General Discussion

cali

(114,904 posts)

22. this is so simplistic

Sun May 5, 2013, 04:31 PM

May 2013

there is a large segment of the population that cannot be convinced. PERIOD. not to mention that there's the whole red state/blue state divide. Do you actually think you can get progressives elected in Oklahoma? nope. not gonna happen.

there is hope. It lies in demographics and states like Texas eventually going blue.

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Why Hasn't The American Left Convinced More Americans To Vote For More Progressive Candidates? [View all] Yavin4 May 2013 OP

Well, between the "lone nuts" and the private plane "accidents," it seems progressives aren't villager May 2013 #1

dingdingdingdingding! n/t mattclearing May 2013 #69

THIS. HughBeaumont May 2013 #100

This message was self-deleted by its author devilgrrl May 2013 #236

I think the assassinations of the '60s broke the left's back deutsey May 2013 #104

So, um, this "COINTELPRO" thing... Kurovski Mar 2014 #268

Because progressives have been too busy attacking insufficiently-progressive fellow-travelers Recursion May 2013 #2

Pretty much. joshcryer May 2013 #25

Nailed it in post #2 Number23 May 2013 #55

Sure seems that way. DCBob May 2013 #64

Absolutely!!!!!!!!! LeftInTX May 2013 #79

Bingo! BlueCaliDem May 2013 #66

This (nt) LostOne4Ever May 2013 #67

There it is. Bobbie Jo May 2013 #71

Actually it's because so many "Dems" have embraced Doctor_J May 2013 #75

It is the very type of disingenuous bullshit that you just posted that pushes so called progressives bluestate10 May 2013 #164

If we abuse traditional Democrats, liberals and progressives enough... AgingAmerican May 2013 #233

Bingo. MotherPetrie May 2013 #251

Exactly.... Historic NY May 2013 #78

That doesnt even make any sense. What have the centrists done but compromise with Republicans? nm rhett o rick May 2013 #84

No, it doesn't make sense. Marr May 2013 #85

What doesn't make sense about what he said? Number23 May 2013 #89

Hurt my feelings? Your giving yourselves way too much credit. Disparaging the left is a game to you. rhett o rick May 2013 #94

I wasn't even talking you. My response was to Mar Number23 May 2013 #98

" your lofty and mostly laughable ideals". Explain which ideals you think are "lofty and laughable." rhett o rick May 2013 #99

Um, looks like you need Bobbie Jo May 2013 #120

Your post is very clearly stated. rhett o rick May 2013 #134

You seem confused Bobbie Jo May 2013 #143

LoL. Whatever. rhett o rick May 2013 #147

Seriously? Bobbie Jo May 2013 #148

When you run out of decent discussion, just start ridiculing. nm rhett o rick May 2013 #149

When you can't admit Bobbie Jo May 2013 #150

Not just wrong. Clueless and wrong. And he knows it. Number23 May 2013 #154

He asked you to elaborate. AgingAmerican May 2013 #203

That poster is doing bad enough without having you as his spokesman Number23 May 2013 #207

No elaboration forthcoming AgingAmerican May 2013 #222

Post removed Post removed May 2013 #225

I don't think it's possible for you to have misread/misunderstood more than you have Number23 May 2013 #156

You will get no answer to this. woo me with science May 2013 #123

I have done this dance dozens of times* and yet to get one response to the question, rhett o rick May 2013 #135

You and the poster you're responding to are symptomatic of exactly the kind of crap Number23 May 2013 #157

It's the same fifteen sycophants every time. Marr May 2013 #234

As you know Bobbie Jo May 2013 #244

Yes, it's a big conspiracy against you and all your friends. Marr May 2013 #245

lol Bobbie Jo May 2013 #246

Now *this* is what we call projection. Marr May 2013 #248

Sorry Bobbie Jo May 2013 #249

Alright then-- I hope your alternate universe is having nice weather today. Marr May 2013 #250

How brave of you. You didn't address her until 10 minutes after she was locked out... Tarheel_Dem May 2013 #253

Oh, god-- you, too now? Marr May 2013 #254

The "trees" are full of you guys. Ask one of them. Tarheel_Dem May 2013 #255

LMAO Bobbie Jo May 2013 #258

I've noticed you BOG-sorts behave like a highschool clique. Marr May 2013 #259

Not that accuracy seems to matter Bobbie Jo May 2013 #260

... Marr May 2013 #261

... Bobbie Jo May 2013 #262

HOW CAN LIBERALS REACH AMERICANS?? Number23 May 2013 #153

Sorry im new here LostOne4Ever May 2013 #175

Right? Bobbie Jo May 2013 #177

Cept no citations AgingAmerican May 2013 #181

The truth will set you free. Or maybe not... Number23 May 2013 #183

And to those who backed & pushed FDR I say thank you. raouldukelives May 2013 #178

"Backing" is the operative word here in your "backing and pushing" phrase Number23 May 2013 #184

Absolute made up nonsense. AgingAmerican May 2013 #180

Why the hell would I make something up that is easily verified by a five second search Number23 May 2013 #182

Revisionist puff pieces AgingAmerican May 2013 #185

Denial is a deep, DEEP thing to come out of... Number23 May 2013 #186

You have offered nothing to back your claims AgingAmerican May 2013 #196

Father Coughin was a LIBERAL Number23 May 2013 #206

Father Coughlin was pro Hitler AgingAmerican May 2013 #221

Oh God. You have lost it. You don't think that there liberals that are anti-Semitic? Number23 May 2013 #223

Naziism/Fascism are the extremes of the right AgingAmerican May 2013 #240

You ask for links LostOne4Ever May 2013 #187

Inigo Montoya! Number23 May 2013 #189

Honestly LostOne4Ever May 2013 #190

You pounce on a figure of speech, but offer no evidence AgingAmerican May 2013 #197

More Confirmation Bias LostOne4Ever May 2013 #219

Nice list of 'liberals' you have there lol AgingAmerican May 2013 #224

Hey, when someone says that a journalist can't be a liberal Number23 May 2013 #226

Agreed LostOne4Ever May 2013 #227

I think that's what they call, in the real world, a hella smackdown!!!! Tarheel_Dem May 2013 #231

I'm really surprised at how many people don't know this part of FDR history. I thought it was Liberal_Stalwart71 May 2013 #264

+1,000 freshwest Mar 2014 #267

There are probably lots of reasons. JDPriestly May 2013 #235

Well, at least one "left-wing" candidate that I know of, Art_from_Ark May 2013 #166

That sucks. Do you think that the "left wing" candidate would have won? Number23 May 2013 #168

The "left-wing" candidate, Bill Halter, forced a run-off in the primary Art_from_Ark May 2013 #170

Sorry I'm just seeing this! Number23 May 2013 #208

Note I put "left-wing" in quotes Art_from_Ark May 2013 #239

Bill Clinton supported Blanche Lincoln, too, and campaigned vigorously for her. Liberal_Stalwart71 May 2013 #265

Exhibit "B" Bobbie Jo May 2013 #93

Exhibit "A" Bobbie Jo May 2013 #92

And since "centrism" is really just another name for a current version of Republincanism villager May 2013 #117

When the Repub Party started to go off the rails, many started to slither under our tent. rhett o rick May 2013 #136

Centrists and moderate-liberals have been responsible for 100% of the progress that has taken bluestate10 May 2013 #165

Ok, so tell me what issues the left espouses that you dont agree with. rhett o rick May 2013 #172

You know, the "lofty and laughable ideals". Marr May 2013 #201

That's a non-sequitur: cprise May 2013 #91

Brilliant!! The Left enjoyed a lot of victories in the 1960's, but when Johnson declared that Liberal_Stalwart71 May 2013 #109

Government was 'taken away' from whites by the civil rights movement cprise May 2013 #241

Good post Fumesucker May 2013 #243

That's the answer. nt sibelian May 2013 #96

dingdingdingdingding! n/t SidDithers May 2013 #102

Exactly. HappyMe May 2013 #108

because the rightist apparatchiks control the apparatus; same reason that for the last 50 years HiPointDem May 2013 #125

It is always easier to blame "them", or use terms that every day people understand, but bluestate10 May 2013 #167

who should i blame but the guilty? and ps: *i'm* an everyday person too. HiPointDem May 2013 #179

Heh! Scurrilous May 2013 #131

Hey! It's not their fault people don't appreciate being "corrected" Warren DeMontague May 2013 #133

Yep. Losing sight of the REAL problem. CakeGrrl May 2013 #242

Rhetoric. jazzimov May 2013 #3

I agree very much with this... nenagh May 2013 #106

I sometimes wonder if we're too late. The media is now controlled by corporations. Even the local Liberal_Stalwart71 May 2013 #111

If they had the same access to money... burnodo May 2013 #4

And the media. truebluegreen May 2013 #14

There's a reason they don't. The people who shell out the most $$ for elections winter is coming May 2013 #77

In the long path of human beings, money over the longterm has never beaten conviction and bluestate10 May 2013 #169

Who claimed that money surely wins? burnodo May 2013 #176

Like who? geckosfeet May 2013 #5

We have the DEM Party fighting against us, too. It's not just the GOP, y'know. blkmusclmachine May 2013 #6

So, The Dem party is stopping you from talking to your fellow Americans Yavin4 May 2013 #10

Reason and logic have no place in this country anymore. Brigid May 2013 #21

Yes, our access to national platforms is exactly the same as any pro-corporate politicians is! villager May 2013 #30

No, the Democratic Party is stopping him from having progressive candidates for whom to vote. Egalitarian Thug May 2013 #247

We have in CA. Starry Messenger May 2013 #7

That's One State. There are Others Yavin4 May 2013 #8

One of the largest-just saying, it's not some pipe dream. Starry Messenger May 2013 #11

Congrats on that, but it's still not enough Yavin4 May 2013 #13

Why ask then? Starry Messenger May 2013 #17

The OP is from Canada Rex May 2013 #28

I thought he lived in New York for some reason. Starry Messenger May 2013 #40

He does, that was evidently another person with the same name on DU2. Rex May 2013 #44

I think that it is the suggestion that they are lazy treestar May 2013 #50

Well, we've asked the OP what he is doing. So far, crickets. Starry Messenger May 2013 #52

None of us can prove anything here other than that we post on DU treestar May 2013 #57

Well, then this seems more like a meta OP. Starry Messenger May 2013 #60

I "slammed" people? All I did was ask a question. Yavin4 May 2013 #140

If you'd actually been interested in answers to that, we could have discussed it. Starry Messenger May 2013 #144

Those are all your own interpretations Yavin4 May 2013 #145

And that seems enough for many: You aren't a prog if I don't see posts in "______." Eleanors38 May 2013 #110

Did I use the term "lazy" in my OP? n/t Yavin4 May 2013 #139

Oregon provides you with 2 Democratic Senators, 4 out of 5 House members Bluenorthwest May 2013 #29

I'm from NY Yavin4 May 2013 #32

It's because the Democratic Party sold its soul to Wall Street decades ago. alarimer May 2013 #9

Ding Ding Ding! We have a winner. nt truebluegreen May 2013 #15

This is what I would say also...... socialist_n_TN May 2013 #65

Progressives generally don't get party backing and funding in America. leveymg May 2013 #12

Why do you need funding to convince your fellow Americans to vote for progressives? Yavin4 May 2013 #16

That was then, this is now. Rex May 2013 #24

They weren't up for voting for they were busying working to get legislation passed KoKo May 2013 #80

Because the Party doesn't support True Progressives when they have a Blue Dog KoKo May 2013 #82

that depends on the district tabbycat31 May 2013 #19

This is all the more reason to run as a Blue Dog... joshcryer May 2013 #26

that could be a possibility tabbycat31 May 2013 #38

So did your candidates win or lose? Bluenorthwest May 2013 #45

I'm batting 500 tabbycat31 May 2013 #49

Why is that a bad thing? Occulus May 2013 #63

Last week, I told the story of Representative Donna Edwards. For years she ran against a Blue Dog Liberal_Stalwart71 May 2013 #112

So of the 4 Blue Doggy Dogs you have worked for how many have won? Bluenorthwest May 2013 #41

2 tabbycat31 May 2013 #48

they do Enrique May 2013 #18

It boils down to race, and profit matt819 May 2013 #20

AMEN!! RACE has always been the undergird of American politics. We see this today Liberal_Stalwart71 May 2013 #113

this is so simplistic cali May 2013 #22

Because America votes for whoever the PTB decides will run for office. Rex May 2013 #23

So, Based on most of the posts on my thread, it's a lost cause Yavin4 May 2013 #27

No you are skipping over the reason and cherry picking your result. Rex May 2013 #31

I dunno. I'm not from Canada. n/t Yavin4 May 2013 #34

My apologies then, it must have been another Yavin on DU2 Rex May 2013 #37

Then where are you from, because you speak of Americans as if we were separate from precious Bluenorthwest May 2013 #43

You do. treestar May 2013 #47

It costs money to buy air time. Octafish May 2013 #33

So, there's no hope then. Yavin4 May 2013 #36

It is about money, do you understand that? Rex May 2013 #39

If enough Americans were persuaded they could donate the money treestar May 2013 #46

There are a few here trying to define it as 'there is nothing we can do' Rex May 2013 #51

They complain of being hated, but the reason is they are the ones treestar May 2013 #53

The GOP is lucky that the other party likes to hate on itself. Rex May 2013 #56

The reality is that things are getting worse consistently for the last 40 years for the 99%. rhett o rick May 2013 #161

Edit-- responded to the wrong post. Marr May 2013 #86

Honestly, we liberals need to stop bashing center-left or moderately liberal Democrats. Liberal_Stalwart71 May 2013 #114

+1 Jamaal510 May 2013 #217

There's always hope. We can use the Internets and the public spaces of our communities. Octafish May 2013 #42

It's not that there's no hope... Hippo_Tron May 2013 #61

Because they are shut out of the American propaganda machine. LWolf May 2013 #35

There is truth in this ^^^ Eleanors38 May 2013 #116

True - how often do you see a true liberal on the Sunday morning talk shows? NewJeffCT May 2013 #132

on many social issues incredible advancements have been made. But on economic issues things have Douglas Carpenter May 2013 #54

the left havent whored themselves like the center or right Rise Rebel Resist May 2013 #58

Because we don't have a lot of money Hippo_Tron May 2013 #59

Corporations control the major media? limpyhobbler May 2013 #62

+100 did not watch the videos but corporate media plays ... slipslidingaway May 2013 #68

Six corporations control 98% of the media nadinbrzezinski May 2013 #70

Things aren't bad enough yet steve2470 May 2013 #72

We need to be a Liberal Stalwart like your brother and NEVER give up! The wingnuts never give up! Liberal_Stalwart71 May 2013 #115

Your brother is probably right. As long as the hologram of prosperity (cheap consumer goods) Eleanors38 May 2013 #118

Co-opted by the "Not as Bad" party with the issues watered down to useless. Tierra_y_Libertad May 2013 #73

No media access Doctor_J May 2013 #74

because they are conditioned to like flash over substance Skittles May 2013 #76

'Cause the American Left Dyedinthewoolliberal May 2013 #81

"Well done is better than well said" - Ben Franklin MannyGoldstein May 2013 #83

The Progressive Caucus is the largest in Washington. HooptieWagon May 2013 #87

A great question but I think you need to take it one step at a time. hughee99 May 2013 #88

Over 18,000 posts and you don't know? Really? nt Zorra May 2013 #90

Suiciding, accidenting, overdosing, Reserve Army of Lone Gunmen, & Media Fear n' Disruption machine dogknob May 2013 #95

It sounds like you accept the notion that we have a far right party and a center right party. Marr May 2013 #97

Well, for this post anyway. Third Way messaging demands the same sort of mental contortions woo me with science May 2013 #122

Exactly-- shifting excuses. Marr May 2013 #126

That's your interpretation of what I asked Yavin4 May 2013 #142

It naturally follows from your point. /nt Marr May 2013 #202

Everyone with money and power scales centrist to batshit-insane right wing-ding. HughBeaumont May 2013 #101

It is the money, honey. djean111 May 2013 #103

+10000 YoungDemCA May 2013 #257

I agree! We have failed miserably in terms of messaging. And when we lose battles we tend to Liberal_Stalwart71 May 2013 #105

THREAD. WINNER. Thank you for your HONESTY. Number23 May 2013 #162

But you think the goals of liberals are "lofty and laughable". Marr May 2013 #204

Oh, so you DID see my post to you! Number23 May 2013 #209

You act like you think you posted some kind of clever argument. Marr May 2013 #212

And you act as though you've posted something honest or even remotely relevant Number23 May 2013 #215

^^^^ This!!! ^^^^ Tarheel_Dem May 2013 #263

nanny-statism Puzzledtraveller May 2013 #107

AKA corporate welfare AgingAmerican May 2013 #200

Let Me Guess.....CUZ OBAMA!!!!!!! Skraxx May 2013 #119

The whiny center-right AgingAmerican May 2013 #199

What snide, disingenuous Third Way propaganda this is. woo me with science May 2013 #121

Well and truly said. Thank you. (n/t) djean111 May 2013 #124

I have a question for you. Yavin4 May 2013 #127

Could it be a little of this, a little of that? limpyhobbler May 2013 #129

Unfortunately, skilled, smooth talking, charismatic corporate sponsored politicians Zorra May 2013 #130

So, the people are "too gullible" to see through the mass media Yavin4 May 2013 #138

Yes, you have that correct. The system is controlled by wealthy private interests. Zorra May 2013 #174

AWESOME questions. AWESOME Number23 May 2013 #160

*snap* ~ Thread win. You are awesome real, woo. Zorra May 2013 #128

Bravo! Bravo! You have totally and awesomely hit the nail on the head! scarletwoman May 2013 #159

The mainstream party sabotages them, and the corporate press and media deny them publicity Lydia Leftcoast May 2013 #137

Okay. How does the Left counter that then? Yavin4 May 2013 #141

Guerrilla marketing Lydia Leftcoast May 2013 #173

Weak candidates. morningfog May 2013 #146

Gerrymandering dem in texas May 2013 #151

The silly protesters taking down LBJ gave us everything bad and in fact,made the war go on longer graham4anything May 2013 #152

The "American left" is not blameless... kentuck May 2013 #155

Too much emphasis on gun control derby378 May 2013 #158

Because...... Hotler May 2013 #163

Because it takes some intelligence to vote for progressive candidates. Zoeisright May 2013 #171

Yeah! Stupid Voters! That's a good way to appeal to 45% of the electorate! brooklynite May 2013 #192

It's time for truth. Conservatives and conservatism are bad for children. Zorra May 2013 #198

Those people who represent today's political Right are not true conservatives. Jamaal510 May 2013 #218

But who is/was a true conservative? Strom Thurmond? Ronald Reagan? Jesse Helms? Zorra May 2013 #220

It's the old Adlai Stevenson joke Nevernose May 2013 #228

there is no organized american left. there's a bunch of front groups associated with the demo- HiPointDem May 2013 #188

...because Americans aren't, by and large, progressive. brooklynite May 2013 #191

That requires a sustained effort that offers people positive choices using positive language. stevenleser May 2013 #193

IOW, We Have To Be More Likeable. If people don't like you, then they turn off to you. Yavin4 May 2013 #194

Not exactly. The message has to be a positive one, not necessarily the folks saying it. stevenleser May 2013 #195

Very nicely said, Steven. And as has been pointed out, Exhibits A-Z of exactly what Number23 May 2013 #211

Because the AMERICAN RIGHT owns the media. Atman May 2013 #205

We're too busy talking down to red states Prism May 2013 #210

all politicians want to win. All politicians are convinced their constituents are far more librechik May 2013 #213

Two reasons, I think Spike89 May 2013 #214

The responses to this thread have been illuminating. Thanks for posting it Number23 May 2013 #216

Thank you, my love. You ain't too shabby yourself!! Liberal_Stalwart71 May 2013 #266

Most people don't believe anything unless Warpy May 2013 #229

I also agree this was a great thread. LeftInTX May 2013 #230

Because racism trumps everything. nt aaaaaa5a May 2013 #232

The average opinion of those on the right fujiyama May 2013 #237

THE PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS IS THE LARGEST DEM CAUCUS IN CONGRESS! grahamhgreen May 2013 #238

It is the Democratic party that has the most say on who runs. Agnosticsherbet May 2013 #252

A better question would be: Why has the Democratic Party attacked, bullied, mocked, and ridiculed... YoungDemCA May 2013 #256