The usual suspects parade through the crowd
The not-to-be-missed event this weekend for the anti-Trump, socialism-loving crowd is the Netroots Nation conference in New Orleans. August in New Orleans is hot and steamy and this also seems to describe the mood of #TheResistance faithful. Several Democrats said to be potential 2020 presidential candidates have already spoken to the crowd of about 3,000 attendees.
Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) addressed the divide in the party while attempting to encourage unity.
“The pundits will say it’s impossible for us to build a coalition that cuts across issues and communities – that Democrats have to choose between being the party of the white working class and the party of Black Lives Matter,” Warren said in a speech that was frequently interrupted by applause.
That’s an odd comparison, even for her. The whole story about President Trump’s victory is that of the mostly white working class who no longer participated in voting coming out to vote for him, including those who identified as old-school Reagan Democrats. He delivered a message to them of hope and jobs, not the socialist promises of Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders.
Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) was there to talk about catering to identity politics, the foundation of the Democratic Party. She gave a special shout-out to African-American women and credited them with recent victories in special elections for the party, like that of Doug Jones in Alabama. (Washington Post)
She urged attendees to “speak truth” and called for the Democratic Party to be more attentive to the concerns of key parts of its base, such as black women, who were instrumental in the special-election victory of Sen. Doug Jones (D-Ala.) last year.
“The truth is that the folks who helped build the Democratic Party and have been the backbone of the Democratic Party have not always been given equal voice in the Democratic Party, and we need to deal with that,” she said.
Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) was there. He spoke up for party unity. He got himself into a bit of a public relations nightmare, though, as he was photographed holding a pro-Palestinean sign with some fans.
Excited to be here at Netroots Nation talking with progressives like Sen. Cory Booker about our shared commitment to freedom, justice, and equality for all people. #NN18 pic.twitter.com/ljswLmv32w
— Palestinian Rights (@US_Campaign) August 3,2018
Naturally, when he was called out on the signage by Jewish voters, he feigned ignorance. Well, maybe the ignorance is real with him, but he claims someone just shoved the sign in his hands and he didn’t have time to read it before the photo was taken. That sure doesn’t sound like how a guy who is trying to be a serious leader conducts himself. He previously had a rather solid relationship with Jewish supporters.
Supporters of Israel reject comparisons between the Israeli security barrier – which they credit with virtually ending terrorist attacks within Israel – and a wall on the Mexican border largely seen as a bid to stop immigration overall.
Palestinians oppose Israel’s security barrier, which in many instances takes the form of a wall, because it cuts through the West Bank instead of running along the 1967 border and inhibits travel for Palestinians.
Booker always brings the drama. That’s the problem with identity politics – there’s always one group that feels neglected because it’s impossible to please everyone all the time. His spokesman tried to do a little clean-up when questioned about the sign.
“In one instance, amid the rush, he was posing for a photo and was passed a sign to hold – he didn’t have time to read the sign, and from his cursory glance he thought it was talking about Mexico and didn’t realize it had anything to do with Israel,” Giertz said. “He hopes for a day when there will be no need for security barriers in the State of Israel, but while active terrorist organizations threaten the safety of the people living in Israel, security barriers are unfortunate but necessary to protect human lives.”
See, he just doesn’t want America to be a safer country, only Israel, with a border wall. I hope that clears it all up for you.
And, finally, former Sex and the City actress Cynthia Nixon, running to be the next governor of New York, told the crowd that better Democrats must be elected. By ‘better’ she means Socialists.
On the other side was Nixon, who prompted cheers from the crowd with her call for progressives to help elect not just more Democrats but “better Democrats.”
“This is not a time to settle for the way things are. This is a time to fight. This year, progressives want power, not concessions,” she said, blasting a Democratic establishment that she said, “tells us to stop talking about abolishing ICE because it doesn’t poll well.”
She persisted. Hillary Clinton must be so proud.
Saturday’s agenda, the closing day of the conference, is filled with less stellar names and panels, except for that of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio, two darlings of the Socialist left.
Saturday Keynotes: A call to action: take the lessons of #NN18 home with you and win! With @Ocasio2018 @kdeleon @JulianCastro @HelenGymAtLarge @RepTimRyan @WoodfinForBham 5pm the Great Hall. https://t.co/HCg6SBKH9R pic.twitter.com/a6QctFRrZw
— Netroots Nation (@Netroots_Nation) August 4,2018
As is said in south Louisiana, laissez les bon temps roulee. Let the good time roll.
