Citys analysis of the situation regarding the seat left vacant by Representative Slaughter is excellent as always. The conclusion - not so much so.
Democrats can't afford to lose the seat check.
Morelle and Wilt are the two candidates that would be most effective in Congress check.
People (at least some) are tired of Washington insiders check.
Congress needs more women and more people of color check.
Morelle represents where the Democratic party has been; Wilt represents where the party needs to go check.
It seems the endorsement of Morelle over Wilt is based on the proposition that Morelle has more money and name recognition than Wilt. We live in a culture where white men can pretty much be assumed to have more money than women of color, and it makes my heart sick that anyone might choose to vote against Wilt on that basis. Democrats can't afford to lose this seat, and I think they will be willing to pony up for the Democratic candidate. Low name recognition will be an issue for both Wilt and Maxwell, but again the argument is that the white man has more money and thus will be a more viable candidate. No wonder we have so few women and people of color in elected office!
The point was also made that Republicans are better at turning out the vote than Democrats. If Joe Morelle is the candidate, I think this will be true. But look how Democrats turned out to vote when Barack Obama ran!
Morelle against Maxwell, white male insider versus white male outsider. Wilt against Maxwell paints a very different picture, doesn't it?
Maybe if a smart, articulate coalition-builder like Wilt is on the ticket, people of color, women, fed-up Democrats and even independents will turn out in a way they wouldn't for a white male Washington insider. Maybe the entire community will be energized by someone who represents the future, and will turn out to vote for her with passion and enthusiasm.
Re: “For Louise Slaughter's seat: Joe Morelle”
Citys analysis of the situation regarding the seat left vacant by Representative Slaughter is excellent as always. The conclusion - not so much so.
Democrats can't afford to lose the seat check.
Morelle and Wilt are the two candidates that would be most effective in Congress check.
People (at least some) are tired of Washington insiders check.
Congress needs more women and more people of color check.
Morelle represents where the Democratic party has been; Wilt represents where the party needs to go check.
It seems the endorsement of Morelle over Wilt is based on the proposition that Morelle has more money and name recognition than Wilt. We live in a culture where white men can pretty much be assumed to have more money than women of color, and it makes my heart sick that anyone might choose to vote against Wilt on that basis. Democrats can't afford to lose this seat, and I think they will be willing to pony up for the Democratic candidate. Low name recognition will be an issue for both Wilt and Maxwell, but again the argument is that the white man has more money and thus will be a more viable candidate. No wonder we have so few women and people of color in elected office!
The point was also made that Republicans are better at turning out the vote than Democrats. If Joe Morelle is the candidate, I think this will be true. But look how Democrats turned out to vote when Barack Obama ran!
Morelle against Maxwell, white male insider versus white male outsider. Wilt against Maxwell paints a very different picture, doesn't it?
Maybe if a smart, articulate coalition-builder like Wilt is on the ticket, people of color, women, fed-up Democrats and even independents will turn out in a way they wouldn't for a white male Washington insider. Maybe the entire community will be energized by someone who represents the future, and will turn out to vote for her with passion and enthusiasm.