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As a Masshole who writes about climate, I think & #39;the Markey proves Democrats win on climate& #39; takes have officially reached irrational exuberance.
Let me explain! https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/04/opinion/ed-markey-young-progressive-voters.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/0...
Let me explain! https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/04/opinion/ed-markey-young-progressive-voters.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/0...
First, there is no doubt Markey won this race in large part because of his climate messaging. And @sunrisemvmt definitely deserves all the credit it is getting for rebranding him as the Green New Dealer.
I think the potential problems arise when we start to draw wider lessons from this race.
We are talking about a race decided by *Massachusetts Democrats* - not a group that is terribly reflective of the country.
We are talking about a race decided by *Massachusetts Democrats* - not a group that is terribly reflective of the country.
Another thing to note: Kennedy& #39;s campaign was a lot like his uncle& #39;s 1980 presidential bid. No Mass voter I& #39;ve spoken to in recent weeks could articulate a reason why he was running except for the fact he was a Kennedy.
Markey, by contrast, had climate as his rationale.
Markey, by contrast, had climate as his rationale.
Further, when you look at the race in MA1 between @AlexBMorse and @RepRichardNeal, the Green New Dealer (Morse) lost pretty decisively.
More over, look at the towns Morse won: largely small, very white and very progressive communities in Berkshires and the Valley.
More over, look at the towns Morse won: largely small, very white and very progressive communities in Berkshires and the Valley.
Neal, by contrast, won bigger blue-collar, more diverse (and more representative of the US) communities like Holyoke and Springfield.
There was a lot going on in that race outside climate. But the point is we can& #39;t even make blanket statements about Massachusetts Democrats and climate when we look at the primary in its totality. And that& #39;s before we even get to the rest of America.
Around now is when someone is going to cite some poll showing Democrats care about climate.
I and every other climate reporter have been getting these polls for at least a decade now. And you know what? Neither Americans or Democrats have consistently voted like that.
I and every other climate reporter have been getting these polls for at least a decade now. And you know what? Neither Americans or Democrats have consistently voted like that.
Maybe Markey is a turning point for the climate movement. But I& #39;m going to hold onto some healthy skepticism until we see a bunch of other races elsewhere turn out like this.
ccing @billscher for his take
