Most Democrats want the party to become more moderate, poll finds

[Awsi Dooger]

17. Not surprising...I remember pointing this out to Chris Bowers on MyDD in 2006

Bowers was attempting to push and fund more liberal candidates across the country. I told him that's great in the northeast and far west but otherwise you are not only shrinking margin for error but you're also going against the wishes of the majority of Democrats.

Bowers couldn't accept that at all. He sent me a private message saying I was disrupting the site. Someone like that was so mesmerized by the online community he has no clue it isn't fully representative. I pointed out the consistent polling that indicates Democrats prefer more moderate. As you can see from the chart in the OP, it was 57% in November 2008 and I remember higher numbers earlier than that.

There is jealousy toward the GOP trend. That is the basic aspect of this, back in 2006 and continuing today. We see them nominating more and more from their extreme and we want to follow suit. But it is misguided for two reasons: Republicans want more conservative. Democrats want more moderate. And there are 36% self-identified conservatives compared to 27% liberals in this country, meaning a greater number of our leaners have to be accepting of someone from the edge. Republicans are already at the edge anyway.

I'll continue to point out Andrew Gillum as an unforced error. After that primary I received private messages here and on two other sites. All were from Democrats who were shocked Gillum got the nod and worried that it was a strategic mistake. All of us either lived in Florida or had lived in Florida so the variables were obvious. Then all of us heard the reports about Gillum's poll lead and supposed boost in energy, which might help Bill Nelson also. Okay, we rationalized. Maybe it will be okay. Then the result happened and no it is not okay. Our early handicapping and instincts were correct. We nominated a liberal when the state wanted a moderate. I could have Gwen Graham as my governor right now but I'm stuck with Ron DeSantis.

When I do the ideology tests I score as very liberal but since I'm a math guy and balanced handicapper who doesn't mind going against my own favorites, I generally prefer the more moderate Democrat, other than those very friendly states and districts.