A Republican in the Democratic Realm

Published in El País
(Spain) on 28 November 2019
by Ramón Lobo (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by Lincoln Schick. Edited by Helaine Schweitzer.
It will only take someone, man or woman, with credibility and courage to retake the banner of truth over proclamations and lies.

Elizabeth Warren argues that Michael Bloomberg is running for president of the United States under the wrong party, that his is the Republican party. This is not a rival’s wisecrack to further her campaign for the nomination, which has lost some momentum since October. Bloomberg belonged to the Republican Party from 2001 to 2007 and supported George W. Bush's election. He is a fiscal conservative (the markets are in charge) and a conservative on foreign policy. He is pro-Israel and pro-Saudi Arabia, and he supported the invasion of Iraq. What seems like a weakness could be an advantage against Donald Trump, a candidate capable of attracting moderate votes from both sides. Bloomberg’s campaign logo includes the colors of both parties, red and blue. First, he will have to win in the Democratic nomination. He has an enormous amount of money, something that is essential in such a long campaign, but he also needs votes.

Joe Biden, the Democratic machine's man, who supported Hillary Clinton over Bernie Sanders, is politically dead. Iowa and New Hampshire can testify to it. He is not the man one calls on to excite the masses. He is the typical product of Washington, easy prey for someone like Trump. The most left-wing Democratic candidates (similar to the present Spanish Socialist Workers' Party under Pedro Sánchez) are leading the polls. Within this group, Bernie Sanders is starting to overtake Warren, the result of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's support.

Barack Obama, another centrist, says the country is not prepared for such a democratic socialist agenda and that the key is to be cautious — not to scare the average voter. Among moderate candidates, Beto O'Rourke, the hope of many, has failed, and Kamala Harris is not taking off.* However, the astonishing Pete Buttigieg, a veteran of Afghanistan, gay and young, remains in the running and is becoming increasingly better positioned. He is 37 years old, 40 years younger than Bloomberg, and he is less conservative. He could be a big surprise at the start of the primaries in Iowa and New Hampshire, and he has the prestige of having served his country in a war.

What profile and what agenda can defeat Trump? Analysts are with Obama: Democrats need a centrist with social sensitivity. There is still a lot of time left, but the key roles are beginning to be defined. The battle will be fought in 12 states. Buttigieg is from Indiana (Bloomberg is from New York), so he has more opportunity to connect with real America. His only problem in the conservative Midwest is his homosexuality, a minor matter compared to Trump. The impeachment process may be used to bring an X-ray view of the White House to the average voter. The slogan is no longer "Yes We Can" but more like “Saving Private Ryan,” and we are that private. It will only take someone, man or woman, with credibility and courage to retake the banner of truth over proclamations and lies. Democracy itself is at stake.

*Editor’s note: Kamala Harris suspended her campaign for president on Dec. 3, 2019.


Elisabeth Warren sostiene que Michael Bloomberg se presenta a la presidencia de EE UU por el partido equivocado, que el suyo es el republicano. No es una boutadede una rival por la nominación que ha perdido fuelle desde octubre. Bloomberg fue miembro del Partido Republicano entre 2001 y 2007 y apoyó la elección de George W. Bush. Es un liberal económico (los mercados mandan) y un conservador en política exterior: pro Israel y pro Arabia Saudí, apoyó la invasión de Irak. Lo que parece una debilidad podría resultar un punto fuerte frente a Donald Trump: un candidato capaz de atraer votos moderados de las dos orillas. Su logo de campaña incluye los colores de ambos partidos, rojo y azul. Antes tendrá que vencer en las primarias demócratas. Tiene dinero a espuertas, algo esencial en una campaña tan larga, pero necesita también los votos.

Joseph Biden, el hombre del aparato demócrata, el mismo que apoyó a Hilary Clinton frente a Bernie Sanders, está políticamente muerto. Iowa y New Hampshire lo pueden certificar. No es el tipo llamado a entusiasmar a las masas. Se trata del típico producto de Washington, una presa fácil para un fajador en el barro como Trump. Los candidatos demócratas más a la izquierda (el PSOE del Sánchez actual) lideran las encuestas. En ese segmento, Sanders empieza a superar a Warren. Es el efecto de contar con el apoyo de Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Barack Obama, otro centrista, dice que el país no está preparado para una agenda tan socialdemócrata, que la clave es ir con cautela, no asustar al votante medio. Entre los candidatos moderados ha pinchado Beto O’Rourke, la esperanza de muchos, y Kamala Harris no despega. Queda en liza, y cada vez mejor situado, el sorprendente Pete Buttigieg, veterano de Afganistán, homosexual y joven. Tiene 37 años, 40 menos que Bloomberg; también es menos conservador. Puede ser la gran sorpresa en el arranque de las primarias en Iowa y New Hampshire. Tiene el prestigio de quien ha servido a su país en una guerra.

¿Qué perfil y qué programa pueden derrotar a Trump? Los analistas están con Obama: los demócratas necesitan un centrista con sensibilidad social. Falta una eternidad, pero empiezan a definirse las líneas maestras. La batalla se librará en 12 Estados. Buttigieg es de Indiana (Bloomberg de Nueva York); tiene más posibilidades de conectar con la América real. Su único problema en el conservador Medio Oeste es su homosexualidad, un asunto menor comparado con Trump. El proceso de impeachment puede servir para llevar hasta el votante medio la radiografía exacta de la Casa Blanca. La bandera ya no es el Yes, we can, sino la de Salvemos al soldado Ryan. Ese soldado somos nosotros. Solo hace falta alguien, hombre o mujer, con credibilidad y coraje para retomar la bandera de la verdad por encima de las proclamas y las mentiras. Está en juego la democracia misma.
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