I hope what we take most from this is that 2026, 2028 is NOT “too early” or “too high stakes” for an ACTUAL progressive campaign. The DNC has used that argument 3x with Trump and lost said elections twice (only winning 2020 because Trump bombed w/ Covid-19). I’m certain we’ll hear it again in the next two national elections.

Having a competent populist leftist politician is not a detraction. Quite the opposite. NO to Gruesome Newsom

Just to be very clear, the DNC leadership is antagonistic to our (I assumed) shared goals.

The Democrats are obviously what needs to be supported in a 2 party system, so regardless of the DNC antics, the sacrifice for not choosing them will be more severe, and they know that.

I’m saying this all to say, absolutely support a progressive candidate if you can in the primaries, but when it comes election time, fall in line.

Also, there is a big problem where Mamdani is supremely clever and fast on his feet, having practiced every comeback a million times in the shower, ready to let them rip on command.

At the federal there is no one with that level of natural charisma or wit.

That’s something important to point out.

I’m saying this all to say, absolutely support a progressive candidate if you can in the primaries, but when it comes election time, fall in line.

No.

A candidate campaigns for MY vote.

The Democratic establishment can prove they aren’t an obstacle to progress, me blindly voting for them is no longer a grace I automatically extend to a party hellbent on sabotaging progressives even if it means losing to literal fascists.

Sure, and compromise is inherent to democracy. So go vote for who you want in the primaries, and vote against who you don’t want in the general.

Absolutely, but I will not keep falling in line for candidates that would rather lose than listen to me and publicly and emphatically support the very reasonable policies I want.

At a certain point my vote is earned, it has to be or else I will be ignored.

I think you are missing the meaning of “compromise”. You need to vote for the candidate that will best represent you… And part of the best representation equation is being able to win the election.

No, the Democratic Party is selectively missing the meaning of “compromise” only when it comes to shutting down progressives, they are happy as hell to hand power to conservatives.

I know what compromise looks like and I reward it when I see it.