Archive for the ‘Democrats’ Category

New York Democrats unmoved by Hillarys announcement

Hillary Rodham Clinton entered the presidential race Sunday to a stunning cold shoulder from Mayor Bill de Blasio and few signs of genuine enthusiasm from other top New York Democrats, who want to see her espouse a far more liberal agenda.

The lack of enthusiasm for Clinton made clear to the nation Sunday by de Blasios refusal to endorse on Meet the Press ranges from far-leftist progressives allied with de Blasio, who prefer a Wall Street-bashing populist like Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, to Jewish voters worried by President Obamas Mideast policies, to union activists taking their lead from AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, who want Clinton to face a primary challenge to force her into stronger stands on issues vital to organized labor.

And the lack of passion for Clinton was also seen on the local level Saturday at the Ready For Hillary gathering in Manhattan, where a mere 200 people and virtually no A-list Democratic officials attended a final fundraiser before Clintons announcement.

Democratic activists here really want progressives like de Blasio, Melissa Mark-Viverito, people like Elizabeth Warren, not someone as close to Wall Street and the big-money people as Hillary, said a prominent Democratic consultant.

Many Democrats also describe Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who was once seen as a potential Clinton alternative for president, as surprisingly unenthusiastic about Hillarys campaign.

He seems distant and detached from Hillarys effort, perhaps because its not his, said a senior Democratic Party leader.

While Jews have always been a bedrock of Democratic support, a surprising and little-noticed Siena College poll found that while Clinton, a former US senator from this state, was viewed favorably by an overwhelming number of New York voters (59-38 percent), she had a negative rating (44-50 percent) among Jewish voters.

Thats a figure thats not been lost on such powerful New York Democrats as US Sen. Chuck Schumer, insiders agree.

A prominent union insider told The Post, Hillary isnt close to sealing the deal with labor. Many union leaders are afraid that without a primary, Hillary wont have to address labors concerns before she is nominated.

And some of the unions are also hoping for an undefined alternative, while others prefer Elizabeth Warrens economic approach, he continued.

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New York Democrats unmoved by Hillarys announcement

21st Century Democrats: Jonathan Allen on Hillary Moving Left; Thomas Schaller on Left v Right – Video


21st Century Democrats: Jonathan Allen on Hillary Moving Left; Thomas Schaller on Left v Right
First, Jonathan Allen, now the chief political correspondent for Vox, has written extensively about Hillary Clinton. He says one problem facing her likely presidential run is the history of...

By: 21stdems

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21st Century Democrats: Jonathan Allen on Hillary Moving Left; Thomas Schaller on Left v Right - Video

VID Zephyr Teachout returns to Village Independent Democrats talks issues, politics and the future – Video


VID Zephyr Teachout returns to Village Independent Democrats talks issues, politics and the future
VID Zephyr Teachout returns to Village Independent Democrats the firtst club to endore her in her race against Andrew Cuomo and talks issues, politics and the future.

By: Jim Fouratt

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VID Zephyr Teachout returns to Village Independent Democrats talks issues, politics and the future - Video

Democrats intraparty fight haunts second U.S. Senate campaign

Published: April 12, 2015 - Updated: April 12, 2015 10:37 pm

By Marc Levy Associated Press

Associated Press

HARRISBURG This month marks six years since Arlen Specter switched parties to become a Democrat, upending Pennsylvanias 2010 U.S. Senate campaign and set off an intraparty fight among Democrats that is now haunting a second campaign.

Party leaders are now searching the ranks for someone who can beat the Republican incumbent, Pat Toomey, and, perhaps as importantly to them, one of their own.

The Democrat who is already running is Joe Sestak, the former U.S. representative from Delaware County and an ex-Navy vice admiral. In 2010, he bucked the wishes of President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and other party leaders to run against Specter in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.

He beat Specter while emphasizing that he stood up to party leaders before he lost narrowly to Toomey. That and other friction between Sestak and top Democrats he is uncooperative with the party, they complain have not been forgotten now that he is running again to take on Toomey next year.

You win some, you lose some, you move on, said T.J. Rooney, who was chairman of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party when Specter switched parties. But what he continues to do is use that as his rallying cry, Im bucking the establishment. Well, guess what, the establishment is going to buck him back.

The 2016 Senate election in Pennsylvania promises to be expensive and closely watched. The 2010 race cost more than $50 million, including spending by outside groups, and many expect that spending on the 2016 race will pass that mark.

With majority Republicans defending more than twice as many seats as Democrats in 2016, control of the Senate is at stake.

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Democrats intraparty fight haunts second U.S. Senate campaign

'Convince us you're not just the anointed one': Iowa waits for Hillary

Democrats in Iowa have a message for Hillary Clinton on the eve of her visit to the state: youre not our candidate yet.

The former secretary of state may be viewed by the political establishment as the all-but-certain Democratic nominee for the White House. But Democratic operatives and activists are pushing back at that sense of inevitability.

Related: Exclusive: Hillary Clinton to launch 2016 campaign on Sunday en route to Iowa

They insist that Clinton, who will formally launch her campaign to be the Democratic nominee as the clear frontrunner on Sunday, has a great many hands to shake in the state before she can count on Iowas support.

She needs to try and convince us shes not just the anointed one, said John Sprole, a 66-year-old attorney who was volunteering at a Democratic awards dinner in Polk County on Friday.

Like nearly every other Democrat in Iowa interviewed by the Guardian over the last 48 hours, Sprole said he was undecided over who should be the partys presidential candidate. But was hungry for a debate.

That sentiment was repeated by Democrats time and again at local party events in the state: activists want a contest, and feel they are missing out on the healthy debate that is well under way among Republicans. There is no clear frontrunner in the GOP race, where a crowded field of potential candidates are battling over ideas and philosophy.

The Clinton campaign is determined to avoid any appearance that the former New York senator is taking Iowa for granted.

Clintons dramatic defeat to Barack Obama in the 2008 Iowa caucus dealt a huge blow to her presidential prospects. Many blamed a neglect of the state and alleged failure to connect with Iowans on a one-on-one basis.

This time will be different. Clintons first trip as 2016 presidential candidate will be to Iowa; one source familiar with the campaign told the Guardian Clinton could fly to the first-in-the-nation state as soon as Sunday.

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'Convince us you're not just the anointed one': Iowa waits for Hillary