In truth, we should all be very grateful for Heidi Heitkamp, Joe Manchin, and so-called "DINOs". [View all]

[DanTex]

Do I share all their views? Hell no. I'm way to the left of either of them. I will happily oppose specific views that they have which I am opposed to. And I don't want them setting the agenda for the party as a whole.

But, big picture, they managed to win Democratic senate seats in North Dakota and West Virginia. That's huge. It's breaking the GOP's serve. Sure, Dem senators from blue states are going to be more progressive, but that's because there are more progressive voters in blue states.

Of course, this does not apply to conservative Dems from blue states. E.g., I think Dianne Feinstein is a waste of a California senator, CA is capable of electing someone far more progressive.

I am a strong progressive, but I am also rational. And being rational means understanding that we aren't going to be able to elect Sanderses and Warrens across the country. In fact, if I had to choose a progressive MVP, I'd probably go with Sherrod Brown, a very progressive senator from the purple state of Ohio.

Making progress in the real world means being smart. Primarying centrist Dems in red states is stupid. Pick our battles, and don't let ideological purity get in the way of winning.