Democratic candidates are doing Trump's job for him. Eugene Robinson

[elleng]

'President Trump’s playbook for the general election is obvious: demonize the Democrat who runs against him. Democratic primary hopefuls need to stop doing the job for him.

Attacking isn’t the only way to campaign. This should be the cycle when the difference between “drawing contrasts” and “going negative” becomes meaningful, not just rhetorical.

Somebody, eventually, is going to win the Democratic nomination. If the candidates are sincere when they say this is the most important election of our lifetimes and ousting Trump must be the top priority — and I believe they are — then how does it make sense to generate so much fodder for Trump campaign ads in the fall?

Look, I know that politics ain’t “Kumbaya.” It would be insane to go through the grueling experience of running for president without trying to win, and that means convincing voters you’re the best for the job. There’s a difference, though, between making the most effective case for yourself and arguing that your opponents are so flawed as to be disqualified for office.

Rather than being nailed to the wall for something they did or said 20 years ago, the candidates need to be given time and space to evolve, just as the nation has evolved. President Barack Obama, you will recall, opposed marriage equality until the relatively late date of 2012 — long after it was a matter of faith for the progressive wing of the party. . .

The party will have to unite — not superficially, for the duration of the balloon drop at the convention in Milwaukee, but genuinely. So dial back the hissing and spitting, people. It only helps Trump.'

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/democratic-candidates-are-doing-trumps-job-for-him/2020/02/17/a4f563aa-51bf-11ea-929a-64efa7482a77_story.html?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Eugene Robinson is a wise man. We should pay attention.

[mr_lebowski]

2. Hear freaking Hear!

That's why you'll find me on here consistently defending any Dems against smears/false/out-of-context crap being spread regardless of whether it's 'my candidate'.

Maybe wouldn't bother too much w/Tulsi ... I admit.

[msongs]

3. only hard core political junkies are paying much attention at this time IMO nt