Connolly: Generational change is "nonsense"; Dems want someone "qualified" who has "proved their mettle"

[HereForTheParty]

Rep. Gerry Connolly on MSNBC:

"I think there’s been a lot of nonsense, frankly, on the generational change. What the Democratic caucus did was try to put their best generals on the battleground—who’s qualified, who has proved their mettle, who’s got the skill set. And it had nothing to do with how old people were; it had to do with capability and functionality."

[lame54]

1. How'd that work out for you?

[jimfields33]

29. He won the position he was after.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

30. Well we're all good then!

[jimfields33]

31. Hopefully he does a great job.

[displacedvermoter]

2. Ok, I guess

Dismiss serious discussion of a change in strategy and direction, and by implication another member of your caucus, as nonsensical.

We just ran a presidential campaign on generational change, and I guess we weren't sincere about it, which might help explain why it failed.

[dutch777]

3. Yeah, but if voters don't vote that way you lose the battle and maybe the war. Bidens, Pelosis advise,...

...maybe others run. We don't need to kick people out, but know when someone needs to become a senior advisor while others publicly carry the mantle. I hate to say its a beauty contest, but we have to recognize when it is. WE HAVE TO GET ELECTED!!!

[yardwork]

4. Read the room, dude.

[Ritabert]

5. We're tired of the same old, same old

Old Democrats are too set in their ways to acknowledge we're in a fight for our lives.

[malaise]

6. The mettle sure is working well for the poor

That is all

[CoopersDad]

8. Reaching across the aisle to far and too often....

...Ya end up sitting across the aisle.

We need our electeds to stop acting like it's ok to capitulate.

[no_hypocrisy]

7. "Proved" on what evidence?

[Fiendish Thingy]

9. Neither Connolly nor Pelosi will be in congress after 2028

A change is gonna come, and the gerontocracy can only delay it- it cannot be stopped.

[Arazi]

10. Jfc, what a slam on AOC 🤬

And everyone else hoping for some new strategies

[GPV]

40. Same old, same old. Apply after you get more experience, but

no telling when you've gotten enough. I think AOC has more than proven her mettle.

[Arazi]

45. What's crazy is Obama had 2 years in the Senate

2 years!!

And ran for president, and won.

We’re shooting ourselves in the foot restricting our young bright stars.

I’ll say it straight out, Bernie was/is too old but his ideas are 🔥
He inspired AOC to run in the first place. More of this please instead of “same old same old”

[Ocelot II]

11. Adaptability is also necessary.

While I agree that chronological age shouldn't be disqualifying just because some people think there's too much of it, and that experience is unquestionably important, it's also essential that our representatives be able to adapt to changing conditions, and flexible enough to reconsider the way they've always been doing things. It's not enough to say "We've always done it that way!" and then keep doing it that way, not noticing that the ground has shifted under their feet. They have to notice the changes, both political technological, and and adapt to them. It seems to me that some of the more senior members of the party are doing their work and managing their campaigns just as they've done since the '70s, but everything is different now. If you're 75 years old and you can get with the drastic evolution (devolution?) of political thought and strategy, great; but if you think you're still in Lyndon Johnson's Congress you'd better think again, or retire.

I'm old. I don't want to see anyone turfed out on account of the date on their driver's license, but some of these folks need to park their stick-shift cars, shitcan their Blackberries and their VCRs, and get with the program.

[wnylib]

25. Agree. Experience is valuable and I would not

discount it. In fact, I would not discount someone for being either too old or too young. Ability matters, regardless of age.

I just watched an interview of Jamie Raskin with Brian Tyler Cohen. Raskin talked about being made ranking member of the Judiciary Committee even though there were members of Congress with more seniority. He said that's where he wants to be in the upcoming Congress because that's where the significant work will be needed in countering the MAGA attacks on democracy.

Raskin only has 8 years in the House from 4 terms. But he is capable in knowledge, strategy, and speaking. That's where his abilities are needed so that's where he's going.

I would not favor moving people upward in poditions, ahead of others, just because they are younger and can appeal to younger voters. They have to have abilities that we need and enough experience to know the system and how to get things done. When someone has that, they should not be held back by seniority traditions.

Likewise, when an experienced, older person is doing well and has what we need, they should not be put aside just because of age or just to let a younger person move up.

Merit, based on ability, regardless of age, is what matters.

[Alliepoo]

32. Yes!!!

Everything you said, Ocelot!!!

[WhiteTara]

12. That generational change worked for the men in the room

It's just women who reach are slapped down with condescending insinuation that they are not qualified, proven or have the right skill set. Thanks, old man, you proved again that the patriarchy is alive and kicking women in the teeth while stepping on our necks to keep us down.

[Skittles]

28. correct

I detest mansplaining in general, but from the old white male establishment it is especially infuriating.

[WhiteTara]

44. It makes me want to scream

Power doesn't relinquish power voluntarily, it must be wrested from them. How? I am damned if I know how.

[Skittles]

46. it is especially difficult when men of color SIDE with them because of misogyny

[BeyondGeography]

13. Yeah, amazing we didn't win when you think of all those hot Connolly rallies

last fall.

[JI7]

14. This proves his point because Harris had excitement and huge turnout at rallies and lost.

But Biden didn't have much excitement and no rallies but won.I'm not saying this applies to this situation but just that it's not a good point to make.

[EdmondDantes_]

18. Not really a great comparison given COVID in 2020 limited Biden's rallies

[JI7]

19. He didn't get much turnout even before then

He was never an "exciting" candidate.

[Trenzalore]

23. People were being kept in refrigeration trucks converted to morgues

I don't think Biden would have faired as well absent the Covid crisis.

[J_William_Ryan]

15. What exactly are Democrats supposed to change.

What should be the new direction.

Abandon support for gay and transgender Americans.

Abandon opposition to Republican efforts to disenfranchise voters of color.

Abandon opposition to reckless, irresponsible tax cuts and deregulation.

Abandon efforts to mitigate human-caused climate change.

Abandon defending citizens’ right to reproductive autonomy.

Is the new way for Democrats to stop doing the right thing and pander to the fear, ignorance, and stupidity of voters to gain their support.

[Cirsium]

17. The exact opposite, of course

People calling for a new direction are saying that we need to stop compromising with the right wing, not compromise more.

[Crunchy Frog]

38. Absolutely nothing.

Things are working out perfectly in this country.

[betsuni]

39. People who think Democrats need to change don't know the Democratic Party.

Belief in myth-disinformation can be very strong, vague and passive-aggressive. Someone always drags out the 40 years Democrats-ruined-America fairy tale. I keep hearing Harris being bashed because she said she wouldn't change anything about the Biden agenda or whatever, as if Biden had been terrible. She said it on TV OMG. So fucking what?

Fake generation wars to help Republicans -- fine, let's have another Pelosi Establishment Generation bashing. Here's Pelosi being a monster (see, don't know Democrats and shout conspiracies about unfamiliar people -- waiting for the personal insult):

"As the first woman Speaker, it was necessary for me to assert myself in a very strong way in a core value: diversity. ... I presented the case for diversity -- that our caucus should represent what Americans should see when they look at our members and our staff. ... We had more than 100 leadership gavel positions at the sub-committee for women, people of color and LGBTQ and other representatives. Later, working with our colleagues, I spearheaded the creation of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. In fifteen years our caucus has grown to be 70% women, people of color and LGBTQ individuals ... .

"By changing the composition of our team, expanding our team, and ensuring that its composition is more 'democratic' we have made House Democratic leadership more representative and inclusive. ... in 2010 I established the position of assistant Democratic leader (later to become assistant speaker when we regained the majority). I expanded our Steering and Policy Committee to three, appointing Barbara Lee ... . Then, our newer members suggested that we create a position for those who had served for five terms or less so that more junior members would have a crucial voice in leadership discussions and decisions. I also broadened our selection process: rather than appointments by the Speaker, many of our positions are now directly elected by members. .... In addition ... I launched another initiative ... (the Black Caucus, the Hispanic Caucus, the Asian Pacific American Caucus, the Equality Caucus, the Progressive Caucus ...) . And by popular demand, we established the Select Committee ... where members could share their views about a Congress of the future. I believe in open doors and open communication in the Speaker's office."

Nancy Pelosi, "The Art of Power"

[harumph]

16. I'm 61. Connolly is plain wrong about that.

Anyway, it's not as if it were a choice between a highly skilled but older person and a younger inept one. And that last statement is
complete horseshit - look at what happened with Feinstein. The point being, objectively, tires only have so much tread on them.

[JustAnotherGen]

20. He's being tone deaf

[Autumn]

21. We've seen a lot of that so called "qualified" politician who has "proved their mettle".

How about a young "qualified" woman who has "proved her mettle". One who isn't close to 70 and is not undergoing cancer treatments

[Celerity]

24. Gerry Connolly turns 75 in around 3 months

One who isn't close to 70

[Autumn]

41. That's even worse. I have no respect left.

[Alliepoo]

33. And how the heck are younger people

Supposed to prove their mettle when old farts won’t get out of the way and let them? I’m pretty old myself- I’m ready for some younger people to get the Dems going!!

[Trenzalore]

22. Barack Obama, JFK, Bill Clinton

Absent Biden in 2020 we don't do well with experienced hands leading the counter argument

I know this is about AOC and all but really if you think a bunch of 70 year old white men are going to save the day.....

[onecaliberal]

26. This IS why we lose and will CONTINUE TO LOSE.

We don’t need some far removed people that have zero clue what anything cost but luxury apartments and jets telling us how we feel living in a fucking world with 7.25 minimum wage. Stfu already.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

34. The guy has throat cancer.

A tidbit he didn't disclose to his constituents. If this is about capability and functionality, that cancer is going to make both of those very hard.

[Crunchy Frog]

35. If they had the required mettle

Our country wouldn't have gotten into its current mess in the first place.

[ThePartyThatListens]

36. It's not working Connolly

Snap out of it!

[jalan48]

37. Absolutely! We couldn't have arrived at our current Oligarchy without the qualified Centrists at the helm of our Party.

Thank you Gerry Connolly for doing your part.

[Maeve]

42. It's really hard for Silent Gen and Boomers to give up power roles

Speaking as a Boomer child of Silent Gen, here---we live linger and healthier than previous generations and are less acutely aware of our own frailties. We have also worked hard and know that, once you retire, you are counted out. Off to shuffleboard, grandad! Being the adult in the room has been the goal of the responsible types in our generations for so long...and it really is hard to see the "kids" as grownups, even when they have kids of their own---just trying to explain the other side, here.
Yeah, it is past time that more Gen-X and Millennials were in power positions. That is going to happen soon, and probably suddenly. But give us old folks a bit of adjustment time. We weren't very patient with out elders, either.

[Happy Hoosier]

43. I'm suspicious of "generational change" for its own sake, but....

our "best generals" haven't exactly impressed lately.

However, if the new folks want their chance, they need more of a sales pitch than "I'm younger."