Thanks, John. When I heard Biden speaking last night I thought to myself, John Stoehr is gonna love what he's saying. And I agree with Biden and with you. I feel like I'm in good company. Slept better last night than I have in years.
I'm glad you mentioned Lincoln. Lincoln was, among many things, a strong partisan. He believed, as you note, that slave-holding and democracy were entirely incompatible. He *also* believed that the young Republican party was uniquely the defender of democracy. He didn't shy away from partisan fights. On the contrary: He went to war over them.
I'm not advocating we do the same! But to say that Democrats should shy away from partisan fights about the health -- and very existence -- of our democracy is just wrong-headed. There is a majoritarian pro-democracy coalition in the country. To win -- to preserve a democratic Republic -- we must make it clear to everyone, including folks who voted for Biden but GOP down-ticket, that *this is a fight, and there are sides.* The sharper the contrast -- and the clear the stakes -- the more likely we are to grow and strengthen that majoritarian pro-democracy coalition.
OMG — John!! You’ve really hit the nail square on the head today. Don’t I say that every time I comment? But really, SPOT ON! Thank you for this one. And for Steven Smith’s piece. Terrific. My body is stuck in the quicksands of Kansas, but you set my head free this lunchtime! :D Happy Holidays. Stay safe. Be well.
Thanks, John. When I heard Biden speaking last night I thought to myself, John Stoehr is gonna love what he's saying. And I agree with Biden and with you. I feel like I'm in good company. Slept better last night than I have in years.
Thanks, my friend.
I'm glad you mentioned Lincoln. Lincoln was, among many things, a strong partisan. He believed, as you note, that slave-holding and democracy were entirely incompatible. He *also* believed that the young Republican party was uniquely the defender of democracy. He didn't shy away from partisan fights. On the contrary: He went to war over them.
I'm not advocating we do the same! But to say that Democrats should shy away from partisan fights about the health -- and very existence -- of our democracy is just wrong-headed. There is a majoritarian pro-democracy coalition in the country. To win -- to preserve a democratic Republic -- we must make it clear to everyone, including folks who voted for Biden but GOP down-ticket, that *this is a fight, and there are sides.* The sharper the contrast -- and the clear the stakes -- the more likely we are to grow and strengthen that majoritarian pro-democracy coalition.
OMG — John!! You’ve really hit the nail square on the head today. Don’t I say that every time I comment? But really, SPOT ON! Thank you for this one. And for Steven Smith’s piece. Terrific. My body is stuck in the quicksands of Kansas, but you set my head free this lunchtime! :D Happy Holidays. Stay safe. Be well.