The Way Forward

stopdiggin

(14,077 posts)

21. ah, yes. "what the Ds lack is solid 'messaging' "

Fri Feb 28, 2025, 01:30 PM

Feb 2025

Sorry. What I saw in the last election - for whatever inexplicable reasons - was a voting public that was more accepting and moved by the 'message' from a braying jackass running as a reality TV star - than an appeal to reproductive freedom, economic justice, public health, and plain old competency in government.

Simple fact is - there were more votes for the braying jackass than there were in our column in 2024. And in fact the Ds got less votes - both in raw numbers and in percentages - than they did in 2020. Moreover Harris running to the 'left' or to the 'center' wasn't going to improve that score by any yardstick. And frankly - it has always been my impression that you do win elections ... By encouraging more people to vote for you, than for the other guy.

You may have seen things differently. But a shift to the 'left' certainly wasn't going to pull this one out of the fire. Not even close. And (IMO) there a strong chance it could/would have been worse.

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DeepWinter Skittles

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Democrats: Stop Running to the Center - Robert Reich [View all] Rhiannon12866 Feb 2025 OP

because the last election showed us how the country stopdiggin Feb 2025 #1

That's what Robert Reich saw and he's been following elections a lot longer than I have Rhiannon12866 Feb 2025 #2

There's no such thing as a political expert Polybius Mar 2025 #25

As the old saying goes, opinions are the assholes, everybody has one, and Reich is entitled to his. elocs Apr 2025 #42

No the last election showed us that chasing the illusive Republican who will vote Democratic Nanjeanne Feb 2025 #19

ah, yes. "what the Ds lack is solid 'messaging' " stopdiggin Feb 2025 #21

It was a "disjointed" message. My heart sank when I saw what happened to Biden during the debate. That long pause, Biden CTyankee Feb 2025 #23

see I bought a huge bottle of whiskey election night Skittles Apr 29 #45

You were so right. I was so wrong, just carried away by the moment. Now I know... CTyankee Apr 30 #46

I was hopeful...foolishly so Bettie May 6 #48

You argue as passionately against a left shift as questionseverything Mar 2025 #28

Darn straight. Unapologetically. And with some conviction. stopdiggin Mar 2025 #29

If we really want to win elections, we should be able to verify the count questionseverything Mar 2025 #30

My objection to 'hand counting' lies in that it is a bogus nostrum stopdiggin Mar 2025 #31

It's transparent which should beat everything in a democracy questionseverything Mar 2025 #32

have to be joking stopdiggin Mar 2025 #33

Overton window Be Leave On Feb 2025 #3

Thanks so much! And I tend to believe Robert Reich Rhiannon12866 Feb 2025 #4

A blunt opinion Nulock Feb 2025 #5

Thanks for your thoughtful response Rhiannon12866 Feb 2025 #6

Thank you. Nulock Feb 2025 #7

I agree with you and what's happening now absolutely baffles me Rhiannon12866 Feb 2025 #9

Although I detest Reagan, markodochartaigh Feb 2025 #12

I was certainly no fan of Reagan, either, though his "beliefs" were the complete opposite of TFG's Rhiannon12866 Feb 2025 #14

Trump's essentially a crime boss and the Republican Party has become his crime family. Nulock Feb 2025 #13

Wow! I completely take your point and certainly agree Rhiannon12866 Feb 2025 #15

He has the entire political apparatus of the state at his disposal and command. Nulock Feb 2025 #16

And the fact that he has these ardent "loyalists" makes no sense to me Rhiannon12866 Feb 2025 #17

I'll buy in to that - in general terms, if not every specific ... stopdiggin Feb 2025 #11

Completely agree DeepWinter Feb 2025 #22

Pretty good article from a DU member posted here. Nulock Mar 2025 #24

This message was self-deleted by its author Skittles Mar 2025 #37

I think Gaza became a single issue for many Democrats that drove them to not vote or vote third party ... SomewhereInTheMiddle Apr 30 #47

That was cosmic, I just made a post on another thread that aligned with Robert's message before I saw this video Uncle Joe Feb 2025 #8

Awww, thanks, Uncle Joe! Rhiannon12866 Feb 2025 #10

We didn't lose from running to the center somsai Feb 2025 #18

Well said. Think. Again. Mar 2025 #26

or perhaps the party of many small tents who can't come together when it matters? cadoman Mar 2025 #34

immigration is more a racist issue than an economic one Skittles May 7 #49

Stop compromising. We need to get Enthusiastic & get our own movement going! Maga gives us lots of ammunition. NowsTheTime Feb 2025 #20

I can't rec this post enough. Think. Again. Mar 2025 #27

K & R. We have a centrist problem. Emile Mar 2025 #35

We've been moving right ever since Reagan. Trump is the logical outcome of our strategy. jalan48 Mar 2025 #36

This is what centrism sounds like ... Intractable Mar 2025 #38

Chuck Schumer needs to take notes and learn. Emile Mar 2025 #39

Since Carter, and then Clinton, Obama. Passages Mar 2025 #40

There are voter who normally vote more Democratic than Republican, but who simply not vote for a woman. elocs Apr 2025 #41

I voted early for the first time in the last election, I needed to get it done Rhiannon12866 Apr 2025 #43

The center-left divide is no longer relevant iemanja Apr 29 #44