Yep - we’ve seen it. Denying it for some stupid reason is a waste of time.
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My parents used to call it, “Being too smart for your own good.”
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There actually is such a thing when it comes to presidential politics. Is the lesson of Adlai Stevenson too old to be relevant anymore?
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I don’t disagree with you but I would like to point out that this is at least in part due to the way that our national media cover campaigns. “Who do you want to have a beer with?” “Electability?” “Likability?” “Candidate is doing 3 percentage points better in our poll today among left-handed gay chiropractors. Film at 11!”
If they actually covered policy, really covered it in a way that would show voters how this directly affects them, we might actually be able to have a serious conversation about our candidates.
And while I’m wishing for that, can I have a pink unicorn, too?
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It’s a bit before my range.
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I agree that is what drives it - media coverage.
It might make a difference if they really covered policy but frankly I doubt it.
Well Stevenson was before my time too but he was mocked as an egghead because he was smart.
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But that’s nothing new. Back in the 1800’s people would come from long distances to watch debates. It’s always been blood sport and entertainment…
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You’re never there till you’re there.
And when you get there, it’s never about “an LGBT”-- or “a woman” or “a black”. It’s about some somebody. Who has a name.
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I agree. Nobody thought Obama could get elected at first, either.
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Nor are all white Christians conservative, either religiously or politically. Indeed, most are not.
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Ahhh yes! I remember old Adlai. He had all the smart people, they say. Unfortunately, he needed a majority!
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hahahahahahahahah yes it is most unfortunate but the majority isn’t that smart.
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Well, here’s an excerpt from a letter that Our Gracious Host received from a political scientist:
Remember that the folks who supported Bernie over Hillary were, on average, less, not more, liberal. This suggests that Bernie attracted his supporters on grounds other than ideology.
Our research suggests that the other thing is something more fundamental, what we call worldview. Those who supported Sanders have a worldview that values niche things over mainstream things. They stream rather than using cable. They drive hybrids rather than gas powered cars. They like underdogs and are repelled by the establishment.
This crowd not only voted for Sanders in 16, it voted for Obama in 08, and Bradley in 00.
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I’ve been “in the room” with Beto at one of his retail rallies here in Houston… there was a palpable “something” that he has in the way of working a room that reminded me of Obama. (And had lots of little blue haired Republican women did a bit of swooning as well.) Better than Bill Clinton’s “I feel your pain” (while patting your ass). Authentic.
I’ll be interested to see if he can mature in his candidacy in the coming months (as I am watching others as well).
The Bernie Bro reaction to him, however, means that the Sanders campaign/supporters haven’t learned anything or matured since 2016. There’s no joy in the Sanders campaign, just petty bile (see the Chelsea Clinton thread) – and that’s why Beto (or any of the other candidates in the running) will beat him handily.
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Interesting, and confirms some impressions I think a lot of folks have had. That includes some stuff Josh was saying with people who corresponded with him; it’s in his editors’s blog today. Basic idea is that a lot of people are post-ideological and not that interested in policy, and they choose candidates based on a kind of lifestyle affinity—what you drive, eat, think about the big questions, all that. Josh thinks a lot of Bernie people mainly liked the perceived rejection of the mainstream, and will jump ship to join with Beto because he has the same vibe in a more attractive package.
BTW he reminded me of Obama too, the first time I heard him talk about a complicated or at least controversial question. He can talk to people who come down on a different side of a question from him and make them feel heard, dare I say validated, and he explains his different conclusion in a near-magical way doesn’t suggest they’re wrong and bad to think differently. Lots of empathy and tact and sheer verbal skill. He may not have highly elaborate policy positions on every aspect of governance and statecraft but he’s a formidable talent and everyone else will have to step quick to beat him.
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And that was exactly why I wanted Beto to run this time and not wait. I was pretty sure he’d take a huge chunk out of Bernie’s support especially with young voters because they swooned over him in Texas and registered to vote like we could not believe! He can get people to register and vote for the first time ever.
If he can make it all the way I will be beyond thrilled. But I am just glad that he’s running right now. Very glad.
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Tell you one thing, his entire operation is unplagued by shyness. I gave him 20 bucks months ago to feel I had been part of it if he’d beaten Cruz. So just the other day suddenly I’m getting text after text from his campaign, Fatal Attraction style. I finally told them if they want money ever to take me off the list now and they did but like I say they’ll ask you with no qualms.
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O yeah - text, email - his organization is in place and working already.
Yeah we maxed out to him when he ran against Cruz, but we live here.
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2016 exit polls showed Trump was elected primarily by White Christians (Protestant, Catholic, Mormon), with majorities over 60%. All other ethnic groups (Atheist, Asian, Jewish, non-White Christian) voted solidly for Clinton, again with majorities over 60%.
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Yeah and here’s what Beto did in Texas that was so fucking miraculous - he got Evangelical women to desert their churches, their husbands and boyfriends and vote for him. It was crazy awesome.
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