At some point one's own political idealism requires a practical & achievable application...

[MrScorpio]

Last edited Wed Apr 29, 2015, 11:49 PM - Edit history (1)

...If one is really serious about getting their particular candidate elected. It's not just about why YOU think that a certain candidate SHOULD be elected, it's about why and how everyone else WILL vote for your candidate as well.

Wishing and hoping is one thing, but connecting with a majority of the electorate is quite another. The first thing to consider is what it is about your choice that appeals to as many people as possible. If you're having a hard time understanding what this thing is, then you'll also have an even harder time seeing that person elected.

The narrower the focus of that candidate, the harder the general appeal. That's why single issue candidates in national elections have the hardest time getting elected. It's also why purity tests set up candidates for failure. Winners usually appeal on various levels, and usually those levels create conflict between supporters. What appeals to Californians may not appeal to Ohioans, even though they may vote for the same candidate.

This is why we have primaries, to chose the person with the most general appeal and support. They can also serve to adjust and spread concerns from fringe issues to a general audience. How candidates accept, support and advocate for these issues is important as well. If you have concerns for a particular issue, the person who initially has your support may not be the person who would eventually succeed at getting you what, where and when you desire it. Especially if that person never got elected in the first place.

Make allies, create a consensus of ideals and form coalitions. Come together and fight together. Find another's champion your own in the end, if need be.

The ultimate goal is winning. Even if you have to support another from within your own party. Never forget that purity driven martyrs are always left out in the cold.

[Mojorabbit]

1. I think people thought Hillary was inevitable last time

but then Obama came almost out of no where and took the prize. I am hoping one of these dark horses will do the same this time. Winning is important but no candidate is inevitable at this point in time. Just my 2 cents.

[truedelphi]

2. But you seem to be forgetting that it is Hillary herself who is the

Single Issue candidate.

Time and time again, when her supporters are asked why we should vote for her, since just like Republican neo cons, she also supports endless wars, jobs moving overseas, visas for foreign workers, a big helpful hand for Wall Street, as well as Monsanto and Big Ag's GM shut down of real food, and the total surveillance society, etc, we are told to remember that she and she alone can give us something we must protect: A woman's right to choose.

And now Bernie Sanders will offer us that same right, while not supporting the rest of the neo con crappola agenda!

[Scuba]

4. +1

[liberal_at_heart]

3. First of all, what can be more broad based than populism and standing up for American workers?

All Democratic candidates use populism to get voted. The only problem is, most of them abandon it once they are elected. Secondly, we have been losing ground economically for over 30 years. The Democrats in power have done nothing to stop this decline. It is not about winning elections for me anymore. It is about standing up and saying enough is enough. I will not vote for candidates that will not support the American worker anymore. The workers need a voice. They need someone to listen, and all those rich DC insiders are not listening. Bernie and Elizabeth are listening. They are part of a very small handful of politicians who are listening.

[Lurks Often]

5. The purists and the devoted followers will be along shortly to say you are wrong

It's still 14 long months to the national convention and 18 months to the general election and a lot can change between now and then.

[frustrated_lefty]

6. Exactly!

And this is why John Kerry is the ONLY viable candidate!

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This is one of those 200/3/2004 threads, right?

[Bluenorthwest]

7. So another straight person lecturing about how effective their politics is. Good God, Scorp. Forgive

me if I am less than impressed with the credentials. You shat on every single step taken by LGBT people to get to marriage equality. Your 'advice' back then was garbage. We did what we did, and we won.
Here, you attack:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x9010894

Here, you tell us how funny that is:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x9476411

Here, other posters speak up to you:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x9007138

Your 'advice' was noxious and also just bad, to follow your 'advice' would have left us without rights. So I'll pass on this latest screed.