“This Past Week Is Why People Want Nothing to Do With the Democratic Establishment”
Mandela Barnes Speaks Out For First Time Since Party Insiders Put Thumb On Scale In Democratic Primary
Yesterday, Mandela Barnes attended the Driftless Area Gubernatorial Forum in Belmont.
This was his first time speaking out since David Crowley—who dropped out after never getting above 3% in a single Marquette poll—re-entered the race for Governor with the backing of big corporations and special interests. See transcript below:
MANDELA BARNES:
“This last week is one of the main reasons why people are so frustrated with politics.
“This week is why so many people are frustrated and want nothing to do with the Democratic establishment.
“And we have to acknowledge it. It’s a hard truth that we have to talk about. It’s an unfortunate reality that’s kept so many people out of a room like this. So many people who don’t feel like they have a role in the process. So many people who feel as if the decisions have been made before their ballots have even been cast.
“And as a Democratic Party, we have to stand up for democracy.
“The folks in this room, you knock on doors. You make phone calls. You give up your weekends. You put out yard signs. You do everything to not just make this party function, but our democracy function. It’s the activist base, it’s the grassroots, it’s the folks who put in the work who should make the decisions.
“Of all the things that people have been frustrated with us as a party and a movement, this is a chance for us to fight back and demand more. Now, each and every one of us who are here today as a candidate, we have demonstrated and will continue to demonstrate a willingness to show up everywhere and make our case.
“Whether you vote for me or vote for someone else, that should be your choice to make. It shouldn’t be made for you.
“I’ll just end by saying, the only people who win when we continue to play these insider politics games are corporations and special interests.
“We deserve so much more.
“The motto of the state of Wisconsin is forward for a reason. We’ve been at the forefront, we have been at the vanguard of progress. We have done things differently than other states in this country because we believe that better was possible. Because we believed in rejecting the status quo since our inception.
“We were the very first state to declare the Fugitive Slave Act unconstitutional. The very first state to ratify the 19th Amendment. The very first state to have anti-discrimination laws based on sexual orientation on the books. The very first state to have anti-discrimination laws based on ability on the books.
“Those were the bold things we have done in the past and I’ll be damned if we roll the clock backwards and don’t start doing bold things once again.”
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
Mentioned in This Press Release
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barnes usually says the right thing and he should have been our senator instead of that useless johnson, however, he is still not my choice. the democratic party didn’t mess up, a person did. the republican party is full of corruption so here’s a point where do we turn, don’t say hong. yes, i guess we are in a fix.
Barnes speaks to my frustration with the DNC. Too often the DNC tries to act like a nicer version of the RNC; putting lipstick on the pig. But the DNC can’t out PAC the RNC. Trying to do so, makes elections vulnerable to PAC money. The DNC really has to be the Big Tent party. That means the DNC has to stop making decisions without listening to what communities are saying. They must listen to farmers and residents in small towns. These begging emails and texts that look like they are asking voters their opinions on issues facing this country. They are nothing more than begging for donations. I’m sick of them. I am sick of the pathetic fearmongering. Liberals and progressives are looking for leadership that champions our causes. Who really listens to voters. Our democracy desperately needs a party of and for working American families.