Donald Trump and Conservatism has about a 33% following.

[MineralMan]

Clearly that 33% doesn't give a damn about facts, truth or much of anything else.

I propose that we stop focusing on that group and turn our attention completely toward the remaining 67%. We're not going to change the minds of anyone who is already blind to everything that doesn't come from the mouths of conservatives. It won't happen, so we shouldn't waste a minute of our time in that fruitless pursuit.

It's important to know where that group stands, but not to try to change that group's hive mind.

We don't need them to win. We just need the rest. Let's focus our efforts where they can actually produce results.

Just an idea.

[Wounded Bear]

1. Dem party in general needs to motivate that silent middle that never votes...

It's sad that the country has sunk into minority politics.

[MineralMan]

2. Yes. That's always the challenge.

We need to find that group's pain points and focus tightly on how we can relieve that pain.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. I agree. It's sad that about a third of the population

is such a bunch of knuckleheads, but there you have it; I'm guessing it's always been that way (even after Nixon was proved to have been behind the Watergate coverup he still had about 25% support, a few of whom were my relatives). The important thing is to persuade the uninterested and uncommitted nonvoters.

[dawg]

4. Authoritarian followers will not be swayed by reason.

We *will* get some of their votes eventually. But only after we have already reclaimed power. Because they admire power, and those who wield it.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

8. Even they have some standards......

when it comes to behavior bordering on treason against the United States.

I have to presume that many Trump voters and supporters are Military Veterans. If the evidence is revealed that Trump violated a sacred oath, the Constitution they had sworn to defend, and colluded with the Russians, they will turn on him. Their tolerance of Trump goes only so far.

[dawg]

10. You think higher of them than I do.

I think their loyalty to the "United States" doesn't extend to crimes against people they don't really consider a legitimate part of it.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

11. I stated "some" standards....

they may have. That is saying a lot, I know.

[Wounded Bear]

13. As a vet, I don't share your faith in my fellow vets to "do the right thing"...

I'm a never-Trump, never Repub vet, but I'm not sure I'm in the majority.

All in all, Repubs are shitty on vets issues, and Trump is the ultimate Repub.

I know there are a lot of vets out there that share my opinion that the oath we took doesn't go away just because we hung up the uninform. But there are a lot of vets for whom it was not much more than a temp job to get them by.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

14. Thank you for your service......

I concur with you, Wounded Bear. Trump and GOP attention on Veterans has been less than important.

My husband is retired military with 23 years. Just because the service has ended, it remains a part of you forever.

[randr]

5. Great Idea

We need only stand for Democratic principles and offer ideas to solve problems.
On Edit: And stick it to the lsos every waking moment

[Whiskeytide]

6. Agreed. I cut some Trump voters a little slack, ...

... reasoning that some people might have voted for him based on little information, thereby falling for the "drain the swamp", "I'm paying for my own campaign", "I only hire the best people" and "I'm very smart" bull shit they saw 24/7 on the teevee. That indicates that they are simply very, very stupid. I feel sorry for some stupid people, and like to think I have the capacity to forgive intellectual shortcomings.

If they STILL support him, though, I can't really rationalize any excuse for them that doesn't reflect very poorly on their character. They simply have to be assholes.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

7. Good thinking, Mineral Man........

Those in the majority need to focus on the GOOD things Government actually does. With the slew of retirements coming from the GOP, even they are seeing the writing on the wall. Their role in much of the dysfunction in this country is on them.

What we need to do is turn that around and get more people involved in the electoral process. In many states starting in February, starts the Primary and Caucus season.

ATTEND your Caucuses!
VOTE!
Attend Debates !
Even sign up and get trained to be an Election Judge.
Become more active in your Local Democratic Party and what you can do to help Candidates.

Every little bit we do will have a ripple effect that the GOP will not be able to stop.

[lagomorph777]

9. Agreed, anything we do to please them would be evil.

Everything the Deplorables want is evil, so fuck 'em. We don't need their votes.

Instead, focus on the common good. Focus on real middle-class and aspiring-middle-class issues, regardless of race, sex, etc. Everybody wants to be better off. It's not complicated. Make that happen, show that you are willing to reverse the upward transfer of wealth, and everybody who isn't insane (or a billionaire) will love it.

[Mopar151]

12. Dems should be working to separate actual conservatives from "Movement Conservatives"

From the Merriam-Webster unabridged

2.a : tending or disposed to maintain existing views, conditions, or institutions : traditional conservative policies
b : marked by moderation or caution; a conservative estimate
c : marked by or relating to traditional norms of taste, elegance, style, or manners; a conservative suit, a conservative architectural style

Howard Dean said (IIRC) : If you want to have money to help people, you can't (otherwise) waste it!

I would add that kindness, fairness, and decency should fold nicely into the package - "Values" that are sadly in the negative within the "Bowel Movement Conservatives"!