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I’ve been tweeting since the election that all Democrats (and those who caucus with them) need to figure out how to leave room for each other call a win a win, otherwise even with the two GA senate seats, needed legislation won’t get passed. 1/
I’ve been both-sidesing on it somewhat because the right edge of the Democratic Party has been actively dragging the neoprogressives as well. But right now, the neoprogressives are showing the most naked version of harming the prospect. 2/
It’s clear that the vast majority, if not all, Democrats in Congress have supported more extensive COVID payments to the population at large.
Democrats in the house passed a bill *months* ago with extensive relief. 3/
Democrats in the house passed a bill *months* ago with extensive relief. 3/
Kamala Harris introduced a bill *months* ago with extensive relief. Republicans blocked those efforts.
The media has been both-sidesing the problem, of course. 4/
The media has been both-sidesing the problem, of course. 4/
Now, the neoprogressives are all over twitter positioning it as *them* supporting it in opposition to other Democrats. This is just political game-playing. Propaganda for the masses. And it makes clear that their intention, like many Democrats and Republicans with each other 5/
Is to keep other Democrats from being able to call a win a win. If it’s clear to other Democrats that the neoprogressives will dissemble to position their wins as losses, they are less likely to work with neoprogressives for a mutual win. 6/
They know the neoprogressives will still try to call it a win for the neoprogressives but a loss for other Democrats.
Neoprogressives are practicing bad politics if legislation that helps Americans is their goal. 7/
Neoprogressives are practicing bad politics if legislation that helps Americans is their goal. 7/
This is only good politics if promoting their brand against that of other Democrats is their goal.
Disappointing.
Disappointing.
Let me use an example: health care.
We need UHC. I can’t think of a Democrat who denies that. It’s in the platform.
1/
We need UHC. I can’t think of a Democrat who denies that. It’s in the platform.
1/
M4A is not going to pass. Neoprogressives have as much as said so, saying it’s a negotiating position.
But here are two ways this could go, if the Democratic caucus gets 50 seats or one and Mitt Romney to work on UHC. 2/
But here are two ways this could go, if the Democratic caucus gets 50 seats or one and Mitt Romney to work on UHC. 2/
A bill is negotiated that provides UHC. It’s inevitably considered a compromise in some way by just about everyone because it *is* a compromise, inevitably.
3/
3/
possible outcome 1. Right edge Democrats let neoprogressives tell their base that it was their negotiating stance that got good (to them) quality X in the bill. 4/
Neoprogressives let right edge Democrats tell their base that it was *their* negotiating that got good (to them) quality Y in the bill.
They don’t drag each other. They all vote for a bill they can call a win.
5/
They don’t drag each other. They all vote for a bill they can call a win.
5/
Possible outcome 2. Right edge Democrats are determined to say neoprogressives were awful in negotiation, don’t understand America and are hurting Democrats with their leftism. 6/
Neoprogressives are determined to say right edge Democrats want Americans to die and are corporate sellouts because they don’t support specifically M4A.
Some don’t vote for the bill because it will appear to be a loss for them to their constituents. 7/
Some don’t vote for the bill because it will appear to be a loss for them to their constituents. 7/
FIND WAYS TO LET EACH OTHER CALL LEGISLATION A WIN.
