I definitely agree that AOC should have backed the DSA slate, but I think there might be value in having candidates all sign onto certain policy proposals. I agree it's a bad way to find good candidates, and leftists shouldn't base their votes just on these scores. The value in making candidates sign pledges is to discipline the bad candidates in bulk and get them to at least promise to follow certain policies. GOP aligned groups have used this to great effect in creading today's uncompromising party.
Now I don't know if AOC's group is actually doing this effectively, and I understand there are disadvantages to this approach (ie, muddying the waters about who are friends really are). I'd just like to hear what you think about that strategy, because I think that's the goal more than actually vetting.
Personally, I'd like to see what happens as time goes on and some of these candidates violate these pledges. Will they be allowed to just lie again and check all the right boxes, or will they be held accountable? I think that's the litmus test for if this strategy can work.
I definitely agree that AOC should have backed the DSA slate, but I think there might be value in having candidates all sign onto certain policy proposals. I agree it's a bad way to find good candidates, and leftists shouldn't base their votes just on these scores. The value in making candidates sign pledges is to discipline the bad candidates in bulk and get them to at least promise to follow certain policies. GOP aligned groups have used this to great effect in creading today's uncompromising party.
Now I don't know if AOC's group is actually doing this effectively, and I understand there are disadvantages to this approach (ie, muddying the waters about who are friends really are). I'd just like to hear what you think about that strategy, because I think that's the goal more than actually vetting.
Personally, I'd like to see what happens as time goes on and some of these candidates violate these pledges. Will they be allowed to just lie again and check all the right boxes, or will they be held accountable? I think that's the litmus test for if this strategy can work.