Born To Slay 10,996 Posted May 10, 2017 Share Posted May 10, 2017 https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/05/joe-manchin-bernie-sanders-primary-challenge-west-virginia-senate-2018/525918/ Joe Manchin, the Senate’s most conservative and Donald Trump-friendly Democrat, is facing a primary challenger. Paula Swearengin, a coal miner’s daughter and environmental activist, plans to run for the senator’s West Virginia seat in the 2018 Democratic primary election. Swearengin has the backing of Brand New Congress, a group formed by former Bernie Sanders campaign staffers and volunteers to support primary opponents against Democrats and Republicans in 2018. She also has the support of Justice Democrats, a group whose mission statement is to run “congressional campaigns that lead to a progressive and un-bought congress in 2018” and WeWillReplaceYou.org, a group that says it is “dedicated to challenging establishment Democrats unwilling to resist Trump’s agenda.” Her website is here: https://www.paulajean2018.com/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sid 6,755 Posted May 10, 2017 Share Posted May 10, 2017 Wonderful news I used to volunteer for brand new congress ...ıllıllı c h e r r y c h e r r y b o o m b o o m ıllıllı... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whispering 18,865 Posted May 10, 2017 Share Posted May 10, 2017 Yay...put another Republican in office. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeehawKylie 7,817 Posted May 10, 2017 Share Posted May 10, 2017 1 minute ago, Whispering said: Yay...put another Republican in office. Manchin voted to approve Jeff Sessions as Attorney General of the United States (the only Democrat to do so [even Heidi refused]). I get what you're saying, and agree in most cases, but I also believe Manchin has to be accountable for some questionable votes he's contributed to, where he was essentially an 'honorary' republican. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LePetitGAGABLover 21,234 Posted May 10, 2017 Share Posted May 10, 2017 Disgusting news tbh Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lion Heart 15,041 Posted May 10, 2017 Share Posted May 10, 2017 Are you serious She won't get far. There's very few people she'll appeal to in WEST VIRGINIA. ▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pie-kun 1,765 Posted May 10, 2017 Share Posted May 10, 2017 This is going to do more harm than good. Joe Manchin may be a conservative Democrat, but he holds a seat in one of the most conservative states in the country and is a much better asset there to progressives than a tea party Republican. Just reading the (very small) issues section of Paula Jean's website, she's talking about eliminating coal and investing in renewable energy, free college tuition and universal healthcare. Those positions may have merit, but they are out of step with the positions most people in West Virginia have. Trump promised to bring back coal jobs to West Virginia, Hillary promised more education, training and investments in renewable energy. The people of West Virginia overwhelming chose Trump. The idea that they're now going to vote a far-left progressive in as their senator now flies in the face of logic. We can't just run Bernie Sanders copycats in every race and expect them to get voted in. The US is huge and every city, congressional district, state etc. have their own unique shared beliefs, values, culture and demographics and if Democrats hope to regain power not just at the federal level but at the state and local level as well, they need to be running people who are in sync with the people who are voting for that office. Sometimes that means running candidates who are more conservative than most Democrats, but it is infinitely better for progressives to have a conservative Democrat than a Republican alternative. With enough pressure from progressive activists, a conservative Democrat can be persuaded to change their vote on an issue. A progressive group has almost 0 chance of persuading a conservative Republican to change their vote. I'm all for primarying Joe Machin if we can get someone better who can actually win the general election, but I really doubt this woman would win an election against a Republican in West Virginia. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whispering 18,865 Posted May 10, 2017 Share Posted May 10, 2017 13 minutes ago, IndieKylie said: Manchin voted to approve Jeff Sessions as Attorney General of the United States (the only Democrat to do so [even Heidi refused]). I get what you're saying, and agree in most cases, but I also believe Manchin has to be accountable for some questionable votes he's contributed to, where he was essentially an 'honorary' republican. Mancchin reflects the people of his state. They are blue dog Democrats, therefore that's who they vote to represent them. You can't apply black and white thinking if you want to tilt the Congress and Senate to blue. It will backfire. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeehawKylie 7,817 Posted May 10, 2017 Share Posted May 10, 2017 3 minutes ago, Whispering said: Mancchin reflects the people of his state. They are blue dog Democrats, therefore that's who they vote to represent them. You can't apply black and white thinking if you want to tilt the Congress and Senate to blue. It will backfire. To assume that because Machin is holding elected office, one he was elected to in 2012, he represents the people of his state and 'shouldn't be primaried' is really not true. Senators hold office for six years and in those six years public opinion of those they represent can change. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whispering 18,865 Posted May 10, 2017 Share Posted May 10, 2017 Just now, IndieKylie said: To assume that because Machin is holding elected office, one he was elected to in 2012, he represents the people of his state and 'shouldn't be primaried' is really not true. Senators hold office for six years and in those six years public opinion of those they represent can change. Trump won WV overwhelmingly just months ago. The people of WV could just as easily go for two Republicans. Trying to primary Democrats who are well respected in their state, especially states like West Virginia, is an idiotic move. Every state is not Vermont or California. You've got to understand the people of the state! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeehawKylie 7,817 Posted May 10, 2017 Share Posted May 10, 2017 1 minute ago, Whispering said: Trump won WV overwhelmingly just months ago. The people of WV could just as easily go for two Republicans. Trying to primary Democrats who are well respected in their state, especially states like West Virginia, is an idiotic move. Every state is not Vermont or California. You've got to understand the people of the state! Trust me, I understand. I have lived in plenty of red states. My main point is when does a Democratic Senator simply become a (D) for statistics? Say Manchin votes to approve the AHCA and some other Trump policies, what would end up being the straw that breaks the camels back? Democrats naturally will not vote for someone in the primaries who has voted against Democratic measures. The voters of West Virginia likely aren't going to be thinking along the broad spectrum you are. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whispering 18,865 Posted May 10, 2017 Share Posted May 10, 2017 1 minute ago, IndieKylie said: Trust me, I understand. I have lived in plenty of red states. My main point is when does a Democratic Senator simply become a (D) for statistics? Say Manchin votes to approve the AHCA and some other Trump policies, what would end up being the straw that breaks the camels back? Democrats naturally will not vote for someone in the primaries who has voted against Democratic measures. The voters of West Virginia likely aren't going to be thinking along the broad spectrum you are. He's not going to do that, especially since it takes benefits away from coal miners and their widows. The voters of West Virginia are going to go with someone who has their best interests at heart. Senators and Representatives have to balance voting with their party and voting with the people of their state. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeehawKylie 7,817 Posted May 10, 2017 Share Posted May 10, 2017 17 minutes ago, Whispering said: He's not going to do that, especially since it takes benefits away from coal miners and their widows. The voters of West Virginia are going to go with someone who has their best interests at heart. Senators and Representatives have to balance voting with their party and voting with the people of their state. It was just a hypothetical (which I hate when people use, but I had to do it). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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