Democrats from across the ideological spectrum are gathering in Denver today (let us know if you’re there!) at What’s Next, the post-midterm event chaired by Rep. Jake Auchincloss. The Atlantic profile of Auchincloss out today is titled The Democrat who wants to Make Politics Boring Again.
Catchy headline, but you may not find his blend of responsibility and ideas boring.
Auchincloss describes a quest sure to excite many readers: “a path for liberals between the ascendant populist left on one side and the sclerotic party establishment on the other.” One that can reach the “morally serious, market-oriented, exhausted majority of Americans who feel increasingly orphaned by both parties.”
A path forward with compelling policy ideas is not surprising from the Massachusetts congressman, whose Simple But Not Easy newsletter we’ve recommended before.
But “Morally serious” sounds like bullshit, right?
Only if you forget when Auchincloss stood nearly alone in the Democratic Party calling out the dangers of Graham Platner last year. The politics of that stance seemed bad, leading every other elected Democrat to land on a spectrum between crass opportunism and uncomfortably looking away. It worked out politically for the party in the end, as Maine’s Senate seat was flipped by Platner’s successor. And it should remain top of mind as Democrats consider who to listen to when balancing enthusiasm with responsibility moving forward. Read the full Atlantic piece by Russell Berman here.
Serious Fun
There has been a joyous energy in DC the last few days - just look at the Blue Dog class photos - with a strong undertone of seriousness mixed in.
I was moved by Adam Hamilton’s description of his first days of Senate orientation:
At times it felt like drinking from a firehose. At other times I found myself deeply moved … I could feel the beginnings of productive, friendly relationships. On the Senate floor, I sat at a desk where generations of remarkable men and women have sat before me. I am humbled that God, and the people of Kansas, have given me this privilege.
That blend of joy and responsibility was present at the Promise to America celebration on Tuesday, where leaders from around the country made it clear both that America is going to be more fun AND pay our bills.
What Centrists Should Read Today
Do moderates still have an electability advantage? New WAR scores for ideological caucuses from Lakshya Jain.
To answer the question … yes (although smaller than in prior cycles). More on that from Jonathan Chait in The Atlantic on The Left’s Election Denial.
The Democrat who wants to Make Politics Boring Again - Russell Berman on Rep. Jake Auchincloss in The Atlantic.
Get a sneak peek at our new Party Crashers report on how the early-state presidential primary electorate will be far larger and more moderate than in 2020, as first reported by Politico’s Lisa Kashinsky. More on this tomorrow.
Quick Hits
Scranton Mayor & Rep-elect Paige Cognetti declared that Democrats have Directive, not a Mandate. Spoken like an executive representing a Trump district.
NewDems inaugurated its largest-ever class of 40 into a total of 142 members, the largest in the 30 year history of the moderate caucus … and elected Nikki Budzinksi as Chair.
Blue Dogs returned its leadership team, with Marie Gluesenkamp Perez chairing the Coalition and Rep. Adam Gray chairing the Blue Dog PAC … and slightly shifted its composition: in exciting news, Kristen McDonald Rivet - a top overperformer representing a Trump-district in Michigan - has joined the Blue Dogs … and more incumbents may be on the way into the “suddenly popular centrist faction” … meanwhile, Rep-elect Brian Poindexter, a “Bernie Dog” endorsed by both the Progressive Caucus and Blue Dogs, is no longer affiliated with either. There are still two overlapping members, Montana’s Sam Forstag and Pennsylvania’s Bob Brooks.
Caucuses have taken opposing stands on the permitting bill: Progressives against with Blue Dogs & NewDems in favor.
Data from The Economist “suggests that a moderate Democratic nominee would probably stand a better chance of winning back the White House than a DSA-backed one.”
436 days until the first presidential primary!