Latest news with #presidentialelection
New York Times
21 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Times
Democrats in the Wilderness
The Democratic Party had just lost another presidential election. It was hemorrhaging support among blue-collar voters and was seen as out of touch on cultural issues. It was struggling to find its next generation of leaders. The future seemed bleak. The year was 1984. Eight years later, Bill Clinton — a moderate governor from Arkansas who presented himself as a 'new Democrat' — unseated an incumbent president, George H.W. Bush. His victory was the culmination of a campaign by a renegade organization of moderate Democrats, most from the South and the West, to move the party to the center, recruit new candidates and win back working-class Americans. For Democrats today, that history offers a glimmer of hope. But it's also a reminder of how deep a rut the party is in. Democratic leaders still don't agree on why they lost the election or who might lead them back, and today's electorate is much different from the one in the 1990s. The renovation The rebuilding process in the 1980s took nearly a decade — and the route back to power meant ending the party's leftward drift. It followed debilitating ideological battles pitting the party's liberal establishment against moderates, many of whom came from what were already becoming red states. The turnaround came only after Democrats suffered three consecutive lopsided presidential defeats, in 1980, 1984 and 1988. Republicans in those contests won over critical blue-collar voters in some key states. Eventually, a group of centrists formed the Democratic Leadership Council to promote moderate candidates and ideas. The party pushed aside liberal leaders like the Rev. Jesse Jackson. Clinton, a politician of unusual skill who unified the factions, ran for president in 1992 promising to 'end welfare as we know it.' With his victory, the pivot was complete. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
New York Times
a day ago
- Politics
- New York Times
Comeback in '90s Offers Democrats a Bit of Hope. But Not Much.
The Democratic Party had just lost another presidential election. It was hemorrhaging support among blue-collar voters and was seen as out of touch on cultural issues. It was struggling to find its next generation of leaders. The future seemed bleak. The year was 1984. Eight years later, Bill Clinton — a moderate governor from Arkansas who presented himself as a 'New Democrat' — was elected to the White House, unseating a Republican president, George H.W. Bush. Mr. Clinton's victory was the culmination of a campaign by a renegade organization of moderate Democrats, most from the South and the West, to move the party to the center, recruit new candidates and win back the working-class Americans who had abandoned it. For Democrats distraught about the state of their party nine months after President Trump recaptured the presidency — who are mired in infighting over why they lost, how the party should change to become competitive again and who might lead them back to power — that long-ago chapter in the party's history offers a glimmer of hope. But it also stands as another reminder of how deep a rut the party finds itself in today, and how different the current electorate is from the electorate Democrats managed to win over as they emerged from the wilderness in the 1990s. The party, prodded by this maverick organization, the Democratic Leadership Council, rebuilt itself by promoting moderate candidates, pushing aside liberal leaders like the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson and abandoning long-held Democratic positions. 'We thought the party was moving too far to the left,' Richard A. Gephardt, a former House Democratic majority leader from Missouri, recalled. Mr. Clinton ran for president in 1992 promising to 'end welfare as we know it' and promoting some of the very trade policies that Mr. Trump has sought to dismantle today. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Riverdance creator Michael Flatley teases Irish presidential bid
Riverdance creator Michael Flatley has indicated he is open to seeking a nomination for Ireland 's next president. An election for the largely ceremonial role is expected towards the end of October, as it must take place in the 60 days before outgoing President Michael D Higgins 's term ends on 11 November. Flatley, who is eligible to run as an Irish citizen, said he had not made a final decision on the matter but is consulting with a "team of advisers". Speaking to RTE Radio One about newspaper speculation on a potential bid, the Irish-American said he is stopped on the street "everywhere" he goes and asked if he will run. He clarified, however, that the speculation stemmed from his previous appearance on the show with host Brendan O'Connor. The choreographer and dancer said: 'I take it seriously but no, I have not made a decision'. Pressed on the matter, Flatley said: 'I have a huge business to run, I have an army of dancers counting on me to make a living. 'I have a whiskey company, a beautiful young wife and son that I want to spend time with. 'If I thought that I could be of benefit to the Irish people and – maybe more importantly – if I thought I could be a voice of the Irish people' He added: 'Right now, I don't think they have a voice – not a true proper deep voice that you know that speaks their language.' Flatley said he hears the concerns of 'average person on the street' and they are not 'happy right now', adding: 'Somebody has to speak for the Irish people.' He said he was not sure the role needed another politician, adding that he had spent three decades promoting Ireland and Irish culture. He said he had not been approached by any political party, but had been contacted by some 'people in the know'. 'It's certainly not something that I've made any decision on, but it does get frustrating when you see the hardworking Irish taxpayer working as hard out and having no say in things.' Asked if he was leaning more in favour of running, he replied: 'Let it be said that I stand for Ireland and the Irish people.' To be eligible to run, a candidate must be an Irish citizen who is 35 or older. They must be nominated either by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas or at least four local authorities. Former or retiring presidents can nominate themselves. So far, two candidates have secured sufficient backing to enter the race. Mairead McGuinness, who was a TV presenter and farming journalist before becoming an MEP and EU commissioner, is the nominee to become Fine Gael's presidential candidate. Catherine Connolly, Independent TD for Galway West, has received the backing of the Social Democrats and People Before Profit, as well as independent TDs and Senators. Fianna Fail, the party with the most TDs in the Dail, has not clarified if it will run a candidate and is to make a decision in the early autumn. Sinn Fein has also not indicated a final decision on the race.
BreakingNews.ie
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Michael Flatley dances around Irish presidency bid
Riverdance creator Michael Flatley has not ruled out seeking a nomination to become Ireland's next president. An election for the largely ceremonial role is expected towards the end of October, as it must take place in the 60 days before outgoing President Michael D Higgins's term ends on November 11th. Advertisement Flatley, who is eligible to run as an Irish citizen, said he had not made a final decision on the matter but is consulting with a 'team of advisers'. Speaking to RTÉ Radio One about newspaper speculation on a potential bid, the Irish-American said he is stopped on the street 'everywhere' he goes and asked if he will run. However, he said that speculation was the result of his last appearance on the show with host Brendan O'Connor. The choreographer and dancer said: 'I take it seriously but no I have not made a decision'. Advertisement Pressed on the matter, Flatley said: 'I have a huge business to run, I have an army of dancers counting on me to make a living. 'I have a whiskey company, a beautiful young wife and son that I want to spend time with. 'If I thought that I could be of benefit to the Irish people and – maybe more importantly – if I thought I could be a voice of the Irish people' He added: 'Right now, I don't think they have a voice – not a true proper deep voice that you know that speaks their language.' Advertisement Flatley said he hears they concerns of 'average person on the street' and they are not 'happy right now', adding: 'Somebody has to speak for the Irish people.' He said he was not sure the role needed another politician, adding that he had spent three decades promoting Ireland and Irish culture. He said he had not been approached by any political party, but had been contacted by some 'people in the know'. 'It's certainly not something that I've made any decision on, but it does get frustrating when you see the hardworking Irish taxpayer working as hard out and having no say in things.' Advertisement Asked if he was leaning more in favour of running, he replied: 'Let it be said that I stand for Ireland and the Irish people.' To be eligible to run, a candidate must be an Irish citizen who is 35 or older. They must be nominated either by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas or at least four local authorities. Former or retiring presidents can nominate themselves. Advertisement So far, two candidates have secured sufficient backing to enter the race. Mairead McGuinness, who was a TV presenter and farming journalist before becoming an MEP and EU commissioner, is the nominee to become Fine Gael's presidential candidate. Explained Explained: Who is presidential candidate Catherine... Read More Catherine Connolly, Independent TD for Galway West, has received the backing of the Social Democrats and People Before Profit, as well as independent TDs and Senators. Fianna Fáil, the party with the most TDs in the Dail, has not clarified if it will run a candidate and is to make a decision in the early autumn. Sinn Féin has also not indicated a final decision on the race.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Michael Flatley dances around Irish presidency bid
Riverdance creator Michael Flatley has not ruled out seeking a nomination to become Ireland's next president. An election for the largely ceremonial role is expected towards the end of October, as it must take place in the 60 days before outgoing President Michael D Higgins's term ends on November 11. Flatley, who is eligible to run as an Irish citizen, said he had not made a final decision on the matter but is consulting with a 'team of advisers'. Speaking to RTE Radio One about newspaper speculation on a potential bid, the Irish-American said he is stopped on the street 'everywhere' he goes and asked if he will run. However, he said that speculation was the result of his last appearance on the show with host Brendan O'Connor. The choreographer and dancer said: 'I take it seriously but no I have not made a decision'. Pressed on the matter, Flatley said: 'I have a huge business to run, I have an army of dancers counting on me to make a living. 'I have a whiskey company, a beautiful young wife and son that I want to spend time with. 'If I thought that I could be of benefit to the Irish people and – maybe more importantly – if I thought I could be a voice of the Irish people' He added: 'Right now, I don't think they have a voice – not a true proper deep voice that you know that speaks their language.' Flatley said he hears they concerns of 'average person on the street' and they are not 'happy right now', adding: 'Somebody has to speak for the Irish people.' He said he was not sure the role needed another politician, adding that he had spent three decades promoting Ireland and Irish culture. He said he had not been approached by any political party, but had been contacted by some 'people in the know'. 'It's certainly not something that I've made any decision on, but it does get frustrating when you see the hardworking Irish taxpayer working as hard out and having no say in things.' Asked if he was leaning more in favour of running, he replied: 'Let it be said that I stand for Ireland and the Irish people.' To be eligible to run, a candidate must be an Irish citizen who is 35 or older. They must be nominated either by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas or at least four local authorities. Former or retiring presidents can nominate themselves. So far, two candidates have secured sufficient backing to enter the race. Mairead McGuinness, who was a TV presenter and farming journalist before becoming an MEP and EU commissioner, is the nominee to become Fine Gael's presidential candidate. Catherine Connolly, Independent TD for Galway West, has received the backing of the Social Democrats and People Before Profit, as well as independent TDs and Senators. Fianna Fail, the party with the most TDs in the Dail, has not clarified if it will run a candidate and is to make a decision in the early autumn. Sinn Fein has also not indicated a final decision on the race.
