House Speaker Rep. Paul Ryan worries “tribalism” and “identity politics” are becoming "the new norm of how politics is waged." In an interview conducted Oct. 16 and aired Sunday on "Face the Nation," the Wisconsin Republican said to turn that trend around, there must be "inclusive politics." "I worry about tribal identity politics becoming the new norm of how politics is waged,” he said. “As conservatives, we thought this was sort of a left wing thing." "The best way to combat tribalism is to starve it of its oxygen, which is anxiety — economic anxiety, security anxiety,” he added. “And if we can pass policies that help improve people's lives, make them more confident about the future, then they'll be less prone to be, to be swayed by the kind of tribalism identity politics we see these days." He also hailed Congress’ bipartisan achievements — despite a lack of coverage by the press. “We passed out of the … [Read more...] about Paul Ryan Decries ‘Tribalism’ and ‘Identity Politics’
Identity politics
House Speaker Paul Ryan Decries ‘Tribal Identity Politics’
House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., has been spending his finals months in Congress on a farewell tour decrying current "tribal identity politics" that are more about being against a common enemy than being unified behind a common dogma, Vox reported Monday. But Ryan has been quiet about his role over the past two years in allowing this to happen, according to Vox's Tara Golshan. As Speaker, Ryan focused on passing legislation in line with his conservative values, while ignoring or issuing only mild scoldings to President Donald Trump concerning ethics concerns and breaches of decorum. Ryan's strategy did npt work, because Trump has buried traditional conservative ideals by ignoring any attempt at "small government," being restrictionist on trade, and taking an anti-immigration position. Trump has also made a distant memory of Republicans' 2012 election defeat soul-searching that the party had to appeal more to black and Latino voters. In his transition to private life, Ryan says he … [Read more...] about House Speaker Paul Ryan Decries ‘Tribal Identity Politics’
Democratic candidate decries party’s ‘identity politics and victimology’
Wisconsin gubernatorial Democratic primary candidate Matt Flynn said his party focuses on "victimology." (forwardwithflynn.com) A Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial candidate scolded his own party for its embrace of “identity politics and victimology,” in a striking appeal to do away with “subgroups” and come together. Matt Flynn is one of 10 candidates in a crowded Democratic primary field, seeking the nomination to compete against Republican Gov. Scott Walker in November. Flynn, who previously was state Democratic Party chairman, complained about the culture in an interview last week with WHBY’s “Fresh Take with Josh Dukelow.” “Our party right now, and I’m probably the only one who says this, is pickled in identity politics and victimology,” Flynn said. “When I was at the convention recently, in Oshkosh, there were multiple caucuses of, there were all these subgroups, and there is no … [Read more...] about Democratic candidate decries party’s ‘identity politics and victimology’
Democrats Can’t Avoid Identity Politics In 2020
NPR subscribe to NPR Politics Podcast podcast NPR One Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify RSS link Politics Facebook Twitter Flipboard Email Enlarge this image Then-U.S. Senate candidate Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-Texas) poses with members of a mariachi band during an October 2018 campaign rally in San Antonio, Texas. O'Rourke is one of a score of Democratic politicians talking more explicitly about issues of race than previous generations of Democrats. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Then-U.S. Senate candidate Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-Texas) poses with members of a mariachi band during an October 2018 campaign rally in San Antonio, Texas. O'Rourke is one of a score of Democratic politicians talking more explicitly about issues of race than previous generations of Democrats. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images When Democratic politicians talk about race, they sound … [Read more...] about Democrats Can’t Avoid Identity Politics In 2020
Why identity politics is dangerous
The best thing the Democratic Party has going for it right now is President Donald Trump. Were he not running for re-election, I might vote for a Republican. It would be only the second time in my life -- I once voted for John Lindsay as mayor of New York -- but that sort of thing would be next to impossible now since liberal Republicans like him exist only in history books and PBS documentaries. I am stuck with the Democratic Party -- marooned is more like it. I am stuck with a party that would replace the segregation of the past with the segregation of the present. The latest version is called "diversity," which insists that you are ineffably and permanently little more than your identity at birth -- black, white, Hispanic, Asian or whatever. The white executive director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee recently stepped down amid the uproar that the group is not sufficiently diverse. Never mind that Democrats had done exceedingly well in last year's midterms. … [Read more...] about Why identity politics is dangerous