Blowback from U.K. election burns Warren, Sanders

[JoeOtterbein]

Politico

Centrists warn Corbyn defeat highlights the dangers of a progressive nominee.

By HOLLY OTTERBEIN and ALEX THOMPSON

12/13/2019 09:10 PM EST

The votes were still being counted in the U.K. when a fierce debate broke out over whether the crushing defeat of Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party foreshadowed dark days ahead — for the left-wing Democrats running for U.S. president, that is.

As exit polls rolled in showing a landslide victory for Boris Johnson’s Tories, particularly in former Labour strongholds that had backed Brexit, centrist Democrats seized the opportunity to argue that a moderate must be nominated to defeat President Donald Trump. And they continued to press the case Friday.

“It’s a lesson for all Democrats who are eager to replace Trump,” said former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “There was no skimping on the progressive agenda and it was the worst performance in two decades. It’s not just economics. You have to have a candidate and a message that’s close to the zeitgeist of the moment — not just a grab bag of giveaways.”

The thoroughness of Corbyn‘s thrashing revived the longstanding debate within the party over just how ambitious the Democratic agenda should be, and provided fresh ammunition for the arguments of moderates who contend that if the party backs Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren, the primary’s leading progressives, they’ll lose the Rust Belt and perhaps even elsewhere.

snip

more at link

(BTW, The rumors that I would disown the best political journalist in the world for this article are completely false!!!!)

[intrepidity]

1. We should come out swinging with a strong offensive

Don't let those wimpy Brits dictate terms to us Americans! Just because their left-wing is ineffectual and easily defeated should have no bearing on us! We're the leaders, not the followers!

Strong leadership on the left! Point out why their candidate failed but ours will succeed.

Progressives need to progress, not keep regressing!

In an environment where strength and leadership is very clearly being rewarded, now is the time to showcase strength and leadership!

[BarbD]

2. Agree completely

There is a world of difference between the British political system and ours. After all we did have a revolution.

[BlueMTexpat]

3. This.

The fact was that Corbyn has been "meh" wrt Brexit and Brexit was what this election was really about. Because Labour has been fractured for other reasons (there has NEVER been a strong stand from Corbyn against Brexit!!!) and because of many other factors that are different in the UK from the US, the US punditocracy and those who rely on them need to rethink what they are saying.

As one who has seen "centrism" actually move the Dem party to the right for too many years - since Raygun - I cannot support a primary candidate who does NOT clearly stand for something different from the usual centrism and "go-along-to-get-alongism." The myth that Republicans will somehow and suddenly totally change their personalities is just that - a myth.

All one has to do is to listen, read and see what GOPers are saying and doing to excuse every single action 45 takes. If that doesn't convince people that the idea of a GOPer who will "cooperate" with ANY Dem is basically non-existent, then I am sorely afraid that nothing will.

[intrepidity]

5. I hate to say this, but we need a "Trump-like" candidate

And by that I mean: bombastic and unapologetic. Loud and even willing to be vulgar. One who can take criticism head-on and not even flinch. Opponent digs up scandal? Laugh it off and move on.

If we don't learn the lesson that is right before us at this moment in history, we will deserve what we get.

Trump has proven that the gloves need to come off, right fucking now!

[JGug1]

7. Vulgar, Bombastic, Unapologetic

If that really is what we need then Bernie is the guy. No one else running fits that description.
But, I don't agree. I think we need a candidate who can respond to tRump's bs with sharp, bright retorts that shut him off, time after time. Buttigieg, I think. (I'll vote for whomever gets our nomination, but this guy is impressing me more than any of the others, so far)

[JGug1]

8. Who you can support

I devoutly hope that you will work diligently for whomever the Dems nominate. There isn't one of them I won't be excited about supporting.

[intrepidity]

9. Absolutely. nt

[Polybius]

4. Jeremy Corbyn was way to the left of anyone running in 2020

He's appointed open Marxists to positions.

[BlueMTexpat]

15. Remember though

that this particular election was really about Brexit and Corbyn failed that test.

[JGug1]

6. Moderate or Aggressive Liberal

We should pick the candidate who has the best chance to win. I have a growing sense that person is Pete Buttigieg. Every time he is challenged, as when he was criticized for not revealing what he did for three years in the corporate world, he has responded with answers. He NEVER reacts. He always responds. You all *do* know the difference, right? (Get a prescription from your doc and go back in a week and she/he says, you are reacting. Conversely, go back and the report is that you are responding)

[pink]

11. The British used to have socialism

until it was whittled away by stealth by Margaret Thatcher. The problem with Corben was that he wanted to bring everything back in one hit, and more. I think in his own way, he meant well, but it frightened many people, especially those voters who weren't around before Thatcher. If the British who had experienced socialism was frightened of change, how will Americans feel. I have always thought that Warren's and Sanders' policy on healthcare was too radical to introduce immediately. I think that Buttigieg has just the right balance.

[tenderfoot]

10. Yes. Reaganism Moderate... The New Deal too far to the left

[groundloop]

12. I call bullshit..... just another hit job trying to paint a bad picture of Democrats

VERY FEW in this country follows what's going on in Europe, and those that do know better than to equate an election there with our politics.

[totodeinhere]

14. Thank you. I got a laugh out of that comment. n/t