It's a given that all the forces you cite are at work. But those forces are surmountable. Those forces have brainwashed about thirty-percent, and that thirty-percent are likely unreachable. Where the Republican noise machine has been most effective is in bolstering the "Strong" image of the Republican Party. Their efforts on that score would not have effectively moved large numbers their way if the Democratic leadership had not failed to lead at the critical junctures I cite in my post.

As Bill Clinton points out,

“When people feel uncertain, they'd rather have somebody that's strong and wrong than somebody who's weak and right.”

The Democrats are perceived as weak. They may be Weak and Right, but Strong and Wrong wins out. The leadership needs to transform themselves. They need to let go of the rationalizations that keep them from taking bold action and fighting, win or lose, for core principles.

Had they they been doing that for the past couple decades the "Strong and Wrong" Republicans would be toast. "Strong and Right" is unbeatable. Instead of us "moving right," we would have had the Republicans "moving left."

It is never too late for redemption.

I am being attacked because I "hate Democrats." That is so far off the mark it is laughable. I love this party. There are countless Democrats, inside and outside the halls of power, who have been fighting the good fight. If I did not believe the leadership was capable of getting past the group think that has kept them from taking on the tough fights they must take on if they ever hope to win unbeatable majorities, I would have given up long, long, ago.

Am I 'upset' with them? You bet. When someone you love is doing themselves self-harm, it is extremely upsetting. Like someone whose loved one is an addict, I am compelled to do everything in my power to save them from themselves. You don't give up on 'family."