Democratic Primaries

DanTex

(20,709 posts)

49. Fear-based, maybe. Specious, not at all.

Wed Sep 4, 2019, 10:11 AM

Sep 2019

First of all, calling an argument "fear-based" is itself a specious criticism. Fear is an totally legitimate decision criterion. In other walks of life, this isn't even questioned.

Take the arguments for M4A, for example. Nobody should end up bankrupt, or worse, dead, because they can't afford healthcare and have a medical emergency. That is a fear-based argument. Many people have a (totally rational) fear of medical emergencies, and universal free access to healthcare helps allay that fear.

Electability, to me, is the top factor simply because the difference between Trump and any of the Dems is much much bigger than the difference between the Dems. I don't know who is most electable, and inspiring the base is a big part of electability. But at the end of the day, I want someone who will win next November.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided

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The electability argument is specious and fear-based [View all] iwannaknow Sep 2019 OP

Every poll that asks the question indicates that "beating Trump" is far and away democratic voters' LincolnRossiter Sep 2019 #1

But if the key to beating Trump is to excite people who don't usually vote... thesquanderer Sep 2019 #4

If liberals, socialists, democrats, communists lapfog_1 Sep 2019 #51

Precisely, lapfrog. sheshe2 Sep 2019 #75

1 + 1 equals 2 DemocracyMouse Sep 2019 #80

I think that it makes more sense to focus on turning out the base Gothmog Sep 2019 #56

I hear this so often ...we do not motivate people who don't vote...we have never done so and won't Demsrule86 Sep 2019 #59

and, for some reason, lapfog_1 Sep 2019 #76

Thank you for your thoughtful response. saidsimplesimon Sep 2019 #2

It's a bullshit term bandied about by shallow talking heads think4yourself Sep 2019 #3

Biden is it NYMinute Sep 2019 #5

M4All wasn't taken off the table in 2009 DrToast Sep 2019 #6

That is correct. However... iwannaknow Sep 2019 #16

If we don't win...there will be no bargains...we need a perceived moderate to win. Demsrule86 Sep 2019 #19

Can we assume that the middle way is the winning way? iwannaknow Sep 2019 #22

Absolutely yes...the states we must win are WI, MI and PA...a moderate will win there...anyone Demsrule86 Sep 2019 #60

What on earth makes you say that? Lordquinton Sep 2019 #43

It worked in O8. President Obama ran to the middle and was pretty centrist. Like it or not, Demsrule86 Sep 2019 #61

We ran a moderate under FBI investigation. Never a good idea for a candidate to be under emmaverybo Sep 2019 #77

Yes, and I remember being totally disgusted by one of the candidates back in 2008 PatrickforO Sep 2019 #17

Amen! iwannaknow Sep 2019 #23

+1 Bettie Sep 2019 #45

They said what they needed to say to get elected...health care for all was not perceived as a right Demsrule86 Sep 2019 #63

+1 emmaverybo Sep 2019 #78

Nothing specious about it, elleng Sep 2019 #7

Yes, it is important, but what is electability? iwannaknow Sep 2019 #25

Clearly 'turnout is everything. elleng Sep 2019 #31

Especially independents. Genuine independents. Republican? I'm doubtful. iwannaknow Sep 2019 #35

Well, if our target group is Republicans Bettie Sep 2019 #46

'Our' target group is not repugs; IF they're disenchanted with trump, elleng Sep 2019 #57

It also doesn't answer who the base of the party is... Drunken Irishman Sep 2019 #54

The Democratic 'base' is what we (individually) dream it is, elleng Sep 2019 #58

I thought obnoxiousdrunk Sep 2019 #8

The key to winning is getting black women to the polls 5starlib Sep 2019 #9

This!! Thx for posting Thekaspervote Sep 2019 #10

Right? Funny how they talk about exciting the base but ignore that DrToast Sep 2019 #11

Yes, black progressives in big cities in the Midwest and South are the key to victory 5starlib Sep 2019 #13

Are you contending that black women voters won't blm Sep 2019 #30

I think it is accurate. Do you live in one of the states we need? Demsrule86 Sep 2019 #65

Well Done, 5starlib! Cha Sep 2019 #14

They are getting to know Warren, just like everyone else. blm Sep 2019 #27

Biden has been supporting civil rights for decades. He went toe to toe with George Schultz over emmaverybo Sep 2019 #38

A couple of points. First, I think all Democrats, including black women, are PatrickforO Sep 2019 #48

Even if Democrats fall in line, there are not enough to provide a victory. We need independents as Demsrule86 Sep 2019 #66

The funniest part of this .... relayerbob Sep 2019 #12

Agreed. Electability is a distraction, and how do you define it? iwannaknow Sep 2019 #26

because some old racist fucks refuse to vote for a woman Skittles Sep 2019 #15

It is realistic...we need to get rid of Trump...he will be hard to beat...and I don't see candidates Demsrule86 Sep 2019 #18

x1000 peggysue2 Sep 2019 #21

I'm just not seeing it. As others have said, it is about the vision, and about PatrickforO Sep 2019 #52

You want to lose the presidency and the House in 20, impeach Trump. It would be a gift to Demsrule86 Sep 2019 #67

I did not mean to imply that electability is not significant iwannaknow Sep 2019 #20

Your premise is faulty.. I want Joe Biden Cha Sep 2019 #24

Indeed it's a lot more than just electability. Experience, voting record, foreign policy experience Thekaspervote Sep 2019 #28

Right, kasper! Why would Biden even be Cha Sep 2019 #39

I can't... ha! I don't think anyone else can either Thekaspervote Sep 2019 #41

Yes, candidate qualifications should be foremost in our minds iwannaknow Sep 2019 #33

"Does anyone think the power elite will be any less threatened by the PO than M4All?" betsuni Sep 2019 #29

I don't think the House did pass the public option, but that aside, who was backing those Senators? iwannaknow Sep 2019 #32

Yes, it did pass the public option. betsuni Sep 2019 #34

Just did some research. You're right. But that does not nullify my argument about the PE. iwannaknow Sep 2019 #36

I don't understand what you mean by doing everything they can to keep things from becoming law. betsuni Sep 2019 #37

Mahalo Mucho for your Reality Based Post, Cha Sep 2019 #40

Thank you too. betsuni Sep 2019 #42

I've had the same feeling.. it's such Cha Sep 2019 #44

It is not about the power elite...it is all those folks who have great work place insurance who will Demsrule86 Sep 2019 #69

Fear is the most powerful motivator. honest.abe Sep 2019 #47

Fear-based, maybe. Specious, not at all. DanTex Sep 2019 #49

The problem with many electability arguments is MBS Sep 2019 #50

Exactly. People are just getting to know these candidates. blm Sep 2019 #53

I say it agian...Warren is known well enough that she should be polling better with Demsrule86 Sep 2019 #70

Electability is a valid and imporant criterion for the primaries Gothmog Sep 2019 #55

Thx for posting... Thekaspervote Sep 2019 #62

Except we don't know what "electability" is. Act_of_Reparation Sep 2019 #64

It is not that hard...three states...lost us the presidency...our only path at the moment...we need Demsrule86 Sep 2019 #71

We have indicators. We don't have certainty. Act_of_Reparation Sep 2019 #73

IN the RIGHT places!!! Amimnoch Sep 2019 #68

Exactly right. Demsrule86 Sep 2019 #72

Washington Post-Opinion: Democrats want to beat Trump. Biden wants to be the one to do it. Gothmog Sep 2019 #74

Apparently, not in the case of Kamala. And "the base" is already "ignited". For proof, look no... Tarheel_Dem Sep 2019 #79

Joe is the most electable candidate that the Democratic Party has available Gothmog Sep 2019 #81

So it's both specious and an important factor? LanternWaste Sep 2019 #82