Year: 2016

Sen. Bernie Sanders, a loyal soldier for Hillary Clinton since he conceded the Democratic nomination, told the Washington Post he “plans to push liberal legislation with like-minded senators with or without Clinton’s support if she is elected— and to aggressively oppose appointments that do not pass muster with the party’s left wing.” “Sanders said he and other senators have started plotting legislation that would achieve many of the proposals that fueled his insurgent run for president, including a $15 federal minimum wage, tuition-free public college, ending “mass incarceration” and aggressive steps to fight climate change.” As well he should. That was the deal. It will help that he will be the Senate Budget Chairman when we win back control of the Senate.

Taegan Goddard says a Democratic Wave may be forming:

[T]he biggest factor may be a demoralized Republican party. With no hope of defeating Hillary Clinton and growing disgust over their own nominee, many Republicans may not even bother to vote. The early evidence is striking. Last week’s ABC/Washington Post poll found a sharp 12-point decline in enthusiasm for Trump among his supporters. The latest poll shows intended participation of these voters has followed: The share of registered Republicans who are likely to vote is down 7 points since mid-October. Trump’s own defeatist rhetoric over a “rigged” election may also be backfiring. Why participate in an election if you believe the outcome is predetermined? At the same time, Clinton is shifting her attention to downballot races.

Washington Post: “Emboldened by polls predicting an electoral-college landslide in the presidential race, Clinton is shifting her strategy to lift up other Democrats coast to coast. She and her party are rushing to capitalize on a turbulent turn in Trump’s candidacy, which has ruptured the Republican Party, to make down-ballot gains that seemed unlikely just a month ago.” “For Clinton, the move is opportunistic and has governing implications. If elected, a mandate may not be enough for her to muscle a progressive agenda on immigration and other issues through a Republican-controlled Congress. She would almost certainly govern more efficiently with Democratic majorities.”