Dem Presidential Candidate Says Some in Party 'Cheering On a Recession'
During the first two rounds of debates, former Maryland congressman John Delaney sounded like one of the more reasonable people trying to get the Democratic nomination for president. Of course, this is being filtered through my own sensibilities, so it’s probably likely he has zero chance of gaining traction.
However, Delaney deserves some attention (and a whole lot of credit) for pointing out something important to members of his own party: You shouldn’t be “cheering on a recession.”
Delaney made the remarks when asked by reporters about whether the economy was headed toward a downturn.
“I hope it’s not,” Delaney said.
Then: “You know, it feels like some Democrats are cheering on a recession because they want to stick it to Trump.”
Here’s video of the encounter:
Responding to a question from @ajjaffe on recession, John Delaney says “it feels like some Democrats are cheering on a recession because they want to stick it to Trump” pic.twitter.com/wIlEnW2w0W
— Musadiq Bidar (@Bidar411) August 21, 2019
“I don’t want a recession because I don’t want these workers in here to face a recession,” Delaney continued. “But I worry that Trump’s policies are bringing one on.”
Delaney was later asked which Democrats wanted the economy to tank.
“I’m not going to name names, but you just get a sense,” he said.
.@DJJudd followed up multiple times asking Delaney which Democrats he feels are cheering on a recession: pic.twitter.com/MASi3Nyvhv
— Musadiq Bidar (@Bidar411) August 21, 2019
It’s not very difficult to figure out who he’s talking about, however.
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren has been the biggest name talking a recession in the race.
Take this tweet, for example:
The warning signs for another recession are flashing. We need to pay attention and act now, while we still have time to avert a downturn. I’m calling on Congress and regulators to take action before families lose big—again. https://t.co/cglzQUWDX4
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) August 14, 2019
Most of the voices openly hoping for a recession have been in the media, however.
Bill Maher is the biggest name openly cheering an economic contraction on. He first hoped for a recession last year because it would mean Trump wouldn’t get re-elected. More recently, he said that a recession could save endangered species, or something. (No, really, I’m serious here.)
Meanwhile, MSNBC host Stephanie Ruhle also made news for a strangely cheerful view of what a recession might mean.
“A recession is a normal part of economic activity. We see them upturns and downturn. A recession doesn’t mean it’s a crisis,” Ruhle said on Monday.
“But if you’re a sitting president, you don’t necessarily want a recession on your watch. You want people feeling good. But seeing that we have been in economic expansion for the better part of 10 years, it’s about time we get a recession.”
Delaney didn’t share these sentiments.
“I just think it’s very important that we be clear as a party that we don’t want a recession, right, because [Trump’s] economic policies are bad,” he said.
“I think they’re ultimately going to unwind. I don’t want that to happen. I’m an American, I want the country to do well.”
I don’t necessarily agree with Delaney’s view of the White House’s economic policies, nor do I necessarily think that Delaney is some sort of ideal Democrat.
(This is the same guy who proposed forced national service, after all, which is one of the worst ideas we’ve heard so far in the 2020 campaign.)
However, he’s openly saying that a recession is a bad thing and that he’s hoping the economy stays strong. Even if that is one of Donald Trump’s biggest plusses, it’s still a good thing for America.
That doesn’t seem a popular message within the Democratic Party nowadays, but one hopes Delaney’s message strikes a chord.
Then again, I’ve seen his poll numbers (0.6 percent this week), so maybe not.
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