Cornel West’s Green Party Run He May Really Shake Things UP

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   Sharlee01posted 18 months ago

   
   Cornel West’s candidacy on the Green Party line confuses some of his longtime political allies and friends – while also alarming top Democrats and Black leaders as a potential ticking time bomb for President Joe Biden in next year’s election.
   
   The political philosopher and proud agitator is tapping into his semi-celebrity to attack Biden from the left – where the president has never been fully embraced – and describing his administrations as a mere “postponement of fascism.” And as concerns over Black voter enthusiasm bubble among Democratic operatives, West is also making a deliberately race-based argument, accusing the Democratic establishment of treating the electorate like “a plantation where you got ownership status in terms of which way you vote.”
   
   Most top Democrats remain skeptical West will raise enough money to mount an extensive operation – he jumped from the little-known People’s Party to the Greens after a rocky rollout – and are following the Biden campaign’s lead of deliberately not engaging with him.
   
   But his decision to run on a ballot line which Democrats blame for spoiling both the 2000 and 2016 elections, when Green presidential nominees drew enough votes to help give Republicans key states in the Electoral College, has made his candidacy a running source of angst and, increasingly, a topic of private conversations among multiple Democratic leaders nationally and in battleground states
   
   And while many political insiders have been buzzing about the group No Labels trying to get on the ballot in many states with a presidential candidate, the Greens are already there in 16 – and in 2016, got up to 44, including the most competitive states.
   
   “This is going to sneak up on people,” said David Axelrod, a former Barack Obama adviser who also serves as a CNN political commentator. “I don’t know why alarm bells aren’t going off now, and they should be at a steady drumbeat from now until the election.”
   
   There are no sirens blaring, but top Democrats in swing states have taken notice.
   
   “We should be concerned. I don’t think time’s necessarily on our side. The longer these things hang out there, the worse it tends to get,” said Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, who acknowledged that the conversation about West has, so far, been more among insiders than voters. “We should try to deal with it rather quickly if we can.”
   
   Interested read on -- very interesting article.
   https://www.aol.com/news/democratic-wor … 55015.html
   
   Cornel is a long-time Democratic Socialist.  He could draw many votes from young college-age voters, as well as black voters. I mean look how well Bernie did in 2016.
   
   Thoughts

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      Credence2posted 18 months agoin reply to this

      We Democrats cannot afford any Cornel West or Robert Kennedy Jr. diluting the party and its objective to keep the Republicans out of the White House at all costs.
      
      But, I would welcome the controversy between Trump and others who are challenging him, however. That is if he can stay out of the Orange jump suit until nomination.
      
      Despite Dr. West's misgivings about the Democratic Party, a loss to the Republican Party because of needless distractions would be far more costly to African Americans with almost 100 percent certainty.
      
      According to JFK's grandson, Robert betrays the Kennedy legacy. Democrats cannot take him seriously.
      
      https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/jfks-gr … p_catchall

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         Sharlee01posted 18 months agoin reply to this

         "We Democrats cannot afford any Cornel West or Robert Kennedy Jr. diluting the party and its objective to keep the Republicans out of the White House at all costs."
         
         So, you want to keep Biden?
         
         We have lots stepping up to challenge Trump. I appreciate this, I think it is the way democracy was meant to be.  I mean to continue to hold our noses could be very destructive to the country. We The People need to demand better.
         
         Cornel West is a learned man, and many of us respect him for his activism and his down-to-earth common sense.   Why would he not be taken seriously?  I would certainly prefer him over Biden. I need not say why.

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            Credence2posted 18 months agoin reply to this

            Good questions....
            
            
            Biden is a Democrat, he is an incumbent which is to his advantage, and while he is too moderate for my tastes, he would be more palatable to the general electorate. Looking at what is currently out there, I will take my chances with Biden, Geritol and all.
            
            Robert Kennedy Jr. is getting too much support and kudos from Republicans for my taste. He is not a Democrat.
            
            Cornel West is learned, but far too radical for the tastes of the General electorate. I would be pleased, but I know better. He would be a flash in the pan like Jesse Jackson and his candidacy was back in 1988, or was it 1984? We can't afford to have our voting strength watered down by candidates who could not win. I have to support candidates that can garner enough support to defeat the Republicans. Unfortunately, that means a much more middle of the road Democratic candidate.

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               Sharlee01posted 18 months agoin reply to this

               But, would either of these men be a cut above Biden?  I think either very praiseworthy human being. I always try to look into the pasts of Candidates. And you know when I did this with Biden -- I found very little in his 47 years in Congress commendable. I found he swayed with the wind, and was often untruthful. He stood or fought for nothing. He went with the pack, 
               
               Let's have a better look at  Kennedy ---  There are many positives in regard to RKJ.  As an activist, he has been involved in various causes and organizations related to environmental protection and public health. I find both important challenges. ( I prefer a fighter, so activist is a good thing in my book)
               
               As an environmental advocate, he is recognized for his strong commitment to environmental protection.   He has been involved in numerous campaigns and legal battles aimed at safeguarding natural resources, wildlife, and our very ecosystems.  He does his homework on any environmental issue.   In my view, his advocacy work has worked to raise awareness about environmental issues and prompted action to address them. He is a powerful speaker.
               
               As an attorney, Kennedy possesses the legal knowledge and experience he has used to fight for environmental causes.     He has represented various communities and organizations in lawsuits against corporations and government bodies, seeking accountability and compensation for environmental damages.  I like his tenacity to fight for what he believes is right.
               
               Kennedy has been particularly active in advocating for clean water and holding polluters accountable for contaminating water sources.  His efforts have contributed to the protection of water quality and the promotion of safe drinking water.  And tons of work is needed in regards to our water, in many states we have forever chemicals in our water. Saving water is as important as climate...  Dirty water is responsible for many of the cancers that plague the US.
               
               He supports and promotes the adoption of renewable energy sources as a way to mitigate climate change and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. He has been involved in initiatives aimed at advancing renewable energy technologies. And promotes logical plans on how to come to use renewables, to decrease mistakes and failure. 
               
               Public Health concerns are one of his passions.  He has been involved in raising awareness about public health concerns related to pollution, toxic substances, and industrial practices that can harm human health for decades.  His work has led to increased scrutiny and regulation of potentially harmful industries.
               
               Kennedy has supported philanthropic efforts aimed at improving the environment and public health. His philanthropy has been geared to contribute to the funding of research and initiatives that address pressing environmental challenges.
               
               So, what do you think, is he a man that would make a good president?   Has he not devoted his time to very good causes?
               
               For me, I would take either over Biden or most possibly we could end up with Harris.

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                  Credence2posted 18 months agoin reply to this

                  Well, Sharlee, this is how myself and many democrats like me see RFK Jr.
                  
                  I can't abide with any Republican candidate these days neither by explicit name nor by his ideas based on the company he keeps.
                  
                  The GOP want to use him as a "spoiler"
                  
                  I have to defeat Republicans both in name and personage. If RFK adheres to Republican agenda and values, he would not make a good President, in my opinion.
                  
                  In this struggle I have to win, so there can be no room for either a "flash in pan" candidate nor a DINO. So, looking at the field available, Biden remains my best choice.
                  
                  
                  This article is pretty succinct about it.
                  
                  
                  https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2023/06 … e-him.html

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                     Sharlee01posted 18 months agoin reply to this

                     Gosh, I offered a personal view of the positives about the man. Did you feel those positives I offered in any respect were in line with a conservative view?   
                     
                     I really missed this one. I was trying to point out he certainly reflects more the mindset of a Democratic than a Republican.
                     
                     I even think he could pull many independents as well as some Republicans to vote for him.
                     
                     I will agree he would be a spoiler, but a spoiler that could win. It's clear people are looking at him. He is raising cash, that said something.
                     
                     It would appear that the Dems are going with Biden. I think this is such a huge gamble on their part. This man is literally melting before my
                     eyes.  As I have said he has really bad karma.

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                        Credence2posted 18 months agoin reply to this

                        Understood, it is just that his negatives have the Democratic base suspicious. Republicans are not going to hurrah any Democrat that is a real threat to them.
                        
                        Where he does embrace the association with and ideals of the Right are at key and dangerous pressures points.
                        
                        Dems are in abject fear of Trump and the strident onslaught of the Right and will do everything to prevent its return, from not selecting ideological strong candidates who cannot win the general election, to RFK, who is suspect as to his ultimate loyalty. From that point of view Biden, is not so much of a gamble. Besides, this is a time where we can ill afford a split in our ranks as we have to be certain that a Republican does not acquire the White House in 2025.

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