The Word Which Must Be Shunned

Writing between the two Democratic presidential debates last week, Emily Atkins of The New Republic understandably complained

The entire first half of the debate passed without a single climate-related question. Some candidates did address it: In response to a question about the economy, Elizabeth Warren referred to a “worldwide need for green technology.” Washington Governor Jay Inslee mentioned the issue, too—understandable, given his campaign’s undivided focus on global warming.

But those candidates took it upon themselves to address climate change, pivoting away from other subjects brought up by the moderators. This, naturally, caught the eye of environmental reporters—and royally pissed off activists who have been pushing for a climate-focused debate.

It's possible the candidates, maybe even the hosts, learned what Atkins had written because there was much more discussion of climate in Thursday's debate, including five candidates who suggested "climate" when asked by Chuck Todd what issue would be the first they'd "push" if elected. (Some cited more than one issue.)

On a positive (or negative) note, that at least beat attention to workers' rights. Responding to Todd's question, Senator Bennet stated "the lack of economic mobility Bernie talks about."

Sanders' response, ironically, did not refer to workers, workers rights, or unions. Earlier, however, he did refer in passing to "the labor movement." That was the only time in that second debate any candidate in the party which once prided itself on being the party of "working people" uttered the word "labor." And "union" got no mention.

In the earlier debate, on Wednesday, Governor Inslee was asked how he'd address income inequality and replied in part

Well, I’m a little bit surprised. I think plans are great, but I’m a governor. And we’ve got to realize the people who brought us the weekend, unions, need — are going to bring us a long overdue raise in America.

And I’m proud of standing up for unions. I’ve got a plan to reinvigorate collective bargaining so we can increase wages finally. I marched with the SEIU folks. It is not right that the CEO of McDonald’s makes 2,100 times more than the people slinging cash at McDonald’s.

"Proud of standing up for unions" with "a plan to reinvigorate collective bargaining?"  Judging by the avoidance of the very subject by nineteen other candidates over two nights, it's clear that the Democratic Party believes there is no electoral advantage in even mentioning the dreaded union.

Certainly, there should be no studio audience, whatever instructions it is given, in a presidential debate because it can skew candidate responses, bias the television (and later, video) audience in favor or against a candidate, and wastes valuable time which should be devoted to follow-up questions. Nonetheless, when 95% of the candidates of the party with a spark of interest in economic inequality completely ignores the contributions of unions and their role in uplifting workers and the entire economy, dedication to alleviating that "lack of economic mobility Bernie talks about" appears woefully limited.

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Dismissive

The Democratic Party is in danger of dividing (or further dividing) men and women. The threat comes, ironically but not surprisingly, from the center. Politico comments

.... it was her spontaneous retort at Washington Gov. Jay Inslee that made the biggest mark, after Inslee touted his record on abortion rights as stronger than his fellow candidates.

“I just want to say there’s three women up here that have fought pretty hard for a woman’s right to choose,” said Klobuchar, prompting a roar of applause.

It certainly did, and if  the players on Twitter- as is often charged- are out of touch with the rank-and-file voter, the perspective of debate spectators is even more narrowly focused.  Not everyone cheered the Minnesota Senator, who was responding to Washington governor Jay Inslee's remark (at :20 of the video below)

And I am the only candidate here who has passed a law protecting a woman's right of reproductive health in health insurance, and I'm the only candidate who has passed a public option. And I respect everybody's goals and plans here, but we do have one candidate that's actually advanced the ball. And we've got to have access for everyone. I've done it as a public option.

If Klobuchar has a problem with Inslee or his actions as governor, she could have noted it. If there were Democrats on the dais who insufficiently support reproductive choice, she should have mentioned it. Instead, she played the gender card, unconcerned about the lesson Democrats should have learned in 2016. 

Men vote. They vote in slightly lesser numbers than women, but they do vote. Had the votes only of women been counted in November of 2016, Hillary Clinton would have been elected President. 

So men vote, and their votes are counted.  Yet, there are "three women up here that have fought pretty hard for a woman's right to choose," Klobuchar smugly asserted. The implication that only women support abortion rights, or that only women can deliver victories for reproductive freedom, is not only inaccurate. It is divisive- and potentially lethal in a nationwide, general election.

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