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Midwestern Democrat

(961 posts)

141. Looking back, I trace the beginnings of what happened to the aging of the party around the 2006 timeframe.

Thu Jun 12, 2025, 11:56 PM

Jun 12

In January 1993, the Democratic Party's leadership was the following: President Bill Clinton (46), Vice President Al Gore (44), Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell (59), Senate Majority Whip Wendell Ford (69), Speaker of the House Tom Foley (63), House Majority Leader Dick Gephardt (52), House Majority Whip David Bonior (47) - all were either young or of reasonable age. But then the 1994 disaster happened and after 12 long years in the minority, we finally win back the House, but something goes awry with the age distribution of the House leadership: it was a given that Nancy Pelosi (66) would be Speaker and Steny Hoyer (67) would be Majority Leader, but it was widely expected that Rahm Emanuel (47) would be Majority Whip - but he was told to step aside and let James Clyburn (66) have it - and then Pelosi tries to pull a failed power play to oust Hoyer but her choice to replace him was not one of the rising, ambitious, younger House Democrats but 74 YEAR OLD JACK MURTHA - and I'm watching this thinking "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?" and 18 years later here we are.

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Here is David Hogg version of what took place at the DNC. Word for word his letter. [View all] usaf-vet Jun 12 OP

Well said by Hogg. Raven123 Jun 12 #1

don't give up David jaymac Jun 12 #4

:leaders We Deserve is doing the work that the DNC *SHOULD* be doing Bluetus Jun 12 #61

That's a lot of words to say I should've resigned from the DNC when... brush Jun 12 #116

K&R demmiblue Jun 12 #2

He knows JustAnotherGen Jun 12 #3

This message was self-deleted by its author speak easy Jun 12 #11

Kenyatta also worked hard to earn his colleagues' votes while Hogg has been threatening them. W_HAMILTON Jun 12 #43

Do you honestly think that having someone in a DNC power position is going to swing a state? Cuthbert Allgood Jun 12 #46

That florida comment is ridiculous Samael13 Jun 12 #125

No takesy backsey JustAnotherGen Jun 13 #155

Florida will never be purple or blue DENVERPOPS Jun 12 #127

This is an internecine war based on age/demographics bucolic_frolic Jun 12 #5

I'm with you JustAnotherGen Jun 12 #8

Oh so we have been winning & the future looks bright. I am not opposed to members who are working to advance our agenda. usaf-vet Jun 12 #9

Hogg was being diplomatic, someone in the Democratic party needs to come right out and say it: the rot runs deep. sop Jun 12 #21

Capitalism always corrupts democracy Farmer-Rick Jun 12 #33

What do you propose? Magilla Jun 12 #75

I hear the sound of.... reACTIONary Jun 12 #87

Or not: Celerity Jun 13 #160

No you hear the sound of a lack of imagination Farmer-Rick Jun 14 #165

Help me out, what ... reACTIONary Jun 14 #166

See post 164. Farmer-Rick Jun 15 #167

Well, unfortunately, that's not very specific.... reACTIONary Jun 15 #168

The Nordic Model. A very well regulated (yet also very vibrant) capitalist system working synergistically Celerity Jun 13 #159

Thanks! Sounds good to me. reACTIONary Jun 13 #162

We should have a democratic form of economics Farmer-Rick Jun 14 #164

yup Skittles Jun 13 #142

DNC officers are supposed to be neutral and help all Dem candidates get elected. ALL. brush Jun 12 #112

"Evicting the experienced will put the inexperienced on the forefront." speak easy Jun 12 #15

do the voters have a say? stillcool Jun 12 #78

Maybe the upstarts should be upstarting... reACTIONary Jun 12 #88

Are you seriously comparing MorbidButterflyTat Jun 12 #92

Cheap speak easy Jun 12 #105

It is a fork in the road, seniority versus energy, enthusiasm, and relevant ideas Bluetus Jun 12 #65

Looking back, I trace the beginnings of what happened to the aging of the party around the 2006 timeframe. Midwestern Democrat Jun 12 #141

Good points and good data for everyone to understand. It was NOT always this way. Bluetus Jun 13 #148

There is something to be said for "youthful passion" when it comes to candidates and leaders... Jack Valentino Jun 12 #137

"A serious lack of vision from democratic leaders" Conjuay Jun 12 #6

When nothing goes in the brain... Kid Berwyn Jun 12 #30

Spot on! FirstLight Jun 12 #7

Neutral. The DNC, certainly its officers, are supposed to be nuetral. Hogg should resign... brush Jun 13 #151

The line that struck me: Chasstev365 Jun 12 #10

but we are the best option! We just need to promote that important fact! We get good things done! LymphocyteLover Jun 12 #12

We (here) know that newdeal2 Jun 12 #16

Yeah, I get that. But younger voters certanly aren't going to be attracted to what the GOP is doing right now LymphocyteLover Jun 12 #18

Maybe but I think that's his point newdeal2 Jun 12 #20

we also win a lot of elections and frankly the 2024 election may have been stolen LymphocyteLover Jun 12 #31

Um... lonely bird Jun 12 #24

they did in the election... but how do they feel now? LymphocyteLover Jun 12 #29

Well lonely bird Jun 12 #39

definitely many of those... still I've heard even some of them are souring on the admin LymphocyteLover Jun 12 #76

Of course I don't know the answer to that robbob Jun 12 #40

Going off exit polls from 2024 Samael13 Jun 12 #126

We are already the fucking best option at every level of government. W_HAMILTON Jun 12 #45

Recent elections would indicate that voters feel differently. Cuthbert Allgood Jun 12 #63

And isn't that basically the definition of insanity? Just_Vote_Dem Jun 12 #67

And voters just voted out the most progressive administration in recent history in favor of a fascist criminal. W_HAMILTON Jun 12 #111

This is what is likely to happen. We can still get something great like Clinton and Obama JI7 Jun 12 #122

Obama was more progressive than Biden. Cuthbert Allgood Jun 13 #153

No, he was not. W_HAMILTON Jun 14 #163

You know, MorbidButterflyTat Jun 12 #94

whatever happened to et tu Jun 12 #13

Good statement and I'm glad he's putting the party first and not creating more problems LymphocyteLover Jun 12 #14

Thank you for sharing this, usaf-vet. ❤️ littlemissmartypants Jun 12 #17

He makes it sound like more than three deaths in our minority is part if a major setback to the party. Omnipresent Jun 12 #19

And also the people MorbidButterflyTat Jun 12 #96

It sounded like David Hogg's PAC was about self-enrichment. waterwatcher123 Jun 12 #22

JUST OCCUPING A SEAT in Congress is the best self-enrichment plan in the building. Enter as a all around citizen.... usaf-vet Jun 12 #27

Read the thread and not the tweet. None of the info in the tweet is correct. I posted actual Nanjeanne Jun 12 #37

I am not sure 2024 is that useful when he was not elected as a DNC vice chair until Feb of 2025. waterwatcher123 Jun 12 #131

What? I was responding to the post that linked to an OP on DU that had a tweet with misinformation. Nanjeanne Jun 12 #136

David is 100% correct, wat too many DEMs are sitting on their hands now IrishBubbaLiberal Jun 12 #23

Well said David. Well said. Thank you for your efforts and keep up the good fight. Autumn Jun 12 #25

I will say what I have said about this since day one dsc Jun 12 #26

In politics, David Hogg was not perfectly right, (no one is) Prairie_Seagull Jun 12 #28

I think he nailed it. BlueTsunami2018 Jun 12 #32

Support young Democrats with vision BoRaGard Jun 12 #34

Agree with David 100%! MuirHero Jun 12 #35

I have been one of several here complaining about the lack of younger voices in the Democratic Party. Lonestarblue Jun 12 #36

+1 nt LittleGirl Jun 12 #69

Thank you David. I want Democratic candidates I can vote for, not gqp-lite. Clouds Passing Jun 12 #38

If Hogg wants to inflience primaries Mountainguy Jun 12 #41

I agree with what he says BlueKota Jun 12 #42

I don't get it Scubamatt Jun 12 #44

I think he's brilliant. Just_Vote_Dem Jun 12 #47

Oh brother. TLDR... skipped to the end instead. Oopsie Daisy Jun 12 #48

Yep, he's a grifter posing as a revolutionary Mysterian Jun 12 #57

Yes Rebl2 Jun 12 #93

I'm glad his letter drone on for so long that most missed his grifting for donations at the end. W_HAMILTON Jun 12 #49

The anointed Keeping America Safe from Democrats saviors' strongly worded letters are speaking truth to power, betsuni Jun 12 #58

"The Sternly Written Letter double standard should be pointed out every time..." Oopsie Daisy Jun 12 #71

Unfortunately MorbidButterflyTat Jun 12 #99

Every Dem politician has been attacked here for not being perfect. kerry-is-my-prez Jun 13 #146

Hogg acts like he's the smartest guy in the room; that's his weakness Bluejeans Jun 12 #50

Like George Clooney? Or David Plouffe? Or James Carville? Arazi Jun 12 #55

I based my opinion of Hogg on his statements and his appearances in the media Bluejeans Jun 12 #114

lovely speech. but - once again, Hogg ran afoul of the DNC stopdiggin Jun 12 #51

Very well said. My favorite part: pinkstarburst Jun 12 #52

He's attacking Democrats with RW talking points. Oopsie Daisy Jun 12 #72

Democrats are so both sides that they're dying in office on purpose to give Republicans larger majorities in Congress. betsuni Jun 12 #85

He advocates challenging what he sees as ineffective iemanja Jun 12 #132

What I find appalling... sheshe2 Jun 13 #144

That is a treacherous myth being perpetuated by those who advocate anti-Democrat sentiments such as the followers of * Oopsie Daisy Jun 13 #147

It is not a myth iemanja Jun 13 #156

No, it's absurd. Completely ridiculous. Oopsie Daisy Jun 13 #158

Why, yes, yes he is. sheshe2 Jun 13 #143

Political parties are just another version of the "good ole boys" walkingman Jun 12 #53

Well said. Celerity Jun 12 #54

I don't think a different leadership would have led to a Democratic woman of color a being elected by a brainwashed Martin68 Jun 12 #56

Today's stories: David Hogg and Greta Thunberg. BurnDoubt Jun 12 #59

We need them on our side to lose more elections. comradebillyboy Jun 12 #64

Neither of them is running. BurnDoubt Jun 12 #121

TLDR "consider donating". nt LexVegas Jun 12 #60

Not happy about this onlyadream Jun 12 #62

Yep. Passages Jun 12 #66

This is what a fighting Democrat sounds like. It's simple. Lead or get out of the way. flashman13 Jun 12 #68

then he should run for office stillcool Jun 12 #79

If he wanted to feed his ego wouldn't he want to be center stage instead of behind the stage? flashman13 Jun 12 #84

He's been center stage stillcool Jun 12 #109

OK I get it. You don't like David Hogg. I think it's personal on your part. flashman13 Jun 12 #113

I think you're right. Wish I didn't know who stillcool Jun 12 #118

Thoughts LAS14 Jun 12 #70

Go David! TacosUberAlles Jun 12 #73

Primarying incumbents presents a few problems... reACTIONary Jun 12 #98

I'd like to agree with you TacosUberAlles Jun 12 #110

Well, we could go on about this, but... reACTIONary Jun 12 #115

Well I can say one thing for sure TacosUberAlles Jun 12 #117

Eternal vigilance.. reACTIONary Jun 12 #135

Well said Deminpenn Jun 12 #74

He was elected and faced another election soon enough. marble falls Jun 12 #77

I will donate to Leaders we deserve and directly to Canadites LostOne4Ever Jun 12 #80

"we also need to build a party not defined by not being the less bad of two options ... ." What? betsuni Jun 12 #81

What a great message! MorbidButterflyTat Jun 12 #101

If we followed the DNC's policies... Shipwack Jun 12 #82

Why do you equate the ... reACTIONary Jun 12 #95

I'm talking about the party leadership in general. Shipwack Jun 12 #104

RE: Pelosi and Jeffries lobbied hard to deny AOC the chair..... reACTIONary Jun 12 #107

The DNC advocates for incumbents in primaries iemanja Jun 12 #130

Evidence? reACTIONary Jun 12 #134

Their entire opposition against Hogg iemanja Jun 12 #139

Well, I can't really come to any conclusion concerning your nephew..... reACTIONary Jun 13 #149

I disagree strongly iemanja Jun 13 #157

What is the position of the DNC? Could you... reACTIONary Jun 13 #161

I appreciate the stalwarts but freezing out young energy and ideas is defeating us Democrats before we even vote! wolfie001 Jun 12 #83

Hogg blew it! DownriverDem Jun 12 #86

So you admit the purpose of the DNC iemanja Jun 12 #133

If you're not on Twitter, you haven't experienced the true David Hogg awesomerwb1 Jun 12 #89

Are you a fan of anyone or any thing? nt LAS14 Jun 12 #100

Many people awesomerwb1 Jun 12 #102

Who are those people? Some of us are looking for new leadership. LAS14 Jun 12 #103

Sometimes a question is not just a question awesomerwb1 Jun 12 #108

Thanks. That's a start. What about Buttigieg? nt LAS14 Jun 12 #129

I read this far and no farther: MorbidButterflyTat Jun 12 #90

There seems to be two aspects to this controversy.... reACTIONary Jun 12 #91

It's all premised on conspiracy theory and it's not very well thought out. W_HAMILTON Jun 12 #119

Myth that voters are fooled by the wily Democrats who throw them a few bones of "identity politics" betsuni Jun 12 #123

send money ASAP lol. he is becoming what he claims to be against msongs Jun 12 #97

What the "experienced" dems are doing is a failure - TBF Jun 12 #106

He was the right person at the wrong time. Right now we're in an emergency situation. kerry-is-my-prez Jun 12 #120

This is my greatest wish: to get rid of ALL republikkkans! All! Period. No more republicans ever. BComplex Jun 13 #150

"If this is how they treat a sitting US Senator for simply asking questions...knowing they are on camera... red dog 1 Jun 12 #124

K&R mdbl Jun 12 #128

Yes! This! Go David! lees1975 Jun 12 #138

k & r lees1975 Jun 12 #140

His tactics are ageist Pris Jun 13 #145

I respect David Hogg, Pharlo Jun 13 #152

Traitor creeksneakers2 Jun 13 #154