It is time to flat out declare that 30% to 40% of our electorate are bad people

[Awsi Dooger]

19. I've known it since 1984

I've mentioned it many times previously but in 1984 when I moved to Las Vegas I met dozens of white males in the sports betting scene who owned every opinion and tendency as described in the OP. They treated me fine as a fellow white male but when they described other demographics I was stunned at the bigotry and hate and fear.

Then they would turn on me once I announced my politics. But I didn't mind because there were always a few right wingers who (briefly) attempted to debate. That was fun.

The explosion of the internet allowed that type to communicate with each other and gain in confidence. I warned Chris Bowers numerous times on MyDD in the early to mid 2000s that if each side pushed toward the extremes then it could only benefit the GOP, and not by a minor amount. I couldn't believe how situationally clueless he was. Moderates and complacency were our friends. If both sides got energized in primaries toward dictating the nominee then the absolute guarantee was that right wing nutcases would get nominated time and again, and some of them ultimately elected. There was no chance we could mirror that on our end. The net is a significant shift to the right in terms of who is representing us, compared to the views of the nation as a whole.

At that point in the early 2000s I didn't anticipate the emergence of social media and how influential it would become. Nor Russia, obviously.

The only effective counter I am aware of is relentless registration drives on college campuses. Focus on a logical small net gain played out year after year. Then don't panic if the results don't fully cooperate in 2018 and 2020. I noticed that Barack Obama told our potential candidates not to react to the shiny sentences. Precisely. The problem on our side right now and in general is fixation on today. Hence the daily thread asking, "Is anyone watching Rachel?"

I always have to laugh. It is so pathetic. Today basically means nothing in the big picture. Find your best approach and methodically apply it. Don't worry about what Trump says or what Rachel says.