The "secret" to defeating and destroying the present Republican Party...

[kentuck]

Of course, this is my opinion.

But, I believe the Democrats are not competing with the Republicans in the most effective way, politically speaking.

Rather than offering a sharp progressive contrast, Democrats should be offering the voters a choice that makes them look more sane than the crazies on the right.

In other words, they should try to appeal to the masses as the most moderate and sensible choice for all voters. (Of course, campaigning on any message is different from governing once you have won) That is a political reality. In Machiavellian terms, it doesn't really matter what you campaign on if it wins you the election. The only thing that matters is whether or not you win.

Democrats could run on the most moderate message ever and show such a contrast with the present Republicans that it would make it very difficult for any thinking Republican to vote for the present bunch now running their Party. Republicans maintain their credibility with their supporters because they are able to persuade their voters that Democrats are even more radical than their present Party leaders.

If the Democrats could change that paradigm, it would be devastating for the Republican Party at this time in our history.

But, don't hold your breath.

PS... I think Joe Biden is on the right track.

[Ocelot II]

1. Seems to me that's exactly what they *are* doing.

[kentuck]

2. Not exactly.

I don't agree.

But, Joe Biden is offering a road map for the Democrats that might be very successful, if he is not foiled by too many "progressives" looking for solutions that are not approved by the vast majority.

[zaj]

3. That's what Biden is doing...

... and others. But the progressive wing is doing what they do.

[kentuck]

4. I agree.

But I do not believe all Democrats are on the same page with Biden? Am I wrong about that?

[FalloutShelter]

5. Here's the thing... and it is essential to the difference between is and Rethugs.

Democrats are free thinkers and they will NEVER all be on the same page. We are a fractious coalition.We respect one another, but we have different priorities.

They are lock-step followers...authoritarians.

[kentuck]

6. That is our "Achilles heel", isn't it?

We want healthcare for all, right now. We want gun control, right now. We want the wealthy to pay their fair share of taxes, right now. Democrats do not understand that the best way to accomplish any of those goals is to first win the most votes. They have to win the hearts of the majority of the American people.

[zaj]

7. ++1000

This.

[TwilightZone]

9. And, yet, many expect us to be in lock-step, as well.

See: a million threads on Joe Manchin. Or Krysten Sinema. Or Dianne Feinstein.

[Demsrule86]

12. Well if they are not, they should be. Biden won. He beat an incumbent. And he ran

as a moderate. Although, I have met Biden on a number of occasions and I pointed out during the primaries, he is a perceived moderate....really he is quite progressive. You have to support those you elected. And you may not agree with their decisions in all cases. Power is earned at the ballot box. We have to win.

[TwilightZone]

8. That's what they are doing.

That's been Biden's MO pretty much since he started running in the primaries.

He took an endless load of shit from DUers for it, too. Weren't you here for the never-ending bitching when he had the nerve to say he wanted to bring the country together? One would have thought "unity" was a four-letter word.

[PortTack]

10. Nailed it!!

[Demsrule86]

11. Are you serious? Run left and we will win. No we won't. The country is center left.

We will be attacked as socialists which already lost us seats in 20. Do you ever look at states? We are barely hanging on to a Senate Majority. And where will new majorities come from. You want to move the country left, you need to start a the grass roots in red and purple states. The most successful time in years was in 08 when Howard Dean ran a fifty state strategy. Fielding moderate to conservative candidates in areas where they could win.

We need to get as much policy as possible. Honestly, when I read posts like this, I think it is a miracle we ever win. Vote blue no matter what and pick candidates that can win in their states and districts...do not base the selection on a rigid ideology. You won't elect a progressive in Mississippi but you might send a popular moderate/conservadem to the House or even the Senate if we work it. Also, we need to win states governments in order to start competing effectively.

[kentuck]

13. I think you need to read my post again?