current “battle for the life of democracy” and splintering the D’s forces.
This splintering plays into the R’s unhinged cage fight game, particularly when the R’s are currently controlled and directed by TFG, who has nothing to lose, through his acolytes who follow his every whim out of abject fear.
The R position is actually much more threatening after Reagan merged the White Christian Nationalist religious faction with the RNC by using the so called Southern Strategy to gain southern voters. The WCN groups seek nothing less than a Bible based white Christian theocracy where world history is only 6000 years old and humans lived with dinosaurs.
Add in corporate voices as “effective citizens” under Citizens United, FEDSOC, Leonard Leo, the Heritage Foundation and a now heavily biased SCOTUS, and the R’s written long term strategic plan (Project 2025) and the HF’s supporting “Conservative philosophical writings”, the R’s have a strategic battle plan to work with.
The R’s strategic battle plan gives rise to the many “short term” tactical plans (the recent Abbott “border invasion”, the Congressional “border bill” debacle, Roe, “immigration”, etc) that are dauntingly difficult to thwart under the D’s self imposed Queensbury Rules.
The “only” D written “plan” that I’m aware of is the DNC’s national platform that lists its “goals and principles.” However, that platform is not a strategic or a tactical plan and offers no specific guidance to anyone about how to win the Battle for Democracy. Like any capable commander, the R “leadership” has been taking advantage of those two facts for more than 50 years without any effective opposition, and still are.
Continuing to babble ineffectively about MSM, bothsideisms, TFG being a rotten skunk, the Freedom Caucus and R’s cowering in fear of TFG’s stinking and possibly deadly retribution, etc, simply won’t work.
I could go on, but my message, like yours, Ramona Grigg, is that the D’s must focus their strategic efforts like the point of a spear, and back that up with legions of tactical archers, to win this battle, then keep going until the “Conservative voices” are subdued fully.
I couldn't agree more with everything you've pointed out here. And don't forget the Koch brothers, ALEC, and the Tea Party. The destruction of our democratic values has been insidious and ongoing. So much so there are entire generations that don't see a problem. They've lived like this their entire lives.
BTW, I think it's time you started up your blog. We're going to need you!
Thanks. I’ve been reluctant to start a blog having never done such a thing. Not sure how or where to begin.
Paddy Chayefsky’s Network scenes come to mind with folks hanging out of their windows banging pots and pans and yelling “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.” But, folks aren’t wound up enough to do that today and there isn’t a D charismatic leader who can wind anyone up.
It doesn't have to be intimidating. It's just you and your thoughts on a page, once you get to that point.
Every one of our voices needs to be heard. Our numbers alone will demand attention.
If it helps, I've put together a short Substack tutorial for beginners. Here is the link. If you need further help on any section just let me know in the comments and I'll get the message. Or email me at ramonagriggwriter at gmail dot com.
https://writereverlasting.substack.com/s/substack-for-newbies
Thanks. I’ll look into it.
I think it’s interesting that the republicans that brought us to this point using this strategy are now trying to get the democrats to use it. I say to all the Never Trumper republicans. Go at it. Use your skills to take down the monster you created, but I think my side should still tout our successes and not stoop to the lows the republicans have used for the past half century that have nearly destroyed this country.
This is an excellent post. And thank you for being so polite to the utterly clueless commenter on the subject of West. 🤮🤮🤮
Thank you, but our conversation about Cornel West was respectful and ended well. It's all I ask here in the comment section.
I totally agree with you on helping the Democratic Party improve their own PR. There are plenty of advertising executives, lecturers , authors and other experts that could really help craft powerful messages.
The economy is going very well but the majority don’t believe it because those of us who aren’t stock market geeks don’t feel the improvement. Not while gas is still so high, you cannot even afford a steak once in a while, and mortgage interest makes homeownership out of reach for many. Surely, we don’t have to wait for the erroneous “trickle down” effect. The target for campaigning is the fence sitters and under informed.
Biden shouldn’t be hiding. He needs to be out front explaining why the choice this election cycle couldn’t be any more diametrically opposite. He doesn’t have to speak ugly like tRump but he has to be open and honest. The campaign needs to talk about the future as Democrats see it and how they will make it happen.
The. Urrent ads I see daily look like something created decades ago. He maybe old but the campaign doesn’t have to be.
Exactly right. With all the talent out there it's hard to figure out why they're not going at it full force with the best of the best.
Now is not the time to hang back or to do what they've always done. Light that fire!
Thank you, Ramona, for putting on your mom face. Thank you for the reminder that we have to play up the successes of those that must, must come out ahead. The alternative is unthinkable.
I HATE that we're in a position once again to have to agonize over the bad guys taking over and doing great damage. What is wrong with us?? I don't know but I won't have time to figure it out. I'm going to be PRing and cheer-leading and fighting off the nay-sayers.
That should be enough for one year. 😉
Right?! You're a freaking rockstar. I admire and am inspired by your drive.
My 'drive' is pure desperation. Donald Trump can't win in November. The Republicans can't win in November. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris must be allowed to continue their work.
It's seems like such a no-brainer...
I agree we need to be fierce advocates and learn how to say the things that need to be known. The problem isn't only Dem's being aw-shucks reluctant to tout their accomplishments. It's also this fractured media environment that makes it damned hard to break through the noise. That said, however, I am going to write up a list and keep it with me, because it's a long one, of the things this administration has accomplished for the Amercian people.
I think your list is a great idea. Someone did that late in Hillary's campaign in 2016 (possibly too late) and many of us used it as quick proof as we argued that Hillary was a fine candidate with a long history of public service--and shown point by point in the list.
Let me know if you want to make it public and I'll promote it all I can.
Thank you! I will.
I haven't made that list, which is easy to find with a Google search, but it occured to me this morning that I could pop back here and recommend two Substacks for your readers who are interested in pulling themselves out of despair and into action. First, Jessica' Craven's Chop Wood Carry Water, which gives actionable steps for saving democracy and features a Sunday round-up of good news, which is often quite long. Second, Simon Rosenberg's relentlessly positive Hopium Chronicles, which focuses on why Dems should feel hopeful. And a third resource for volunteering support is Vote Save America, the political action wing of Crooked Media, the Pod Save America folks, a great place to level up your political action in a nationwide community of activitists and really nice people.
Yes! I subscribe to both Jessica's and Simon's newsletters and they're great--and sorely needed.
I'll look for Vote Save America. We need to stick together and promote any positive sites we come across. Thanks so much! 💕