We've got to stop beating ourselves over the election.

[usonian]

5. Messaging was too positive.

Scare tactics, hate, smears and exaggerations "trump" hopeful and positive messaging.

Is it "wrong" to use strawmen in a campaign? How about Putin, the founder of this shitshow?
History will show that he or his blackmail was behind it all.

For better or worse ( mostly worse), when at war, look and sound like a warrior. People see kindness as weakness, but they do the same with religion.

"Kill for Jesus" was a thing around the Vietnam war (actually, as far back as the crusades). Ppl still get everything backwards. They are carefully taught.