Progressivism is NOT just about economic rights.

[Honeycombe8]

55. One can be a Democrat w/o being progressive. And that's okay.

It's a big tent. Democrats run the spectrum from far left to left of center.

The problem with speaking AGAINST a Democratic politician in an election against a Republican, no matter where you are on the spectrum of the Dem Party, is that the effect is the same as campaigning FOR the Republican, who is WORSE on the issue that the person says they care so much about.

Everyone has a right to speak. But the effect of the words is just a fact. Just so they understand what they're doing.

By the same token, not speaking FOR a Democrat in a tight race against a Republican, when you CAN make a difference when every vote counts, is the same as helping the Republican...who has a WORSE view of those human rights than the Democrat.

Waiting for 100% means you'll be waiting forever and handing it over to the opposition in the meantime.

The effect of waiting for 100% is just a reality, no matter how one feels about speaking for or against a candidate. Like eating fudge = gaining weight. That's just the reality, regardless how you feel about fudge.

There is nothing wrong with endorsing the BETTER candidate, out of two you don't like. Nothing wrong with pointing out all that is right with that candidate, and how you disagree with him/her or how he/she doesn't hold to the Dem. Party platform, and then pointing out how terrible the Republican opponent is. Endorsers do that all the time.

Taking a stance on an issue and standing firm and never giving...that's what activists do. That's their purpose. That's not what politicians do, if they want their party to win.

When the progressive Democrat has a bill in Congress, he relies on the support of his party members. The more Democrats, the better. Regardless of their particular views on specific issues. The same is true on getting Democratic governors and other officials. Politicians tend to be more pragmatic. Politicians tend to keep their eye on the ball in play. You have to play ball with the ball that's on the field. The politician doesn't get to create his own special ball. This is why Cruz, who clearly hated Trump, ended up supporting him. Trump, to Cruz and other Republicans, was better than having Hillary Clinton.