Amy B. Dean explains why the inability of Karen Lewis to oppose Rahm Emanuel due to her health is a huge loss, not only on a personal level to all those who love and admire her, but because she was a threat to the Democratic political establishment that has severed its ties with the labor movement. Once upon a time, there was a coalition of Democrats, labor unions, and civil rights groups. The rise of the business-minded politicians like Rahm Emanuel, Dannel Malloy, and Andrew Cuomo has shattered that coalition. Such right-of-center politicians rely on Wall Street and corporations for the campaign funds they need, and they actively fight labor unions. Karen Lewis would have revived the sturdy progressive coalition that once commanded American politics. Will there be others to take her place?

To what extent does 270 Strategies, who handled the Obama campaign, have responsibility in severing ties with labor?
Jeremy Bird. There’s a name people should be discussing.
Who helped reinvent the Democrats to this unrecognizable new entity?
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Bill Clinton looks like the turning point Democrat to me.
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“Will there be others to take her place?”
This is a pivotal and seminal question . . . . .
We must all become Karen Lewises . . . . But for an immediate pick, I look to Carol Burris, Mercedes Schneider, Matt Farmer, and Jonathan Pelto. … But this is easier siad than done, as they don’t reside in Chicago.
I am still putting my bet on Karen at the very least recovering fully and focusing on her health for herself first. Then, anything added after that would be a gift.
Karen is a very special woman.
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Robert, I agree–Matt Farmer–stop writing brilliant songs while doing a spot-on Johnny Cash & run for mayor, dammit!! You’ve got it all–the education, Chicago street smarts & looks. Run, Matt, run!
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Consider Bernie Sanders message on how to revive the Progressive coalition in Democratic politics. Very inspiring. His interview this week with Bill Moyers.
http://www.billmoyers.com.
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I’m not sure those corporatists like Emanuel and Cuomo can call themselves Democrats, any more than those on the right, like the Tea Party and right-wing fascists and plutocrats can call themselves Republicans. Who stands for the people? –most stand for their own self-interest and most Americans don’t even know what their own parties are doing to them–and most people are voting against their own self-interests.
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Just want OUR CONSTITUTION to be upheld by those in office who swore to uphold our Constitution. Guess this is too much to ask of political hacks who play with the oligarchy.
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