Like most of you, I'm subscribed to The Bulwark, but I'd like to witness a public 'Mea Culpa' for the Republican party's practice of 'dog whistling', Reaganomics, support of the Federalist Society, and finally, their support of the Heritage Foundation, whose Project 2025 blueprint is being used to systematically dismantle our Democratic Republic. I believe the cast of The Bulwark will flee back to the Republican party the moment that option becomes viable, without ever addressing their collective systemic failures, which place 'party power' concerns over our Democratic Republic. I'm awaiting The Bulwark cast's public 'Mea Culpa', until then, DO NOT TRUST THEM.
At first I was feeling defensive thinking why is Evan critiquing The Bulwark when they’re on our side! Such a simplistic reaction. But after reading your piece I couldn’t agree more. And I think The Bulwark is legit and grounded enough to seriously consider the points you’ve raised here.
Do you have a professional relationship with them? Because I think this would make an excellent Bulwark podcast… Would opening a dialogue be more helpful and engaging than writing critiques of where they’re falling short? This isn’t a coaching situation if that make any sense. But the points you make are a big deal. I hadn’t thought of The Bulwark crew going back to the GOP after Dems have been spilling blood, sweat and tears for a decade… I’d feel betrayed by people I trusted. Again.
Thank you Anne. This essay and the ongoing live series Steward and I willing be rolling out, continuing to “reality check” the Bulwark, is intended as an open letter. The invitation to discuss our critiques and concerns with bulwark folks is open and will remain so. For the time being, we think it’s most valuable to explore these issues in public.
Part of the reason for that is the Bulwark is only one organization of a similar orientation. Bulwark pundits are only a few of a larger class of similarly aligned pundits. We are focusing on the bulwark out of respect and admiration, but we expect people to see our concerns applicable to other outlets and other thinkers as well. Hence the public conversation. Stay tuned.
Evan, this is what is wrong about the far left progressive wing of the Democrat Party. I am a traditional Democrat and I find no problem with Rinos. You are pecking at a constituency Democrats need to embrace, not vilify.
Jan, you cannot be serious. There are obviously points Rinos make that you personally don't agree with... Why would anyone expect you to withhold that criticism? Likewise, why would you ask that of Evan?
I, personally, *do* care about the policies "embracing" the Bulwark invites - and why would anyone not call them out, personally? Why should anyone silently allow Rinos to push Democrats to the right... Likely cementing the collapse of the party?
Never trump republicans are already fully absorbed into the Democratic Party coalition. They’re not going anywhere. And I’m not vilifying them. I’m also not vilifying the bulwark even. Only pointing out that they’re pushing the Democratic Party in a direction that is not just anti-democratic but *wildly unpopular*
The question is not “how do we keep conservative Dems from returning to a party that is far more extreme than the one they left a few years ago,” it’s “how do we attract voters across the spectrum who sat out the last election because Kamala advocated for the status quo”
The Bulwark follows the same model as msm: rich people surrounding themselves with other rich people, telling the rest of us their opinions as if their financial status makes them more special, intelligent, talented, etc. No thanx.
Let’s be blunt: you cannot credibly analyze and advise on our current political environment without a deep appreciation for the centrality of race in American history and culture.
The Bulwark has a prime directive: win the next elections against the Republican Party. It is intentionally and resolutely not about anything else, postponing the inevitable conflicts until Trump’s mafia is extracted from office by an uncomfortable coalition of the alarmed. You ask for something out of its design spec.
They are acting in ways that at times undermine our collective ability to achieve that “prime directive.” We understand their mission, we just think they have blind spots that weaken their chances at achieving it.
Yep, you’ve got my attention too.
Like most of you, I'm subscribed to The Bulwark, but I'd like to witness a public 'Mea Culpa' for the Republican party's practice of 'dog whistling', Reaganomics, support of the Federalist Society, and finally, their support of the Heritage Foundation, whose Project 2025 blueprint is being used to systematically dismantle our Democratic Republic. I believe the cast of The Bulwark will flee back to the Republican party the moment that option becomes viable, without ever addressing their collective systemic failures, which place 'party power' concerns over our Democratic Republic. I'm awaiting The Bulwark cast's public 'Mea Culpa', until then, DO NOT TRUST THEM.
Strong critique
At first I was feeling defensive thinking why is Evan critiquing The Bulwark when they’re on our side! Such a simplistic reaction. But after reading your piece I couldn’t agree more. And I think The Bulwark is legit and grounded enough to seriously consider the points you’ve raised here.
Do you have a professional relationship with them? Because I think this would make an excellent Bulwark podcast… Would opening a dialogue be more helpful and engaging than writing critiques of where they’re falling short? This isn’t a coaching situation if that make any sense. But the points you make are a big deal. I hadn’t thought of The Bulwark crew going back to the GOP after Dems have been spilling blood, sweat and tears for a decade… I’d feel betrayed by people I trusted. Again.
Thank you Anne. This essay and the ongoing live series Steward and I willing be rolling out, continuing to “reality check” the Bulwark, is intended as an open letter. The invitation to discuss our critiques and concerns with bulwark folks is open and will remain so. For the time being, we think it’s most valuable to explore these issues in public.
Part of the reason for that is the Bulwark is only one organization of a similar orientation. Bulwark pundits are only a few of a larger class of similarly aligned pundits. We are focusing on the bulwark out of respect and admiration, but we expect people to see our concerns applicable to other outlets and other thinkers as well. Hence the public conversation. Stay tuned.
Evan, this is what is wrong about the far left progressive wing of the Democrat Party. I am a traditional Democrat and I find no problem with Rinos. You are pecking at a constituency Democrats need to embrace, not vilify.
Jan, you cannot be serious. There are obviously points Rinos make that you personally don't agree with... Why would anyone expect you to withhold that criticism? Likewise, why would you ask that of Evan?
I, personally, *do* care about the policies "embracing" the Bulwark invites - and why would anyone not call them out, personally? Why should anyone silently allow Rinos to push Democrats to the right... Likely cementing the collapse of the party?
Never trump republicans are already fully absorbed into the Democratic Party coalition. They’re not going anywhere. And I’m not vilifying them. I’m also not vilifying the bulwark even. Only pointing out that they’re pushing the Democratic Party in a direction that is not just anti-democratic but *wildly unpopular*
The question is not “how do we keep conservative Dems from returning to a party that is far more extreme than the one they left a few years ago,” it’s “how do we attract voters across the spectrum who sat out the last election because Kamala advocated for the status quo”
The Bulwark follows the same model as msm: rich people surrounding themselves with other rich people, telling the rest of us their opinions as if their financial status makes them more special, intelligent, talented, etc. No thanx.
Let’s be blunt: you cannot credibly analyze and advise on our current political environment without a deep appreciation for the centrality of race in American history and culture.
Ok, you got my attention.
The Bulwark has a prime directive: win the next elections against the Republican Party. It is intentionally and resolutely not about anything else, postponing the inevitable conflicts until Trump’s mafia is extracted from office by an uncomfortable coalition of the alarmed. You ask for something out of its design spec.
They are acting in ways that at times undermine our collective ability to achieve that “prime directive.” We understand their mission, we just think they have blind spots that weaken their chances at achieving it.