General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDistubing fact about dem Congressional leaders--many are over 65!!
Eg, Warren, Pelosi, Waters
Did national and state dems drop the ball in finding, training, and mentoring next generation leaders?
It's clear there are many new young dems running this year, but they appear to have surprised the various state parties.
What am I missing?
DonViejo
(60,536 posts)Nowadays, the saying is "don't trust anyone over the age of 65."
mythology
(9,527 posts)It's about the position it leaves us in as a party. If all of our leaders are in the same age range it limits our perspective, same as if our leaders were all white men. Whether that's on what issues are important to our voters, but also how to reach them.
Also having our leaders in the same age range puts us in a weaker position when the current crop retires. If we then have a bunch of unexperienced leaders, we aren't as prepared.
DonViejo
(60,536 posts)I suggest you read: https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210823380#post2
NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)And they hold leadership positions? I'm shocked!
"What am I missing?"
The rest of the party and the understanding that "in finding, training, and mentoring next generation leaders" doesn't not equal a bunch of novices holding leadership positions.
Stacey Abrams
Pete Buttigieg
Julián Castro
Tulsi Gabbard
Eric Garcetti
Andrew Gillum
Hakeem Jeffries
Mike Johnston
Joseph P. Kennedy III
Seth Moulton
Patrick Murphy
Ayanna Pressley
Gina Raimondo
Michelle Wu
The list goes on.
Yonnie3
(17,419 posts)As an over 65er I am pleased at all the young talent moving up in the party. Many will help move the party to a more progressive agenda, a good thing.
But I'm over 65 so I can't want change.
NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)I really dislike this notion that splits age groups by ideology. It's very flawed.
I love how many new members we have taken in over the last ten years. They are our future. Dirty secret, it's not new. It's just really hard to remove incumbents.
Are_grits_groceries
(17,111 posts)Well take your disturbed self somewhere else. We have a good mix of young and old. Of course there will be some tension between the two but it should not be prohibitive. Each age may have different concerns but there are plenty of places to find common ground.
You better be glad some of those old people are there. Navigating Capitol Hill with its quirky rules can be a feat. I care about what they are dong not a date.
Yeah, some state parties were surprised. Part of it is that some are too hidebound and restrictive. Id like to throw a lot of SC Dems over the side. However, i know it has been very difficult in some years to find new people to run. A lot of people have heard and felt the difference with Trumpkins in charge. They woke now!
Response to bobbieinok (Original post)
johnp3907 This message was self-deleted by its author.
comradebillyboy
(10,128 posts)ismnotwasm
(41,956 posts)Which is changing.
meadowlander
(4,387 posts)and therefore it's not really surprising that most of them are over 65? Nor does this imply that younger democrats aren't being sought out, trained and mentored.
Mitch McConnell is 76 and Paul Ryan may be 48 but look how that turned out? It's not like the Republican Congressional leaders are all hip, under thirty and down with the kids.
LeftInTX
(25,103 posts)Therefore those in safe seats get reelected and tend to be older. They are the ones assigned to leadership positions.
The R's have younger leadership because they unfortunately have won more elections.....Elections have consequences and this is one of them.
LeftInTX
(25,103 posts)I don't remember people complaining about his age.
JustAnotherGen
(31,780 posts)1st that come to mind are Kamala and Corey and Kirsten.
Seriously - they are my peers.
The ones you have listed are Boomers and Silents.
My three - really fall under Generation X.
Also - Castro and my 'crush' Ted Lieu (49).
I know there are lots of folks that dislike Tammy Duckworth at DU because she supposedly launched a vicious inhumane cruel attack on a 28 year old woman - but yeah - another Gen X'er.
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)"What am I missing?"
A premise and a conclusion?
Evidence to support either?
A cohesive idea?
Relevant knowledge regarding the age ranges of party leadership throughout the fourth, fifth and sixth party systems?