2\The "trap," of course, is obvious. Jennings thinks he's set up a "damned if you do/don't" position: if she says "yes, everyone," it's a GOP talking point and they hammer her, presumably losing "moderates." If she says "ok, maybe not *everyone*," she's a phony and the left abandons her. - ThreadSky

dfs4114.bsky.social • 18 days ago

2\The "trap," of course, is obvious. Jennings thinks he's set up a "damned if you do/don't" position: if she says "yes, everyone," it's a GOP talking point and they hammer her, presumably losing "moderates." If she says "ok, maybe not *everyone*," she's a phony and the left abandons her.

Comments

dfs4114.bsky.social•18 days ago

3\This is a classic right-wing move to define the discussion frame, & force the Dem opponent on to the defensive. It's how they've operated for at least 40 years, and it's become reflex for them. Often because it works. Usually Dems accept the frame, and wobble or backpedal. This has 2 bad effects.

dfs4114.bsky.social•18 days ago

4\First, it makes them look weak. They're always in a defensive crouch. They're always getting their asses kicked. Second, it makes them look insincere, b/c when they abandon the position for a slightly more defensible one, it suggests they don't have core values. Both are electoral poison.

dfs4114.bsky.social•18 days ago

5\This is why Dems fail: they're arguing *policy* when they should be arguing *values.*

Kat, it seems, understands this. Maybe it's instinct, maybe it's calculated, but she seems to get this.

dfs4114.bsky.social•18 days ago

6\There's a split-second where (to my eye) she spots the trap and hesitates. We've seen this movie before. Most folks' political instinct would be "avoid the trap" by shifting to something that'll poll test well and avoid being clipped and hammered by GOP media.

dfs4114.bsky.social•18 days ago

7\But she rejects that approach, recognizing that this is a fight about *values* and the only way -- truly, the only way -- to make that a real fight, is to push back with your own set of values, which she does.

dfs4114.bsky.social•18 days ago

8\For at least 40, Dems have ceded the values fight to the GOP, instead of countering with their own set of values and vigorously defending THOSE values. They've let the GOP pick the battleground over, and over, and over again, and it's a big part of how we ended up in this awful moment.

Posting Rules

Be respectful to others
No spam or self-promotion
Stay on topic
Follow Bluesky's terms of service

Comments

Posting Rules

Reply