The base mistake of the Yglesias types is that climate/environment issues are open doors that we could walk through if we only listened to them. In fact the doors are blocked by people with piles of money and influence
The Yglesias continue to believe that climate/environment is an open door all could walk thru if we only listened to them, ignoring the plucky band of billionaires slamming it shut
I think Yglesias made a good point that the Dems have sufficient "elite capture" regarding climate. And I wish he emphasized the point that states with Dem trifectas pass lots of climate-related policy, so it's not just one of those "sloganeer during campaigns and then ignore it" issues.
In general this is how policy areas that aren't electorally weighty gets hashed out? Like anti-trust competition isn't a huge salient issue to typical voters, politicians rarely run on meaty anti-trust policy, but it's clearly possible to spread the gospel among Dem elites without holding a "BIDEN YOU COWARD" sign.
Which leads me to... I think the "performance" aspect to Sunrise Movement that offends Yglesias is a valid point. Like, at the Sierra Club, I assume you discussed strategies in how to broaden your appeal? Republicans don't care about climate change but a lot of their voters care about clean air, water, accessible public lands, etc. But the Sunrise Movement tries to take the far left wing position on almost every political issue! What is served by doing that? Not climate!
I understand they're speaking to an important issue, essentially the most fundamental issue of our time. But there's a responsibility to "do winning politics" then! And I think Yglesias has a point that this isn't winning politics.
It's likely his tone was overly grumpy and it's tempting to say "they're doing SOMETHING and this issue is too important to nitpick advocacy methods."
But I'd argue the opposite. It's mostly forgotten now, but remember this?
And look man, this all sucks. Admonishments to do 'winning politics' is often just people making excuses because they really want to do nothing. But I don't think much is served to just defend all 'bad politics' even if they're well intended.
The base mistake of the Yglesias types is that climate/environment issues are open doors that we could walk through if we only listened to them. In fact the doors are blocked by people with piles of money and influence
The Yglesias continue to believe that climate/environment is an open door all could walk thru if we only listened to them, ignoring the plucky band of billionaires slamming it shut
Sorry I didn't read this when you wrote it; but it's very well put. The climate movement still needs you.
I think Yglesias made a good point that the Dems have sufficient "elite capture" regarding climate. And I wish he emphasized the point that states with Dem trifectas pass lots of climate-related policy, so it's not just one of those "sloganeer during campaigns and then ignore it" issues.
In general this is how policy areas that aren't electorally weighty gets hashed out? Like anti-trust competition isn't a huge salient issue to typical voters, politicians rarely run on meaty anti-trust policy, but it's clearly possible to spread the gospel among Dem elites without holding a "BIDEN YOU COWARD" sign.
Which leads me to... I think the "performance" aspect to Sunrise Movement that offends Yglesias is a valid point. Like, at the Sierra Club, I assume you discussed strategies in how to broaden your appeal? Republicans don't care about climate change but a lot of their voters care about clean air, water, accessible public lands, etc. But the Sunrise Movement tries to take the far left wing position on almost every political issue! What is served by doing that? Not climate!
I understand they're speaking to an important issue, essentially the most fundamental issue of our time. But there's a responsibility to "do winning politics" then! And I think Yglesias has a point that this isn't winning politics.
It's likely his tone was overly grumpy and it's tempting to say "they're doing SOMETHING and this issue is too important to nitpick advocacy methods."
But I'd argue the opposite. It's mostly forgotten now, but remember this?
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/2/11/18220163/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-green-new-deal-faq-tucker-carlson
And look man, this all sucks. Admonishments to do 'winning politics' is often just people making excuses because they really want to do nothing. But I don't think much is served to just defend all 'bad politics' even if they're well intended.