General Discussion

Ms. Toad

(38,793 posts)

56. So you liked 2016 and want to repeat it. Got it.

Fri Jun 26, 2020, 12:59 PM

Jun 2020

People on DU (and elsewhere) were so cocky about the sure victory in 2016 that it contributed to Trump's election - by people skipping voting if it was inconvenient (because Clinton was a sure thing), but people voting for 3rd party candidates (because Clinton was a sure thing and they wanted to send a message to "President" Clinton), and by some even voting in the Republican primary to ensure that Trump (the nothinburger candidate) would be Clinton's opponent.

And, FWIW, your post telling us to stop with the doom and gloom is exactly what happened in 2016 to those of us who dared suggest that the election was not in the bag.

How you avoid complacency is to stop treating the polls as gospel, and to stop crowing about how big Biden's victory is going to be, and treat this work as if the polls didn't exist.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

131 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

There are doom and gloom posts all over DU imploring us not to believe the polls. JUST STOP! [View all] Demsrule86 Jun 2020 OP

James Carville was on fire last night on MSNBC saying the same thing. SoonerPride Jun 2020 #1

We are going to win...IMHO. And Trump just finished himself off by putting in a brief to kill the Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #30

This message was self-deleted by its author Silent3 Jun 2020 #129

+1,000 malaise Jun 2020 #2

Yeah I am thinking ignore is my friend. Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #31

It's A Psychological Device Used to Maintain Voter Enthusiasm And Foster Turn-Out. jayfish Jun 2020 #3

But Can Have The 'What's THe Use' Opposite Effect Me. Jun 2020 #11

+1 We need to quit discouraging ourselves. lagomorph777 Jun 2020 #23

Exactly Me. Jun 2020 #64

But can have a what's the use affect as the poster below notes. Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #33

No one I know has ever been polled. LakeArenal Jun 2020 #4

I get polled all the time. lagomorph777 Jun 2020 #25

Yes but I don't know you. LakeArenal Jun 2020 #27

It is but one tool. Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #34

I'm not panicked. Have refused to be panicked. LakeArenal Jun 2020 #40

That is exactly how I feel...we need to turn out the vote...there is a reason the GOP wants fewer Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #89

Thank You, Ma'am The Magistrate Jun 2020 #5

Grant was also excellent at learning from his past mistakes. coti Jun 2020 #8

And how do we do this? What actions do we need to take? Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #90

Thank you sir...and you are exactly right. Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #35

I wonder if election fraud will take place anywhere, I wonder. Alex4Martinez Jun 2020 #6

How about advice about how we fight? There is much being done to end voter suppression and the Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #37

Work at the county level first, then state level. It's different everywhere. Alex4Martinez Jun 2020 #76

I watch these things of course. But people have little choice over how they vote...in terms of Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #91

It will take shenanigans for Trump to win Johnny2X2X Jun 2020 #7

And I have always said the path to victory is through WI, PA and MI...I posted state graphics over Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #38

This is a strawman. No one is saying "don't believe the polls." coti Jun 2020 #9

+100000 Celerity Jun 2020 #26

I don't hear that at all. Go figure. LakeArenal Jun 2020 #28

There are DU OP's saying don't believe the polls...the title. Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #100

I am saying 16 has nothing to do with this election. They were completely different years...and yes Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #41

+1 uponit7771 Jun 2020 #63

This. n/t ms liberty Jun 2020 #72

There Were 2 OPs That Said Exactly That ProfessorGAC Jun 2020 #82

Exactly! +10000 Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #88

Actually some do say don't believe. the polls...and 2016 is nothing like 2020 Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #87

No. Jirel Jun 2020 #10

Give specifics...working like hell how? By posting gloom and doom constantly? Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #42

Specifics please. What is this "doom & gloom" you speaketh. nt AnotherMother4Peace Jun 2020 #79

Check out OP's... Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #105

What? AnotherMother4Peace Jun 2020 #107

2016 is still deeply disturbing to many if not all Dems. efhmc Jun 2020 #12

Explain the "logic and reason" of Russia not attacking the 2020 presidential election. nt coti Jun 2020 #15

We lost because the left abandoned Hillary and voted for Stein, stayed home or wrote someone in... Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #121

Well these post won't help put Biden in the White House...in fact I believe they hamper the effort. Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #43

I will not stop. hamsterjill Jun 2020 #13

This. LakeArenal Jun 2020 #29

A reasonable view point but why should people in Texas vote if they are being told over and over Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #44

All polls I've seen are indicating a strong lead by Biden hamsterjill Jun 2020 #94

Trolls Faux pas Jun 2020 #14

Promoting the message of "don't be complacent" makes us trolls? bullwinkle428 Jun 2020 #16

I Faux pas Jun 2020 #21

No...but I would appreciate a description of how one refrains from being complacent. Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #97

Some are people who supported other candidates and want Biden to win but just not by 'that' much, Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #45

No no no - staying vigilant to Putin interference is not the same as "why bother AnotherMother4Peace Jun 2020 #17

Calling out how? Specifics please. Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #46

Let me ask you, & specifics please. What are these "doom & gloom posts" you speak of? Specifically AnotherMother4Peace Jun 2020 #55

Every poll with good news is met with dire predictions about 2016 and don't get 'cocky or Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #98

Not specific enough. But do you have a disagreement with not getting "cocky or complacent" - sounds AnotherMother4Peace Jun 2020 #106

This is the problem... Newest Reality Jun 2020 #18

Absolutely, but the doom and gloom OP's discourage voters...one could not the good polls and Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #47

Yes. Newest Reality Jun 2020 #59

Yes. If I have to hear crap about being "complacent" form now until November I will start betsuni Jun 2020 #19

There is a good chance there will be major cheating. coti Jun 2020 #20

It's impossible to get most Americans to vote without making it mandatory. betsuni Jun 2020 #24

We won the house even with the gerrymander...we turned Virginia blue...we can win this. Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #103

How did we win the house? We over performed. Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #86

That is why I wrote this OP...I was screaming!!!! Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #51

I saw it again today, which will be every day from now on. betsuni Jun 2020 #131

the poll numbers are right so agingdem Jun 2020 #22

Thank you...exactly. Of course we need to do our part...but it is looking good. And Biden is Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #52

I think a lot of the hand wringers agingdem Jun 2020 #71

I work every election...GOTV...data-whatever I can do. But I am really excited this year and that is Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #85

I think once Biden is in the White House agingdem Jun 2020 #114

304 - 227 sarisataka Jun 2020 #32

Oh please, Biden has been leading the entire primary...and 16 is nothing like this year. Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #54

This time it's completely different. Kingofalldems Jun 2020 #36

Yes it is a different year. And we have people out there working on voter suppression Stacy Abrams Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #57

That's not what I'm seeing DFW Jun 2020 #39

Every bit of good news (polls and other stuff too) is met with doom and gloom. I bet there are Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #60

I guess I read the wrong threads DFW Jun 2020 #111

I have watched two men who lost the election Miguelito Loveless Jun 2020 #48

I believe in self fulfilling prophecies. If you have no hope and enough people have no hope, Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #61

We have 130 days to go MoonlitKnight Jun 2020 #49

Now this is a reasonable useful post and I agree completely. And I would remind you that 130 days Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #66

It makes Michael Moore happy to see this type of negativity and hopelessness... NurseJackie Jun 2020 #50

Thank you Nurse Jackie...and your post is perfect and true. The constant 'what about 16 ' does Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #68

Also, some of us are still twitchy Bettie Jun 2020 #53

There are not enough 'Trumpers' for the win IMHO. And we have enough misery in our lives without Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #70

Obviously you don't live in a town Bettie Jun 2020 #75

I live in Ohio. If you look at the polls that included Stein...not Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #83

I talk up the hopefulness with every person I meet Bettie Jun 2020 #92

I wish I could make you feel better...living with dread is no way to live. Hubs and I are out of Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #96

We're managing Bettie Jun 2020 #101

Oh I get it and teens are rough...my son who is now a productive citizen sat up in his room and Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #124

They converse occasionally Bettie Jun 2020 #125

So you liked 2016 and want to repeat it. Got it. Ms. Toad Jun 2020 #56

There are more than 10 posts this morning saying essentially that we are going to lose in one Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #73

Agree, plays right into the pukes hand rufus dog Jun 2020 #58

That is how I feel about it. We are and will continue kicking some Trump ass. Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #74

Your first statement is 100% false, on the state level the Swing State polls were horrible uponit7771 Jun 2020 #62

How so? Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #77

Each one of them missed the MOE swing to the negative by 3%, that's horrible. Clinton LOST each swin uponit7771 Jun 2020 #84

Yes. While complacency is not good, 2020 is indeed not 2016 at all, and the data show that. Music Man Jun 2020 #65

I agree ...excellent post! Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #78

I'm begging everyone I know to please vote, but... Amy-Strange Jun 2020 #67

Take a look at your post...why is it unfortunate that Washington went to Hillary? Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #80

Because... Amy-Strange Jun 2020 #93

I see ...work down ballot races... Also you can call other states you know. I did when I lived in GA Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #95

Maybe, but all my relatives and everyone else I know... Amy-Strange Jun 2020 #99

Pick state, do some research on the state or maybe you used to live there or pick a candidate you Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #102

GOTV sounds interesting, and... Amy-Strange Jun 2020 #104

You are welcome...be warned some don't answer and some are rude as they are called to much...lists Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #108

Just Vote. chriscan64 Jun 2020 #69

I agree. Everyone here wants Trump gone. But doom and gloom hurt our efforts to get the vote Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #81

Good news is good news, but... Amy-Strange Jun 2020 #109

Yeah not worried about guns...and ignore works. Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #116

It's not about the polls, it's about election security, funding for mail-in ecstatic Jun 2020 #110

Having a clear overwhelming victory will help with that...and Stacy Abrams, Obama., and I believe Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #117

It's sound reasoning but but but bucolic_frolic Jun 2020 #112

Yes...they have no shame. I think the polls are correct. Trump is losing. Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #118

Lol, yes, lets just think we are 100% sure of winning! Nt USALiberal Jun 2020 #113

It is better than living doom and gloom 24 /7. Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #119

they're concern trolls and agents. n/t linda52 Jun 2020 #115

Some are...and the others are truly worried and tend to be pessimistic and some wanted a different Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #120

They're all saying "don't think we've won it and you can stay home" -- we all still need to vote lettucebe Jun 2020 #122

It is still a depressing message and no one will stay home...but some are saying don't believe the Demsrule86 Jun 2020 #123

What some of us were saying edhopper Jun 2020 #126

Everyone bdamomma Jun 2020 #127

This cuts both ways: if Trump's way down in polling, why vote, if it's in the bag? VOX Jun 2020 #128

There's always one faction who think good polls are bad news, and another that thinks... Silent3 Jun 2020 #130