Democratic Party 2017 and beyond

[GwynnInTheHall]

I agree 100%, there needs to be someone who can bridge the gap between the branches of the party. I think that person is out there, just not the face of the future quite yet. Obama was making noises in 2006, but wasn't thought to be "the man" quite then, IIRC, so that person still has time. I just don't think that they can continue to trot out the same old faces and hope to win. The GOP is soulless, but they know how to win elections. And frankly that's the only litmus test that counts these days.

I think that Perez and Ellison can come up with a plan, hopefully soon, so they don't blow the 2018 mid terms as well...

IMO, the Centrists need SOME of the progressives, but not all of them. So the shifting of the party to the left has to continue, but not a major lurch that'll scare us old folks off.

What do you think of Franken? He's becoming somewhat interesting to me for many reasons and seems to be a good blend of both sects. I also like that he takes it to the bullshit spewers in politics.

BTW, is Elison really even relevant in the DNC? I haven't heard anything about him shifting platform to the left in fact I haven't heard anything about him recently.

I agree if the DNC can move just a bit to the left they'd gain important support, but (and I know there's a better chance of Trump releasing his Tax returns) If the DNC and it's core could just admit and apologize for the Primary, they'd garner support as well...but, well..you know.

Now that the special elections are over, we'll see what's up pretty quick as the 2018 midterms are right around the corner and they MUST win the Senate back or this National Nightmare will continue to haunt our dreams.

[Hornsby]

What do you think of Franken? He's becoming somewhat interesting to me for many reasons and seems to be a good blend of both sects. I also like that he takes it to the bullshit spewers in politics.

BTW, is Elison really even relevant in the DNC? I haven't heard anything about him shifting platform to the left in fact I haven't heard anything about him recently.

I agree if the DNC can move just a bit to the left they'd gain important support, but (and I know there's a better chance of Trump releasing his Tax returns) If the DNC and it's core could just admit and apologize for the Primary, they'd garner support as well...but, well..you know.

Now that the special elections are over, we'll see what's up pretty quick as the 2018 midterms are right around the corner and they MUST win the Senate back or this National Nightmare will continue to haunt our dreams.

Franken is a smart, smart guy, and a far better senator than I'd ever hoped that he'd be. But he's just got so much baggage from his days as a comedian, and a talk show host, that I think that he's pretty much unelectable nationally. Honestly, I hope that he remains as a Senator, and gains some seniority so he can do more.

Ellison is relevant as a politician, and as a figurehead for the DNC. They need a guy like him to appeal to the less centrist figures of the party, but they MUST start using him more in the right spots.

The DNC is never going to apologize, and the HRC faction is losing power...so there's hope in those two somewhat contradictory thoughts.

Not likely to win the Senate back in 2018, but hopefully in 2020...

[GwynnInTheHall]

Franken is a smart, smart guy, and a far better senator than I'd ever hoped that he'd be. But he's just got so much baggage from his days as a comedian, and a talk show host, that I think that he's pretty much unelectable nationally. Honestly, I hope that he remains as a Senator, and gains some seniority so he can do more.

Ellison is relevant as a politician, and as a figurehead for the DNC. They need a guy like him to appeal to the less centrist figures of the party, but they MUST start using him more in the right spots.

The DNC is never going to apologize, and the HRC faction is losing power...so there's hope in those two somewhat contradictory thoughts.

Not likely to win the Senate back in 2018, but hopefully in 2020...

You're probably right, but I just don;t get this logic.

Franken was a comic decades ago and his comedy makes him a liability? either he's good at what he does NOW and possibly even better down the line or he's not. Trump got elected and his past has more color than a fresca dosed with LSD.

WE, as a movement., need to get away from discounting anyone with potential because of potential unelectability--It's killing us.

I can't think of one thing Ellison has done since the DNC Election or did I miss something?

I know there will never be any kind of contrition or even admission (though the DNC Lawyers pretty much confirmed what we've discussed ad nauseum), but without one or the party moving left I think there's little room for compromise. I wish it was different and maybe it will be, hopefully, but I just can't see it.

Oh well.

[onejayhawk]

I am no one's Democrat, but I have to wonder where the new blood is hiding. Everyone is older than Reagan was.

The name of the moment appears to be Pelosi, who is 77. Harry Reid retired at the same age. Schumer, his replacement, is only 66 but Dick Durbin is 72. Behind Pelosi is Steny "WTF" Hoyer, 78. Steve Scalise was shot on a baseball field, in part because at 51 he can still play. Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio are 46. What Democrat has made waves and is in his/her 40s?

J

[Fresno Bob]

Kamala Harris

[swampdragon]

my local guy - Cory Booker is 48

Adam Schiff is 59

As far as Al Franken - I just dont think that enough people nationwide would support a jewish comedian

[swampdragon]

Kamala Harris

the top of her wikipedia page

This article is about the U.S. Senator. For the professional wrestler Jim "Kamala" Harris, see Kamala (wrestler).

[onejayhawk]

Kamala Harris

Wow. That is stunning in more ways than one.

my local guy - Cory Booker is 48

Adam Schiff is 59

As far as Al Franken - I just dont think that enough people nationwide would support a jewish comedian

Schiff is at least a reasonable age for the next generation, but he's not a young mover. If Booker is the best you have, that is not a good thing.

J

[GwynnInTheHall]

As far as Al Franken - I just dont think that enough people nationwide would support a jewish comedian

Again, I think this is flawed thinking, but something many mainstream Dems seem to subscribe to.


Trump won and who'd have thought a guy with his history could even be a candidate? The Governator won, Jesse Ventura and others deemed unelectable have won.

Al Franken was a Jewish comedian when he ran for congress the first time wasn't he?

I believe we on the left have a tendency to overthink stuff, we outthink ourselves at times. It's no longer an age where what you did or who you were 20+ years ago is relevant outside of soundbite fodder. (with some obvious exceptions)

I'm not saying I think Franken is the guy, nor that I'd support a run by him--I'm just saying it's time we stopped crossing potential candidates off the list because of electability.

[Hornsby]

There are plenty of younger Democrats out there, Booker, as already mentioned, Any Klobuchar, Chris Murphy, Governor Hickenlooper from Colorado, a dark horse that I really am impressed by, Deval Patrick from Massachusetts...

No shortage of younger Dems to capture the flag long before campaign season.

[Wonderboy]

I remember when GOP was laughing that some freshman Senator from Illinois being our best chance at winning the Presidency. And of course, when we all laughed at the possibility at a real estate investor from New York winning. We are political eons from the next presidential election.

[Hi.I'm.Mandy]

As far as Al Franken - I just dont think that enough people nationwide would support a jewish comedian

he's good enough, he's smart enough, and doggone it people like him

[cardboardbox]

he's good enough, he's smart enough, and doggone it people like him

I dont.

[onejayhawk]

I have been impressed with Franken's willingness to suppress his glib tendencies in order to do a better job. He does not come across as a comedian playing a politician, which is the natural expectation. Still, it would be a long hill to climb because of his very public past.

J

[GwynnInTheHall]

I have been impressed with Franken's willingness to suppress his glib tendencies in order to do a better job. He does not come across as a comedian playing a politician, which is the natural expectation. Still, it would be a long hill to climb because of his very public past.

J

Yeah because a shitty public past can prevent you from becoming POTUS.............or not.