She may not be the party’s best “team player,” but her heart is always in the right place, and she is admirably fearless.

-Laelth

WTF is the point of removing one of our best voices in the House?

Jesus.

made local news yesterday because he was pushing to speak at an event because he has a primary. Otherwise he wouldn't care. So, I don't blame AOC here. At all.

https://news.yahoo.com/senior-democrat-caught-hot-mic-201351476.html

who shows up and fights for his constituents. He's a senior voice in the House and he gets OUR work done.

AOC needs to leave my representative alone. This primary is destructive and stupid.

What I said was factually true. I said he was recorded on a hot mic saying things that sounded pretty bad. (That happened and it made local news.)

That's undeniable and that's his fault.

I am more in line with Engel, but he's his own worst enemy here. And the local news blips on NY1 did NOT make him look like anything more than an opportunist.

One gaffe defines his whole career?

It means he should get his shit together.

And it also means I don't find it surprising that AOC is behind the other guy. This is just one reason why. (Another obvious reason is that their politics align.)

particularly his foreign policy record over the years, which is pretty right-wing.

That is a valid reason. Just making a gaffe isn’t.

It’s easy for me to assume, regardless, that she is doing what she feels is right.

-Laelth

very experienced, and a leader in congress.

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/eliot_engel/400122

Take a look at the graph halfway down. Engel's even somewhat left of the center mass of our liberal progressive Democratic caucus.

Bowman sounds like a good education professional, and I'm biased for teachers for sure. But we'd lose Engel and gain a freshman with no experience in government. One moreover whose far-left leanings would be completely ineffectual in a liberal caucus 230+ strong who overwhelmingly believe in their own values and goals, and have real problems with some of his.

Not exactly a good deal for us. For Ocasio, sure. She wouldn't hire a rank amateur who'd never held scissors to cut her hair, but this one won't get near her hair and would owe her favors and fealty for her help getting him elected.

If she wants to grow in power, she should do it the honorable Pelosi way: by serving the people through being outstandingly good at the job her constituents sent her to do. NOT the Mitch McConnell way: trying to amass personal power by instead focusing on raising big money to get people elected to congress who've convinced her they will support her in her positions on issues.

Btw, whenever people become influenced by the need to keep their donors happy and not turned against them next elections, thus subverted from their duty to represent their constituents' wishes and best interests, that's of course the usual money corruption.

"NOT the Mitch McConnell way: trying to amass personal power by instead focusing on raising big money to get people elected to congress who've convinced her they will support her in her positions on issues.

Btw, whenever people become influenced by the need to keep their donors happy and not turned against them next elections, thus subverted from their duty to represent their constituents' wishes and best interests, that's of course the usual money corruption."
___________________


Too late for that warning. She's well on her way.


FACTS:
AOC has a “Courage to Change PAC” that’s also funded by rich donors:
•Ron Beller- Runs Branch Hill Capital
•S. Sonija Smith- wife to hedge fund husband Michael Bills
•Eric Dreyfuss
•Riot Games- $4K Gaming company

Just for starters....which she uses to run ads against Democrats. Running oppo against our ranking Dems for a junior member gives me enough reason not to love her.
And that is my perrogative.

We all see the political influence money buys & it may be acceptably so in the world of politics, but when her mantra decries money in politics, there is certainly room to question. And we should.

against good, effective Democrats.

This is the dumbest move yet from Alexandria.

get the nation back on track and people are feeling more secure, most of what electoral support there is for just kicking over the table to see if that helps will disappear.

I'd really hoped and believed two Democratic terms with at least one house of congress following Obama's two embattled ones would do it. Instead, the dissident left helped elect Trump/Repubs and have been feeding off the trouble sown ever since.

we shouldn't have a progressive voice. Engel's record has been pretty right-wing particularly on foreign policy.

but

https://news.yahoo.com/senior-democrat-caught-hot-mic-201351476.html

But HE's a guy who will actually do the work to make the protesters' demands heard.

So which is more important to you? A request for a spot at the mic at a protest, or someone doing the actual work?

You are posting this around, and you seem to think it is significant. Given Engel's track record, it clearly is not.

If that means that I posted it in this thread twice in response to what was being discussed, sure.

He made a faux pas. It was being reported on local news. It was a mistake and will be seized upon by the justice dems in the primary.

I want effective people in congress, for sure. And I do agree that he will work hard. But moments like this is why people like AOC want change. And it's really a negative thing for his constituents to see something like this in the middle of their fight for social justice in the middle of a pandemic.

It's not a surprise AOC is supporting Bowman, is it? That is her alignment in the party.

(Having said that, we need to get our shit together before this election. Stand unified. And part of that is career politicians not looking like entitled self-interested assholes.)

pretty much always in the middle of Engel's constituents fight for justice? Engel.

And yes. It is a surprise that Alexandria is pushing to primary a good and effective Democrat, creating division and strife within the Democratic camp, when the most important thing we can do today is hold our ground and use all of our energy to gain new ground.

It's stupid. She should be putting her efforts to overturning Republican seats that we need to shore up our power.

I am his constituent. He doesn't look like an asshole to me. He looks like a guy whose face I have OFTEN seen in person speaking at the small events where shit actually gets done. He looks like the guy who you can refer your friends to for DACA problems and discrimination problems and know they will get help. He looks like a guy who was asking the right questions during the impeachment.

Yes. We need to get our shit together. One way to do that is not to pick apart everything our most effective representatives say and do when we KNOW from their long records that they are NOT entitled self-interested assholes.

And the way to stand united is to NOT slur our own and toss out our good assets for no reason whatsoever.

This is total bullshit, and Alexandria has lost whatever respect I once had for her. This is one too many stupid decisions from her that hurt us all.

If they let him speak, they would need to let all the others speak. That’s what the link says.

He then clarified why he wanted to speak.

But that doesn’t stop the justice Democrats from using this to distort.

IS IT EVEN BAD? NO!

He never said he didn't care about the issue, and it's enormously dishonest to insist it means that. Of course he does! The discussion was about too many people wanting to speak to it for the time available.

This actually is indirectly positive for Engel since it shows they have nothing.

I didn't say it before because Bowman's trying to get elected and that's seen by too many as justifying ruthless dishonesty, but this shows Bowman off far more badly for trying to dishonestly twist a nothing into a smear.

NOT a good sign. He could have kept his mouth shut while others attacked and didn't.

I'm not in their district so I can't vote on this election anyhow. But I am way more in line with the traditional Dems than the progressive justice dems. Having said that.....

I saw the story on NY1, on repeat throughout the day, yesterday. It was reported there, and it made Engel look bad. I don't think that was Bowman doing that. It was the straight up local news.

It's not a good look in the midst of what's happening here. (Maybe he did apologize after. I don't know.) It's thin and will be forgiven. But I get why NYers in his district may be frustrated by business as usual in the midst of everything that's going on and not having seen any positive changes.

representative. And you are doing it while the flavor of the month politician is coming at him with both barrels.

Thanks so much. Great way to shore up the power we so desperately need.

and votes have to be earned each time. It's obvious that there is a real movement for change afloat and perhaps Engel will be caught up in it like Crowley was in 2018.

Would AOC primary Adam Schiff too? He's only the best at doing his job but that doesn't appear to matter to her. I'd rather Crowley be there, AOC will hurt the party nationally IMO. And right now the party has to win nationally.

I don't think she is good for the party or the country. I really wonder how long she can hold on to that seat.

Their batting average is pretty low when it comes to running successful races.

District 5:

Gregory Meeks (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Shaniyat Chowdhury (D) - Law School Graduate, USMC Veteran & Democratic Socialist Activist

District 6:

Grace Meng (D/WF)*- (Campaign Site)
Sandra Choi (D) - Urban Economic Development Professional
Mel Gagarin (D) - Dem Socialist Activist, Ex-Congressional Aide & '09 NYC Council Candidate

District 7:

Nydia Velazquez (D/WF)* - (Campaign Site)
Paperboy Prince (D) - Web Developer, Rapper & Community Activist

District 9:

Yvette Clarke (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Adem Bunkeddeko (D) - Brooklyn Community Board Member & '18 Candidate
Chaim Deutsch (D) - NYC Councilman, Ex-Council Aide & Jewish Community Activist
Lutchi Gayot (D) - Shop Owner & '18 GOP Nominee
Isiah James (D) - Graduate Student, Army Veteran & Democratic Socialist Activist

District 10:

Jerrold Nadler (D/WF)* - (Campaign Site)
Lindsey Boylan (D) - Ex-NY Depy Economic Development Secretary & Ex-Gubernatorial Aide
Jonathan Herzog (D) - Political Organizer & Yang Campaign Activist

District 12:

Carolyn Maloney (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Lauren Ashcraft (D) - Banking Project Manager, Ex-Policy Analyst & Progressive Activist
Peter Harrison (D) - Teacher, Affordable Housing Advisor & Democratic Socialist Activist
Suraj Patel (D) - Hotel Executive, Attorney, Ex-Obama White House Aide & '18 Candidate

District 13:

Adriano Espaillat (D/WF)* - (Campaign Site)
James Felton Keith (D) - Businessman & '18 Candidate
Ramon Rodriguez (D) - Etiquette/Protocol Consultant & Progressive Activist

District 16:

Eliot Engel (D)*- (Campaign Site)
Jamaal Bowman (D/WF) - Middle School Principal & Teacher
Chris Fink (D) - Attorney & Community Activist
Sammy Ravelo (D) - Retired NYPD Police Lieutenant & Gulf War Veteran

There is of course the counter Primary against AOC:

District 14:

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Michelle Caruso-Cabrera (D/SAM) - Ex-TV News Anchor & Author
Badrun Khan (D) - Queens Community Board Member & School Financial Officer
Sam Sloan (D) - Chess Journalist, Ex-Stockbroker, Libertarian Activist & Frequent Candidate

And a wide open Primary to inherit Serrano's seat

District 15:

Frangell Basora (D) - Ex-District Attorney’s Office Employee & Ex-Congressional Intern
Michael Blake (D) - State Assemblyman & Ex-Obama White House Aide
Ruben Diaz Sr. (D) - NYC Councilman, Ex-State Sen, Evangelical Minister & Army Veteran
Mark Escoffery-Bey (D) - Copy Shop Owner & Frequent Candidate
Samelys Lopez (D/WF) - Ex-Bronx Community Board Member & Progressive Activist
Melissa Mark-Viverito (D) - Ex-NYC Council Speaker & Ex-NYC Councilwoman
Chivona Newsome (D) - Financial Advisor & Black Lives Matters Activist
Julio Pabon (D) - Marketing Executive, Bed/Breakfast Co-Owner & '16 NYC Council Candidate
Tomas Ramos (D) - Nonprofit Group Program Director
Ydanis Rodriguez (D) - NYC Councilman & Educator
Marlene Tapper (D) - Political Consultant, Ex-NYC Council Aide & Frequent Candidate
Ritchie Torres (D) - NYC Councilman

Why did he list his MD home as his primary residence?

The guy's basically never in his district. I'm pretty sick of career representatives who simply stop showing up for us and lose touch. Shaking them up with a primary doesn't bother me at all.

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/05/eliot-engel-new-york-coronavirus/611611/

so it cuts both ways. She also faces a primary challenger.

There was Fernando Cabrera, an anti-LGBTQ bigot with ties to a hate group and is a DINO anti-choicer (dropped out)

Then there was a ghost candidate, Jose Velazquez, who filed and then dropped out without any real action the entire campaign, raised zero reported cash, had no website (just a one page placeholder that never changed), etc.

Sam Sloan - Chess Journalist, Ex-Stockbroker, Libertarian Activist & Frequent Candidate, no cash raised or on hand (less than zero chance, 227 votes in 2016)

Badrun Khan Minor candidate, only around 4000 twitter followers, many already existed before her campaign and are not new from when she announced, she has almost no cash on hand (around 8000 USD)


and finally

The Rethug plant, RW-backed, Republican-for-years, Reagan-loving Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, pushed by Fux News


https://www.foxnews.com/media/caruso-cabrera-aoc-socialism-dem-primary (sorry for the link but it is for illustrative purposes)

snip


she is backed by the primarily RW US Chamber of Congress

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/dccc-alexandria-ocasio-cortez_n_5e9758b0c5b682e0de5a253a?ncid=engmodushpmg00000004



snip


Chamber of Commerce backs AOC's primary challenger

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/09/chamber-commerce-aoc-primary-challenger-175917

The traditionally conservative U.S. Chamber of Commerce is planning to endorse a primary challenger to progressive icon Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a move that represents a dramatic intervention in a Democratic race.

The influential organization typically supports Republican candidates who are closely aligned with the business community. But the Chamber has decided to help Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, a former CNBC anchor who is waging an underdog challenge to Ocasio-Cortez. The freshman New York City congresswoman is perhaps the most prominent liberal in the House.

snip


Here she is on the RW PJ Media saying she was/is a Republican (but not happy because they are no longer fiscally conservative), praising the Tea party and Libertarians, having a go at Obama, whinging on about government taxing her and saying there is far too much regulation


PJTV: Michelle Caruso-Cabrera: Keep Your Hands Off of Her Pocketbook





You Know I'm Right: More Prosperity, Less Government Kindle Edition
by Michelle Caruso-Cabrera

https://www.amazon.com/You-Know-Right-Prosperity-Government-ebook/dp/B003UYUSB4

"Michelle Caruso-Cabrera’s splendid book, You Know I’m Right, is all about economic freedom in pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness. She knows that the principles of freedom set down by the Founders must, as Reagan frequently reminded us, be at the very heart of American recovery."
--From the foreword by Larry Kudlow




Michelle Caruso-Cabrera: AOC’s challenger who used to live in Trump hotel and called for privatising Medicare and Social Security

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/michelle-caruso-cabrera-aoc-democratic-primary-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-bronx-nyc-a9489086.html

snip

Ms Caruso-Cabrera — who formerly described herself as a “Whole Foods Republican” — is challenging Ms Ocasio-Cortez from the right as a business-friendly centrist. Despite taking exception to Ms Ocasio-Cortez’s history with the district, Ms Caruso-Cabrera only moved into New York’s 14th District last year, and previously lived in Manhattan.

While she and her husband were living in Manhattan, Ms Caruso-Cabrera was living in Trump International Hotel and Tower on Columbus Circle in Manhattan. According to StreetEasy, the apartment rented for nearly $15,000 a month in 2011. Other apartments in the building were offered between $9,000 and $13,000.

During her interview with Business Insider, Ms Caruso-Cabrera — who formerly called Medicare and Social Security “the country’s biggest pyramid schemes” and suggested in a book they should both be privatised — insisted she no longer had outward disdain for social safety net programmes. “That book is quite old, and would I have written that book differently? Yes, I would have,” she said. “What I would tell you is that I absolutely believe in preserving Social Security and Medicare, especially for the poor and the elderly.”

In addition to calling for the privatisation of Medicare and Social Security, Ms Caruso-Cabrera’s book also included a forward by President Donald Trump’s trade adviser Larry Kudlow, an entire chapter dedicated to praising the massive corporate tax cuts enacted under the administration of US President Ronald Reagan, and a section claiming that the US cracking down on ultra-wealthy people making use of tax havens was anti-democratic.

“Freedom and democracy are best secured when banking secrecy and tax havens exist,” Ms Caruso-Cabrera wrote.

Though Ms Caruso-Cabrera has tried to distance herself from the book, she was promoting it as recently as October 2018.

snip


she is a real winner!!!!