Perhaps unusual for a Pit thread, I’m not starting this out of any special animus for one of the named parties in the OP. Rather, I’m starting this thread as a release valve for a few varieties of arguments that seem prone to taking over P&E threads, but could really use a place to be hashed out. Even if little light is shed and few if any minds are changed. In here, anyone can say their piece, deliver the shots they need to deliver, dust themselves off, and return to P&E to converse with decorum.
My admittedly not particularly Pit-worthy piece: Stevens made a horrific political calculation qua political calculation. The effect was akin to squirting a ketchup packet on building-sized mural. Her point was made, to be sure … but will it matter in the end? Will enough minds be changed?
DETROIT — Saying the University of Michigan had made clear that her support was no longer welcome, Haley Stevens announced Sunday that she would be rooting for Ohio State when the rivals meet November 28.
She stressed that she remained a proud Michigan fan and would continue wearing maize and blue while cheering for the Wolverines to lose.
I lean progressive and would like our party, and the country, to take a more progressive path. The infighting within the party is making me nervous and pissing me off. We’re facing the fight of our lives and if there was ever a time to put aside our differences and band together, this is it. I know these sentiments are not unique, but Turncoat Stevens brought them to the forefront for me. Not that I think her actions will change voters’ minds, but it’s a bad look that makes us look divided, thusweak.
Hochul and Mamdani are campaigning together quite often, so just because one in centrist and one is progressive doesn’t mean they have to fight or be enemies.
Actually I DON’T think it makes the Democrats look divided and weak, though I’m sure that was Stevens’ intention. Other than John Fetterman, who doesn’t really count, every Democrat from Chuck Schumer on down is denouncing her and reiterating their support for El-Sayed. The centrist leaders are refusing to take the poison bait, and good for them.
To a great degree I feel the Stevens heel turn is not entirely a Progressive/Centrist idelological situation or an “AIPAC taint” situation, but also a matter of entitlement. Of “dammit this was MY race to win!” with a strong flavoring of “the voters were fooled!” That regarding Centrist/Progressive, she seemed more sore that the Establishment decided to stand with El-Sayed rather than to aggressively pressure him centerward or demand disclaimers.
(I perceived a milder instance of the “wait it was supposed to be ME” in the immediate aftermath of Crockett/Talarico but it seems they managed to keep it civil.)
I just searched and I can’t find any indication he’s antisemitic. He seems pretty anti-Israel, at least with the current government there. My Israeli friends are also opposed to the current government and what its doing. Maybe they’re antisemitic, too.
Since a big part of the rift between them was about Israel, I do worry what alienating Jewish voters is going to do to the democratic party. Jewish voters may only be about 3% of voters, but Jewish voters donate a lot of money to democrats. Around 25-50% of democratic funding comes from Jewish Americans.
Alienating Jewish voters who not only vote but donate a lot of money to democrats, just to appeal to Stein voters who are perpetually looking for any excuse they can find to sit out elections to feel morally superior, could really hurt the democrats in the long run.
I don’t see Jews running to the republicans since the GOP hates them too, they just hate Muslims more. But I could see the Jews becoming more and more alienated as they have to pick between a pro-Islamist party and a white nationalist party.
Jewish voters are not a monolith. The percentage of American Jews who think Israel is committing a genocide is greater than the percentage who identify as Zionists.
And thinking that nominating a few Muslims means the Democrats are now a “pro-Islamist” party is, frankly, just the kind of ignorant racist bullshit I’ve come to expect from you.
Someone posted this take (which they quoted from a tweet I believe) on a Discord I’m in, and it sums up my feelings on this perfectly.
I fully agree that days before the general election is not the time to air your grievances with the candidate, but I strongly disagree with the idea that we should prioritize unity over hammering out disagreements and even going out separate ways if it comes down to it.
You know who prioritized unity over policy differences? Republicans. That’s how we ended up with people who, on January 7th, correctly identified the attempted insurrection as one of the greatest tragedies in this nation’s history, and then when it became obvious that Trump would survive this, they fell right in line.
Talk to Jewish voters these days, especially those involved in institutional Jewish life, and you’ll inevitably hear that they feel politically homeless.