AOC's alternative would be to run for Uncle Chuckles' seat in the Senate, which she might possibly win. (Schumer has "supporters" galore, but funders aren't voters.) On the other hand, a Senate run would endanger her elective career, whereas a Presidential run would not hinder her reelection to the House. On the third hand, AOC is a far far better politician than me, and she'll likely make the best move possible under the circumstances, whatever they may be.
On the fourth hand, she could use the threat of a credible challenge to extract concessions from Schumer. Most notably, the big two for 2029: ending the filibuster and packing the Supreme Court. (I don't think Schumer needs any pushing for DC statehood, and an offer of statehood to Puerto Rico.) Schumer is a real politician: he redeems deposits in his favor bank.
Anyhoo, it is Crypto Queen Gillibrand that I hate with the heat of 10,000 suns. Senator AOC in 2030?
AOC is a generational talent, she is Presidential material IMO.
Although in 2019 I made myself a Bernie 2020/AOC 2028 button, she is still very young to run for POTUS - I would like to see her running for Veep on a ticket with a good progressive like Jeff Merkley (up for reelection this year) or Chris Murphy (up in 2030).
I will admit that over the past couple of days I've been impatiently awaiting for your post, and you did not disappoint:
"A common objection to a dem-soc candidacy is that it opens the way for the other side. That is possible, but the problem with the argument is that it glosses over how extreme the other side is."
This is the most sensible comment as I've read/heard since the DSA went on the media blitz this weekend; when pundits and public commentary went amok. A condition that normalizes the current state of affairs.
However, what I feel that is being left unsaid, and in my opinion makes your argument for AOC running even more compelling is that, by electing DJT in 2024, the country painted itself into a position where only two paths are truly viable:
1) National Socialism, as in DJT buying a majority ownership of all key industries and the Supreme Court tearing down democratic guardrails, or;
2) Democratic Socialism, as in reforming the federal institutions that have been tearing to pieces the democratic guardrails in the past 10 years and re-establish democratic control over the socialist economy which is, thanks to DJT and Republican party, already in control of the major capitalist industries of the country.
Very sensible as usual. How is it that the number of those as sensible as we are can be counted in the dozens? :-)
I especially like your point that the price of competing in the Democratic primaries is committing to endorse the winner. I have always followed this rule. I was for Bernie in 2016 and 2020 until he lost when I supported Hillary and Joe Biden in the general IN SPITE OF real concerns that the process was rigged. Taking your ball and going home is not accomplishing anything. I believe it was some old time socialist who once said “better to vote for what you want and not get it than to vote for what you don’t want and get it.”
Another thing I don’t like about today’s Dems is that everyone thinks they’re a goddamned political strategist. I can’t support who I want in my district for fear of the ads that the GOP might make in Tennessee. Just vote for what you want and let Tennessee dems figure out IN ADVANCE what ATTACK they’ll counter with in Tennessee when the GOP inevitably attack the “woke” candidate in NYC. Hint: it’s not going on defense!
AOC's alternative would be to run for Uncle Chuckles' seat in the Senate, which she might possibly win. (Schumer has "supporters" galore, but funders aren't voters.) On the other hand, a Senate run would endanger her elective career, whereas a Presidential run would not hinder her reelection to the House. On the third hand, AOC is a far far better politician than me, and she'll likely make the best move possible under the circumstances, whatever they may be.
Schumer is so annoying he begs for a primary. I agree AOC could beat him.
On the fourth hand, she could use the threat of a credible challenge to extract concessions from Schumer. Most notably, the big two for 2029: ending the filibuster and packing the Supreme Court. (I don't think Schumer needs any pushing for DC statehood, and an offer of statehood to Puerto Rico.) Schumer is a real politician: he redeems deposits in his favor bank.
Anyhoo, it is Crypto Queen Gillibrand that I hate with the heat of 10,000 suns. Senator AOC in 2030?
UNpacking the Extreme Court.
AOC is a generational talent, she is Presidential material IMO.
Although in 2019 I made myself a Bernie 2020/AOC 2028 button, she is still very young to run for POTUS - I would like to see her running for Veep on a ticket with a good progressive like Jeff Merkley (up for reelection this year) or Chris Murphy (up in 2030).
Excellent article, Max.
Nice tour of the horizon
For dem soc 2.0
Restore the wage earning white base
With jobs and attacks on big capital
Wall street doesn't want us all
to have alternative jobs ready at hand
Attack the failed system
WS created in the 80s
And has run thru bi partisan.
Macro yellow flagging ever since
Macro with the brakes on
Must end
I will admit that over the past couple of days I've been impatiently awaiting for your post, and you did not disappoint:
"A common objection to a dem-soc candidacy is that it opens the way for the other side. That is possible, but the problem with the argument is that it glosses over how extreme the other side is."
This is the most sensible comment as I've read/heard since the DSA went on the media blitz this weekend; when pundits and public commentary went amok. A condition that normalizes the current state of affairs.
However, what I feel that is being left unsaid, and in my opinion makes your argument for AOC running even more compelling is that, by electing DJT in 2024, the country painted itself into a position where only two paths are truly viable:
1) National Socialism, as in DJT buying a majority ownership of all key industries and the Supreme Court tearing down democratic guardrails, or;
2) Democratic Socialism, as in reforming the federal institutions that have been tearing to pieces the democratic guardrails in the past 10 years and re-establish democratic control over the socialist economy which is, thanks to DJT and Republican party, already in control of the major capitalist industries of the country.
Again, thank you for Speaking.
Very sensible as usual. How is it that the number of those as sensible as we are can be counted in the dozens? :-)
I especially like your point that the price of competing in the Democratic primaries is committing to endorse the winner. I have always followed this rule. I was for Bernie in 2016 and 2020 until he lost when I supported Hillary and Joe Biden in the general IN SPITE OF real concerns that the process was rigged. Taking your ball and going home is not accomplishing anything. I believe it was some old time socialist who once said “better to vote for what you want and not get it than to vote for what you don’t want and get it.”
Another thing I don’t like about today’s Dems is that everyone thinks they’re a goddamned political strategist. I can’t support who I want in my district for fear of the ads that the GOP might make in Tennessee. Just vote for what you want and let Tennessee dems figure out IN ADVANCE what ATTACK they’ll counter with in Tennessee when the GOP inevitably attack the “woke” candidate in NYC. Hint: it’s not going on defense!
Re your 1st question, I ask myself that every day.