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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsQuestion to Ben Jealous: Do you identify with the term 'socialist'... Ben responds with the F-bomb.
From the Wash Post:
Maryland Democratic gubernatorial nominee Ben Jealous clearly does not like being called a socialist.
On Wednesday, the former NAACP chief was asked at a news conference whether he identified with the term socialist, as his political opponent, Gov. Larry Hogan (R), has labeled him.
Are you f---ing kidding me? Jealous responded, visibly surprising some of the Democratic elected officials who had gathered to endorse him.
More: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/asked-if-he-identifies-with-the-term-socialist-ben-jealous-drops-an-f-bomb/2018/08/08/1f67ca30-9b2b-11e8-b60b-1c897f17e185_story.html?utm_term=.7eef05154ae8
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This is not going to help him here in Maryland. He should either embrace the term or politely explain why he doesn't.
gratuitous
(82,849 posts)I think I'd respond with, "What do you mean by 'socialist'? Wouldn't you agree that we should be precise in our terms?"
honest.abe
(8,685 posts)I think that is the issue here.
pwb
(11,292 posts).
honest.abe
(8,685 posts)From the article:
The flap threatened to overshadow Jealouss announcement of the endorsements. At 2 p.m., he apologized for my inappropriate language.
In a statement provided to The Washington Post and posted on Twitter, Jealous also offered a direct answer to the question about his political philosophy: Im a venture capitalist, not a socialist. I have never referred to myself as a socialist nor would I govern as one.
pwb
(11,292 posts)We all know it's just a puke word they use to divide us. This guy is onto them. I'm proud of him.
honest.abe
(8,685 posts)Many are bothered by the term. This would have been a good opportunity to explain what the term means and why he doesn't identify with it. Just cursing back at the reporter was not the politically smartest thing to do.
Cha
(297,702 posts)are plenty of things to say "are you fucking kidding me?!" about. That was not one of them.
Like "touchy much?"
lapucelle
(18,346 posts)https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/asked-if-he-identifies-with-the-term-socialist-ben-jealous-drops-an-f-bomb/2018/08/08/1f67ca30-9b2b-11e8-b60b-1c897f17e185_story.html?utm_term=.709480cd6eed
honest.abe
(8,685 posts)Too late now. The RW media will be making ads of his original response suggesting he is unhinged.
lapucelle
(18,346 posts)NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)I do have certain expectations from those I support.
This was the absolute perfect response from Jealous.
Why isnt the press fact checking his opponents claims of socialist?
While Im not from Maryland, I dont see how this is going to bother them too deeply. Just like all of us,Maryland has been infiltrated by the reality star President. This is nothing.
honest.abe
(8,685 posts)I dont think his response was perfect at all. In fact he even realized it. He has already apologized and gave a much better response.
The flap threatened to overshadow Jealouss announcement of the endorsements. At 2 p.m., he apologized for my inappropriate language.
In a statement provided to The Washington Post and posted on Twitter, Jealous also offered a direct answer to the question about his political philosophy: Im a venture capitalist, not a socialist. I have never referred to myself as a socialist nor would I govern as one.
NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)These old folks who grew up during the Cold War arent as sensitive as you make them out to be. Dinner with my mother and her friends might shock you.
honest.abe
(8,685 posts)Also another factor here in Maryland is that this was not Bernie territory during the primary. Hillary won huge here over Sanders by 30 percentage points. Many are still bitter about the primary and partially blame Bernie for the situation we are now in. Jealous somewhat reopens those old wounds given his connections to Bernie.
NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)I mean that sincerely. I see it having no impact outside of positive, if any at all.
honest.abe
(8,685 posts)The 2016 primary with Bernie certainly raised my awareness of the meaning of term.
However, from a general political standpoint a candidate claiming to be a 'socialist' will be a net negative in many, probably most areas in this country. I am surprised you dont realize that.
NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)It doesnt bother you but you know its a game changer for others? Ohh. And Bernie something or other.
honest.abe
(8,685 posts)GulfCoast66
(11,949 posts)Due to the draft.
I am sure they are wilting at the word.
Seriously, besides DU and a few really liberal districts socialist is a death wish for someone running for statewide office. We just saw that in our own primaries. And republicans are doing handstands trying to pin it on all our candidates.
I think he just put the issue to bed in his race. Smart move and I think he planned it. He knew the question was coming sometime. So he releases a rite apology. But no one will be able to seriously call him a socialist.
Off course it pisses off so called socialist on DU.
I would like to see every Democratic Candidate outside super blue district do the same even if I would like the language to be toned down a little.
RhodeIslandOne
(5,042 posts)MiniMe
(21,718 posts)yardwork
(61,712 posts)bigtree
(86,005 posts)...and most Marylanders know Ben Jealous as a NAACP activist.
Why is this important to you?
Jealous, as a former NAACP chief, is obviously an insurgent candidate cut from a different cloth.
Were not going to win by tacking towards the middle. Hogans already staked out that zone, Jealous told the voters in Catonsville. Were going to run by tacking towards the people of the state.
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/06/ben-jealous-a-former-naacp-chief-tries-to-reclaim-populism/563597/