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Democratic Primaries

redqueen

(115,186 posts) Sun Oct 27, 2019, 10:05 AM Oct 2019

Run left in the primaries, move to the center in the GE [View all]

I've seen this said countless times, but it was only recently that I started wondering - if this is what we expect, why is there a push to nominate someone moderate? So they can then move even more to the center in the GE?

Do Republicans gravitate around their most moderately right nominees or do they go for what they want?

Why shouldn't people vote for who they really want in the primaries, if it's understood the candidate will move more to the center in the GE anyway?

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

40 replies

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Run left in the primaries, move to the center in the GE [View all] redqueen Oct 2019 OP

Because they'll have to explain the positions they took in the primaries. The Velveteen Ocelot Oct 2019 #1

Well I don't think anyone is promising unicorns redqueen Oct 2019 #2

Just because it is conventional wisdom doesn't mean it will happen. Chemisse Oct 2019 #3

An interesting point. redqueen Oct 2019 #4

It's possible but I am dubious. Chemisse Oct 2019 #10

Warren did not say how she would pay Teach-only-love Oct 2019 #23

Why not say it now then? Chemisse Oct 2019 #31

This is the plan she will announce shortly. Teach-only-love Oct 2019 #32

The most electable candidates stick to their principles through the primaries... DCofVA Oct 2019 #5

Any data to back that up? nt redqueen Oct 2019 #6

Barack Obama DCofVA Oct 2019 #7

That's an anecdote, not data. nt redqueen Oct 2019 #8

So is the OP. NurseJackie Oct 2019 #17

LOL - it's literally not redqueen Oct 2019 #18

LOL! NurseJackie Oct 2019 #26

It's not even true. boomer_wv Oct 2019 #20

Yeah, I was pretty sure that was common knowledge, redqueen Oct 2019 #21

Most electable? Chemisse Oct 2019 #12

"Do Repubs gravitate around their most moderately right nominees or do they go for what they want?" HeartlandProgressive Oct 2019 #9

That is exactly how I see it. redqueen Oct 2019 #11

+1000 bluewater Oct 2019 #28

Giving in to the far right has led us to where we are right now. Chemisse Oct 2019 #13

The reTHUGS have destroyed the political center, just like thye destroy everything they touch. abqtommy Oct 2019 #14

Like it actually matters either way.. Amimnoch Oct 2019 #15

The only candidates who can do that are the ones who haven't painted themselves into a corner... NurseJackie Oct 2019 #16

Yeah, that has almost nothing to do with the OP redqueen Oct 2019 #19

I'm providing a perfectly valid example that's entirely in keeping with the topic of your OP. NurseJackie Oct 2019 #22

CENTER LEFT is where the vast majority of Democrats either are Hortensis Oct 2019 #24

Right but my point is why do people push other dems to stop favoring their preferred candidates redqueen Oct 2019 #25

I can only speak for myself. I feel a handful of candidates are Hortensis Oct 2019 #27

On that we agree. redqueen Oct 2019 #29

Ah. :) Yeah. Calling Democrats "moderates" identifies a propagandist Hortensis Oct 2019 #30

But isn't this the reason given for not going straight for single payer? redqueen Oct 2019 #33

Our liberals in congress ALL support universal healthcare. EVERY ONE. Hortensis Oct 2019 #34

I said single-payer, though, not universal healthcare. redqueen Oct 2019 #38

Well, we would have single payer now if Hillary was president, Hortensis Oct 2019 #40

Republicans/Conservatives tend to stay loyal Dem4Life1102 Oct 2019 #35

Seems like more of an argument to vote for what we want, redqueen Oct 2019 #36

Maybe Dem4Life1102 Oct 2019 #37

Indeed. redqueen Oct 2019 #39