Democratic Primaries

MineralMan

(151,301 posts)

37. Yes. Some people think the word means something it doesn't mean

Sun Mar 17, 2019, 01:23 PM

Mar 2019

to a lot of people. It still carries a very, very negative connotation for a massive number of voters. Forgetting that will doom any candidate who adopts socialism as a campaign strategy. I'm not worried that a candidate who does that will get the nomination. That won't happen. What worries me is that those who want to champion socialism will simply not vote in 2020. That's the real danger, I think. And it's a scenario that could happen.

We really need to get a handle on this soon, because it won't be a socialist of any kind who comes away from the nominating convention as the nominee. That's not going to happen in 2020. It might in 2024 or 2028, but not in 2020. Socialism is a loaded word. And it's not loaded with winning right now.

Note: I am a philosophical socialist. But, I'm also a political realist.

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

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The Word "Socialism" Is Toxic in This Country [View all] MineralMan Mar 2019 OP

From what I've noticed, the term is evolving... TCJ70 Mar 2019 #1

It has not evolved far enough yet. MineralMan Mar 2019 #4

No it's not. It means the same thing as it always has. NurseJackie Mar 2019 #20

Yes it is and you can thank Republicans labeling... TCJ70 Mar 2019 #23

It SHOULD not, tho. Words have meanings, and understanding Hortensis Mar 2019 #58

Language evolves... TCJ70 Mar 2019 #59

As Newt Gingrich would be the first to endorse, Hortensis Mar 2019 #60

What makes you think American voters care about the "greater good?" Kahuna7 Apr 2019 #72

Why do you think that that's anything remotely close to what I said? N/T TCJ70 Apr 2019 #74

"This isn't necessarily a bad thing or anything to run from." nt Kahuna7 Apr 2019 #75

That statement says nothing about the American voter in general...n/t TCJ70 Apr 2019 #79

Yep just like librul. The Republicans are masters doc03 Mar 2019 #2

It is toxic for very good reasons. CrossingTheRubicon Mar 2019 #3

I disagree. It's toxic because it has MineralMan Mar 2019 #8

No, it has been made toxic by the actions of socialists. CrossingTheRubicon Mar 2019 #10

Would you like to give me one example crazytown Mar 2019 #22

Depends on how you define the term "Democratic Socialist" but the Nordic model seems successful. TomSlick Mar 2019 #27

You are very wrong. nt Ferrets are Cool Mar 2019 #55

So use another word. greymattermom Mar 2019 #5

Why do you think "progressive" got popular again? LongtimeAZDem Mar 2019 #15

Repubs have convinced the masses of ignorant Americans that socialism and communism are the same. LonePirate Mar 2019 #6

It's not the word. It is the paradigm forklift Mar 2019 #7

No. It's the word. We need to replace that word with something else. MineralMan Mar 2019 #9

No re-branding or re-framing of socialism can redeem this failed ideology. CrossingTheRubicon Mar 2019 #11

Exactly, and that is what we should be selling, not socialism, MineralMan Mar 2019 #13

Socialism is antagonistic to Democracy, Justice, and Prosperity for All. CrossingTheRubicon Mar 2019 #17

Socialism is evil and the Democrats must launch a media-offensive to explain the difference. DetlefK Mar 2019 #12

We cannot undo 50 years of Republican demonization of that word. MineralMan Mar 2019 #14

Nah. We can not undue the horrible reality of what socialist states have done... CrossingTheRubicon Mar 2019 #18

I agree that this term is toxic Gothmog Mar 2019 #16

I think people said similar things about "liberal." David__77 Mar 2019 #19

Socialism stokes foreign and scary Awsi Dooger Mar 2019 #21

Defeating trump is the only thing that matter Gothmog Mar 2019 #24

Arguing about socialism is an absolute disastrous thing R B Garr Mar 2019 #25

I'm 100% with you, as is typical MM. mr_lebowski Mar 2019 #26

"A politician that is explaining is losing" - unknown source riverine Mar 2019 #28

Socialism?? Well...socialism is swell......?? Stuart G Mar 2019 #29

From CNN Gothmog Mar 2019 #30

That 1981 interview with Phil Donahue video will be devasting to the Democratic Party... Kahuna7 Apr 2019 #71

I fear that any emphasis on socialism will cost the Democrats some house seat Gothmog Mar 2019 #31

From AMJOY, we need Uniter Gothmog Mar 2019 #32

I agree. And I'm not surprised that many like Biden. MineralMan Mar 2019 #33

You cannot get the Democratic nomination without the support of African American voters Gothmog Mar 2019 #43

I think that some people need to expand their scope of vision. MineralMan Mar 2019 #44

African American voters are the base of the party Gothmog Mar 2019 #45

They are part of that base, certainly. MineralMan Mar 2019 #46

From the Washington Post-The GOP is giddy about running against a socialist Gothmog Jun 2019 #100

Good point! Florida Bull Mar 2019 #34

The United States is a huge country, with an amazing range MineralMan Mar 2019 #35

It is telling that trump is most worried about Beto and Biden Gothmog Mar 2019 #50

I agree, MM and have said in earlier threads: peggysue2 Mar 2019 #36

Yes. Some people think the word means something it doesn't mean MineralMan Mar 2019 #37

Political realism is vastly underrated peggysue2 Mar 2019 #40

I love Robert Reich's tweet about Truman's quote on Socialism Nanjeanne Mar 2019 #38

I agree, sadly. Turin_C3PO Mar 2019 #39

For people over 50 on the right, yes Mr Tibbs Mar 2019 #41

Is it heavily embraced by those under 40? MineralMan Mar 2019 #42

Yes, it is Mr Tibbs Mar 2019 #65

Opinion: The myth of ideology, and why Democrats' energy isn't all on the left Gothmog Mar 2019 #47

In my opinion, the majority of Democratic voters MineralMan Mar 2019 #48

As is normal for us, we are in agreement Gothmog Mar 2019 #49

I'll vote for Pam's sister Kamala, but yeah. :D LongtimeAZDem Mar 2019 #51

Damned Autocorrect! MineralMan Mar 2019 #52

You would think this would be obvious Meowmee Mar 2019 #53

Unfortunately, you are 100% correct MM. nt Ferrets are Cool Mar 2019 #54

This exactly. The term scares too many people who... brush Mar 2019 #56

Economic models point to a Trump blowout in 2020. Gothmog Mar 2019 #57

Part of the problem is that most people don't know what it means. The Velveteen Ocelot Mar 2019 #61

It's one of those words that means whatever the person using it thinks MineralMan Mar 2019 #62

Trump's Economic Team Pushes 'Socialism' Theme Gothmog Mar 2019 #63

Bernie should embrace it Mr Tibbs Mar 2019 #64

Trump plans to hit Democrats on "socialism" but faces own vulnerabilities Gothmog Mar 2019 #66

From our last real POTUS Gothmog Mar 2019 #67

If sanders is the nominee, trump wins Gothmog Apr 2019 #68

It is an aphrodisiac to a very small minority BlueFlorida Apr 2019 #69

Socialist programs have to be ushered in sans the "socialist" label.. Kahuna7 Apr 2019 #70

K and R. cwydro Apr 2019 #73

The republicans are good at propaganda. Turbineguy Apr 2019 #76

Needs to be more basic than "Democratic Policies" playaseeker Apr 2019 #77

all candidates need to review FDR's response to the same and act accordingly Kurt V. Apr 2019 #78

sounds good to me mikehiggins Apr 2019 #80

Sure do like them Socialist Hiways Wellstone ruled Apr 2019 #81

Trump supporters are suddenly socialists keithbvadu2 Apr 2019 #82

According to this study trump could win Gothmog Apr 2019 #83

According to Jim Messina, trump will beat sanders easily Gothmog Apr 2019 #84

That's certainly a plausible position to take. MineralMan Apr 2019 #86

the sanders camp seems to think that 30% of the Democratic vote is sufficient Gothmog Apr 2019 #87

Perhaps he's modeling his chances after Donald Trump's base. MineralMan Apr 2019 #89

I agree-there are too many real democrats with long memories Gothmog Apr 2019 #91

Well, I remain unconcerned. If he manages to get the nomination, MineralMan Apr 2019 #92

It goes without saying that I will support the nominee of the party Gothmog Apr 2019 #93

I'm not counting votes right now at all. MineralMan Apr 2019 #95

In 1984, I worked for months on Mondale's campaign...secure in the knowledge that he would lose. brooklynite Apr 2019 #96

We do not need a repeat of 1984 Gothmog Apr 2019 #98

Socialism is even more toxic BlueFlorida Apr 2019 #85

who else is using that term besides the media?..and trump. samnsara Apr 2019 #88

Every Republican candidate will be using that term. MineralMan Apr 2019 #90

Yep hurl Apr 2019 #94

Messina Says Sanders Can't Beat Trump Gothmog Apr 2019 #97

Washington Post-Sanders wants Americans to buy into socialism. He's got some convincing to do Gothmog Jun 2019 #99

The Democratic establishment fears the economy, complacency and "Sandersism" could let Trump win Gothmog Jun 2019 #101

New poll: Capitalism is more popular than socialism Gothmog Jun 2019 #102

Socialism polls badly and would kill a far left candidate Gothmog Aug 2019 #103

Why Elizabeth Warren Is Trump's Weakest Opponent Gothmog Aug 2019 #104

for this thread Gothmog Feb 2020 #105