Washblog

Mossback: The Unpopularity of Populism

By zappini
Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 10:15:40 PM PST
Section: Diary Topic: Economic Justice

Knute Berger (aka Mossback) joined the chorus of self-satisfied elites roasting marshmellows over John Edwards' failed populist-themed campaign.
Candidates who have embraced various aspects of the traditional populist amalgam -- class warfare, corporate greed, fundamental monetary reform, and general antiestablishmentarianism -- have tanked.

I've got an alternate theory. Mine's based in reality:

Edwards' populist message didn't catch fire because no one got to hear Edwards' message.

I wasn't paying attention in 2000. But my understanding was that Gore's populist message was gaining traction. And then on the advice of self-satisfied elites (aka pundits, consultants, camp followers), Gore stopped all that crazy talk about equality. And then Gore lost that advantage.

Here's another plausible theory:

I read somewhere, can't remember where, that Edwards did very poorly with African Americans in South Carolina. Obama got the minority voters. Clinton got the female voters. So, in this election, there was little left for Edwards.

Hardly a stinging rebuke of the themes of equality, fairness, and economic justice.

< HB 2688: Everywhere you look you see us: families of men and women in prison | "We await the day when a Mormon Democrat runs for president" >
Display: Sort:
Mossback: The Unpopularity of Populism | 3 comments (3 topical)
Berger is the defintion of irrelevance. n/t

by shoephone on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:32:04 AM PST

* 1 none 0 *

I think that is one of the main reasons, plus
people bought into the main stream media label of "angry" man when in fact Edwards is a passionate man - his enthusiam was mischaracterized.

I also, think that Edwards may have done better if he framed his argument a bit differently - instead of us against them, used a community theme - Americans as one big community (this frame was suggested in something I read)

by raincity calling on Thu Feb 07, 2008 at 12:38:18 PM PST

* 2 none 0 *

Mossback: The Unpopularity of Populism | 3 comments (3 topical)
Display: Sort:

 

PNW TOPIC HOTLIST

 

WELCOME AND FAQ
ABOUT

Login
Make a new account
Username:
Password:

 HELP

Recommended Diaries

Recent Diaries

King County Elections Director Race
By Particle Man (3 comments)
State Budget Cuts
By chadlupkes (5 comments)
Thinking of shopping at Wal-Mart this Holiday Season?
By Wake Up Walmart (1 comments)
On The Need To Clear The Musical Desk, Or, Are You In New York This Sunday?
By fake consultant (1 comments)
Boot weaselly Lieberman off his Committee!
By dinazina (3 comments)
First Lady to be, Michelle Obama phoned me -- at my home!!
By Lietta Ruger (1 comments)
On The New President, Or, The World Doesn't Change All In One Day
By fake consultant (3 comments)
Americans need health CARE, not health insurance
By Pen (2 comments)
Washington Group Helps 94 Year Old Woman Cast her Ballot
By rachelfirm (0 comments)
WASHINGTON VOTER STORY: Sandy's Story
By rachelfirm (0 comments)
Breaking news: Bush suspends the election
By ThinkerFeeler (0 comments)
Vote Goldmark, he's the CORRECT choice for ethical government
By ex dnr and loving it (1 comments)
New trick phone call to watch out for?
By chadlupkes (2 comments)
Essex Porter and Seattle Media PWN'd by Matt Stoller
By jeffuppy (9 comments)
What will we do if Obama "loses?"
By raincity calling (9 comments)

Related Links

+ joined the chorus
+ no one got to hear Edwards' message
+ zappini's Diary

Washblog RSS Feeds

Political Contacts

Parties and State Legislators

Local Media

Coastal/Grays Harbor
Aberdeen Daily World
Chinook Observer
Montesano Vidette
Pacific County Press
Willapa Harbor Herald
KXRO 1320 AM
Olympic Peninsula
Peninsula Daily News
Bremerton Sun
Bremerton Chronicle
Gig Harbor Gateway
Port Orchard Independent
Port Townsend Leader
North Kitsap Herald
Squim Gazette
Central Kitsap Reporter
Business Examiner
KONP 1450 AM
Sound and Islands
Anacortes American
Bainbridge Review
Voice Of Bainbridge
San Juan Journal
The Islands' Sounder
Whidbey NewsTimes
South Whidbey Record
Stanwood/Camano News
Vashon Beachcomber
Voice Of Vashon
KLKI 1340 AM
North Puget Sound
Bellingham Herald
The Northern Light
Everett Herald
Skagit Valley Herald
Lynden Tribune
The Enterprise
Snohomish County Tribune
Snohomish County Business Journal
The Monroe Monitor
The Edmonds Beacon
KGMI 790 AM
KELA 1470 AM
KRKO 1380 AM
Central Puget Sound
King County Journal
Issaquah Press
Mukilteo Beacon
Voice of the Valley
Federal Way Mirror
Bothell/Kenmore Reporter
Kirkland courier
Mercer Island Reporter
Woodinville Weekly
Greater Seattle
Seattle PI
Seattle Times
KOMO TV 4
KIRO TV 7
KING 5 TV
KTBW TV 22
KCTS 9
UW Daily
The Stranger
Seattle Weekly
Capitol Hill Times
Madison Park Times
Seattle Journal of Commerce
NW Asian Weekly
West Seattle Herald
North Seattle Herald-Outlook
South Seattle Star
Magnolia News
Beacon Hill News
KIRO 710 AM
KOMO AM 1000
KEXP 90.3 FM
KUOW 94.9 FM
KVI 570 AM
South Puget Sound
The Columbian
Longview Daily News
Nisqually Valley News
Lewis County News
The Reflector
Eatonville Dispatch
Tacoma News Tribune
Tacoma Weekly
Puyallup Herald
Enumclaw Courier-Herald
The Olympian
KAOS 89.3 FM
KCPQ 13
KOWA FM 106.5
UPN 11
Cascade/Okanogan
Ellensburg Daily Record
Levenworth Echo
Cle Elum Tribune
Snoqualmie Valley Record
Methow Valley News
Lake Chelan Mirror
Omak chronicle
The Newport Miner
Spokane/Palouse
The Spokesman-Review
KREM 2 TV Spokane
KXLY News 4 Spokane
KHQ 6 Spokane
KSPS Spokane
Statesman-Examiner
Othello Outlook
Cheney Free Press
Camas PostRecord
The South County sun
White Salmon Enterprise
Palouse Boomerang
Columbia Basin Herald
Grand Coulee Star
Walla Walla Union-Bulletin
Yakima Herald-Republic
KIMA 29 Yakima
KAPP TV 35 Yakima
KYVE Yakima
Wenatchee World
Tri-City Herald
TVEW TV 42 Tri-cities
KTNW Richland
KEPR 19 Pasco
Daily Sun News
Prosser Record-Bulletin
KTCR 1340 AM
KWSU Pullman
Moscow-Pullman Daily News