2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumI know this won't convince anyone to change their mind, but...
if there's anything that will keep Republicans in control of Congress, it is a Hillary presidency. I see no chance of the Dems taking back Congress if Hillary is elected, and we are screwed for another four years with the GOP in control of the agenda. With Bernie, he might be able to shake things up enough to switch the power balance, but I just see Hillary generating too much opposition.
I know Hillary supporters will say Bernie will drive the right nuts and even more desperate than Hillary. But at least with Bernie, people can see what is possible to accomplish with Dems in control-- a real progressive agenda. Hillary will just be a holding pattern.
Though frankly, the only thing really likely to get the Dems back in control of the House is a Cruz or Trump presidency, in the 2018 midterms.
HRC isnot prgrsv
(13 posts)I totally agree. A President Sanders will be able to change minds; he will have a national stage and he will force the media to report on his agenda and ideas. He is already the most likable of all the current candidates.
I do not fear a Trump or Cruz President, like you I agree the country will plummet further to the bottom in most important categories and in four years we can try again.
And to the Hillary supporters...it will be a Clinton fest for the right wing media...everything will come under the heading of impeachment. I can see a steady stream of committee and sub-committee hearings...it will be awful.
Ron Green
(9,823 posts)clarity of message, while Hillary is a bullshit magnet. Electing her will guarantee endless fodder for the M$M, but very little political will and accomplishment in Congress.
HRC isnot prgrsv
(13 posts)I heard someone on the radio the other day (a caller) say that her sister is a Republican and is disgusted with Trump and if he is the nominee she can't vote for him and if HRC gets the nomination she will not vote for her either, but if it were Bernie she could see herself voting for him because even though she doesn't agree with his platform at lease 'he doesn't lie to me'. I thought that was great; when was the last time we had a nominee that was honest and straightforward......so refreshing.
Fast Walker 52
(7,723 posts)after they find out how much she bamboozled them.
http://whowhatwhy.org/2016/03/03/how-clinton-media-machine-blocked-sanders-civil-rights-play/
But yeah, Congress will be a freaking nightmare.
renate
(13,776 posts)I like her just fine, but nothing will bring low-information far-right bigots out to vote like the possibility of a President Hillary Clinton.
procon
(15,805 posts)This is just the math of how Representatives are apportioned and has nothing to do with who the president will be.
Ron Green
(9,823 posts)control of the political narrative is something else, and a second Clinton presidency guarantees a moratorium on serious and broadly-supported reform.
procon
(15,805 posts)they will control the political narrative to a significant degree by continuing the current moratorium on legislation. That won't change, so the chances of any "serious and broadly-supported reform" remains an exercise in self-deception. It really is all about the math.
Ron Green
(9,823 posts)one that may or may not change with a new political economy in this country. The people, rather than the current "elected representatives," must take control of the political process, and until real representatives are really elected, demand of the bought ones that business be done differently.
As I noted, this may not happen even with Bernie at the microphone. It certainly will not happen with Hillary.
procon
(15,805 posts)"people, rather than the current "elected representatives," must take control of the political process". How do you propose to get the necessary Amendments ratified to achieve your goals? Or are you fantasizing about a civil war to overthrow the country?
Ron Green
(9,823 posts)just by showing up to reps' community meetings. Craven as they are, these cowards respond to grassroots organization if it's asserted.
procon
(15,805 posts)just because some Democrats speak up at town hall meetings?
It's a lovely flight of imagination, but the hard truth is the tea party voters had a huge bargaining chip over their elected Reps because they were the constituents who could vote them out of office if they didn't toe the line. On the other hand, Democrats can assert themselves until they're blue in the face, but here's coup de grâce, they don't vote for Republicans so they have no leverage to force them to comply and go against their own party.
It's still about the numbers, and until the math changes, your plans are simply unattainable.
Ron Green
(9,823 posts)If it happens, it won't be just Democrats who bring the change. It won't happen unless people from across the spectrum shake off the identity politics and wedge issues they've been sold, and demand a political economy that works for most people. It's long odds, but morally wrong not to try.
They're not just my plans. They ought to be yours, too.
Jitter65
(3,089 posts)this battle we might be able to change some things sooner rather later. Several GOP seats are vulnerable in the Senate this election year. GOTV!!
Attorney in Texas
(3,373 posts)generations.
Fast Walker 52
(7,723 posts)But I guess it's easier to focus on one big person, rather than hundreds of smaller fish.
Attorney in Texas
(3,373 posts)Lizzie Poppet
(10,164 posts)Her ability to motivate the base- the Republican base - is unparalleled.