I enjoyed listening to the conversation you two had. One of the things that came to mind as I listened was the following:
Many commentators say the Biden administration didn't communicate their successes well enough. That there was a "messaging problem". But that assumes voters would be excited about the successes. I find most Democrats express far too much enthusiasm for policy wins many voters view as blasé. Inflation Reduction Act -- scratching the surface. CHIPS Act -- yawn. Respect for Marriage Act -- you mean this didn't exist already? The policy vision Democrats articulate has become so timid. Many of us find Medicare-for-All, tuition-free public education, or nationwide rent-control to be moderate stances. To hear a candidate advocate expanding the child tax credit as if it's bold is just totally dispiriting. We want societal transformation goddammit. Not wishy-washy incrementalism. To be sure, the Inflation Reduction Act, CHIPS, and Respect for Marriage Act will improve lives. And Republican obstructionism obviously impedes bolder policy. But now that we know courting conservatives with Cheney has little effect, it's time to expand the Democratic electorate with policies that will bring in non-, irregular, and third party voters. It's time for the Democrats to follow in, and with, the footsteps of BLOC and take seriously the ideas from the many communities so often neglected -- and those folks who aren't so easily regarded as part of "a community". There may be some discordance in the wisdoms of many communities. But in the discordances' common threads, I think the roots of consistent electoral success can be found.
I enjoyed listening to the conversation you two had. One of the things that came to mind as I listened was the following:
Many commentators say the Biden administration didn't communicate their successes well enough. That there was a "messaging problem". But that assumes voters would be excited about the successes. I find most Democrats express far too much enthusiasm for policy wins many voters view as blasé. Inflation Reduction Act -- scratching the surface. CHIPS Act -- yawn. Respect for Marriage Act -- you mean this didn't exist already? The policy vision Democrats articulate has become so timid. Many of us find Medicare-for-All, tuition-free public education, or nationwide rent-control to be moderate stances. To hear a candidate advocate expanding the child tax credit as if it's bold is just totally dispiriting. We want societal transformation goddammit. Not wishy-washy incrementalism. To be sure, the Inflation Reduction Act, CHIPS, and Respect for Marriage Act will improve lives. And Republican obstructionism obviously impedes bolder policy. But now that we know courting conservatives with Cheney has little effect, it's time to expand the Democratic electorate with policies that will bring in non-, irregular, and third party voters. It's time for the Democrats to follow in, and with, the footsteps of BLOC and take seriously the ideas from the many communities so often neglected -- and those folks who aren't so easily regarded as part of "a community". There may be some discordance in the wisdoms of many communities. But in the discordances' common threads, I think the roots of consistent electoral success can be found.