this post was submitted on 20 Nov 2023
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How a former Republican from Virginia became New Jersey’s Democratic frontrunner for U.S. Senate

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[–] [email protected] 37 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Why does anyone think a former republican is anything but a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Did everyone not learn their lesson in Sinema?

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It's all about the narrative. If she sets her own story then that'll be what voters hear. Generally speaking I don't think someone is permanently poisoned just because they were once a Republican. I know quite a few former Republicans who are firmly anything but and a couple who jump back and forth.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

Even Democrats over decades have changed their stance on issues. Changing your mind with experience and new facts is a sign of rational thinking. That's just a long jump for someone who has been with the Republican party until now. As the quote goes, "THIS was the line that was crossed for you?"

But it's happened before. The Eisenhower Democrats were a group that felt it was time to cross the aisle, but that was mainly because they saw a drift of the Republican party into waters they didn't agree with. The gap was not as far as it is now. The only way I can see it is if one has been totally blind to what the party supports for years and has been voting party lines without question or even looking at the issues. And sure, there's people that do that, but anyone who is like that and is in politics isn't a leader, they're a tool.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Elizabeth Warren was a Republican before realizing that it was all bullshit. From ‘Liz Was a Diehard Conservative’ by Politico, April 12, 2019.

Her conversion was ideological before it turned partisan. The first shift came in the mid-’80s, as she traveled to bankruptcy courts across the country to review thousands of individual cases—a departure from the more theoretical academic approach—and saw that Americans filing for bankruptcy more closely resembled her own family, who struggled financially, rather than the irresponsible deadbeats she had expected.

We should everyone to account regardless if they have been life long leftists or just recently became leftists.

[–] HobbitFoot 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The primary is going to be brutal this year. But, for now, I'm hoping Andy Kim wins.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I don't live in Jersey but if I did I'd vote for him too. Only time will tell.

[–] HobbitFoot 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The big question is going to be whether machine politics or progressive get out the vote drives are going to win. I doubt any other decent candidate is going to run now.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Maybe if we're lucky menendez will stay in the race and split the establishment vote. Politics is dirty though and just like how Republicans have donated to green party candidates to split the liberal \ progressive vote maybe the Murphys will gin up support for Medina or Hamm to split Kim's vote. I think this'll be a real slugfest.

[–] HobbitFoot 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

My guess is that Tammy running is pretty much going to be the end of party machine support for Menendez, especially if this is being done with the understanding that Tammy quits after one term and Steve Fulop can run for that after being governor for a term.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Menendez will have built up his own machine by now. Donors, connections, relationships, etc. it remains to be seen if they'll stick or jump ship. I really think you're probably right though. No one wants to back a losing horse. As for her only running one term. I'm not well versed in New Jersey politics but once someone has power it's hard to give it up.

[–] HobbitFoot 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Menendez is deep in the Hudson County political machine, which is why I bring up Steve Fulop, mayor of Jersey City which is the largest city in Hudson County. Control of the Hudson County political machine may be up in air, but it is probable that Fulop has enough control over it to cut out Menendez and deliver votes to Tammy.

And machine politics are still a thing in New Jersey. I have a friend trying to find a home for a turkey that the mayor gave him. Where else in the USA would it be expected that the mayor of your town would buy you a turkey to help convince you to vote?