Hartmann: Progressive and fascist populism

He discusses last night's election, noting that McAliff ran as a Clinton (aka establishment) Democrat against Youngkin's right-wing populism. He echos Sirota's complaint about how disillusioned voters frustrated with Democorps failed promises turn to fascists instead.

"It’s also an indication of how completely Americans think their government has detached itself from them: voters in 2016 were willing to throw in with a grifter rapist because they believed he’d put their interests above those of the morbidly rich."

He documents the history of the Democorps failing to live up to their promises. And how that led to Twitler, who pretended to support progressive populist values and agenda. We the people hunger for that sort of populism but since we didn't have anyone on the Dem side promoting it we fell for the imposter Twit. 

"But the Democratic Party as a whole missed it, although progressives within the Party totally understood what’s going on and have worked hard to have the Party meet this progressive populist moment. But they’re being sabotaged by the neoliberal old guard who’re still deeply embedded in their wealthy and corporate donors’ Citizen’s United cocoon."

"Progressive populist politicians like Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Sherrod Brown, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Mark Pocan, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the rest of the Congressional Progressive Caucus have figured this out and stepped into that space.  About half the Democratic Party is with them, and the populist progressive movement is vibrating with energy across the country."

The point is that we need progressive populism to defeat fascist populism. Status quo corporate Democrats will not and instead are likely leading to the fascist side of populism.