Why So Many Reporters Are Missing the Political Story of the Decade

[sheshe2]

by Nancy LeTourneau July 23, 2018

snip

Frankly, someone needs to tell this guy to sit down and shut up for a while. Reinforcing the notion that a party that was led by Barack Obama for eight years has merely been representing the one percent contributes to the divide and reinforces Republican lies.

This narrative of Sanders vs Third Way reminds me of something Rebecca Traister wrote recently.

White men are at the center, our normative citizen, despite being only around a third of the nation’s population…But it’s not just in the numbers; it’s also in the quotidian realities of living in this country. The suffocating power of our minority rule is evidenced by the fact that we’re always busy worrying about the humanity — the comfort and the dignity — of white men, at the same time discouraging disruptive challenge to their authority.

When it comes to candidates, the 2018 midterms are all about the historic number of women (especially women of color) running, winning primaries, and doing it their own way. That last part is critical. As Jamil Smith pointed out in a piece about Stacey Abrams being the future of the Democratic Party, conventional wisdom for a Democrat running in a Southern state has been, “The only way the left has a chance in the South is to be white and go right.” Abrams rejected that and said this: “My being a black woman is not a deficit…It is a strength. Because I could not be where I am had I not overcome so many other barriers. Which means you know I’m relentless, you know I’m persistent, and you know I’m smart.” A recent poll shows Abrams within two points (i.e., within the margin of error) in match ups with either Republican competing in a run-off. Smith more generally refers to a “palpable boldness” among Democratic candidates. I would suggest that is the key, as many of them line up across the spectrum when it comes to specific issues.


On the ground, Theda Skocpol and Lara Putnam were very specific about what the resistance movement among suburban white women was not.

This is not a leftist Tea Party, because newly engaged suburban activists hail from across the broad ideological range from center to left. It’s not a Sanders versus Clinton redux, because that “last year’s news” divide is flatly irrelevant to the people working shoulder-to-shoulder in the present. It’s not an Occupy Wall Street-type questioning of liberal democracy, because these activists believe laws can make good government as strong and transparent as possible. It’s not the 1960s, with young people leading the way—although there are lots of helpful teenagers in the background saying, “Mom, it’s fine: go to your meeting; I’ll get dinner myself.”



By zeroing in on the oudated battles between old white men, too many reporters and pundits are missing one of the biggest political stories of the decade as it unfolds right in front of their faces. That is what white male privilege will do to you.

Read More: https://washingtonmonthly.com/2018/07/23/why-so-many-reporters-are-missing-the-political-story-of-the-decade/

Really good read. 2018 my friends. Elections coming. Time to make a stand. This may well be our last chance.

[LonePirate]

1. I'm convinced Democratic women will save this country. They have my unwavering support.

[sheshe2]

12. I agree, Lone Pirate.

Blue and Pink Wave.

[Xipe Totec]

34. ++ nt

[heaven05]

2. "Elections coming, time to make a stand"

and this may well be our last chance to keep experimenting and getting our democracy right. Good read I would believe..... bookmarked. I read it. Yep. On all counts. Hopefully, the women and young people of America will help to overturn the patriarchy described in the article...and the lies trying to divide us along ideological lines. I want nothing to do with any type of socialism because it just won't work here. Not when it was first introduced 30 odd years ago and NOT NOW or ever.

This divide and sowing of chaos and dissension among our 'intellectual' base is obvious and self-serving by a minor faction within our Party. We better unify or die. Simple as that. Thank you again

[sheshe2]

13. Unify or Die.

That is the unvarnished truth, heaven.

2018 it is.

Thanks~

[Achilleaze]

3. They are missing this story

and even bigger stories besides. Corporate myopia. The media are not, by and large, doing the job of journalism.

[Cha]

11. The US "media" manufactures and manipulates

"news" by and large.

[bettyellen]

4. It's the story they miss while they chase bigots in Pittsburg bars for their embarrassing opinions-

Last edited Thu Jul 26, 2018, 08:35 PM - Edit history (1)

Which reveal only their ignorant fears and anger.
Women are the story now.

[sheshe2]

15. Women are the story now.

Yes they are, bettyellen.

I have a great follow up story to post about this.

[bettyellen]

33. Cool. I am so disappointed by he general reaction of men towards Trump.

Really bummed they’re not as disgusted as they should be. It’s not affecting their lives.

[sheshe2]

35. Yep.

I have two. Not sure what they think now...but sad.

We are all Dems except those two.

Sigh~

[yallerdawg]

5. Alabama's lone Democratic representative in Congress.

Rep. Terri Sewell.



White males are getting spread thin - even in the South!

[Cha]

7. Aww.. Thanks for that,

yallerdawg!

[sheshe2]

21. Standing in front of The Edmund Pettus Bridge.

Terri Sewell is awesome.

[DAMANgoldberg]

49. Rep. Sewell grew up in Selma

and is about my age. There is a good chance she won't be the only D in Alabama congress. Keep an eye out for Tabitha Isner AL-2 [Montgomery, Dothan, Troy, etc.], a real shot at winning. There are democratic challengers in every district, hard pressed to see any of them winning outside of Isner.

Currently in NC-12, Rep. Alma Adams and Vi Lyles, Mayor. #blackgirlmagic.

[sheshe2]

53. Thanks for the heads up.

The more D's the better. I will be watching.

Thank you, DAMAN.

[DAMANgoldberg]

54. YW

As an aside: My only thought on RNC2020 being here is that I would be shocked if he was still president then. That must be one of 2 thoughts behind Council and Mayor going for the convention. Money and Pres. Pence, or better yet, Haley (90 mi S, Clemson, etc.).

[Cha]

6. David Hogg Agrees with you, she.. and me.. and anyone else who

is Paying Attention!

Link to tweet

Nancy is correct!

This is not a leftist Tea Party, because newly engaged suburban activists hail from across the broad ideological range from center to left. It’s not a Sanders versus Clinton redux, because that “last year’s news” divide is flatly irrelevant to the people working shoulder-to-shoulder in the present. It’s not an Occupy Wall Street-type questioning of liberal democracy, because these activists believe laws can make good government as strong and transparent as possible.

Like some try to make it. Looking at you BS.

HalleFreakinLujah, Nancy!!

"Frankly, someone needs to tell this guy to sit down and shut up for a while. Reinforcing the notion that a party that was led by Barack Obama for eight years has merely been representing the one percent contributes to the divide and reinforces Republican lies."

Why does "BS vote with Dems 90% of the time" if it's the party of "1% and not Working People"?! Riddle me that Catch22!

Thank You she and Nancy!

[sheshe2]

38. David and Nancy are correct, Cha.

David Hogg
✔
@davidhogg111
These Midterms could be the last election of our lifetime. VOTE

3:42 PM - Jul 22, 2018

Correct. I posted this from Malcom Nance.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210871624

Malcolm Nance also sounds the alarm about why the 2018 midterm elections may be the last chance the American people have to save the country's (and global) democracy from Trump, the Republican Party, and Vladimir Putin's autocratic plot.


We have to make this right Cha. We have too.

[Cha]

39. Yeah, and WE CAN DO without BS' disingenous input.. WE ARE THE WORKERS..

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[Victor_c3]

41. That's true, the majority of the "real" working class isn't white male

It’s minority and overwhelmingly female.

The image of a white male worker wearing a hard hat is false.

[Cha]

42. Thank You, Victor! That's reality BASED.

[sheshe2]

44. #FANFUCKINGTWEET!

Brava, Cha. Awesome.

[Cha]

47. Happy to contribute Reality Based Backup to Nancy's

paragraph about BS.

And THIS..

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[EndGOPPropaganda]

8. Political story of the CENTURY. Nm

An American political party has joined with a foreign enemy to take autocratic power.

Biggest political story of the century.

[bucolic_frolic]

18. And that's what Democrats were accused of in the 1920s and 1960s and 1970s

being indebted to foreign socialism or even communism as pinko traitors. How come it was evil back then but now its a feather in their cap?

[EndGOPPropaganda]

27. Because American billionaires built a propaganda machine

To demonize Dems.
GOP billionaire donors built the car and are now surprised someone has hijacked it.

[nolabels]

63. The billionaires don't give crap who's driving, they just want to make sure their estates are safe

They are perfectly happy watching the rest of us fighting with each other. Their biggest trick is mixing it up and keeping everything in chaos

[ancianita]

9. Of all the last stands, this, indeed, is going to be The Last Stand. Thanks.

[msongs]

10. that would be old white heterosexual men minority group. white gay men

are predominantly anti right wing, which is why delusional log cabin repubs stand out so much

[JI7]

14. and christian

[sheshe2]

23. Are you banging your head at my Op?

Did you miss the word 'not'?

PS...What is a true progressive? That term is bandied about a heck of a lot.

[Squinch]

32. Perhaps read the OP again.

[sheshe2]

45. Self deleted.

[betsuni]

17. Good article, thank you for posting!

[warmfeet]

19. Well, I don't care what anybody says.

Wherever a Democrat is on the ballot, I will vote for them.

My family, my friends, are all democrats.

We vote.

[Pepsidog]

20. As a middle aged white man I say good riddance, white men have screwed up the nation and now it's

time for a new perspective. We thought Obama was the post-racial candidate but we were wrong. Obama was great but old white men and women can’t let go of their predjuduices and ignorance. We need women of all types, white, brown , and yellow any color you can think of as long as they don’t have a penis.

[Kind of Blue]

22. Yes, one outdated battle that Abrams handled brilliantly

by owning it and thereby endearing people to her was after that nasty Republican Governors' ad trying to shame her for being in debt.

[link:

|

[sheshe2]

24. Brilliant rebuttal.

A woman of the people, Kind of Blue.

Beautifully done.

[Squinch]

31. Ooooh. She's goooood!

[Kind of Blue]

37. Yeah, she really is.

I got all choked up because I was not expecting her answer at all. Those slimy bastards really know how to work every hurtful emotion imaginable. But Abrams really did change my feelings of fighting a little shame to full on pride for handling my responsibilities.

[PatrickforO]

25. Excellent opinion piece.

The author is right. Women saying what needs to be said, and doing what needs to be done, not the white male way, but their way.

[ProfessorGAC]

26. Again?????!

The notion that this has anything to do with Sanders invalidates all other completely reasonable points
But, once one has self-immollated it's too late for details
Another case of aiming at the ant when the problem is the rhino!

[sheshe2]

28. Again what???

What are you talking about?

[Cha]

40. No, it does NOT.. BS' message that the DEM Party is "1% and..

Not for Workers" is "invalid".. and it's important to point it out.

[sheshe2]

46. Aaah geez.

Never read the article correct?

Frankly, it really has nothing at all to do about Sanders. Nothing more than his rant about the 1% and Democrats as one only support the 1%.

The thread is about women fighting tooth and nail with facts not unicorns. I sure don't hear them basing Democrats. THEY ARE DEMOCRATS. Do POC have issues with the party? Sure. We all do. Yet we vote Democratic.

[EffieBlack]

64. Excellent article!

Frankly, someone needs to tell this guy to sit down and shut up for a while. Reinforcing the notion that a party that was led by Barack Obama for eight years has merely been representing the one percent contributes to the divide and reinforces Republican lies.

This narrative of Sanders vs Third Way reminds me of something Rebecca Traister wrote recently.

White men are at the center, our normative citizen, despite being only around a third of the nation’s population…But it’s not just in the numbers; it’s also in the quotidian realities of living in this country. The suffocating power of our minority rule is evidenced by the fact that we’re always busy worrying about the humanity — the comfort and the dignity — of white men, at the same time discouraging disruptive challenge to their authority.

In other words, viewing what is happening in the Democratic Party through this lens is a perfect example of putting white men at the center.

[smirkymonkey]

29. K&R

[ashtonelijah]

30. This moment brought to you in large part by Hillary Rodham Clinton.

“Outdated battles between old white men”? Hillary isn’t an old white man. I like this article, but I completely disagree with it dismissing the relevance of Hillary Rodham Clinton to the phenomenon it is talking about. She is central.

[brush]

36. I think so too. Women candidates made decisions to run after seeing how she was...

cheated out her rightful position.

[milestogo]

43. When women are in charge

the nutritional content on labels will be listed for a 1500 calorie a day diet as well as a 2000 calorie a day diet.

[we can do it]

48. Return of the Jedi

I’m ready to destroy the Death Star😡

[uponit7771]

51. +1, Red Dawn is like Vader but the dumb version

[ehrnst]

50. It is a good read. Thank you for sharing! (nt)

[Power 2 the People]

52. Bernie....standing behind the Progressive Democrat as usual

[link:|]

[Cha]

55. BS says "the Democratic Party is the Party of 1%

and Not of Workers"

Yet his fans on DU tell us "he Votes with the Dems 90% of the time".. Either BS sides up with the "1% and Not workers" or he doesn't know he's talking about when he attacks our Democratic Party.

[sheshe2]

57. Bingo!

He/ they can't have it both ways no matter how much they want to.

[Cha]

59. And, Thanks to uponit for

pointing that little Catch22 OUT! I'm just Running with it, she!

Btw, I clicked Tweet on your OP yesterday and I see it's on my Twitter feed out there in Twitterverse!

[sheshe2]

62. Lol!

Thanks Cha!

[Power 2 the People]

58. I agree, he should not have painted the party with a such broad brush. Here's the exact quote:

"The Democratic Party must open its doors, bring new people in, and once again be the party that represents working people, not just the one percent." In other words, we need to get back to our FDR roots. Poorly worded but I truly believe that's what he meant.

Regarding your assertion that since Bernie votes 90% with Dems he must be with the 1% and not workers,based on his Twitter statement:

Have you considered that maybe he only votes Yes on the bills that include benefits for working people? The majority of the benefits of most bills go to the donors.There's no denying that. If we workers get a sliver of the pie it is a major accomplishment. I'm sure he votes based on that premise. He may not like the entire bill but at least we get something instead of nothing.

You remember he wouldn't vote Yes on the ACA until funding for the community health centers was guaranteed? Sanders successfully pushed for the inclusion of $11 billion in funding for community health centers, especially in rural areas. The insertion of this funding helped bring together both Democratic lawmakers on the left and Democrats representing more conservative, rural areas. That's just one example of how he can vote 90% with the Dems and 100% for working people.

I'm sure most will agree that our party needs to focus more on workers needs and less on donors needs.If you don't think that's a problem then we'll have to respectfully agree to disagree.

[Cha]

60. Yeah, I've seen the exact quote.. not impressed with

him.

[Power 2 the People]

61. Really Cha? I could never tell you felt that way.

[R B Garr]

56. K&R! Thanks for posting, she. nt