Democratic Primaries

MBS

(9,688 posts)

50. The problem with many electability arguments is

Wed Sep 4, 2019, 10:16 AM

Sep 2019

that what constitutes "electability" is too often too narrowly and rigidly imagined. .. and doesn't allow for almost-certain evolution of the definition of "electability" as the primary and general-election seasons, and, most importantly, as voter awareness and voter opinions, evolve.

Yes, absolutely, we must nominate a candidate who will win. But what exactly does this mean in this volatile election and this volatile period in our country's history? "Electability" in a general sense is a minimum requirement for our candidate. But I personally get worried when"electability" is perceived as the main or even only reason to support a candidate. Voters need to feel positive about the candidate's vision, too.

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

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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