They dreamed of a new coalition that’s finally coming to pass
I was on the Majority Report with Sam Seder yesterday and we were getting all reflective about the last ten years and rise of the left in Democratic politics. As the resident old duffer among the group, I pointed out how long it takes for ideas to take hold but over time we can see it happen. We were talking specifically about the Occupy movement and how it catalyzed a new generation of activists etc, etc.
But this came across my twitter feed today and I think it really says it all:
In the era of George Meany, McGovern (or more precisely Fred Dutton) also envisioned the modern D coalition of young people, white-collar professionals, and minorities- only 35 years before there were remotely enough of them to win. https://t.co/iBorcwIE38— Ronald Brownstein (@RonBrownstein) December 21, 2019
I was too young to vote in that election but that platform in one way or another represented everything I’ve believed in and supported my whole political life. Unfortunately for me, that life has been politically dominated up by a powerful, ascendant, conservative movement that made sure none of that ever came to pass. That movement is in the process of immolating itself before our eyes just as a new, progressive coalition is growing and strengthening.
There is good reason to hope that the next 45 years can be better than the last. No guarantees, of course. But the stars are aligned now in ways they weren’t back then. The opportunity is presenting itself if we can effectively take advantage of it.
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Again, thank you so much for reading and supporting my work all these years. It means the world to me. — d
Happy Hollandaise everyone!
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