General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Two Different Mindsets at DU [View all]Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)marriage equality. The 'Pragmatists' were very certain that only civil unions were possible for decades, a generation, until all the older bigots die off. To seek marriage equality was going to cost the election (just being pragmatic) and it was also 'letting the perfect be the enemy of the good'. Folks would say 'be pragmatic, no candidate for national office is going to openly support gay marriage, it's a wedge issue, a third rail' and very specifically they preached and I do mean preached, that Obama could not and would not support marriage equality at least until after the 2012 election. Because as pragmatists, they understood how things really work....
I think people mistake the words, and mean to say 'I'm a pessimist' instead of a pragmatist, because so many views presented as being the only reality based pragmatic view have turned out to be so absolutely incorrect.