Congressman Jim Himes (D-CT) says Democrats must talk about "bread and butter" issues...

[kentuck]

...not Russia.

He said he speaks with a lady Representative from Illinois every Monday and she always says to him that her people "are still not talking about Russia".

But, is it really wise to talk about "bread and butter" issues when the unemployment rate is so low and the stock market is booming and the economy seems to be doing very well at the moment. Would that only give Trump and the Republicans something to brag about?

In my opinion, it would be better to talk about Trump and Russia than to talk about the issues that they want to talk about.

(He was on Morning Joe Show this AM)

[a kennedy]

1. Yes......money in or NOT in the pockets of working Americans.

Russia in the background and important, but not to the non-political junkies like us. Seriously, Bread and Butter issues, is always one of the keys to discuss.

[beachbum bob]

2. working people not seeing aany real taxcut and with the threat of tarriffs and broken trade

deals, the bread and butter issues work....

....republicans cuts to social security
...medicare....medicaid...foodstamps.....and bring up republican family value failures and ethical problems.....AND being bought by the NRA

a very strong ad campaign would be easy to undertake....and never mention russia or impeachment

rewarding the rich and corporations....exploding the national debt AND running up TRILLION dollar deficits yearly

these issues can and will resonate

[kentuck]

4. You may be right?

But, it seems to me that the Repubs would capture the narrative and use it to their advantage. Democrats have never been really adept at controlling the message. But, if they could talk about the issues that you mention, then "bread and Butter" issues could be a winner.

After all, most people have probably already made up their minds where they stand on the Russia investigation.

[Atman]

3. I love Jim, but he is not really in touch.

As Joe joked, he represents Fairfield County, CT, the richest chunk of real estate in the country. I've done lots of work for Jim Himes in the past. He's a very nice guy, but he lives up to that stuffy Fairfield Country stereotype. While I do think he has a point -- we can't expect to win on Russia alone -- I'm guessing he listening to old advice. Bread and Butter issues aren't the answer. A solid platform of equality, hard work, not screwing the working guy, environmental issues, that will go far for Democrats. Including Russia, absolutely including Russia and pointing out that Putin and Trump are the ones trying to take 60 years of progress away from us.

[whathehell]

5. Not exactly...He said Dem. Cherie Bustos' constituents aren't concerned

with Russia, citing a difference between her "heartland" voters and his CT constituents....Still dislike the inference that one can't be concerned with BOTH.

[kentuck]

6. I must have misinterpreted his comments.

I thought I heard him say that he agreed with her comments?

[whathehell]

8. I don't recall him saying that, but he may have

and he seemed to agree and that bothered me. If Ms. Bustos' constituents really are NOT concerned about Russia, they should be & I think she bears some responsibility for educating them -- That's what a leader does.

[kentuck]

9. I agree.

What good are the other issues if you lose your democracy?

[whathehell]

11. Exactly. n/t.

[spanone]

7. well jimmy boy, if we don't save our democracy, the rest is bullshit.

[eleny]

10. Or tie the two together

We're in the situation we're in because of Russia's involvement with Trump.

[BBG]

12. Interesting Advice on This Topic

Coming soon in an article by Ted Rall. He advocates a hard-left push into workers rights and pay as a rallying point to generate even more progressive enthusiasm for Democrats in the upcoming election cycles.

I agree that it is time to shake off the fear of the anarcho-fascist Republicans and campaign hard on people issues. Including workers rights, against employment at will laws and for higher minimum wages.