I don't think Bernie was advocating a new, progressive third party nationally--he must know at least that such an endeavour would likely result in more Republican rule with less than majorities. One thing he may have had in mind is people running as independents in states and districts that won't usually vote Dem but are open to hearing …
I don't think Bernie was advocating a new, progressive third party nationally--he must know at least that such an endeavour would likely result in more Republican rule with less than majorities. One thing he may have had in mind is people running as independents in states and districts that won't usually vote Dem but are open to hearing a non-Republican message--which doesn't always necessarily mean a progressive one. Not for the first time, though, he could perhaps have phrased things better, and the headlines are a bit off-base.
AOC shows potential of how to rally frustrated or indifferent voters who are open to a Democratic or progressive pitch while firmly staying in the party, though I'd be wary of knighting her (or anyone else) as the Democratic saviour who knows the one path forward. (And some of the Bernie-related discussion here may justify David's rule against presidential primary discussion; imagine having this argument nonstop almost every day in 2015-16 and 2019-20.)
The idea of running independents in hostile and/or idiosyncratic states is interesting to me (I wonder what might have happened if, say, McMullin vs. Lee and Osborn vs. Fischer had taken place in a Dem-leaning midterm). Getting to 50%+1 is still a major hurdle, though.
It's something I've thought about before. Creating a "sister party" to democrats that could have a chance in states like Missouri or Tennessee. Something that is more distinct than the name change that DFL represents.
Whenever I mull it over in my head I get stuck on the problem that with the way congress works they would ultimately need to caucus with us or with republicans, at which point they de facto join either party in practice — voters know they're voting for a centrist democrat when they vote for Angus King, even though he officially isn't a democrat. It's hard to separate from a party while also joining their caucus in congress. If we had a more formalized coalition system it would be easier to make work.
I don't think Bernie was advocating a new, progressive third party nationally--he must know at least that such an endeavour would likely result in more Republican rule with less than majorities. One thing he may have had in mind is people running as independents in states and districts that won't usually vote Dem but are open to hearing a non-Republican message--which doesn't always necessarily mean a progressive one. Not for the first time, though, he could perhaps have phrased things better, and the headlines are a bit off-base.
AOC shows potential of how to rally frustrated or indifferent voters who are open to a Democratic or progressive pitch while firmly staying in the party, though I'd be wary of knighting her (or anyone else) as the Democratic saviour who knows the one path forward. (And some of the Bernie-related discussion here may justify David's rule against presidential primary discussion; imagine having this argument nonstop almost every day in 2015-16 and 2019-20.)
The idea of running independents in hostile and/or idiosyncratic states is interesting to me (I wonder what might have happened if, say, McMullin vs. Lee and Osborn vs. Fischer had taken place in a Dem-leaning midterm). Getting to 50%+1 is still a major hurdle, though.
It's something I've thought about before. Creating a "sister party" to democrats that could have a chance in states like Missouri or Tennessee. Something that is more distinct than the name change that DFL represents.
Whenever I mull it over in my head I get stuck on the problem that with the way congress works they would ultimately need to caucus with us or with republicans, at which point they de facto join either party in practice — voters know they're voting for a centrist democrat when they vote for Angus King, even though he officially isn't a democrat. It's hard to separate from a party while also joining their caucus in congress. If we had a more formalized coalition system it would be easier to make work.