OK...So what is the "proper" label here?..perhaps, the "progressive left"? Is that satisfactory? Are you guys suggesting there is no progressive wing of the Democratic party?...Are all Democrats progressive?...Do you suggest that these different factions in the Dem party don't exist and are media creations? I see an awful lot of moderate dems, left of center Dems and even a few right of center Dems. I see alot of swing state Dems and it's pretty obvious they do not see eye to eye. Hell, they can't agree on border funding and they couldn't EVEN agree to impeach the most corrupt, no nothing, racist POS to ever step foot in the white house. Pathetic!
The progressive wing have singled themselves out by self proclaiming themselves with a "label" - "the squad" which is fine, but it sets them up for attack to be the prominent political boogymen for Team Trump and they will escalate their assault on the lawmakers as “socialist extremists” and “communists” who “hate America”, and want to turn it into Venezuela. Part of a strategy to tar an entire party. And it's obvious this is the GOP/Team Trumps path.
Do you guys think Obama's analysis on this has no merit?
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news...-progressives-circular-firing-squad-democrats
Trump is what is in place and change the progressives and Dems want is not - Trump cannot place himself as a change agent after being in office for nearly a term. He's made his changes and this is what they are: the swamp is deeper and shittier; discord and division are the order of the day; farmers are only staying afloat on government handouts as Trump's incompetence has destroyed the trade they require; our long time alliances are fracturing; our water, air, and food are not as safe; healthcare is at risk for more and more; the richest are hoarding more more of the wealth and the power.
Trumpism is the government norm now and it has delivered the above. The Democrat runs to change from
that. To deliver this change: a government that tries to be the government of us all and that helps us all have each others' backs with decency not reality TV snark, one that actually gets shit done for the good of us all. And no one will be able to sell this type of change to these myopic voters if all they do is deal with the tsunami of bullshit that will be showered on them by DJT and the GOP. Staying on message about change and how to bring it about will be difficult while all they do is respond to his BS.
Focus on ideas and policies that are intended to help Americans - be the party/candidate of "getting things done" for the American people (it's one of the reasons that I favor Warren as we speak - it is impossible to listen to her talk about plans and not come away thinking that she wants to make changes that benefit the average person and has specific ideas on how to get those changes accomplished).
Never mention the opponent - When you need to talk about the last 4 years, refer to the "vacuum of leadership" or the "lack of a leader" in America, but try to avoid saying Trump's name or talking about what he has done. The message is what you want to do going forward, with that emphasis on taking action.
Make your positive advertising similarly optimistic and oriented to programs and ideas that make the average person feel like there are things to be done to make their lives better.
You or I aren't the people who will be "bought/Sold a bill goods" with a narrative of a "extreme left". It's the gullible mealy mouthed middle of independents and the on the fencers who voted Obama and then Trump. These people don't care how much of a dick Trump is, they don't care about his racism. in fact they know he's a dick and a corrupt, horrible person - they - just - don't - care. All they care about is the money is coming in, my 401k is good, my brother has a job now and didn't before Trump and they don't want anything or anyone to fuck that up. They are only worried about things like what is the next new smartphone I'm gonna get. I see these people everyday in our place of business.
Generally, I think people want to vote for a candidate who they think cares about them. Discussing Trump and his failings doesn't get to this desire. So, make the campaign about the ideas and plans you have for the People. Trump, instead, wants to make it a mud slinging contest with people voting for their "side" instead of for improvements and expectations about everyday lives. That's why you don't go to his level; he'll whine and complain about you, distorting your message and calling it a socialist giveaway. You won't win by directly rebutting that nonsense but instead staying above it all. You want the average person to see that Trump is in the mud all by himself while the real adults talk about moving on. Remember this is a gullible, confused electorate.
I don't see the electoral map changing much. I just don't see any states flipping but that could change. What the Democrats have to do to win is to avoid alienating voters in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania who voted for Obama but went to Trump in 2016, or just flat out stayed home because their favorite candidate didn't pass the purity test. It doesn't matter one bit how many more votes the progressive agenda brings in in California, Illinois or New York. Those states will go to the Democrats either way. Hillary lost because the math in the EC didn't work out in her favor. That's the math I'm talking about. The Democrats could pick up millions of votes in CA, IL, NY, MD, NJ, OR, WA, etc and they would still lose if they don't pick up some of the states Trump carried in 2016. The only math that matters is the math in the Electoral College. We don't need AOC's chief of staff or anyone to be throwing verbal grenades at other members of their party. That's just dumb. And they also need to know when they have leverage, and when they don't. If the Democrats don't win those states - TRUMP WILL WIN. The Electoral College sucks but we are stuck with it. It doesn't matter if those voters are onboard with the issues you or I care about most. If Trump gets a second term progressive policy will be dead for a generation because of 2 or 3 SCOTUS appointments he will get at the very least.
I don't think it's a lock that DJT will not be reelected. I don't trust the Democrats. I don't see coalitions I don't see compromise. But I will reserve judgement to see how this plays out because as mentioned, it's early and we don't know who the candidate is that will run against him and how he is being received by America as a whole and particularly the independents and factions of Democrats in these battleground states. Whether you agree with me or not, I just don't like what I see so far. And obviously if things change so does my outlook on the Democratic party.
Trump’s Electoral College Edge Could Grow in 2020, Rewarding Polarizing Campaign
Re-election looks plausible even with a bigger loss in the national popular vote.
Sad to see Milwaukee’s suburbs favor Trump. Bad news overall (though plenty can happen in a year-plus).