Jamaal Bowman was a Democratic Trump. Now he's gone. - Dana Milbank

[BootinUp]

This is the story of two New York demagogues. Both men have a history of bigotry, bullying, law breaking, promoting bogus conspiracy theories, engaging in obscene public rants and playing the martyr.

One, embraced by the Republican Party, became president and may well become president again.

The other, kept at arm’s length by the Democratic Party, was dumped by Democratic voters in a congressional primary Tuesday night.

Donald Trump and Jamaal Bowman have little in common ideologically, but they are both old-fashioned scoundrels of a type that always has been a fixture in American politics. Their divergent fortunes say less about them than about their political parties’ relative tolerance for extremists.

At mass rallies across the country this year, Trump has been blurting out one vulgarity after another — “bullsh--,” “sh---y,” “scum,” “shot in the ass,” “son of a b----” — and his crowds sometimes shout the words back in a foul chant. Bowman, at a rally over the weekend, spoke of getting big money out of politics. Alternately holding a stool over his head and slamming it to the ground, he said: “We are going to show f---ing AIPAC the power of the motherf---ing South Bronx! … We’re going to show them who the f--- we are!” (Bowman does not represent the South Bronx.)

Bowman will soon be gone, and good riddance. There will inevitably be more like him; the right has no monopoly on bullies and demagogues. But it’s an encouraging sign that, at a time when the country is losing its collective mind, there is still a critical mass on the left who can say: Stop.

Gift link: https://wapo.st/3L1k95M
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/06/25/jamaal-bowman-democratic-donald-trump/

[bigtree]

1. not a great analogy

...between an inveterate demagogue, and someone who "spoke of getting big money out of politics."

Even his opposition to AIPAC doesn't equate with the absolute trash coming out of Trump's mouth.

I find this article not only unnecessary, but disingenuous in it's comparison.

The way they looped in AOC to make a point about the ranks of progressives in the House is just political sophistry.

More power to the Democratic victor in this race.

[BootinUp]

2. Ok. Thanks for sharing your opinion.

I am leaving it here.

It seems obvious to me that Bowman is a very divisive character. There are things in the article that I don't find discussed here, and we need not be afraid of the info imho.

[bigtree]

5. Milbank called Trump a 'scoundrel.' How quaint.

...whatever Bowman's political faults, he's not a demagogue.

Equating him with Trump is just another 'the other side does it too' nonsense.

Let's remember to hold the man who defeated him's feet to the fire, as well.

But hopefully any opposition won't be so conflated with our actual republican opponents, who many Bowman's Democratic opposition seemed to piggyback their own opposition off of, like the fire alarm canard.

This is wrongheaded politics, imo, portraying this Democratic Congressman as 'extreme,' most of the recent flack due to his opposition to Israeli military operations in Gaza.

Bowman was assigned to the following committees:

Committee on Education and the Workforce, Vice Chair
Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee
Civil Rights and Human Services Subcommittee
Higher Education and Workforce Investment Subcommittee
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
Energy, Chair

Bowman received the following endorsements. (note the Democratic leadership)

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (Independent)
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D)
U.S. Rep. Pete Aguilar (D)
U.S. Rep. Cori Bush (D)
U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark (D)
U.S. Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D)
U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D)
U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D)
U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D)
U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D)
U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D)
State Sen. Jamaal Bailey (D)
State Sen. J. Gustavo Rivera (D)
Comptroller, New York City Brad Lander (D)
Member, New York City Council Kevin Riley (D)
Public Advocate, New York City Jumaane Williams (D)
Working Families Party
1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East
National Nurses United
New York State Nurses Association
United Auto Workers
350 Action
Alliance for Quality Education
Bend the Arc Jewish Action Inc. PAC
Center for Biological Diversity
College Democrats of America
Congressional Black Caucus PAC
Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC
District Council 37
Food & Water Action
Friends of the Earth
Indivisible Brooklyn
Jewish Voice for Peace Action Fund
Justice Democrats PAC
League of Conservation Voters
Make the Road New York
Moms Demand Action
New York City Democratic Socialists
Our Revolution
Peace Action
People's Action
Planned Parenthood Action Fund
Population Connection Action Fund
Progressive Democrats of America
Sierra Club
Sunrise Movement
Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence Action
The Human Rights Campaign
The Jewish Vote

https://ballotpedia.org/Jamaal_Bowman

[BootinUp]

6. Thank you for taking the time

I still think we are not seeing eye to eye.

I don't draw much myself from the fire alarm thing other than he is not that bright.

What is more concerning to me is the rhetoric and votes. And his constituents seemed to agree.

[bigtree]

7. that's what matters

...that the constituents got the person they can stand behind.

Now let's hold this seat.

[BootinUp]

3. From another story this one in the NYT

I like learning more about politics. You will have to forgive me. Or if you have conflicting information (or understanding) of certain facts in these articles I would be interested to learn them.

He got creamed in this race.

Here is a question to anyone: What votes in Congress did he take that were not only courageous but wise. Or share anything else about him you think is worthwhile that wasn't just his mouth moving.



"On the ground, though, even some of Mr. Bowman’s allies conceded that his campaign was in trouble long before the group (AIPAC) got involved, hamstrung by unforced errors, staff churn and strategic missteps.

The biggest took place last fall when Mr. Bowman, in a hurry to get to the Capitol, pulled the fire alarm. He later apologized, but he was charged with a misdemeanor, and the timing, just a week before Oct. 7, could hardly have been worse.

Opposition researchers turned up old blog posts dabbling in 9/11 conspiracy theories and publicized video of Mr. Bowman calling reports that Hamas sexually abused Israeli women during its attack “propaganda.” (He later apologized.)

Relatively few Democrats in the area stepped up to defend him. Some explained that in four years in office, the congressman had rarely shown interest in getting to know their communities."

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/25/nyregion/bowman-latimer-house-new-york.html

[BootinUp]

4. This is also interesting from a politico story

"Still, many of the TV ads attacking Bowman or praising Latimer made scant mention of Israel, and instead focused on infrastructure spending and other issues of local concern."

https://www.politico.com/news/2024/06/25/jamaal-bowman-loses-george-latimer-00164997

I didn't follow this thing so just catching up.

More from the politico story

“Unfortunately some so-called Democrats are aligning themselves with radical, racist Republicans,” Bowman said.

He remained steadfast in his criticism of Israel and support for Palestinians — drawing loud applause from several hundred supporters in attendance who chanted Bowman’s name as he took the stage.

“We will never stand for the bombing and killing of babies in Gaza,” he said. “Our opponents … may have won this round at this time in this race. But this will be a battle for our humanity and justice for the rest of our lives.”