... they might actually have a chance at being influential. But as of now, with their misguided and immature philosophy of "we-hate-Democrats" and "Democrats are elites" and "Democrats are corrupt" bullshit... with that kind of idiotic thinking, they will ALWAYS be little more than spoilers in close elections. Worthless. They "hate" the party, but the only work they're willing to do is to burn-it-down and start over. Crazy!

Arrogant. And of course it's going to be Politico that pushes shit like this. I'm not at all surprised that it's that dreadful Holly Gottawhine writer who's pushing more anti Democratic party rhetoric. She's useless.

Sorry... that's not what "the base" means and that's not who "the base" are. The base of the party is not a synonym for the "left wing" of the party. Instead... the base of the party are the ones who ARE MOTIVATED, and who ALWAYS vote, who ALWAYS turn-out, who ALWAYS contribute (either by showing-up, signing-up, donating, volunteering, canvassing, phone-banking, spreading the word.)

The "BASE" are loyal Democrats, not fair-weather friends who need cajoling. The BASE do not try to "punish the party" by not voting. The BASE do not support divisive rhetoric and name-calling. The BASE don't need "bribes". The BASE go after and try to unseat Republicans. The BASE does not attack, weaken, or punish our own for not being "pure" enough. The BASE are smart enough to understand and accept that something-is-better-than-nothing. The BASE know and appreciate that nobody ever gets everything they want and that compromise is all a part of the political games. The BASE know that even imperfect progress is STILL progress and that we can always fine-tune and improve things later.

They base are NOT temperamental voters who need to feel special or listened to. They don't need to be "motivated" or given a reason to vote... they vote because the Democrats are ALWAYS better than the Republicans. The "base" knows that there REALLY IS a difference between the GOP and the Democrats. The "base" don't believe the LIES that there's "no difference" in the parties. They don't fall for the bullshit that Democrats are "Coastal Elites" or "the party of the one-percent". The base is SMART ENOUGH to know that Democrats are NOT "ideologically bankrupt" and Democrats are NOT corrupt!!

WTF is this woman talking about when she says that "the base is unmotivated"... TOTAL BS! Could she be any more arrogant and condescending?

Disappointing, isn't it?

... when my children had public temper tantrums, they got ignored or spanked.

What were they planning on doing? Holding him hostage indefinitely?

This type of "activism" does not produce the desire results. Manchin isn't going to change his mind and see-the-light because of stunts like this. He's not going to invite them in and have a meeting with them in his vehicle.

Imagine if something like this had happened to Bernie or AOC (by a RW crowd of malcontents who feel completely justified and equally convinced that they're in the right) ... would they be cheered-on?

It's absurd to think that harassing public officials is the solution. It was a threatening situation, danger levels unknown. Did they have weapons? Were they hoping to abduct him or just keep him penned in his vehicle while they shouted demands? I don't blame him for wanting to get out of there quickly.

This was shameful. They're not helping their cause... they're only drawing attention to themselves. (Maybe that was the plan? Who knows?)

... I've never seen a political writer so invested in doing their best to portray the Democratic party as "evil" or "incompetent" ... the typical "Dems in Disarray" theme that this particular writer gravitates to. Writers like that are doing the work of the GOP when it comes to throwing fuel on the sparks or distrust and resentment and celebrating the division. Fact of the matter is this: The Democratic Party is not the Socialist Party, and "Democratic Socialists" are not Democrats. Politico is a German-owned RW source. It's where bad writers go to end their careers. It's where dime-a-word and cut-and-paste bloggers go to deceive others into believing that they're legitimate reporters. What a joke Politico is!

I eagerly await the day that Politico is securely locked behind a pay-wall... and when others realize its RW agenda of stirring shit and division within the Democratic party. It's just another tool of voter suppression. The smears and exaggerations and hand-wringing only serve to create an atmosphere of negativity: Negativity generates apathy. Apathy discourages voter turnout. Low voter turnout gives Republicans a chance to steal the elections.

-- "My family is hungry."
-- "Here are some hamburgers and fish-sticks."
-- "We want steak and lobster!"
-- "Sorry, there's no steak and lobster. Would you like some hamburgers and fish-sticks?"
-- "NO! How DARE YOU?! We'd rather have NOTHING instead of that garbage!"
-- "Okay, suit yourself."
-- ...
-- ...
-- "My family is hungry."

Isn't it ridiculous? Smearing Democrats is just another form of voter suppression. The smears and attacks only serve to create an atmosphere of negativity: Negativity generates apathy. Apathy discourages voter turnout. Low voter turnout gives Republicans a chance to steal the elections.

"Some posters"

Nobody thinks that. But I can tell you that "some posters" know that something is better than nothing. And that progress, no matter how small, is not a "shit-sandwich-without-the-bread", and that ideological purity is not all it's cracked-up to be, especially when it results in losses and giving up control to the Republicans.

Good for "them" I approve.

... they're moderates.

Also, consider this person who makes a compelling argument:

https://twitter.com/JusticeDemWatch/status/1455870528993075214

I think if we can get our "allies" to stop comparing Biden to a BOWL OF SHIT;

-- and to stop saying that Democrats are "the party of the one-percent";
-- and to stop saying that Democrats are "corrupt";
-- and to stop saying that Democrats are "ideologically bankrupt";
-- and to stop saying that Democrats are "no different than Republicans";
-- and to stop saying that Democrats are "feeble";
-- and to stop saying that Democrats are "war-hawks";
-- and to stop saying that Democrats "don't care about the middle class";
-- and to stop saying that Democrats "don't care about climate change";
-- and to stop creating "third parties" that siphon-off votes and sabotage elections;
-- and to stop encouraging voters to abandon Democrats by voting third-party;
-- and to stop making excuses for those voters who DO vote third-party; etc-etc-etc...

well... that would be a good start in getting MORE voters to support Democrats. All I'm trying to say is that type of nonsense needs to stop, and when people call-out those lies and refute that type of negativity they shouldn't be harassed for doing so either.

The lies and smears and attacks only serve to create an atmosphere of negativity: Negativity generates apathy. Apathy discourages voter turnout. Low voter turnout gives Republicans a chance to steal the elections.