2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: I think we need to face facts regarding Bernie as a candidate [View all]lovemydog
(11,833 posts)Representation is essential to winning elections at every level, especially on a nationwide level. We need a paradigm shift. One in which we're talking with people with differing views, forthrightly without being immediately dismissive. Historically, what you're talking about has been an internal struggle among the left for as long as politics has existed. Which voices will be emphasized, which will be heard?
The way forward is more inclusion. I'm confident that it's happening, though it's not always obvious if one only follows the day to day stuff. There will be many things future progressive campaigns can learn. A lot of it will be positive. Some will be negative and will require soul searching if the goal is to build larger national coalitions.
I'm hoping many will continue their involvement with politics and especially broaden it to local levels where day to day interactions can inform and provide sustenance most effectively. It remains to be seen whether it can take root on local levels. The left keeps getting its collective ass kicked in local and state and congressional elections. So many people have grown comfortable being at home and not really getting out there and interacting with different types of people. I think getting out of one's comfort zone and building a strong grassroots movement is essential going forward.
We had a strong Obama coalition and then got trounced in the last mid-terms. Many from that coalition have chosen different candidates this time around. We're going to need a lot of mending fences between Sanders and Clinton supporters if we expect to expand and grow that coalition. That, and perhaps a whole new wave of people who don't hate on one particular progressive candidate or the other.