It’s very “only Nixon could go to China,” in the sense that Democrats who call for general strikes and say “abolish ICE” are scolded by a broad swath of other Democrats and journalists, but when Brooks or Kristol say it, they’re treated seriously. - ThreadSky

pastpunditry.bsky.social • 7 days ago

It’s very “only Nixon could go to China,” in the sense that Democrats who call for general strikes and say “abolish ICE” are scolded by a broad swath of other Democrats and journalists, but when Brooks or Kristol say it, they’re treated seriously.

Reposted from Seth Masket

I, for one, think the median congressional Democrat should be to the left of David Brooks.
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/17/o...

Comments

scottmendelson.bsky.social•7 days ago

Not exactly a hot take, but it still enrages me the extent to which "people of stature" (however you define that) who were initially wrong but eventually came around to the right side of an issue are still treated with more seriousness than those who were right from the start.

dramaticowl.bsky.social•7 days ago

thank you. there was something about this and the reaction to it that was bothering me but I couldn’t articulate it. this is it.

dramaticowl.bsky.social•7 days ago

and not that it’s bad that they’re reacting this way, but it bothers me that they are taken seriously when a lot of people who aren’t rightwing or center right are not.

ignorantme.bsky.social•6 days ago

It's equally frustrating and encouraging.

jarow17.bsky.social•7 days ago

It's almost as if major swaths of the two parties are barely different and only care about the well-being of their corporate overlords while paying mouth service to their bases?

monicakeane.bsky.social•7 days ago

Apparently only they can do anything

omarsultan.me•7 days ago

There is a (way too big) segment of the party that apparently needs permission to feel and think things.

dcmcollectibles.bsky.social•7 days ago

You may have it, as do I, but if it gets traction....

lildonnyb.bsky.social•6 days ago

It is a bizarrely interesting dynamic. I think it’s because democrats exist to fight the left and coddle the right.

metacapitalism.bsky.social•7 days ago

Way left.

leonceg.bsky.social•7 days ago

Things land different with elites when you’re considered to be speaking from and on behalf of the white herrenvolk.

mopia.bsky.social•7 days ago

Whatever it takes.

whetmoser.com•7 days ago

only democrats have responsibility, only republicans are taken seriously. it's a real pickle

justinschuh.com•7 days ago

I have a related thought on this. Ever since Clinton, Dems have gotten power during periods of instability, when a bias for safety pushed them to the center. Whereas the GOP has gotten power when things were stable and people wanted to shake them up, so they've had freedom to be more ideological.

commchf.bsky.social•6 days ago

The bias for safety is cowardice imo.

deepkillaryblues.bsky.social•7 days ago

This doesn't apply to Biden, so it isn't true. 2020 was not notably stable.

piattodelgatto.bsky.social•7 days ago

"The revolution will not be televised."

—Gil Scott-Heron (1970)

jamkam6969.bsky.social•7 days ago

Don't worry, the Ds will figure out a way to make a galvanizing moment fractious with the usual circular firing squad. Just look at the dissatisfaction with Schumer, and yet, he remains calcified, inarticulate, and feckless as ever.

pastpunditry.bsky.social•7 days ago

And while that’s annoying, it creates an incredible opportunity for the rest of the Democratic Party to fall in line behind Brooks and Kristol. They’re right, and now you have the cover you apparently needed to act!

rainywindo.bsky.social•7 days ago

Dear. God.

truebluekew.bsky.social•7 days ago

Wow, I hadn't thought of that. This is a REALLY good point!

celticdragon1.bsky.social•7 days ago

Bingo. The "Savvy" pundit types can sneer at progressives forever but it becomes much more difficult to ignore when members of their own tribe start radicalizing

catznjam.bsky.social•7 days ago

Work together!! Solidarity Now! 💪😘👍🗽🇺🇲🫂 Let's do this!!

kenyoungblood.bsky.social•7 days ago

Liberals have always been treated as silly hearts and layabouts while conservatives are seen as "serious" people.

theluggage.bsky.social•7 days ago

Why any listens to the likes of Brooks, Frum and Kristol is astonishing to me. They, helped Rove literally build the post-truth era dining table that Trump gorges himself at. We am warned them at every turn and they typical response was that arrogant schmarmy grin.

kdmpa.bsky.social•7 days ago

It’s as if a view that Democrats have is outside the bounds of the rational or respectable mainstream until a conservative legitimizes it

kkdithereens.bsky.social•7 days ago

One republican opinion is worth about 10k democrat ones apparently (or more). Are democrats imaginary? This is such a stupid phenomenon.

becks58.bsky.social•7 days ago

Joined a meeting with our Democratic congressman this week. When he actually uttered the words “general strike” himself, I nearly fell off my chair! It’s coming…eventually. 🪧🙌🏼🤞🏼

creaturre.bsky.social•7 days ago

Yah. I saw Ezra Klein suddenly losing his calm and then Oops, the NY Times is waking up.

talyaschwartz.bsky.social•7 days ago

All will be revealed in our next few primary processes - the democratic strategists have lost their way and 'abolish ice' won't win either. The people who will win, will be able to make the moral and popular case, they are not in conflict. It's such a stupid binary.

johncraighammond.bsky.social•7 days ago

If this is where we find ourselves, I'll take it.

pete-etep.bsky.social•5 days ago

As long as the bulwark types are followers, not leaders. The progressive caucus get to steer.

celticdragon1.bsky.social•7 days ago

Agree

goldensama.bsky.social•7 days ago

Part of me wants to be so angry that Dems will listen to Brooks and Kristol after years of ignoring leftists; and part of me is just happy they might finally be on board for some real lefty shit.

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