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The Political Balance of Power in This Nation

Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2017 11:03 am
by Appa23
apparently hinges on the results of the Omaha mayoral election. I am left to come to this ridiculous conclusion by the fact that Senator Bernie Sanders and Rep. Keith Ellison flew to Omaha yesterday to hold a very partisan, very lengthy rally for former state senator Heath Mello, who is running against the incumbent (and first female mayor) Jean Stothert.

Does the Democratic Party really care that much who is Omaha's mayor? Keep in mind that this is a non-partisan election. Does Senator Sanders really think that a Mayor Mello will bring his dream of free college for everyone into reality? I wonder if Rep. Ellison took a strong position on our restaurant tax or proposal for street cars in the revitalized urban areas?

Unfortunately, Mayor Stothert cannot complain too loudly about making this a partisan race, as she is having Governor Scott Walker into town next week.

[I actually live outside the city and have not yet been annexed, so I cannot vote in this election. But. if you want to discuss a woman who has more demonstrable governing experience than Trump, then Stothert actually does qualify.)

Re: The Political Balance of Power in This Nation

Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2017 11:35 am
by Bob Juch
Appa23 wrote:apparently hinges on the results of the Omaha mayoral election. I am left to come to this ridiculous conclusion by the fact that Senator Bernie Sanders and Rep. Keith Ellison flew to Omaha yesterday to hold a very partisan, very lengthy rally for former state senator Heath Mello, who is running against the incumbent (and first female mayor) Jean Stothert.

Does the Democratic Party really care that much who is Omaha's mayor? Keep in mind that this is a non-partisan election. Does Senator Sanders really think that a Mayor Mello will bring his dream of free college for everyone into reality? I wonder if Rep. Ellison took a strong position on our restaurant tax or proposal for street cars in the revitalized urban areas?

Unfortunately, Mayor Stothert cannot complain too loudly about making this a partisan race, as she is having Governor Scott Walker into town next week.

[I actually live outside the city and have not yet been annexed, so I cannot vote in this election. But. if you want to discuss a woman who has more demonstrable governing experience than Trump, then Stothert actually does qualify.)
I'm glad the Democratic Party is concerned about local races. Keith Ellison is Deputy Chair of the Democratic National Committee.

Re: The Political Balance of Power in This Nation

Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2017 11:41 am
by silverscreenselect
Appa23 wrote:Does the Democratic Party really care that much who is Omaha's mayor? Keep in mind that this is a non-partisan election.
For far too many years, the Democratic Party didn't care all that much about who the mayor of Omaha was, or who a heck of a lot of other local and state officials were. Turnout for off-year elections was down, too many offices either went unopposed or with fringe, token opposition, and Democrats eventually paid the price. The biggest setback of 2010 wasn't losing the House; it was losing a bunch of State Legislatures that then proceeded to gerrymander in Republican majorities.

It used to be when Democrats got upset, they'd hold a march somewhere, feel good for a day or two and then go back to the status quo. This time they look to be more serious about taking action and organizing at the local level and they've got some wins to show for it in local elections since November. Obviously, they won't be able to fly big guns in for every local election, but they are trying to make a statement.

What a lot of people are missing about the Georgia election is the level of grass roots organizing that went on for Ossoff. This isn't just a matter of running a bunch of slick TV commercials, he got the vote out in an off-off-year and he presented himself to most people as a knowledgeable, hard working person with some good ideas, not just a left-wing wacko, all this in a state where Democrats traditionally get shellacked in special elections. That's how he got 48% of the vote (and the polls kept rising in his favor the closer to election day) in what was a 40% district.

So, yes it matters, and it will continue to matter in every election from now until 2018.

Re: The Political Balance of Power in This Nation

Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2017 12:11 pm
by flockofseagulls104
Jon Ossoff for King of the World, and Heath Mello for Prince

Re: The Political Balance of Power in This Nation

Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2017 9:12 am
by Spock
SSS>>>For far too many years, the Democratic Party didn't care all that much about who the mayor of Omaha was, or who a heck of a lot of other local and state officials were. <<<

Did the Democrats not care all that much, or did they just become non-competitive in large swathes of the country?

Re: The Political Balance of Power in This Nation

Posted: Tue May 09, 2017 8:59 pm
by Appa23
silverscreenselect wrote:
Appa23 wrote:Does the Democratic Party really care that much who is Omaha's mayor? Keep in mind that this is a non-partisan election.
For far too many years, the Democratic Party didn't care all that much about who the mayor of Omaha was, or who a heck of a lot of other local and state officials were. Turnout for off-year elections was down, too many offices either went unopposed or with fringe, token opposition, and Democrats eventually paid the price. The biggest setback of 2010 wasn't losing the House; it was losing a bunch of State Legislatures that then proceeded to gerrymander in Republican majorities.

It used to be when Democrats got upset, they'd hold a march somewhere, feel good for a day or two and then go back to the status quo. This time they look to be more serious about taking action and organizing at the local level and they've got some wins to show for it in local elections since November. Obviously, they won't be able to fly big guns in for every local election, but they are trying to make a statement.

What a lot of people are missing about the Georgia election is the level of grass roots organizing that went on for Ossoff. This isn't just a matter of running a bunch of slick TV commercials, he got the vote out in an off-off-year and he presented himself to most people as a knowledgeable, hard working person with some good ideas, not just a left-wing wacko, all this in a state where Democrats traditionally get shellacked in special elections. That's how he got 48% of the vote (and the polls kept rising in his favor the closer to election day) in what was a 40% district.

So, yes it matters, and it will continue to matter in every election from now until 2018.
And the Democratic Party again showed how it can put all of its power into an election and lose badly despite a numerical advantage. Mello and his fire department union hacks picked the same week that a Council Bluffs officer was killed to run ads that attacked Omaha police response times. That's how a close race becomes a ten point beating.

Re: The Political Balance of Power in This Nation

Posted: Tue May 09, 2017 11:05 pm
by Appa23
Mello closed to under 7 points, but still a disappointing result.

More likely that I will be a voter in Onaha by next election due to annexation.

Re: The Political Balance of Power in This Nation

Posted: Wed May 10, 2017 12:26 am
by Estonut
Appa23 wrote:Mello closed to under 7 points, but still a disappointing result.

More likely that I will be a voter in Onaha by next election due to annexation.
You're being annexed by Honolulu?

Re: The Political Balance of Power in This Nation

Posted: Wed May 10, 2017 8:43 am
by Appa23
Estonut wrote:
Appa23 wrote:Mello closed to under 7 points, but still a disappointing result.

More likely that I will be a voter in Onaha by next election due to annexation.
You're being annexed by Honolulu?
wishful thinking?

Re: The Political Balance of Power in This Nation

Posted: Wed May 10, 2017 12:07 pm
by Estonut
Appa23 wrote:
Estonut wrote:
Appa23 wrote:Mello closed to under 7 points, but still a disappointing result.

More likely that I will be a voter in Onaha by next election due to annexation.
You're being annexed by Honolulu?
wishful thinking?
That's the only place I could find an Onaha... :lol:

Re: The Political Balance of Power in This Nation

Posted: Sun May 14, 2017 8:09 am
by Spock
Obviously, we (in the royal sense) didn't like the results of the election, so it was consigned to the memory hole.

However, let Ossoff win by one vote and it will be trumpeted across the land.

Alternatively, of course, if Ossoff loses, Georgia 6 will also be consigned to the memory hole.

"Georgia 6? What Georgia 6?"

Re: The Political Balance of Power in This Nation

Posted: Sun May 14, 2017 8:37 am
by jarnon
Yesterday new DNC CEO Jess O'Connell sent an email asking for my opinion, and I let loose:
jarnon wrote:Thank you for stepping up to the huge task of rebuilding our party. You’re so right that we must work from the ground up. Ignoring the grass roots, including places where we’re the minority, cost us the White House and Senate.
And no litmus tests! I was appalled that the DNC withdrew support from Democrats who oppose abortion. A Democrat can be pro-choice or pro-life (like our great Senator Casey).
A Democrat can be for or against natural gas.
A Democrat can be for or against pipelines.
A Democrat can support the police.
A Democrat can own a gun.
A party that closes its doors to diversity of thought is a party that loses.
Next time she'll probably just ask for money.

Re: The Political Balance of Power in This Nation

Posted: Sun May 14, 2017 10:16 am
by silverscreenselect
Spock wrote:Obviously, we (in the royal sense) didn't like the results of the election, so it was consigned to the memory hole.

However, let Ossoff win by one vote and it will be trumpeted across the land.

Alternatively, of course, if Ossoff loses, Georgia 6 will also be consigned to the memory hole.

"Georgia 6? What Georgia 6?"
You're missing the point here. The special elections that are taking place now are all in very red districts, not just marginally red districts (and the Republicans are defending a lot of those in 2018). The fact that these elections are even close indicates the degree to which the voting electorate is turning against Trump and the electorate. Plus, Democratic turnout is traditionally lower in offyear elections, so a high turnout bodes well for them as well. Keep in mind that the first real sign the Democrats were in trouble in 2010 was the MA special senate election that Scott Brown won. If that election had taken place in South Carolina, no one would have paid much attention. Tom Price routinely won the Sixth District with 60% of the vote. Jon Ossoff should be down by double digits now.

Re: The Political Balance of Power in This Nation

Posted: Sun May 14, 2017 7:52 pm
by littlebeast13
jarnon wrote:Yesterday new DNC CEO Jess O'Connell sent an email asking for my opinion, and I let loose:
jarnon wrote:Thank you for stepping up to the huge task of rebuilding our party. You’re so right that we must work from the ground up. Ignoring the grass roots, including places where we’re the minority, cost us the White House and Senate.
And no litmus tests! I was appalled that the DNC withdrew support from Democrats who oppose abortion. A Democrat can be pro-choice or pro-life (like our great Senator Casey).
A Democrat can be for or against natural gas.
A Democrat can be for or against pipelines.
A Democrat can support the police.
A Democrat can own a gun.
A party that closes its doors to diversity of thought is a party that loses.
Next time she'll probably just ask for money.

No wonder you get ignored in the political threads! :wink:

lb13

Re: The Political Balance of Power in This Nation

Posted: Sun May 14, 2017 8:01 pm
by Beebs52
littlebeast13 wrote:
jarnon wrote:Yesterday new DNC CEO Jess O'Connell sent an email asking for my opinion, and I let loose:
jarnon wrote:Thank you for stepping up to the huge task of rebuilding our party. You’re so right that we must work from the ground up. Ignoring the grass roots, including places where we’re the minority, cost us the White House and Senate.
And no litmus tests! I was appalled that the DNC withdrew support from Democrats who oppose abortion. A Democrat can be pro-choice or pro-life (like our great Senator Casey).
A Democrat can be for or against natural gas.
A Democrat can be for or against pipelines.
A Democrat can support the police.
A Democrat can own a gun.
A party that closes its doors to diversity of thought is a party that loses.
Next time she'll probably just ask for money.

No wonder you get ignored in the political threads! :wink:

Well said.

lb13

Re: The Political Balance of Power in This Nation

Posted: Thu May 18, 2017 7:52 am
by jarnon
Tuesday was Election Day in Pennsylvania. The most significant race was the Democratic primary for Philadelphia District Attorney (which in Philly is more significant than the general election). Larry Krasner, an outsider best known for fighting police brutality, beat several establishment candidates. A large field, low turnout, dissatisfaction with the Pennsylvania Democratic establishment, and a ton of money from liberal PACs helped him win.

Philly cops will have to be on their best behavior, and record everything, in any confrontation.

Re: The Political Balance of Power in This Nation

Posted: Thu May 18, 2017 8:01 am
by BackInTex
jarnon wrote:Larry Krasner, an outsider best known for fighting police brutality, beat several establishment candidates.
This sounds funny to me.

Re: The Political Balance of Power in This Nation

Posted: Mon May 22, 2017 7:45 am
by jarnon
In Delaware County, a crucial battleground in 2016, twice as many Democrats voted in last week's primary as in 2013. For the first time in a century, most of the primary voters were Democrats. The rank and file are getting the message that local politics matters.

Re: The Political Balance of Power in This Nation

Posted: Mon May 22, 2017 9:16 am
by silverscreenselect
jarnon wrote:In Delaware County, a crucial battleground in 2016, twice as many Democrats voted in last week's primary as in 2013. For the first time in a century, most of the primary voters were Democrats. The rank and file are getting the message that local politics matters.
It's interesting that here in Georgia, Jon Ossoff is mostly running ads promoting his own ideas, and the attack ads on Handel, which usually come from outside interest groups, highlight her spending habits and her stint at the Susan Komen foundation. On the other hand, you are more likely to see pictures of Nancy Pelosi, Bernie Sanders, and Osama bin Laden in Handel's attack ads than you are of Ossoff. The silliest ads are the ones in which actors playing stereotypical San Francisco hippies talk about how great they think Jon Ossoff and his "San Francisco values" are.