NY-16: Progressive Democrats Scramble to Save One of Their Stars From Defeat

[RandySF]

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York has declared the race her most pressing electoral priority. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont is slated to join her for a pre-election rally in the Bronx. And a powerful pro-Israel lobby working for the other side has already shattered spending records.

The House primary between Representative Jamaal Bowman, a left-wing Democratic darling, and George Latimer, a more moderate challenger, was always expected to be a marquee showcase of their party’s divisions over the Israel-Hamas war.

But with early voting underway, the June 25 contest in New York has exploded into a proxy war for the Democratic Party’s future, tearing open old wounds over race, class and ideology in the heart of a presidential election year.

On one side, nearly the entire local Democratic establishment, including Mr. Sanders’s 2016 rival, Hillary Clinton, has lined up behind Mr. Latimer, the Westchester County executive. So has the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a pro-Israel lobby that has already spent $12 million — more than any other race in its history — to try to defeat Mr. Bowman over his criticism of Israel.

On the other side, Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, the other members of the House’s left-wing “squad” and their progressive coalition are undertaking a desperate rescue mission, draining bank accounts and leveling increasingly personal attacks as polls indicate that Mr. Latimer has opened a commanding lead.



https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/15/nyregion/bowman-latimer-aoc-squad.html

[yardwork]

1. This seems foolish to me.

It's essential that Democrats regain the majority in the House. Even if we succeed, we're going to have a small minority. There just isn't much leeway for different flavors of not-Republican. Either of these two candidates will vote with the Democrats on everything.

Seems like a big waste of money to fight over a candidate in a very safe D district. We desperately need this money in competitive races nationwide.

[dpibel]

2. This ran on the op-ed page, right?

Because it sure is a bunch of opinion.

Especially for a newspaper that will not abandon its high principles for the mere matter of preserving democracy.

[brooklynite]

9. What in this story isn't newsworthy?

[dpibel]

10. You really don't understand?

Or you're just posing as not understanding?

Where did I say anything about "newsworthy"?

There's all kinds of stuff on the op-ed page that's newsworthy; it's just that it's opinion and not reportage.

Your question is meaningless. I'm surprised!

[brooklynite]

12. You claimed this was "opinion"

What “option” is being expressed, as opposed to straight news?

An INCUMBENT Congressman is on the verge of losing a bid for renomination in NYC. That’s why it’s a news story in a NYC newspaper.

[dpibel]

13. Just straight reportage!!

This:

has exploded into a proxy war for the Democratic Party’s future, tearing open old wounds over race, class and ideology in the heart of a presidential election year.

and this:

House’s left-wing “squad” and their progressive coalition are undertaking a desperate rescue mission, draining bank accounts and leveling increasingly personal attacks

are, if not straight opinion, then some pretty painful purple prose.

Again, point me to where I said this story was not newsworthy. That is your very own straw man, and you are whuppin' up on him real good!

[oasis]

3. Since Bowman's fire alarm incident

I thought he may have a few issues.

[bottomofthehill]

4. I don't like him and would be happy if he lost.

Does he vote with the party most of the time, yes, does he do stupid things at times, yes, is he better than any Republican, hell yes, are their others better suited for the job, to me yes. It’s personal, he voted not once but twice against making security improvements and funding the US Capitol Police after 1/6. Those who put their lives on the line for him daily he looked down his nose at and voted against.

[ColinC]

5. Don't waste your time

Find somebody else who knows how fire alarms work.

[Cha]

6. I'm with Hillary and George Latimer, who is VEry

Qualified and will Vote with Pres Biden's Democratic Agenda.

[Renew Deal]

7. The question for voters is whether they think Bowman is worth the drama.

[brooklynite]

8. Bernie Sanders and AOC aren't the rallying point Jamaal Bowman needs.....

If anything, they'll turn out more votes for Latimer.

[Elessar Zappa]

11. As long as whomever wins

votes reliably for the Democratic agenda then I don’t care who wins.

[Cha]

14. Love the "Establishment"!

[LetMyPeopleVote]

15. Hillary Clinton was attached tonight for this endorsement

Ayman attacked Hillary Clinton for endorsing G. Latimer over a Justice Democratic candidate.

Link to tweet

I have cut back and will no longer watch Ayman