"Michigan Democrat expresses need to be more than an activist, urging party for tangible action"
Fresh Take:
Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin has publicly called for action over words in the Democratic Party, taking aim at some progressive Democrats who she feels aren't delivering on their promises. During a Medicaid roundtable in Flint, Slotkin highlighted a party-wide rift over strategy to challenge President Trump.
A curious constituent questioned Slotkin's dedication to standing up for the people, comparing her to prominent Democrats like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders who are "screaming, enraged, passionate" in their response to the Trump administration.
Slotkin, however, argued that having profound words isn't enough, asking, "What have they actually done to change the situation with Donald Trump and the cuts and the attacks on our judiciary and the attacks on our Constitution?" Instead, she emphasized her national security and intelligence background, stating that prudent planning is essential.
Slotkin admitted she can't openly oppose Trump rather than being an activist, as the situation demands her attention on issues such as federal cuts. "I can't chain myself to the White House and become an activist full time," she stated, before adding, "All of those things require me to be more than just an AOC. I can't do what she does because we live in a purple state, and I'm a pragmatist."
The progressive wing of the party is currently represented by figures like Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez, who are known for their more progressive policies and aggressive strategies. Slotkin, on the other hand, prefers a moderate approach focused on bipartisanship and pragmatism, engaging with voters from across the political spectrum to ensure support for centrist Democratic policies.
Slotkin reportedly faced a formidable Republican challenger in November but managed to keep the Senate seat in Democratic hands during the election in Michigan, a state that Trump won by more than 80,000 votes. She has since emerged as a potential swing vote on critical issues like immigration.
As for the progressive wing, Sen. Bernie Sanders is joining forces with independent Sanders on his "Fighting Oligarchy" tour. CNN has reached out to Ocasio-Cortez for comment.
Slotkin acknowledged that finding a balance between compromise and positioning can be challenging but stressed the need to develop a clear strategy. She pointed out that the Democratic strategy "is not there yet," adding, "You saw that break open last week."
Slotkin's sentiments were echoed last fall when she stated that the Democratic Party has struggled to effectively communicate its message to voters. Despite the criticism, Slotkin was chosen to deliver the Democratic response to President Trump's joint session of Congress address earlier in the month.
Slotkin argued that public outbursts and strong rhetoric aren't enough to stop Trump from enacting his agenda. "I get it that it makes people feel good to see people yelling. But not one of those words is stopping the actual things that Donald Trump is doing," she stated. "I am about action, not words, and I will stand by that as long as I live."
- Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin, in a pragmatist approach, has been weighing the effectiveness of words versus actions in politics, especially amidst the apparent rift within the Democratic Party, notably highlighting the efforts and strategies of politicians like Bernie Sanders.
- Amidst the ongoing conversation about the best approach for the Democratic Party in challenging President Trump, Slotkin emphasized that passion alone, as demonstrated by key figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders, isn't enough; instead, she stressed the need for actual changes in the situation.
- Understanding that she cannot openly oppose President Trump in the manner of activists such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Slotkin prefers a more moderate approach focused on bipartisanship and pragmatism, while Sen. Bernie Sanders continues his "Fighting Oligarchy" tour, joining forces with an independent senator.
