Glenn, I'd like to know what you think about the article below. Although I can see your admiration for him shine through, I didn't get the impression that he won your vote. Although I agree that Clinton made some mistakes that may have contributed to her loss, and that the James Comey mess did't help, I also think Jill Stein definitely played a role. Cornel may not be able to see that, since he endorsed Stein. The fact is, if Stein had not run, there's a good chance Clinton would have won WI, MI, and PA and thus the election, and her agenda was certainly closer to West's than Trump's. If West runs as a third party candidate, there's an excellent chance he will help Trump get elected - does he really want that? (The practical side of him knows that). I am hoping that you and/or your wife can convince him to run as a Democrat, and in addition to not helping Trump, here are some reasons why he should consider it: 1) He only has to defeat Biden, not both Biden and Trump. 2) He will have a lot more supporters among liberals than conservatives, and he will be able to bring meaningful pressure to bear on Biden to debate him, as most Dems really want a serious candidate besides Biden. A debate will help him shape the Democratic agenda, even if he loses. 3) While he may not like many facets of the Democratic party, suggest he have a conversation with Bernie Sanders on why he's more likely to reform it from within than from without. Finally, if love is the answer as he claims, then please love your country enough to let go of the ego that makes you think you can change what nobody in history has even come close to changing; i.e., 2 party dominance. You are much more likely to change the Dems from within, Cornel. Thanks!
Significant 3rd party runs: 1968, ex-Dem George Wallace runs, Republican Nixon wins instead of HHH. In 1992, ex-Rep H. Ross Perot runs, Ventura becomes a governor, but Dem Clinton wins instead of (lying "read my lips") Bush 41.
Not quite a 3rd Party run, but 1980 had Dem Ted Kennedy run in primary against Carter, so Rep Reagan won.
Each loss made the losing party change - that's one of the key advantages of Democracy plus humans. A successful West run would result in the Dems losing in 2024, but then changing ... maybe to be more supportive of low paid, maybe low IQ, workers.
On his policies - mass incarceration seems the right response to mass criminality. Blacks are too often the victims of crime - by other Blacks. Letting Black criminals out so that they can victimize more Black victims seems unlikely to help any innocents Blacks in high-crime areas. We need more politicians, and Black leaders, who are honest about protecting innocents as more important than race counting statistics on the criminals.
Perhaps mass Community Service Corps "volunteers", to help clean up and do maintenance and security work in high crime areas so as to have some kind of honest, subsidized work for young folk doing poorly in schools. With similar discipline as the military. We need more states to try more ideas. (But running for governor is much much lower status.)
Tim Scott is also unlikely to win - but he's far far more credible.
To your question: No, he can't. If he runs as a Democrat, he should double down on his life insurance. Lyndon Johnson bought the black vote with a promise of a seat at the table; it's in Democrats' interest to keep them poor, barefoot and pregnant. And to control their population size to prevent a real revolt. He's unlikely to run as a Republican, which leaves an independent run.
If he could grab Manchin as his VP, he's likely to throw the election into the house of Representatives. But I think that's unlikely. I see Manchin as a possible RFK, JR, running mate.
Anyway, my choice has been Harold Ford, Jr, for ages.
Appreciate and honor the passionate embrace and articulation of Dr Wests beliefs. I read his books and listen to his speeches and presentations with rapt attention. If it were 2012 or perhaps 2032 I wouldn’t mind his running. But he, like so many on the left don’t get the reality we face. We are in an existential crisis that demands our full and complete attention. I can assure Dr West that a second Trump administration will be less supportive of his policy desires than a second Biden one. Like so many academic celebrities, he has a high opinion of himself, that’s fine. He deserves all the accolades he gets. I wish him a long and healthy life. But he and the Kennedy asshole need to get out of the water and focus on preventing the second coming of the Orange God King.
Win? Of course not. Shake things up on the left and in the center? Absolutely. US presidential politics is in flux; like at no other time in my memory.
West's candidacy, oddly, reminds me of the early days of Trump2016. I *never* wanted Trump to be POTUS, but I loved what he was doing to the Republican Party at the time. He was the ultimate bull in the china shop. It was entertaining as hell.
Of course I learned a lesson about cheering on a bull in a china shop: He could end up owning the place. Not good.
Not many people are gonna take Cornel seriously as a presidential candidate--obviously--but he's deeply respected on the progressive left. Moreover, America, economically, has already shifted left--like, long time ago. Trump did not get the GOP nomination in '16 touting free markets and big business--quite the opposite. He did it with populism. (Trump was the tariffs/farmer bailouts man for Pete's sake.)
Cornel has probably read more books than all of the other candidates combined. In speeches, interviews, even one-on-one debates, he would sound smarter than most of them, because frankly, he probably is. He's just eccentric--and solidly left.
West could solidify a substantial enough portion of the true left to be a problem. And I'll bet he could *possibly* pull a few of those nonWhite, not-traditionally-Republican Trump supporters. (Remember that 13% of Black males who voted for Trump in '16?)
Cornel was never a fan of Obama. It would seem near-impossible for him to wholeheartedly endorse Biden. He could give the Democrats a migraine under the right circumstances.
Glenn, I'd like to know what you think about the article below. Although I can see your admiration for him shine through, I didn't get the impression that he won your vote. Although I agree that Clinton made some mistakes that may have contributed to her loss, and that the James Comey mess did't help, I also think Jill Stein definitely played a role. Cornel may not be able to see that, since he endorsed Stein. The fact is, if Stein had not run, there's a good chance Clinton would have won WI, MI, and PA and thus the election, and her agenda was certainly closer to West's than Trump's. If West runs as a third party candidate, there's an excellent chance he will help Trump get elected - does he really want that? (The practical side of him knows that). I am hoping that you and/or your wife can convince him to run as a Democrat, and in addition to not helping Trump, here are some reasons why he should consider it: 1) He only has to defeat Biden, not both Biden and Trump. 2) He will have a lot more supporters among liberals than conservatives, and he will be able to bring meaningful pressure to bear on Biden to debate him, as most Dems really want a serious candidate besides Biden. A debate will help him shape the Democratic agenda, even if he loses. 3) While he may not like many facets of the Democratic party, suggest he have a conversation with Bernie Sanders on why he's more likely to reform it from within than from without. Finally, if love is the answer as he claims, then please love your country enough to let go of the ego that makes you think you can change what nobody in history has even come close to changing; i.e., 2 party dominance. You are much more likely to change the Dems from within, Cornel. Thanks!
https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/cornel-west-presidential-campaign/
Can he even win the Green Party nom?
(I really don’t know; don’t follow the Greens at all.)
Significant 3rd party runs: 1968, ex-Dem George Wallace runs, Republican Nixon wins instead of HHH. In 1992, ex-Rep H. Ross Perot runs, Ventura becomes a governor, but Dem Clinton wins instead of (lying "read my lips") Bush 41.
Not quite a 3rd Party run, but 1980 had Dem Ted Kennedy run in primary against Carter, so Rep Reagan won.
Each loss made the losing party change - that's one of the key advantages of Democracy plus humans. A successful West run would result in the Dems losing in 2024, but then changing ... maybe to be more supportive of low paid, maybe low IQ, workers.
On his policies - mass incarceration seems the right response to mass criminality. Blacks are too often the victims of crime - by other Blacks. Letting Black criminals out so that they can victimize more Black victims seems unlikely to help any innocents Blacks in high-crime areas. We need more politicians, and Black leaders, who are honest about protecting innocents as more important than race counting statistics on the criminals.
Perhaps mass Community Service Corps "volunteers", to help clean up and do maintenance and security work in high crime areas so as to have some kind of honest, subsidized work for young folk doing poorly in schools. With similar discipline as the military. We need more states to try more ideas. (But running for governor is much much lower status.)
Tim Scott is also unlikely to win - but he's far far more credible.
To your question: No, he can't. If he runs as a Democrat, he should double down on his life insurance. Lyndon Johnson bought the black vote with a promise of a seat at the table; it's in Democrats' interest to keep them poor, barefoot and pregnant. And to control their population size to prevent a real revolt. He's unlikely to run as a Republican, which leaves an independent run.
If he could grab Manchin as his VP, he's likely to throw the election into the house of Representatives. But I think that's unlikely. I see Manchin as a possible RFK, JR, running mate.
Anyway, my choice has been Harold Ford, Jr, for ages.
Appreciate and honor the passionate embrace and articulation of Dr Wests beliefs. I read his books and listen to his speeches and presentations with rapt attention. If it were 2012 or perhaps 2032 I wouldn’t mind his running. But he, like so many on the left don’t get the reality we face. We are in an existential crisis that demands our full and complete attention. I can assure Dr West that a second Trump administration will be less supportive of his policy desires than a second Biden one. Like so many academic celebrities, he has a high opinion of himself, that’s fine. He deserves all the accolades he gets. I wish him a long and healthy life. But he and the Kennedy asshole need to get out of the water and focus on preventing the second coming of the Orange God King.
Win? Of course not. Shake things up on the left and in the center? Absolutely. US presidential politics is in flux; like at no other time in my memory.
West's candidacy, oddly, reminds me of the early days of Trump2016. I *never* wanted Trump to be POTUS, but I loved what he was doing to the Republican Party at the time. He was the ultimate bull in the china shop. It was entertaining as hell.
Of course I learned a lesson about cheering on a bull in a china shop: He could end up owning the place. Not good.
Not many people are gonna take Cornel seriously as a presidential candidate--obviously--but he's deeply respected on the progressive left. Moreover, America, economically, has already shifted left--like, long time ago. Trump did not get the GOP nomination in '16 touting free markets and big business--quite the opposite. He did it with populism. (Trump was the tariffs/farmer bailouts man for Pete's sake.)
Cornel has probably read more books than all of the other candidates combined. In speeches, interviews, even one-on-one debates, he would sound smarter than most of them, because frankly, he probably is. He's just eccentric--and solidly left.
West could solidify a substantial enough portion of the true left to be a problem. And I'll bet he could *possibly* pull a few of those nonWhite, not-traditionally-Republican Trump supporters. (Remember that 13% of Black males who voted for Trump in '16?)
Cornel was never a fan of Obama. It would seem near-impossible for him to wholeheartedly endorse Biden. He could give the Democrats a migraine under the right circumstances.
nope. but the greens can help trump.
lol no