Pushing the Democrats to the Left

Pushing the Democrats to the Left

Some Democrats are not attending their national convention. Where’s the unity?

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A handful of prominent Democrats are skipping September’s Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, distancing themselves from President Obama. Nation Editor Katrina vanden Heuvel sat down with Nation columnist Melissa Harris-Perry to examine the state of the Democratic Party, its messaging and how it needs to be pushed to embrace progressive causes. Katon Dawson, a former chair of the Republican National Committee, Karen Finney, a former communications director for the DNC, and Igor Volsky of Think Progress, also share their thoughts on why, even after the big win on healthcare reform, the Democratic Party is still fractured.

—Max Rivlin-Nadler

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With the midterm elections now firmly upon us, the question is whether Democratic candidates will do more than merely occupy ballot lines as mild alternatives to the red-hot crisis that is Donald Trump.

As Trump spends over $1 billion a day on a globally destabilizing war on Iran and admits that he doesn’t “think about Americans’ financial situation,” millions across the country are struggling with the surging costs of essentials. Democrats must seize this moment and advance bold, small-“d” populist ideas—not settle for cynical caution that once again snatches defeat from the jaws of victory.

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Onward,

Katrina vanden Heuvel
Editor and Publisher, The Nation

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