Progressive California Rep. Ro Khanna argued against centrist Democratic Sen. Brian Schatz's statement that Democrats should not try to pass ambitious bills that President Donald Trump wouldn't sign if they win the midterms.
Why do you think not wasting resources introducing legislation that’s guaranteed to fail is “rolling over and pissing themselves like whipped puppies”?
It’s very important to demonstrate your party’s values by introducing and passing bills that reflect those values so that you have a record of where you stand that people can see, regardless of whether those bills get vetoed or not. Saying you should wait until you have full power, or assuming they are “guaranteed to fail” is self-fulfilling prophecy and is capitulating in advance.
It demonstrates exactly what the Dem party’s priorities are and what they will do when they have power. People will clearly understand what they will get if they elect a Democratic president and congress.
People will clearly understand what the Repub party’s priorities are when they vote NO on bills that they personally want passed, and when a repub POTUS vetoes them.
The Dem party will receive positive feedback from constituents when they pass bills that constituents want, and that will make them more likely to continue passing even more bills that people want.
It gets publicity and (if popular) builds more public support, which puts more pressure on both reluctant “moderate” Dems and even the Repubs, to get on board with voting for popular legislation if they realize they are more likely to get re-elected when their constituents like what they’re doing, but less likely to get re-elected when a lot of people see them kowtowing to their donors and voting NO on popular legislation.
Make him veto Medicare for All. Make him veto a $25 living wage. Make him veto free childcare. Make him veto Block the Bombs to Israel. Make him veto zero aid to Israel. Make him veto free college. Make him veto erasing student loans. Make him veto taxes on billionaires
assuming they are “guaranteed to fail” is self-fulfilling prophecy and is capitulating in advance.
This is not a “capitulation” or an “assumption”, this is a fact.
It demonstrates exactly what the Dem party’s priorities are and what they will do when they have power.
It demonstrates nothing. They can vote whatever they want, knowing full well it will fail, and is nothing more than a symbolic gesture. They could do the same with a simple statement.
People will clearly understand what the Repub party’s priorities are when they vote NO on bills that they personally want passed
What Republicans do you think want any of these passed? Everyone knows what their priorities are.
The Dem party will receive positive feedback from constituents when they pass bills that constituents want
Except they won’t pass anything , because they’ll be vetoed.
You are not correct when you claim that everyone knows what the Republican’s prorities are. One of the big talking points that got Trump elected was “No New Wars”. A lot of people are politically ignorant and need things shoved in their faces. Making Republicans explain why their political leader is vetoing helpful policies is one of the easiest ways to shove politics into people’s faces.
You are correct that these measures won’t pass under Republican control; it would still be helpful polticially. Even if Republicans vote to pass the measures because they know it will be veoted, this will be helpful by breaking the party unity of the Republicans. “Congressman, the President vetoed a measure you supported. Why do you think that is?” is an easy way to force politicans to force themselves to put distance between themselves and the larger party.
You are not correct when you claim that everyone knows what the Republican’s prorities are
Disagree, but let’s assume that’s true regardless and they don’t understand basic tenets of the Republican party. A veto is going to make them suddenly understand?
“Congressman, the President vetoed a measure you supported. Why do you think that is?”
“I support the President” The end. Already seen that episode.
It’s very important to demonstrate your party’s values by introducing and passing bills that reflect those values so that you have a record of where you stand that people can see, regardless of whether those bills get vetoed or not. Saying you should wait until you have full power, or assuming they are “guaranteed to fail” is self-fulfilling prophecy and is capitulating in advance.
This is not a “capitulation” or an “assumption”, this is a fact.
It demonstrates nothing. They can vote whatever they want, knowing full well it will fail, and is nothing more than a symbolic gesture. They could do the same with a simple statement.
What Republicans do you think want any of these passed? Everyone knows what their priorities are.
Except they won’t pass anything , because they’ll be vetoed.
You are not correct when you claim that everyone knows what the Republican’s prorities are. One of the big talking points that got Trump elected was “No New Wars”. A lot of people are politically ignorant and need things shoved in their faces. Making Republicans explain why their political leader is vetoing helpful policies is one of the easiest ways to shove politics into people’s faces.
You are correct that these measures won’t pass under Republican control; it would still be helpful polticially. Even if Republicans vote to pass the measures because they know it will be veoted, this will be helpful by breaking the party unity of the Republicans. “Congressman, the President vetoed a measure you supported. Why do you think that is?” is an easy way to force politicans to force themselves to put distance between themselves and the larger party.
Disagree, but let’s assume that’s true regardless and they don’t understand basic tenets of the Republican party. A veto is going to make them suddenly understand?
“I support the President” The end. Already seen that episode.