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We Need to Be Clear About Who Pushed Us to the Breaking Point We Need to Be Clear About Who Pushed Us to the Breaking Point
(1 day later)
On Wednesday, President Biden gave a second speech on the threat to democracy. It was a little less dramatic than his Philadelphia speech on the same subject, and it was more focused as well. He spent his time on the threat, rather than touch on his infrastructure bill or speak to economic growth under his administration.On Wednesday, President Biden gave a second speech on the threat to democracy. It was a little less dramatic than his Philadelphia speech on the same subject, and it was more focused as well. He spent his time on the threat, rather than touch on his infrastructure bill or speak to economic growth under his administration.
“But we’ll have our differences,” he continued. “We’ll have our difference of opinion. And that’s how it’s supposed to be. But there is something else at stake: democracy itself.”“But we’ll have our differences,” he continued. “We’ll have our difference of opinion. And that’s how it’s supposed to be. But there is something else at stake: democracy itself.”
Biden went on to ask Americans to “meet this moment of national and generational importance” and “decide whether we will have fair and free elections and every vote counts.”Biden went on to ask Americans to “meet this moment of national and generational importance” and “decide whether we will have fair and free elections and every vote counts.”
Most political commentators had little to say about the speech; the response, by and large, was indifference. But some observers said it was counterproductive. By making the election a choice between a Democratic Party that will secure American democracy and a Republican Party that may unravel it, the argument goes, Democrats are essentially telling voters that their democracy is already lost.Most political commentators had little to say about the speech; the response, by and large, was indifference. But some observers said it was counterproductive. By making the election a choice between a Democratic Party that will secure American democracy and a Republican Party that may unravel it, the argument goes, Democrats are essentially telling voters that their democracy is already lost.
The political commentator Josh Barro made this exact case in a recent newsletter.The political commentator Josh Barro made this exact case in a recent newsletter.
This, he concludes, “amounts to telling voters that they have already lost their democracy.”This, he concludes, “amounts to telling voters that they have already lost their democracy.”
This may or may not be politically effective. Let’s set that aside. The more interesting thing is whether it’s true, and the obvious answer is yes. The Democratic Party is, at this moment, the only viable political party with a serious commitment to free and fair elections. And in a country where power alternates between two major parties, this means American democracy is in real trouble.This may or may not be politically effective. Let’s set that aside. The more interesting thing is whether it’s true, and the obvious answer is yes. The Democratic Party is, at this moment, the only viable political party with a serious commitment to free and fair elections. And in a country where power alternates between two major parties, this means American democracy is in real trouble.
What Barro says isn’t a gotcha; it is simply the truth of the matter. If you oppose the effort to nullify Democratic election victories and create systems of minority rule (the Republican running for governor of Wisconsin said, for example, that “Republicans will never lose another election in Wisconsin after I’m elected governor”), then there’s only one real choice on the ballot.What Barro says isn’t a gotcha; it is simply the truth of the matter. If you oppose the effort to nullify Democratic election victories and create systems of minority rule (the Republican running for governor of Wisconsin said, for example, that “Republicans will never lose another election in Wisconsin after I’m elected governor”), then there’s only one real choice on the ballot.
That fact gets to a broader issue with this and other similar criticism. Intentionally or not, they place all agency on Democratic politicians. If Democrats have made democracy a partisan issue with their rhetoric, then it stands to reason that if they changed their rhetoric, they might make the issue less partisan and thus broaden the reach of their message.That fact gets to a broader issue with this and other similar criticism. Intentionally or not, they place all agency on Democratic politicians. If Democrats have made democracy a partisan issue with their rhetoric, then it stands to reason that if they changed their rhetoric, they might make the issue less partisan and thus broaden the reach of their message.
The problem, which should be obvious, is that Democrats did not make democracy a partisan issue. Republicans did. They did when they stood with Donald Trump in the wake of Jan. 6; they did when they embraced “Stop the steal” and election-denying candidates; they did when they made light of the threats against Nancy Pelosi and the assault on her husband.The problem, which should be obvious, is that Democrats did not make democracy a partisan issue. Republicans did. They did when they stood with Donald Trump in the wake of Jan. 6; they did when they embraced “Stop the steal” and election-denying candidates; they did when they made light of the threats against Nancy Pelosi and the assault on her husband.
There is nothing stopping Republican candidates and Republican voters and Republican leaders from pursuing their partisan and ideological goals while keeping their commitment to free and fair elections. There is nothing stopping them from rejecting antidemocracy extremists in their midst and affirming the vital principles of popular sovereignty, rule of law and political equality. There is nothing stopping them, in other words, from making a different set of choices about the kind of political party they wish to be part of.There is nothing stopping Republican candidates and Republican voters and Republican leaders from pursuing their partisan and ideological goals while keeping their commitment to free and fair elections. There is nothing stopping them from rejecting antidemocracy extremists in their midst and affirming the vital principles of popular sovereignty, rule of law and political equality. There is nothing stopping them, in other words, from making a different set of choices about the kind of political party they wish to be part of.
It’s not Democrats who left the voting public with only one choice if they want to protect democracy as they know it. The reason the stakes are so high is that the Republican Party has made them this high.It’s not Democrats who left the voting public with only one choice if they want to protect democracy as they know it. The reason the stakes are so high is that the Republican Party has made them this high.
My Friday column was on virtue (or the lack thereof) in American politics.My Friday column was on virtue (or the lack thereof) in American politics.
And in the most recent episode of my podcast with John Ganz, we discuss the film adaptation of “The Hunt for Red October.”And in the most recent episode of my podcast with John Ganz, we discuss the film adaptation of “The Hunt for Red October.”
Sam Thielman on Alan Moore’s “Miracleman” for Slate.Sam Thielman on Alan Moore’s “Miracleman” for Slate.
Joshua Zeitz on America in the 1850s for Politico.Joshua Zeitz on America in the 1850s for Politico.
Jerusalem Demsas on community input for The Atlantic.Jerusalem Demsas on community input for The Atlantic.
Jaz Brisack on the labor movement for Dissent.Jaz Brisack on the labor movement for Dissent.
Nojang Khatami on Iranian struggle for democracy for The Boston Review.Nojang Khatami on Iranian struggle for democracy for The Boston Review.
Feedback If you’re enjoying what you’re reading, please consider recommending it to your friends. They can sign up here. If you want to share your thoughts on an item in this week’s newsletter or on the newsletter in general, please email me at jamelle-newsletter@nytimes.com. You can follow me on Twitter (@jbouie), Instagram and TikTok.Feedback If you’re enjoying what you’re reading, please consider recommending it to your friends. They can sign up here. If you want to share your thoughts on an item in this week’s newsletter or on the newsletter in general, please email me at jamelle-newsletter@nytimes.com. You can follow me on Twitter (@jbouie), Instagram and TikTok.
I was walking to Washington D.C’s Union Station for an early morning train home to Charlottesville, Va., and caught the bus depot in this wonderful, golden hour light. I like everything about this scene: The colors pop; the shadow cuts across the frame, emphasizing the leading lines; and there’s good balance to the image. I share lots of pictures here, obviously, but this is one of my better ones, I think. I was walking to Washington’s Union Station for an early morning train home to Charlottesville, Va., and caught the bus depot in this wonderful, golden hour light. I like everything about this scene: The colors pop; the shadow cuts across the frame, emphasizing the leading lines; and there’s good balance to the image. I share lots of pictures here, obviously, but this is one of my better ones, I think.
I put “pumpkin” in scare quotes because I used two honeynut squash to make this pie, and even Clark calls for butternut squash and not pumpkin. Any similar gourd should work, I think. We don’t usually eat pumpkin pie (or anything similar) on Thanksgiving, but I made this on a lark and really enjoyed it. I followed the recipe as written over at NYT Cooking, but instead of a traditional pie crust, I made a graham cracker crust; I think the change was worth it.I put “pumpkin” in scare quotes because I used two honeynut squash to make this pie, and even Clark calls for butternut squash and not pumpkin. Any similar gourd should work, I think. We don’t usually eat pumpkin pie (or anything similar) on Thanksgiving, but I made this on a lark and really enjoyed it. I followed the recipe as written over at NYT Cooking, but instead of a traditional pie crust, I made a graham cracker crust; I think the change was worth it.
Whatever you decide to do with the crust, this is a great pie. I served it to friends, and they were very impressed.Whatever you decide to do with the crust, this is a great pie. I served it to friends, and they were very impressed.
IngredientsIngredients
2 pounds butternut squash (1 small squash), peeled, seeded and cut into 1½-inch chunks (about 3 cups)2 pounds butternut squash (1 small squash), peeled, seeded and cut into 1½-inch chunks (about 3 cups)
1 cup heavy cream1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons granulated sugar2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
All-purpose flour, for rolling out the doughAll-purpose flour, for rolling out the dough
Dough for a single 9-inch pie crustDough for a single 9-inch pie crust
3 large eggs3 large eggs
⅔ cup light brown sugar⅔ cup light brown sugar
1½ teaspoons ground ginger1½ teaspoons ground ginger
1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon grated nutmeg½ teaspoon grated nutmeg
⅛ teaspoon ground allspice or pinch of ground cloves⅛ teaspoon ground allspice or pinch of ground cloves
1 tablespoon bourbon or dark rum, or use 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1 tablespoon bourbon or dark rum, or use 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
½ teaspoon fine sea salt½ teaspoon fine sea salt
DirectionsDirections
Place two racks in the oven: one in the lower third and one in the upper third. Place a rimmed baking sheet on the lower oven rack and heat oven to 400 degrees.Place two racks in the oven: one in the lower third and one in the upper third. Place a rimmed baking sheet on the lower oven rack and heat oven to 400 degrees.
Line another rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and spread butternut squash on it. Drizzle squash with 2 tablespoons of the heavy cream, sprinkle with granulated sugar and dot the top with butter. Roast on the upper rack, stirring once or twice, until squash is very tender, 40 to 50 minutes.Line another rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and spread butternut squash on it. Drizzle squash with 2 tablespoons of the heavy cream, sprinkle with granulated sugar and dot the top with butter. Roast on the upper rack, stirring once or twice, until squash is very tender, 40 to 50 minutes.
Meanwhile, on a lightly floured surface, roll pie dough into a 12-inch circle. Transfer to a 9-inch metal pie pan. Fold over any excess dough, crimping the edges. Transfer to the freezer for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours. (This helps the crust hold its shape so the edges don’t slump.)Meanwhile, on a lightly floured surface, roll pie dough into a 12-inch circle. Transfer to a 9-inch metal pie pan. Fold over any excess dough, crimping the edges. Transfer to the freezer for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours. (This helps the crust hold its shape so the edges don’t slump.)
When the squash is soft, transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool for at least 10 minutes (and up to a few hours). Raise the oven temperature to 425 degrees.When the squash is soft, transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool for at least 10 minutes (and up to a few hours). Raise the oven temperature to 425 degrees.
In a food processor or blender, purée the squash with the remaining cream until smooth. Add eggs, brown sugar, spices, bourbon and salt, and pulse to combine. The mixture should be very smooth.In a food processor or blender, purée the squash with the remaining cream until smooth. Add eggs, brown sugar, spices, bourbon and salt, and pulse to combine. The mixture should be very smooth.
Pour mixture into the chilled pie shell. Carefully transfer pie to the hot baking sheet on the bottom rack. Bake for 10 minutes, then lower the oven temperature to 300 degrees and continue to bake until the crust is golden and the center jiggles just slightly when shaken, 35 to 45 minutes longer. Transfer pie to a wire cooling rack and allow to cool completely before serving. Pie can be baked up to 24 hours ahead of serving; do not refrigerate before serving.Pour mixture into the chilled pie shell. Carefully transfer pie to the hot baking sheet on the bottom rack. Bake for 10 minutes, then lower the oven temperature to 300 degrees and continue to bake until the crust is golden and the center jiggles just slightly when shaken, 35 to 45 minutes longer. Transfer pie to a wire cooling rack and allow to cool completely before serving. Pie can be baked up to 24 hours ahead of serving; do not refrigerate before serving.