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Maryjane Osa's avatar

This article is effective on multiple levels, not just as a strategic argument. My thoughts on the historical FDR/JBP juxtaposition:

This is speculative musing, but I have thought that the reason JB has turned out to be a mensch, although a billionaire, is because both his parents died young, and he had been bullied throughout his life for his weight. JB doesn't act like an entitled jerk b/c he's felt the kind of pain that normal people feel all the time.

FDR had polio, which gave him an appreciation for struggling through pain. According to historians, FDR was happiest when he was swimming and socializing with polio patients (many of whom were quite poor) at Warm Springs in Georgia, the rehabilitation center that he founded.

These two politicians were also blessed with self-awareness and a social conscience.

Contrast that with say, Elon Musk, or any number of the failsons of the billionaire class.

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Hhm's avatar

Perfectly put. Judge people by their actions not where, how and to whom they were born. JD Vance was born to a poor/lower middle class mom and that psycho might be the Pope killing Antichrist. Love pritzkers fight actions and general jolly warrior vibe

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Noah Berlatsky's avatar

Vance’s mother was downwardly mobile because she was an addict; his grandparents who he lived with were pretty well off (though not Pritzker level obviously!)

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The Crazy Cat Lady Writes's avatar

Noah, you probably know this since you're a Chicago local like me, but if I had to guess, one of the reasons JB is pro LGBT is his first cousin Jennifer is trans.

For those unaware, Jennifer Pritzker lives in and owns a good chunk of Rogers Park in Chicago. She's quite the character. She used to be a hard core GOPer but since coming out and the Taco Orange Turds rise, she switched to Independant.

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Lisa J. Miller's avatar

Very well said Noah!! I like JB more and more every day!!

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Stephen Bero's avatar

A fellow Illinoisan is coalescing, too. 👊

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DR Darke's avatar

I'm still not sold on Pritzker—not like I'm SO not sold on Gavin Newsom(!), who never loses a chance to be an opportunist, but I'm glad we've got a few years to see how things shake out.

BTW, I think Tim Walz is realizing that bad-mouthing Kamala Harris for losing to Trump might not be the winning strategy he thought it was.... https://www.reddit.com/r/Fauxmoi/comments/1mzvo5b/tim_walz_on_kamala_harris_we_wouldnt_wake_up/

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Jennifer's avatar

Well said!

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