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A ‘Team of Rivals’ for the Democrats? A ‘Team of Rivals’ for the Democrats?
(about 4 hours later)
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “Dems, You Can Defeat Trump in a Landslide,” by Thomas L. Friedman (column, Feb. 26):Re “Dems, You Can Defeat Trump in a Landslide,” by Thomas L. Friedman (column, Feb. 26):
The only way I could get to sleep after Tuesday night’s acrimonious debate was by taking an antacid followed by an Ambien. So it was a great relief to wake up Wednesday morning to Mr. Friedman’s column.The only way I could get to sleep after Tuesday night’s acrimonious debate was by taking an antacid followed by an Ambien. So it was a great relief to wake up Wednesday morning to Mr. Friedman’s column.
What a brilliant suggestion — making a place for everyone at the table. Putting one another down isn’t helping Democrats defeat President Trump. If anything, it’s just giving him more Twitter fodder to energize his troops.What a brilliant suggestion — making a place for everyone at the table. Putting one another down isn’t helping Democrats defeat President Trump. If anything, it’s just giving him more Twitter fodder to energize his troops.
Yes, the candidates are in competition for who is going to lead the party in November against the bully in the White House. But victory won’t come when there’s only one left standing and all who should be allies lie wounded on the battlefield. The fight is not progressive versus moderate, but rather the Democratic Party and all that it stands for united against Mr. Trump and his enablers in the Senate.Yes, the candidates are in competition for who is going to lead the party in November against the bully in the White House. But victory won’t come when there’s only one left standing and all who should be allies lie wounded on the battlefield. The fight is not progressive versus moderate, but rather the Democratic Party and all that it stands for united against Mr. Trump and his enablers in the Senate.
I think Mr. Friedman has the right answer. Put aside the rancor and the winner-take-all mentality. Form a unified effort. Create a team of rivals to make sure that all the voices are heard. When everyone’s candidate has a role, everyone is a winner.I think Mr. Friedman has the right answer. Put aside the rancor and the winner-take-all mentality. Form a unified effort. Create a team of rivals to make sure that all the voices are heard. When everyone’s candidate has a role, everyone is a winner.
Arthur C. BenedictPeaks Island, Me.Arthur C. BenedictPeaks Island, Me.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Thomas Friedman may be right — Democratic candidates need to form a unity ticket, a team of rivals. But who can persuade them to bury their egos and do so? Only former President Barack Obama. How much longer will he stay silent?Thomas Friedman may be right — Democratic candidates need to form a unity ticket, a team of rivals. But who can persuade them to bury their egos and do so? Only former President Barack Obama. How much longer will he stay silent?
Martha JablowPhiladelphiaMartha JablowPhiladelphia
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Thomas Friedman was able to put into words thoughts that have been circulating in my head for a few weeks. My only concern is whether the cabinet members would be approved — which, of course, reminds me of how important our Senate elections are.Thomas Friedman was able to put into words thoughts that have been circulating in my head for a few weeks. My only concern is whether the cabinet members would be approved — which, of course, reminds me of how important our Senate elections are.
Lynne BurkeDarien, Conn.Lynne BurkeDarien, Conn.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Thomas Friedman has the right idea. The Democratic Party should have a “big tent,” and the nominee should promise to include in his or her cabinet the entire spectrum of the party. Unfortunately, it seems that there is an ideological test in the extreme left wing of the party that would make this idea unfeasible.Thomas Friedman has the right idea. The Democratic Party should have a “big tent,” and the nominee should promise to include in his or her cabinet the entire spectrum of the party. Unfortunately, it seems that there is an ideological test in the extreme left wing of the party that would make this idea unfeasible.
When Elizabeth Warren depicts Michael Bloomberg as a racist, when Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says Joe Biden shouldn’t be in her party, when Bernie Sanders labels the very wealthy as the enemy for no other reason than that they are rich, then it is hard to see them joining together. And that will lead to the re-election of Donald Trump.When Elizabeth Warren depicts Michael Bloomberg as a racist, when Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says Joe Biden shouldn’t be in her party, when Bernie Sanders labels the very wealthy as the enemy for no other reason than that they are rich, then it is hard to see them joining together. And that will lead to the re-election of Donald Trump.
Jay StonehillSarasota, Fla.Jay StonehillSarasota, Fla.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Yes, we need a national unity ticket. But can we afford to take all those strong leaders out of the Senate? Or is Thomas Friedman suggesting that such a ticket will bring some of the members of the “dead” Republican Party back to life?Yes, we need a national unity ticket. But can we afford to take all those strong leaders out of the Senate? Or is Thomas Friedman suggesting that such a ticket will bring some of the members of the “dead” Republican Party back to life?
Anthony WightBranford, Conn.Anthony WightBranford, Conn.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Thomas Friedman has a very exciting group of proposed cabinet members to make a Bernie Sanders candidacy very compelling — with one glaring exception. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for ambassador to the United Nations? Really! What was he thinking?Thomas Friedman has a very exciting group of proposed cabinet members to make a Bernie Sanders candidacy very compelling — with one glaring exception. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for ambassador to the United Nations? Really! What was he thinking?
She is a young, inexperienced woman with little understanding of foreign affairs and diplomacy. What is most terrifying is that after Nikki Haley made significant inroads against constant Israel bashing at the U.N., AOC would only encourage a resurgence of such anti-Israel bias.She is a young, inexperienced woman with little understanding of foreign affairs and diplomacy. What is most terrifying is that after Nikki Haley made significant inroads against constant Israel bashing at the U.N., AOC would only encourage a resurgence of such anti-Israel bias.
Mendy KwestelFair Lawn, N.J.Mendy KwestelFair Lawn, N.J.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Thomas Friedman’s brilliant idea for the Democratic Party — announcing a ticket that includes prospective cabinet choices — might go one step farther. Imagine a coordinated campaign of messages that show split-screen images. The well-chosen, well-qualified and well-intentioned Democratic choices on the left and the current stable of inexperienced, obsequious and sycophantic Trump administration cabinet members on the right. Thomas Friedman’s brilliant idea for the Democratic Party — announcing a ticket that includes prospective cabinet choices — might go one step further. Imagine a coordinated campaign of messages that show split-screen images. The well-chosen, well-qualified and well-intentioned Democratic choices on the left and the current stable of inexperienced, obsequious and sycophantic Trump administration cabinet members on the right.
For example, Mike Bloomberg or Bernie Sanders vs. Steven Mnuchin, Cory Booker vs. Ben Carson, Michael Bennet vs. Betsy DeVos.For example, Mike Bloomberg or Bernie Sanders vs. Steven Mnuchin, Cory Booker vs. Ben Carson, Michael Bennet vs. Betsy DeVos.
Steve ConyCroton-on-Hudson, N.Y.Steve ConyCroton-on-Hudson, N.Y.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Thomas Friedman has a good idea for candidates to announce their cabinet picks early, and he makes some fabulous suggestions. But his pronouncement of the death of the Republican Party might be premature. A Republican V.P. running with a Democratic presidential candidate would make it a true “unity ticket.” I propose either Mitt Romney or John Kasich.Thomas Friedman has a good idea for candidates to announce their cabinet picks early, and he makes some fabulous suggestions. But his pronouncement of the death of the Republican Party might be premature. A Republican V.P. running with a Democratic presidential candidate would make it a true “unity ticket.” I propose either Mitt Romney or John Kasich.
Todd BuchananEldora, Colo.Todd BuchananEldora, Colo.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
At first I thought Thomas Friedman’s column offered an amusing “pie in the sky” idea, but the current times are so insane that perhaps an out-of-left-field idea is just what we need. I pray that all the candidates have read it.At first I thought Thomas Friedman’s column offered an amusing “pie in the sky” idea, but the current times are so insane that perhaps an out-of-left-field idea is just what we need. I pray that all the candidates have read it.
Baxter HollandRutland, Vt.Baxter HollandRutland, Vt.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Thomas Friedman has a glaring omission from his proposed “team of rivals”: Gov. Jay Inslee as the secretary of a new cabinet-level agency, the Department of Climate Change.Thomas Friedman has a glaring omission from his proposed “team of rivals”: Gov. Jay Inslee as the secretary of a new cabinet-level agency, the Department of Climate Change.
Wally Marzano-LesnevichTenafly, N.J.Wally Marzano-LesnevichTenafly, N.J.