Summary
Progressives criticized House Democrats for choosing Rep. Gerry Connolly over Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for the top Democratic seat on the House Oversight Committee.
The 131-84 vote, reportedly influenced by former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, sparked backlash against the party’s “gerontocracy,” with critics like MSNBC’s Joy Reid and others arguing it prioritizes seniority over fresh ideas.
Connolly defended the decision, citing his experience, but progressives argued it reflects the Democratic Party’s resistance to change, hindering its ability to address future challenges and energize younger voters.
What point are you trying to make here? You’re basically saying “not all Democrats” while admitting that the party leadership is rotten to the core, and no amount of head down, hard working, stay in line, lower level Dems is going to change that. Like obviously nobody thinks every Democrat is a terrible person. But the ones in charge, who make the decisions and influence the party priorities and values, are entirely bought and sold.
That’s absolutely not what I’m saying, and if that’s a remotely plausible interpretation then I obviously didn’t say it right.
It’s more like this: Party leadership is party leadership to a large extent. There are things they need to do and care about that no one else does. That goes for any party including all the magical non-party parties that some of our lefty friends think are the only way forward. They will ultimately have the same challenge.
To change that, there has to be one of two kinds of effort: intense focused, or overwhelming general. I suppose a combination of those might work too, but party leadership becomes entrenched for the same reasons we pick a brand and stick with it. It worked, it’s fine, we have other things to do. So to break that spell we either need Superperson to charge in there and rock the house down, or an enormous Gathering of the Tribes to chant for change. Again, that’s the same for any national party. Once in a great while we get great leaders who understand the need and pace of change and just step aside to let it happen. Obviously it’s not that great while I guess.
The DNC needs a rebuilt engine, but the seats and tires are fine, the radio shold be upgraded but is servicable, and there’s some cool maps in the glove compartment. People should fix it rather than just start walking and bitching there’s no good cars anymore. Or worse yet, claiming a magical zero emission carbon neutral train will arrive shortly to whisk us away so let’s just stand here.