It seems obvious that if a majority of people wanted what Bernie was pushing he’d be the nominee.
But, Progressive Groups Demand Changes From Joe Biden After Bernie Sanders’ Withdrawal.
The leftist and centrists viewpoints don’t seem terribly compatible. Republicans are much more unified. I assume that if Biden doesn’t cater to the left, that this will have consequences, but what? And what can he do about it.
I think having Obamas at his side as he continues his campaign is far and away the best thing he can do. Appointing young progressives to key positions in his campaign and cabinet will be another important decision. Pledging to support some sort of comprehensive medical reform bill, infrastructure, education, blah blah blah… all the usual stuff that people want to hear will help. Progressive ideas are good and I would love for him to endorse the bulk of them, but with appropriate social distancing to avoid losing the core middle of the road democrats who are the overwhelming constituency of the Dem voting block. I’m just not convinced that young people will turn out to vote in the numbers that these activist groups claim. If they did, Bernie would be the nominee left standing.
There are tons of ideas that appeal to both groups – emphasize those. His platform already includes several – min wage increase, climate change stuff, union strengthening stuff, etc.
But this isn’t really about platform or policies – Matt Yglesias wrote an article recently (no link handy) arguing that the left doesn’t really trust Biden to carry out what he says he wants to. I’m not sure how to address that, but I’ve recommended before a VP that they do trust. I think there are a few possibilities, including Abrams and Warren, and maybe a few others.
He better forget the progressives. He’s got the nomination - it’s time to run back to the center.
Climate change and minimum wage increases are losing issues. We will (God willing) be starting to climb up out of recession come November, and “I am going to choke off the recovery with green pie in the sky” is a losing proposition. Maybe better to stick to how he is going to speed up the recovery. Trouble is, if he wants to do what Obama did, it’s already been done. A $4T deficit is not much better than a $3T one.
He should push the public option for Medicare and hope nobody can count.
Regards,
Shodan
This is the age of targeted ads. You can say one thing to one group of people, and something else to another group.
“I’m not Trump.” should be all he needs. If anything more is required, we’re a stupid, stupid country.
I don’t think so. If we learned anything in 2016 it’s that promises are more important than delivering.
Plus, progress could be made on both issues without hurting the recovery. In fact, both could help.
Biden needs to campaign on healthcare in a way that really strengthens the exchanges and offers a public option. Perhaps he could actually expand the eligibility of medicare/medicaid in ways that bypass states.
asahi has it (and Shodan in his backhanded way). Health care is the message, and this pandemic will only focus on that. He already has huge leads on that issue, even in polls that are less favorable to him than others. Emphasize that not only does Trump not want to expand coverage, but that he overrode the recommendation of experts by not opening up enrollment during the pandemic. He is actively trying to eliminate ACA coverage through the courts. He has no plan for covering folks in a way that would actually help during a crisis like this. That is a message that appeals to both centrists and leftists.
You can add in some minimal student loan forgiveness for low-income students if you want. That generally polls pretty well (as long as it’s not a blanket amnesty). Minimum wage hike also polls well (Two-thirds of Americans favor a $15 federal minimum wage | Pew Research Center), even if it might not be the best policy.
It’ll be a difficult balancing act for Biden, soothing the Sanders/Warren wing of the Democratic Party while convincing moderate/independent voters that he won’t wipe out private health plans and explode the deficit in a way that will make Trump look like a fiscal conservative.
Maybe he can find a way to present himself as Reassuring Uncle Joe, telling the country that we can have everything we want and need, merely by making sure that the Extremely Rich Pay Their Fair Share.
He’s not Trump, which is a major advantage all by itself.
A platform is worthless… It’s just text. It’s always “progressive” and the minute they are elected, its back to right-winged bullshit.
If he just keeps on being Biden (to, presumably, soothe the ‘Biden’ wing) while Warren just keeps on being Warren (presumably, “soothing the Sanders/Warren wing”), how do you figure a Biden/Warren ticket would fare?
Maybe I’m getting old and conservative, but I think we have to stop expecting the federal government to be an instrument of revolution. I want them to 1) step up in a crisis and 2) manage the day-to-day operation of the government honestly, competently and without drama.
So, I’d be happy with expanded ACA, good people at the State Department and EPA, and decent judicial appointments. Increasing the minimum wage would be good too. You might consider that “right wing bullshit,” but it works for me.
Biden/Warren would be the ideal ticket, IMO.
“If you don’t vote for me, you’re stupid” is a major reason why we don’t hear a lot about President Hillary, but you do you.
Regards,
Shodan
Can’t have 2 people over 70 .
20 years ago, perhaps. Today, Biden needs some (relative) youth on the ticket.
That is the fundamental Democratic dilemma. There are enough votes to elect a Democratic president, but you need all of them. Tack too far to the left and the centrists vote Republican. Tack too far to the center and the lefties go green and the blacks stay home. So mostly, the Dems only win when a Republican president has screwed the pooch so bad that one group or the other holds their nose and pulls the “D” lever. Kinda like now.
“Solid Liberals” according to pew, now make up about 25% of all voters. So about half of all democratic voters are progressives now.
Having said that, I don’t know if Biden can build credibility among the left. He can say anything, but I don’t think a lot of us expect him to deliver any of it. Honestly a lot of us never expected Sanders to deliver much, but at least Sanders would try. Biden won’t even try, he will give up before the fight begins so his promises aren’t really important. Of all the candidates running, Warren seemed like she was the most able to get things done since she has a list of policy agendas she felt she could do via the executive branch.
As far as swing voters in the suburbs (college educated whites who are turned off by the GOPs authoritarianism and racism) I am hoping they aren’t turned off by Bidens positions.
Hopefully Biden can just talk about positions that both the left and suburban whites can agree on. Public options, health reform, $15 minimum wage, reforming wall street, becoming carbon neutral by 2050, etc.
That will be enough for those who vote in every election. It won’t be enough for those who sometimes chose to stay home.