General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: So...what exactly counts as "bashing the party" or "attacking Democrats" these days? [View all]Ken Burch
(50,254 posts)I said some intemperate things in the primaries, for which I apologize. I worked all out for the ticket in the fall and did so without reservation.
My OPs since November were repeatedly called bashing or refighting, and I've never had anyone actually say WHY they thought that.
I've made it clear that I don't think Bernie should run for president again.
I've proved I meant it when I said that.
I've framed my suggestions in honest but positive terms.
I critiqued the fall campaign but did so without attacking the nominee or calling out any individual even by implication
As a person who wants us to win and who wants us to govern effectively and progressively when we do, what should I say when some here want us to reduce the whole thing to "Comey-The Russians-voter suppression" and want to focus solely on saying Trump is horrible and trying to win by default? Yes, Comey, the Russians and voter suppression matter. A lot. But they weren't the whole story and we can't gain ground in '18 or '20 by focusing mainly on those things. I speak out because I'm terrified that such a limited strategy can only guarantee that we lose.
I've opposed that because every time we've run a campaign focused mainly on attacking the Right and simply insisting that people HAD to vote for us, we ended up not winning.
When we gave them something to vote FOR, in 2008, we won solidly.