A young, female, Democratic Socialist defeats establishment Democratic leader in NY?

[kentuck]

What is the message we should take from that race? Obviously, the enthusiasm was with the Democratic Socialist. Democrats were not happy with the establishment candidate, although he was a friend of progressives. What does this portend for the future?

Are Democrats going to get out and vote for establishment Democrats or are they looking for something else? We should not overlook where the energy is coming from in our Party. Without the energy, Democrats will not go to the polls, no matter how much we might despise Donald Trump and his policies.

Generally speaking, Democrats will not go to the polls to "save our democracy". They feel no great urgency to join in any unanimous choir to defeat the Republicans. They must be excited. They must have an emotional attachment to a candidate. Simply voting to save the republic is not enough impetus to get them to the polls. The average Democrat does not see the same urgency as you and I.

We should not assume that Democrats are fired up and ready to go. Some are. Some aren't. We should look at the NY race with caution. We do not want to dilute the energy in the Party by demanding some sort of loyalty to the status quo. Just my opinion.

[NY_20th]

1. It doesn't really mean anything, on a national scale

It was a liberal Democrat, with a better ground game, winning a liberal district.

It also shows that when all things are equal, voters are choosing female candidates.

[Demsrule86]

4. I looked into this and affordable housing was the issue...she can't do a damn thing about it in

Washington in my opinion, but that is the issue. The district is undergoing gentrification and many are forced out who have lived there forever. Hub's family lived there when he was a child.

[Demsrule86]

2. The race is meaningless nationally. One Democrat replaced another Democrat on the ballot...the

issue was affordable housing which Washington will not address and needs to be fought on the state level. The only lesson here is running on local issues can be effective. Personally, I am sick of hearing about it. And if Democrats continue to have to be 'excited' and coaxed to the ballot box than our party will not win. You have to vote even if you are not excited otherwise we lose things like Roe V Wade and LGBTQ protection.

So it is time to put up or shut up...you either vote or you don't...anyone can see the damage not voting for the Democratic nominee in 16 has done...and these so called 'exciting' candidates work only in certain districts and certain states. She would not get elected in a red state or district...so it seems that Dean's 50 state strategy is the way to go...and a big tent is needed for a majority without with we are sitting ducks.

If one looks at the Senate realistically, it is clear that we need moderate Senators from red states or we will not hold a majority ever which means even if we have the presidency, we will not get judges. If we can take the Senate in 18 which is tough...we can stop Trump cold in terms of judges and most other things the maniac president wants to do. We absolutely need the Senate and the presidency in 20, Ginsberg can't hold on forever

[Orsino]

3. It's still only one race.

It would be hard to say anything more definite than that Ocasio-Cortez outdid the incumbent. She campaigned like hell, and seems the far more likeable of the two.

I guess it proves that identifying as a Democratic Socialist isn't a deal-breaker these days. Nto everywhere.

[marble falls]

5. The message for Democratic candidates is: stop tacking to the right. Trump ...

has a lock on the regressive vote. Stop acting like all we have to do is show up. Act like its a fight and we have to win. Because it is a fight and we have to win.

[RandiFan1290]

6. Hope the Dems don't try to run a 3rd party candidate

Like they did in Florida 2010 Senate race against the Democratic candidate Kendrick Meek.

[emulatorloo]

7. Do you have any indication that this will happen? No, of course you don't

[emulatorloo]

8. A Liberal district replaced an older liberal with a more liberal younger candidate

who ran a better campaign.

[Garrett78]

9. A district where the demographics have changed.

Overall, incumbents and establishment favorites are dominating.