Democratic Party 2017 and beyond

[DMT]

It's actually a pretty common debate in Democratic/Liberal/Progressive bubbles whether "our side" should be taking an ends-justify-the-means approach (which Democrats largely perceive the Republicans as having done far more ruthlessly and consistently), or whether we should "go high", to reference the Michelle Obama speech, and operate with respect for our institutions, political norms and general rules of fair play, even if that means that the GOP will "win" more than they should given the number of voters who support their platform/policies versus the number who support the Democrats' platform/policies. I've always leaned pretty strongly toward "go high", but it can be frustrating and it sometimes feels like "going high" is a loser's play.

Indeed...hopefully more "independents" will start shifting support away from the side that doesn't care about rules. Not holding my breath.

[nots]

Indeed...hopefully more "independents" will start shifting support away from the side that doesn't care about rules. Not holding my breath.

We are all informed to see degree with our personal experiences. Having grown up and lived on the Jersey side of Philly, my perspective on the Democratic Party differs from yours.
Within the last few years, I have seen the Pa DA convicted and jailed, the Phila DA convicted and jailed, Rep Fattah convicted and jailed, 5 members of the PA legislature from Philly convicted and awaiting sentencing, Sen Menendez indicted, Sen Torricelli before him, indicted, 3 mayors of Atlantic City jailed (one was a Republican—see both sides do do it) Rep. Brady investigated but not charged (still shocked about that) and the Philly councilman Fumo jailed. So when someone gets preachy to me about how Republicans don’t ‘care about rules’ I have chuckle a bit and point out that both sides really do it and where I am from it’s more likely for the Dems to be corrupt. Your experience with the GOP may be that they are just as guilty as the Dems I listed above are. Your experience may be that the Democrats where you are from are all virtuous servants above reproach. My experience, as out lined above, is decidedly different. And to be fair, Congressman Hughes (later Ambassador) was a great public servant and represented my district for two decades in a positive manner.

[baldgriff]

We are all informed to see degree with our personal experiences. Having grown up and lived on the Jersey side of Philly, my perspective on the Democratic Party differs from yours.
Within the last few years, I have seen the Pa DA convicted and jailed, the Phila DA convicted and jailed, Rep Fattah convicted and jailed, 5 members of the PA legislature from Philly convicted and awaiting sentencing, Sen Menendez indicted, Sen Torricelli before him, indicted, 3 mayors of Atlantic City jailed (one was a Republican—see both sides do do it) Rep. Brady investigated but not charged (still shocked about that) and the Philly councilman Fumo jailed. So when someone gets preachy to me about how Republicans don’t ‘care about rules’ I have chuckle a bit and point out that both sides really do it and where I am from it’s more likely for the Dems to be corrupt. Your experience with the GOP may be that they are just as guilty as the Dems I listed above are. Your experience may be that the Democrats where you are from are all virtuous servants above reproach. My experience, as out lined above, is decidedly different. And to be fair, Congressman Hughes (later Ambassador) was a great public servant and represented my district for two decades in a positive manner.

Chicago..........

[senorsheep]

Chicago..........

"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy."

[nots]

Not to pile on but we could be headed for a 4th Atlantic City mayor in my adult lifetime headed to jail.

https://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/press/atlantic_city/fbi-raids-atlantic-city-mayor-s-house-state-monitoring-situation/article_5705f0d1-582e-5e06-a986-7ff22583a88f.html

This 2 weeks after he and a city councilman got into a 2AM fist fight outside a casino-neither will be charged in that incident.

[DMT]

I spent five years in Chicago and saw the corruption from that side as well. Decades of unadulterated power have completely corrupted them. Divided government, when both sides are willing to compromise while respecting the rule of law, is generally a good thing.

[revo]

Not to pile on but we could be headed for a 4th Atlantic City mayor in my adult lifetime headed to jail.
https://www.nj.com/atlantic/index.ss...am_recall.html

Where's Nucky Thompson when you need him?

[nots]

Where's Nucky Thompson when you need him?

Nucky was a pro’s pro. Not this amateur hour stuff that’s been going on since the legal casinos came.

[Judge Jude]

I have mentioned that Don Guardian, the previous Atlantic City Mayor - while elected as an openly gay Republican in a 90 pct Democratic city - will mainly be remembered in history as "the one who didn't go to jail, or even get indicted."

[nots]

I have mentioned that Don Guardian, the previous Atlantic City Mayor - while elected as an openly gay Republican in a 90 pct Democratic city - will mainly be remembered in history as "the one who didn't go to jail, or even get indicted."

I think he did a pretty good job overall, but having 5 different casinos close under his watch and the subsequent state takeover effectively doomed him. Neither was his fault, but given the political demographics, he was going to pay the price.

[nots]

Looks like Michigan GOP following in the steps of NJ Dems and letting a bad bill die.

https://news.yahoo.com/michigan-republicans-effort-curb-democrats-power-hits-snag-180148864.html

[B-Fly]

AOC is growing awesomer by the day. Loving both the dance video leaked to embarrass her and her response to it.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/04/politics/ocasio-cortez-dancing-video-trnd/index.html

[baldgriff]

AOC will be interesting to watch. In my mind she is overly idealistic and will probably find frustration that the game isnt played how she wants it to be played. We will see where her tenure leads, but I will admit when I heard her say that Congress shouldnt be getting paid during the "outage" - well it is one thing I can agree with her on.

[In the Corn]

AOC is growing awesomer by the day. Loving both the dance video leaked to embarrass her and her response to it.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/04/polit...rnd/index.html

I hope she doesn't decide she needs to clap back at every naysayer on social media.

This old video is great, and IMO, makes her more of a real person than we anticipate from our politicians. If she decides she needs to respond to every spat on Twitter, she'll be a more refined Donald Trump. Don't let everyone be in your ear.

[DMT]

I hope she doesn't decide she needs to clap back at every naysayer on social media.

This old video is great, and IMO, makes her more of a real person than we anticipate from our politicians. If she decides she needs to respond to every spat on Twitter, she'll be a more refined Donald Trump. Don't let everyone be in your ear.

It's funny how she is under constant attack from the right yet when she responds she gets criticized some more for responding. In other words, "unlikeable", just like almost every other strong female Democratic leader. I love her response and her unwillingness to take any shit from her opponents.