5 Comments

Or, balancing big coalitions isn't simple. But broad coalitions are what it takes to win anything progressives hope for.

Expand full comment

Dan, I'd like to amplify the right messaging on this with my grassroots group moreperfectdemocracy.org. Is there better messaging than Dems are bringing the jobs in hard infrastructure and the care economy (and variations on that theme)? I don't see the inside baseball being anything useful unless Rs vote against the bill they helped craft. Does that make sense?

Expand full comment

I fear D's are missing the primary political calculation behind R's faux desire for a bipartisan, smaller bill: they are afraid of going into the midterms branded by a "no" vote on infrastructure. Every state stands to get beaucoup $$ and new jobs. Their constituents want it. And worse, McConnell knows voters are okay with taxing the uber-wealthy. Imagine D's campaign messaging! Imagine voters in red states getting some social safety net benefits that would be hard to take way!

The smaller bill let's McConnell peel off enough so R's can avoid that catastrophe. "bipartisanship" has nothing to do with it. D's are falling for it.

Expand full comment

I don't doubt for a minute that Joe Biden truly "gets it," and is proceeding according to plan. I guess I feel tentatively optimistic. Though it's hard to suppress the fear that the crazy world of alternate facts has already done too much damage. Gotta keep the faith, though, and keep up our efforts!

Expand full comment

Excellent article that provides the truth of the challenges we are facing in getting the required Big Things Done! Trust is the other issue- after the likes of Trump & his endless lies & McConnell’s only value political power, the Democrats do not want to be manipulated by postponing & wasting precious time. However, the cost of not taking meaningful action on Climate is the survival of our planet & the future of our children. The price is too high! It leaves no choice ,but to forge ahead & trust that the awareness that actions to protect us is now or never. This is an opportunity that may never come again!

Expand full comment