I knew George Latimer when he was a NYS Senator. An absolute gentleman, even-tempered, pragmatic, smart and able to represent his constituent’s interests while leading them. I’m pretty left-wing, but this was the right choice for the district and for the Democratic Party in general.
Thank you for talking about this Chris. I was actually going to ask about this for a mailbag question. And the palm tree is a total vibe.
I live in Westchester County. George Latimer is my county executive. He is everywhere. I've seen him several times at my village's small little farmer's market on Saturday morning.
Bowman's attempts to define him and paint him as a "racist" was a terrible move, because everyone knew who he was. He's a total clown who finally got exposed for it.
That rally he held in the South Bronx where he was f bombing like crazy? Not even in his district.
Chris, I think you’re missing the primary point of why Bowman lost, based upon comments I’ve read from his constituents: he’s a bad candidate who ignored then insulted *many* in his district and is clearly out of touch with their needs. He, like many on the far right, are “playing to the gallery” of social media for national name recognition, and are completely lousy at actual governing. Voting against the infrastructure bill because it didn’t have things you want in it?!? That’s petulance, not governing.
I don’t think you can draw too many “larger” conclusions from this. Maybe, as you said, if Bush loses in August…
You're absolutely correct. Chris is reading too much to Bowma's lose. He was a uniquely bad Rep. for his constituency and that's why he lost. After all, AOC won her race handily.
And he was polling down 17 points from Latimer *before* AIPAC spent a penny. While “the costliest primary in the history of Congress” is an interesting side note, Bowman simply didn’t do ANYTHING for his constituency, and Latimer went door-to-door engaging constituents in conversation.
In the column that Jay Kuo wrote (I posted the link earlier), he doesn’t approach it from “the Squad loses” perspective, but uses Bowman and Boebert to highlight the differences in each party’s voters. Democrats gave their votes to a “moderate problem-solver” instead of the radical extremist, where Republicans gave *their* votes to a wackjob and loon that’s done absolutely *nothing* for them. Says a lot about where the two Parties are right now….
If your theory is true, and I have no reason to believe it’s not, than why did AIPAC feel the need to dump so much money into the race? Seems their money would be better spent bribing Speaker Johnson than some backbench Congressman.
Very good question, James, particularly given that the race ended up where it started, with Bowman down 17 points. You’d have to ask AIPAC why they spent the money….
The flushing of "the squad" would be a great start re fixing our political divide. Those folks, while likely well intentioned, have caused Biden to say and do things that feed the MAGA attacks on the Dems as "woke", anti-police, elitist. and out of touch. A perception of the democrats as moderate would win over a LOT more double haters than one where they are seen as libs.
Actually, “The Squad “ is not the great threat to American democracy. That is FOX and the rest of the Rightwing Echo Chamber. You know, the propagandists that are totally divorced from reality.
I think you are exactly right about Cori Bush. She does have a serious challenger that she may lose to. But, wouldn't being more centrist be better for the Democrats, and those who are undecided?
I think this may be a sign of moderate and *liberal* Democrats pulling back from the extremists, in a way the Republicans have mostly not. Case in point, some of the far left (e.g., Democratic Socialists) turning on Richie Torres, an outstanding progressive Congressman from the Bronx because he supports Israel. Ditto John Fetterman.
If you ignore the obvious policy differences the "Squad" is very simillar to the "Freedom [sic] Caucus." As a liberal Democrat I'm hoping that this, indeed, turns into a trend.
Yes, the lurch to the far left is killing the Ds. Bill Maher has been screaming it for awhile now but no one listens. This defeat in NY, the facts around it, is likely gonna be seen in MI this fall. Ds have a bad ticket, bad facts to run on (if you are honest, everyone clearly sees that) and a person at the top whose better days have long past him by.
I would consider it *highly* questionable to think that this loss is primarily about a rejection of the “far left” (as clearly Chris Cillizza thinks it *might* be…) and FAR more about a lousy candidate that lost sight of doing the best for his constituents and was more interested in building his “brand” nationally and being a social media “influencer”.
It also says a LOT about Democrats in general, as opposed to what the Republicans have become. Just contrast Bowman’s loss with Boebert’s win. That speaks VOLUMES!
We should spotlight Trump's triple losses on Tuesday since we talk so much about him(Trump) in this Newsletter. Three candidates that Trump endorsed lost last night. I am particularly pleased about the race in Utah where Mitt Romney's endorsed candidate defeated Trump's endorsed candidate. Good raddiance!!
Bowman deserved what he got. Anti semitism has no place in society, and it doesn’t matter if it’s him or Mark Robinson. Cori Bush losing would also be good, and remember she’s under federal investigation for campaign finance violations.
Better than expected outcomes in Utah and Colorado (minus Boebert) so all around not too shabby!
Reason to NOT read too much into this result: the 16th was redistricted after 2022 (court challenges delayed it) to include more of Latimer's Westchester County.
I knew George Latimer when he was a NYS Senator. An absolute gentleman, even-tempered, pragmatic, smart and able to represent his constituent’s interests while leading them. I’m pretty left-wing, but this was the right choice for the district and for the Democratic Party in general.
He's my county executive! I'm excited to see him in Congress.
Thank you for talking about this Chris. I was actually going to ask about this for a mailbag question. And the palm tree is a total vibe.
I live in Westchester County. George Latimer is my county executive. He is everywhere. I've seen him several times at my village's small little farmer's market on Saturday morning.
Bowman's attempts to define him and paint him as a "racist" was a terrible move, because everyone knew who he was. He's a total clown who finally got exposed for it.
That rally he held in the South Bronx where he was f bombing like crazy? Not even in his district.
Chris, I think you’re missing the primary point of why Bowman lost, based upon comments I’ve read from his constituents: he’s a bad candidate who ignored then insulted *many* in his district and is clearly out of touch with their needs. He, like many on the far right, are “playing to the gallery” of social media for national name recognition, and are completely lousy at actual governing. Voting against the infrastructure bill because it didn’t have things you want in it?!? That’s petulance, not governing.
I don’t think you can draw too many “larger” conclusions from this. Maybe, as you said, if Bush loses in August…
Here’s another great take on Bowman *and* Boebert from Jay Kuo: https://open.substack.com/pub/statuskuo/p/pushing-the-extremes?r=1hynaw&utm_medium=ios
You're absolutely correct. Chris is reading too much to Bowma's lose. He was a uniquely bad Rep. for his constituency and that's why he lost. After all, AOC won her race handily.
And he was polling down 17 points from Latimer *before* AIPAC spent a penny. While “the costliest primary in the history of Congress” is an interesting side note, Bowman simply didn’t do ANYTHING for his constituency, and Latimer went door-to-door engaging constituents in conversation.
In the column that Jay Kuo wrote (I posted the link earlier), he doesn’t approach it from “the Squad loses” perspective, but uses Bowman and Boebert to highlight the differences in each party’s voters. Democrats gave their votes to a “moderate problem-solver” instead of the radical extremist, where Republicans gave *their* votes to a wackjob and loon that’s done absolutely *nothing* for them. Says a lot about where the two Parties are right now….
If your theory is true, and I have no reason to believe it’s not, than why did AIPAC feel the need to dump so much money into the race? Seems their money would be better spent bribing Speaker Johnson than some backbench Congressman.
Very good question, James, particularly given that the race ended up where it started, with Bowman down 17 points. You’d have to ask AIPAC why they spent the money….
The flushing of "the squad" would be a great start re fixing our political divide. Those folks, while likely well intentioned, have caused Biden to say and do things that feed the MAGA attacks on the Dems as "woke", anti-police, elitist. and out of touch. A perception of the democrats as moderate would win over a LOT more double haters than one where they are seen as libs.
Actually, “The Squad “ is not the great threat to American democracy. That is FOX and the rest of the Rightwing Echo Chamber. You know, the propagandists that are totally divorced from reality.
I agree.
I think you are exactly right about Cori Bush. She does have a serious challenger that she may lose to. But, wouldn't being more centrist be better for the Democrats, and those who are undecided?
I think this may be a sign of moderate and *liberal* Democrats pulling back from the extremists, in a way the Republicans have mostly not. Case in point, some of the far left (e.g., Democratic Socialists) turning on Richie Torres, an outstanding progressive Congressman from the Bronx because he supports Israel. Ditto John Fetterman.
If you ignore the obvious policy differences the "Squad" is very simillar to the "Freedom [sic] Caucus." As a liberal Democrat I'm hoping that this, indeed, turns into a trend.
Yes, the lurch to the far left is killing the Ds. Bill Maher has been screaming it for awhile now but no one listens. This defeat in NY, the facts around it, is likely gonna be seen in MI this fall. Ds have a bad ticket, bad facts to run on (if you are honest, everyone clearly sees that) and a person at the top whose better days have long past him by.
Get your popcorn popping for tomorrow night!
What else can ve worse than a convicted Felon?
He he he. We shall see!
I would consider it *highly* questionable to think that this loss is primarily about a rejection of the “far left” (as clearly Chris Cillizza thinks it *might* be…) and FAR more about a lousy candidate that lost sight of doing the best for his constituents and was more interested in building his “brand” nationally and being a social media “influencer”.
It also says a LOT about Democrats in general, as opposed to what the Republicans have become. Just contrast Bowman’s loss with Boebert’s win. That speaks VOLUMES!
We should spotlight Trump's triple losses on Tuesday since we talk so much about him(Trump) in this Newsletter. Three candidates that Trump endorsed lost last night. I am particularly pleased about the race in Utah where Mitt Romney's endorsed candidate defeated Trump's endorsed candidate. Good raddiance!!
There was a house race in CO where the moderate GOP candidate won too. Hopefully, this pragmatism and moderation will continue.
Bowman deserved what he got. Anti semitism has no place in society, and it doesn’t matter if it’s him or Mark Robinson. Cori Bush losing would also be good, and remember she’s under federal investigation for campaign finance violations.
Better than expected outcomes in Utah and Colorado (minus Boebert) so all around not too shabby!
On the other hand, AOC did win her primary against a more moderate Democrat. I agree with you - let's see what happens with Cori Bush.
Reason to NOT read too much into this result: the 16th was redistricted after 2022 (court challenges delayed it) to include more of Latimer's Westchester County.