November 2022

U.N. climate talks off to tense start as nations feud over damage

By  Michael Birnbaum ,  Allyson Chiu  and  Sarah Kaplan

November 7, 2022 at 7:08 p.m. EST

The Washington Post

“We are on a highway to climate hell with our foot on the accelerator,” warned U.N. Secretary General António Guterres , as he opened two weeks of talks, known as COP27, in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh. “We are getting dangerously close to the point of no return,” Guterres said.

“Those who pollute the most should pay the most in order to get our planet off this track of climate crisis,” Senegalese President Macky Sall said.

By Abe Mazliach, ago

Why Warnock matters

Robert B. Hubbell , November 14, 2022

  •  At the state level, Democrats did not lose control of a single legislature in 2022 that they previously held, a feat not accomplished by the president’s party during a midterm election since 1934. See WaPo. Indeed, Democrats expanded their control of Michigan’s House and Senate, Minnesota’s Senate, and (likely) Pennsylvania’s House.
  •          Also at the state level, Democratic gains at the gubernatorial level will be the best since at least 1986—and could get better if Katie Hobbs wins in Arizona!
  •         In the US Senate, not losing a seat—much less picking up seats—is a once-in-a-quarter-century event. On average, the party in power loses seven seats in the US Senate and has gained seats on only four occasions since 1934. 
  •          In the House, the party in power usually loses an average of 26 seats. Although results in the House remain uncertain, it appears that Republicans may gain only a handful of seats—if that! Although Democrats have a narrow path to retaining control of the House, it is an uphill fight. We should be patient and keep our expectations in check.

The combination of the above factors fairly describes success not seen since FDR’s first midterm in 1934.

Democrats will be able to confirm federal court judges with a simple majority. With 116 vacancies — and 62 lacking nominations, Democrats can make plenty of impact over the next two years. A Democratic majority in the Senate will also retain power over which bills come to the floor for discussion — meaning they can reject approved bills from a Republican-led House. Democrats would have more leverage over Sens. Joe Manchin (WV) and Kyrsten Sinema (AZ), the more conservative members of the party, in order to get legislation passed.

By Abe Mazliach, ago

7 reasons to be optimistic about the future of democracy

By Jennifer Rubin, November 13, 2022, The Washington Post

First, Democrats made major inroads into “the youth vote.” Turnout among voters under 30 was the highest in three decades. Pennsylvania race, 70 percent of voters between the ages 18 and 29 cast their ballots for Democratic Senate nominee John Fetterman, while Fetterman won support from 55 percent of those between the ages 30 and 44. 

Second, women turned out in force to support Democrats. 72 percent of women ages 18-29 voted for Democrats in House races nationwide. 

First, courts have proved adept at heading off election-related shenanigans. For example, democracy defenders in Arizona succeeded in obtaining an injunction against right-wing groups menacing drop box locations.

Second, massive early voting demonstrated the ability of voters to adjust to new election rules. nearly 47 million early votes were cast this year.

Third, low turnout in competitive midterm contests is no longer the norm.

Fourth, younger voters have learned to show up at midterm elections, boding well for the health of democracy and progressive values. The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at Tufts University found that “27% of young people (ages 18-29) turned out to vote in the 2022 midterm election and helped decide critical races, wielding the growing power of a generation that is increasingly engaged even as many remain disillusioned about U.S. politics.”

Fifth, there were a number of “firsts” on Election Day. election of the first openly lesbian governors (Maura Healey in Massachusetts and Tina Kotek in Oregon) and the first African American governor of Maryland (Wes Moore). The country will also have a record number of female governors.

Sixth, the movement for women’s autonomy has arguably never been more energized. All five ballot measures on abortion during the midterms resulted in losses for the forced-birth crowd.

Finally, the Republican Party might finally be tiring of Donald Trump. The former president is a loser. The primary candidates he picked are losers. No election denier running for governor or secretary of state in a swing state won. 

By Abe Mazliach, ago