Zach Shrewsbury faces an improbable task to replace the conservative Democrat in the face of a Republican onslaught – but he won’t be put off

  • Ensign_Crab@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    The party can’t find a candidate further to the right than Manchin, and Manchin isn’t seeking re-election because he knows he can no longer win.

    Moving to the right has failed. Even if Shrewsbury loses, and I’m so fucking delighted to say this, he’s the best candidate you have. If he doesn’t win, it’s because centrist Democrats stayed home when they didn’t get their first choice and didn’t want to vote blue no matter who.

    If he does win, centrists were lying about progressives not being able to win red states.

    • rockSlayer@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Centrists have always lied about progressives being able to win in red states. The key in WV (and most red states) is a heavy emphasis on worker power and advancing organized labor.

      • blindbunny@lemmy.ml
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        1 year ago

        You forgot about gun rights. But nobody wants to talk about that… And I’ll get down voted for mentioning it.

        • rockSlayer@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          They would need to take a Midwestern stance on firearms most likely. Tbh a socialist would likely fit the role nicely. As the saying goes, “you get your guns back when you move far enough left”

          • blindbunny@lemmy.ml
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            1 year ago

            May I ask you to expand on that? What stance do Midwesterners take on gun rights?

            Also, oddly I didn’t get downvoted.

            • qprimed@lemmy.ml
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              1 year ago

              Also, oddly I didn’t get downvoted.

              its a legit question. I also want to see the the parent poster says, but I tend to agree

              socialist rifle association is a thing and I personally know strongly left of center peeps that are protective of their gun rights for all the obvious reasons you might care to think of. makes sense in many ways.

              • blindbunny@lemmy.ml
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                1 year ago

                I think I’m just used to the other site and getting down voted for any mention of gun rights support.

                I’m aware of SRA and dig what I’ve seen them do near Tucson. Maybe I should join.

            • rockSlayer@lemmy.world
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              1 year ago

              The Midwest has a weird stance on guns in general. Even the most staunch liberals in the Midwest oppose “assault-style weapon” bans. The emphasis has been on raising the bar to ownership without heavy restrictions after reaching that bar.

              From my experience, there’s also a very healthy gun safety culture. I have some friends that are dumber than a box of rocks, and even they never touch their guns after any kind of drinking or drug use. The restrictions on using guns as a minor mixed with the very popular activity of hunting means anyone that has any genuine interest in guns has at least 5 years of training before they can even purchase a gun.

              • blindbunny@lemmy.ml
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                1 year ago

                I agree with all of this.

                To be clear though a minor has 5 years of training before they can purchase a firearm am I understanding that correctly?

                • rockSlayer@lemmy.world
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                  1 year ago

                  It’s a bit of extrapolation, my bad. The Midwest (or at least my state) doesn’t allow anyone under the age of 12 to go hunting with a firearm. At the age of 12, the kid must graduate a 6 week state-ran hunting/firearm safety course. After that, they must be within a certain distance of a legal guardian at all times if the gun is loaded. Because of the instilled safety culture, safety is also enforced by the guardian. They can purchase a gun at age 18.

    • TropicalDingdong@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Can’t use the s word in West Virginia. Best you’re gonna get is a corporate stooge democrat like Manchin.

      This is the complete misunderstanding of American politics that the DNC and DCCC have been trying to convince us of since 2008, in-spite of our lying eyes.

  • ZombiFrancis@sh.itjust.works
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    1 year ago

    I think if Shrewsbury gets people out to vote, he has a chance. WV has low voter turnout, maybe its electorate could mobilize for a socialist.

    I highly highly doubt it, but sure, he is precisely the type of candidate that should be running instead of Manchins.

  • TropicalDingdong@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Sure. He can definitely win.

    The idea that we exist on a political spectrum complexly misrepresents the political reality we live in.

  • BigMacHole@lemm.ee
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    1 year ago

    Why would Patriotic Republicans vote for an Ex Marine who isn’t backed by Corporate Interests?