Democrats are failing to accurately assess why they are losing elections, a reflection of bad leadership, according to progressive journalist Alicé Anil, who is a documentary filmmaker originally from Brazil, a YouTube commentator and a political analyst for Being Liberal. A vocal supporter for Sen. Bernie Sanders during his 2016 presidential run, Anil reluctantly voted for Hillary Clinton last year. After last week's special election defeat of Democrat Jon Ossoff in Georgia congressional race, Anil shared in a recent episode of "Salon Talks" her frustration with the fact that Democratic voters aren't able generate new ideas and strategies, in part because of a lack of comfort with removing longtime leaders.
In the wake of Democrats' losing recent special elections, what advice would you give to progressives who are reeling?
I feel like I’m watching 2016 happen again, when I look at what’s currently happening within the Democratic Party, and a huge part of it has to do with the fact that there has been no accountability.Even if you look at Republicans in 2012 after they lost, you know, there was a serious analysis.I have not seen that especially from the leadership of the Democratic Party.You’re head of a company, right? And the company loses a massive amount of money. . . . So, employees are being laid off, your valuation goes down and everything implodes. Do you think that you would still be head of that company?
On why Democrats have been resistant to change
Human beings will always come up with a perfect excuse as to why this is not the right time and as to why "we’re not ready" and as to why "if we do this, something worse will happen." For me personally Nancy Pelosi should have gone a long time ago. This is just a reflection of the lack of accountability, in politics especially. Chuck Schumer, the whole party leadership —they failed.
Watch more of the political discussion about the Democrats' future on Salon.
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