General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Only 11% of Democrats polled want a more liberal presidential nominee than Hillary Clinton [View all]bigtree
(94,286 posts). . . that's the rub in the presidential election. Someone has to run and fight, hopefully till the end of the primary. So many good choices fold before then. I'd love to ride my ideals all the way to the general election, but principled candidates are usually swallowed up by one of the consensus candidates in the end.
If someone can figure out how to advance a principled candidate who expresses and holds our progressive views and keep them in the game, I'd really, really appreciate that. But, you know where these contests have led in the past, with many a good and principled candidate dropping by the wayside.
This poll is not determinate of anything much more than the attitude right now of the folks polled. that's it. But it does highlight the need for a candidate to promote progressive issues in a way that interests and appeals to more voters. There's no shortcut for that, and no one can blame a candidate with different views for any failure from a progressive candidate to make that case to voters.
I think this poll highlights the problem we've had in every election. A majority of voters have consistently told pollsters over the years that they want candidates who are decidedly less progressive than the average DUer, myself included.
Candidates are challenged to appeal nationally and voters aren't voting progressive in every part of the country. There's going to be a need for a strong and unyielding candidate. I really don't want to say whether I'm optimistic that will happen. I'll just hope for such a person to enter the race. I'll be the wind under their wings.