The Gray Area with Sean Illing Why Bernie Sanders lost and how progressives can still win
Apr 16, 2020
Sean McElwee, co-founder of Data for Progress, dives into the fallout of the Democratic primaries, examining why Bernie Sanders fell short against Joe Biden. He offers data-backed insights into the strategic blunders of progressive candidates, emphasizing the importance of engaging diverse voter bases. McElwee critiques the reliance on existing supporters and explores how ambitious yet achievable policies can foster trust among voters. He discusses the role of technology and the need for structural reforms to reshape the electorate and strengthen progressive movements.
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From Libertarian to Progressive
- Sean McElwee's political views evolved from libertarian to progressive after witnessing economic hardship in his hometown.
- Seeing friends raising family members due to addiction, he realized libertarianism didn't reflect reality.
Bridging Think Tanks and Elections
- Sean McElwee transitioned from think tank work to focus on connecting research with electoral politics.
- Data for Progress started by polling outside-the-beltway ideas, aiming to inject popular ones into political discourse.
Overton Window and Incrementalism
- The Overton window is useful but shouldn't prevent pursuing incremental progress.
- Instead of focusing solely on large-scale policy changes, work towards smaller wins that demonstrate progress and build power.
