We can't have Jeffries as speaker

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[–] 11 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (9 children)

[Copy/pasting this from another thread because it's important:]

Can we start talking about who we would like to see in those congressional leadership roles?

For starters, here are some potential names for Senate Majority Leader:

  • Corry Booker [Heard]
  • Elizabeth Warren
  • Jon Ossoff
  • Chris Van Hollen

And for Speaker of the House:

  • Jamie Raskin
  • Ro Khanna
  • Robert Garcia
  • Pramila Jayapal

Feel free to discuss pros and cons regarding any of them, or add more names to the lists. We need to have this conversation now.

[Edit: Added PJ by request]

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  • [–] 18 points 3 days ago (6 children)

    Ugh. Not Booker. He’s just gonna be a young lively Schumer. Warren would be 🔥 but I doubt that the mainline centrist senators would go for it.

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  • [–] 8 points 3 days ago (5 children)

    That's disappointing :/ I had a good impression of Booker but I'll admit I haven't payed super close attention.

    That's why I like hearing a variety of perspectives from people who know more than I do. Can't do a deep dive on ~300 legislators, but there's always someone well-informed who can share an opinion.

    You don't think Warren would have the support? That's sad, she would be awesome in the role. What about Ossoff or Van Hollen?

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  • [–] 8 points 3 days ago (2 children)

    if they gave the top spot to Warren I would be so happy. I just don’t see a body that was perfectly happy with Schumer for (how long has it been, it feels like forever) supporting someone that far left (not like Warren is super left, but relative to the Senate, is there anyone between her and Sanders?).

    Ossoff could be good. IDK much about Van Hollen.

    Booker is so frustrating because he will sometimes give fiery speeches and get everyone hyped up but then turn around and vote exactly how the pharma lobbyists and APAIC dictate.

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  • [–] 6 points 3 days ago

    Booker is so frustrating because he will sometimes give fiery speeches and get everyone hyped up but then turn around and vote exactly how the pharma lobbyists and APAIC dictate.

    This. He talks a good game when the game calls for it, but for the most part he's content to just let the pieces move around the board as they have been.

    Man, mixed metaphors get messy.

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  • [–] 2 points 3 days ago

    This isn't the same body though. Progressives are making inroads even in the Senate. Yeah it might not have reached critical mass yet, but is it enough to show some of the old guard which way the wind is blowing?

    I'm starting to sense a consensus building around Ossoff. The only downsides I've heard so far are that he's still relatively junior, and he might already have his sights on the presidential primary for 2028. I don't think either of those things are insurmountable obstacles though. Plus he has charisma and backing.

    I love Van Hollen. He's honest and genuine and does his best to deliver on his promises. But yeah he's not super well-known and that might be his key obstacle.

    Personally I think it speaks to his merit, because he's too humble to play the political game and make a name for himself. A little bit of outside support to get him in the spotlight more and he could go places.

    And I hear you about Booker. I think you may be right, sadly. It's disappointing but a lot of people seem to be seeing it the same way. Anyone know how much money he accepted from AIPAC?

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  • [–] 4 points 3 days ago (1 child)

    I like Booker but his AIPAC ties are upsetting. Warren is always acceptable but Ossoff has been kicking ass on the speechifying lately. He’s got potential.

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  • [–] 2 points 3 days ago

    Yeah I'm hearing a lot of feedback on Booker, it seems he's just another centrist, but with flair. I wasn't aware of his AIPAC ties.

    Alas.

    Not as egregious as Jeffries or Schumer, but $846k is $846k


    I agree on Warren and Ossoff though. Either one would do great as SML, but Ossoff could likely garner more support. I hear they're considering him for the presidential primary, but a Senate leadership position might help him there rather than hurt him

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  • [–] 4 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 child)

    It's not just those 2, it's any of the Rotating Villains. Here's a comment i made about Dem senators when they voted against the War Powers resolution ICE funding votes after the public executions in January https://lemmy.world/comment/22588355

    To summarize, it's a failure on leadership, and the whip if any Democrats break ranks, then also those Democrats. Here's the list from that vote:

    The Senate Democratic leader is Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) The Senate Democratic Whip is Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL)

    The Eight Senate Democrats/Independents who voted in favor were: Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL) Sen. Angus King (I-ME) Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA)

    The House did not have enough votes to defeat it, and all voted against but here are those leaders too. The House Democratic leader is Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) The House Democratic Minority Whip is Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA) "

    May their phone lines know no peace, as ours hadn't in the lead up to this election.

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  • [–] 2 points 3 days ago

    Thank you for your input. I took the liberty of cleaning up the list to make it more readable.

    Senate

    • The Senate Democratic leader:
      Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY)

    • The Senate Democratic Whip:
      Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL)

    The Eight Senate Democrats/Independents who voted in favor of ICE funding:

    • Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL)
    • Sen. Angus King (I-ME)
    • Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH)
    • Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)
    • Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV)
    • Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
    • Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA)
    • Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA)

    House of Representatives

    • Democratic leader:
      Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY)
    • The House Democratic Minority Whip:
      Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA)

    Folks, this is important stuff! If you see your state, you know your mission for the next primary election season.

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