Category Archives: MSNBC

8/1 Evening OT: Lunch is Over

The Progressive Wing Posted on by

We’ve had two debate rounds with 20 candidates. Like having extra long lunches with the candidates, at a lengthy table with a microphone. They’re tested by the media with questions about past comments, op-eds, and whether or not it’s better to be a centrist or a progressive. Fare is broiled chicken and salads (vegan for Booker)Light conversation but at a West Wing pace. Sometimes there is strong coffee served to keep the energy going.

August is the month whereby the candidates who are currently serving in Congress don’t have to worry about committee votes, hearings, or votes on the floor. They have a month to go to county fairs in Iowa & NH, and other events in SC, NV, and CA to court potential voters. Some candidates may be spending time on Martha’s Vineyard, NAPA, Santa Barbara, or the Hamptons to meet with the wine & cheese crowds in hopes that some cash is coming their way to get ready for the dinners coming this fall.

On Real Time, Bill Maher culled all of the candidates pictures and decided which ones should be eliminated. Take a look:

On all of them, I would agree. They aren’t gaining much traction from the debates. Eric Swalwell did drop out, but I think Bullock, Steyer, and Sestek should rethink why they are in this race. Inslee doesn’t inspire people for his GND because already it has a spokesperson: AOC. Amy Klobuchar is invisible with Biden and Harris in the top tier. Seems to me Bullock would be better off running for Senate, as well as Hickenlooper, and Beto. I would also argue anyone who is polling below 5% consistently should know that the lunch dates are over.

Despite continued teeth gnashing by WaPo’s Jen Rubin, WaPo finally gave Sanders (and Warren) some sherry in their press coverage of the debates. MSNBC, which is notorious for its bias against Sanders, invited him on Morning Joe this morning, and asked him some more centrist questions. But their tone was slighty different: they were polite and more patient.

Good press pays off.

It’s interesting though that stockholder-driven media for the most part didn’t pick up on the nuances in the second debate. How Harris and Castro struck back by telling CNN their framing of the questions was from GOP talking points. Biden was indirectly laced with the GOP label, which he resented. But Joe Scarborough finally acknowledged that Sanders’ ideas have more than just spilled over into 2020 cycle: they are driving the debate. And Steve Rattner was scared s**tless.

I hope the dinners are more sober and not about the best quip. Yes, the candidates should fight for their ideas. Biden and Harris: you are on notice that the progressive wing has lots of little birdies to carry their candidates with the seeds given to them by those who want a more just government. And independent media is finally getting its due by appearing as guest contributors on cable networks and on the Hill’s Rising.

This also serves as an open thread. What’s on your mind?

Andrew Gillum on MSNBC & 8/29 Open Thread

The Progressive Wing Posted on by

Just saw the clip of Andrew Gillum on Morning Joe and was so happy to see how laser-focused he is on the issues.

Sam Stein tried his best to have the conversation turn to Trump (natch) but Gillum handled it wonderfully.

See the 5:40 mark.

I think Gillum is on the money on this.

UPDATE:

They finally posted the clip to YouTube about an hour ago, so that’s easy.

The comments under it are very positive which makes me happy.

Here’s a very good one, imo, from Elaine:

Mayor Gillum’s response should be the Democratic Mantra going forward, do not focus on tRumpf, focus on the people and their needs!!!!!!

Gillum is striking a chord with people!

This comment is also one that I’m in agreement with and I’ll bet many others will be/are too:

I really like his stateman-like, calm demeanor. That suddenly matters to me post 2016.

Update #2 at 7:30 pm,

Elaine’s comment now has 170 likes 🙂

12/15 News Roundup – Sanders: Process for Tax Reform Bill ‘Just a Disaster’, The Campaign For Congress to Overrule FCC Vote & More

The Progressive Wing Posted on by

Bernie Sanders: Process for Tax Reform Bill ‘Just a Disaster’

The process to pass landmark tax reform legislation “has been just a disaster,” as the American public does not understand what all it involves, Sen. Bernie Sanders complained Thursday.

“Are you suggesting that a bill that impacts the entire economy, virtually every American, should be read before people vote upon it?” the Vermont independent and former presidential candidate told MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell.

The bill was discussed and determined “around back doors,” Sanders continued. “Some 5,000 lobbyists have participated in it, but the American public does not know what’s in it. Bottom line, and I think some of the Republicans have been honest enough about acknowledging this, this is a gift for Republican wealthy campaign contributors.”

“At the end of 10 years, 83 million middle class families will be paying more in taxes,” said Sanders. “This means 32 million people will lose their health insurance. Premiums will go up by 10 percent with people in the individual market. This is going to exacerbate incoming wealth at a time when we have to protect the middle class and working families.”

..

Sanders also sounded off against the FCC’s vote to end net neutrality provisions, saying it’s “almost unspeakable” to speak about what a disaster the ruling will create.

“The internet has been a real effort to enhance democracy and level the playing field in this country,” he said. “It means that if you are a small business person right now, you were a start-up company, you can use the internet to get the word out about why people should come to your business. You can have the same opportunities on the internet as Walmart does, or as a large corporation … they’re going to do away with that and it’s going to be much more expensive for the little guy to play and compete against the big corporations.”

More news/video/tweets/etc. in the comments.

7/28 News Roundup – Sanders Speaks About The Broken Health Care System, DWS Dodges On IT Staffer Arrest & More

The Progressive Wing Posted on by

Hello friends! Starting off with Bernie’s appearance on MSNBC discussing the health care process and then will have his CNN and Senate Floor appearances in the comments, as well as the rest of the news I’m catching up on.

7/14 News Roundup – Sanders: ‘Trump Has To Be Exposed For The Fraud He Is’, Corbyn Gives Bernie Credit & More

The Progressive Wing Posted on by

Beyond Crazy Tweets, Sanders Says Policies Expose Trump ‘For Fraud He Is’

In an interview on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” Thursday morning, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) urged opponents of President Donald Trump to not allow his “stupid tweets” to distract attention from his “destructive” policies, which include a healthcare plan that could strip insurance from 22 million people and tax proposals that would provide generous cuts to the rich and hikes for the middle class.

Asked to outline an “optimistic scenario” for the next several months in Washington, Sanders said: “I hope we beat [Trumpcare] badly. I hope Trump supporters in rural states understand that what he told them during the campaign that he was going to stand up for working people was nothing but a lie. And if you think this healthcare bill is a disaster, take a look at the budget that he proposed.”

Sanders implored the media and activists to emphasize that “the policies he is proposing are the most destructive policies being proposed in our lifetimes.”

“He has got to be exposed for the fraud that he is, not just focusing on his temperament and on his tweets,” Sanders concluded, “but on his extremely right-wing policy that is paid for by the Koch brothers and other billionaires.”

More news, video, etc. in the comments.