Regardless of who the Democratic nominee is,

[MineralMan]

a lot of people are simply forgetting the debacle that is the Republican primary race. Trump? Cruz? This is what they have as a choice?

There has been some speculative polling on the general election, but it's not based on real outcomes at all. If, as may well happen, the Republican Convention devolves into a floor fight that goes on for multiple ballots, American voters will see clearly what a poor choice that party is presenting.

I think that many people are simply not recognizing the true difference between the parties in 2016. The real battle will come, beginning in August. I don't believe it's going to go the way some think. In fact, I think it's very possible, and perhaps probable, that the Democratic nominee will win some states that haven't gone for Democrats in decades.

I smell a landslide, and it will begin when the unsuccessful Democratic candidate makes a strong endorsement speech at the Democratic Convention. That is a certainty. Both of our candidates recognize what a disaster a Trump or Cruz presidency would be for progressive ideas. Neither will fall into a snit and fail to endorse and support the eventual Democratic nominee. It simply will not happen. The two candidates will work to promote unity in the party. They simply will.

Now, there may be a few who say they support one or the other candidate who will lapse into wailing and gnashing of teeth and declare their intention not to vote for the Democrat in November. Very few, though. Some of those weren't going to vote for a Democrat in any case and have been simply fomenting discord.

A landslide win. We can help make it happen, regardless of the outcome of our party's convention. We can, and should, take advantage of the opportunity that the Republican will present to us and not only elect a Democrat as President but flip many House seats in many states, through sheer turnout. GOTV will make it happen, if we actually get to work and do it.

A landslide! Picture that in your mind, and then help make it real. Let's do this!

That's my opinion. Thanks for reading.

[AuntPatsy]

1. Nice Opinion worthy of a kick, if one wants to continuing fighting for change, it helps

to know or at least acknowledge that sometimes one must take a step back in order to take 2 steps forward....

The GOP has built an extremely high wall to keep the division tactics firmly in place.....with them in charge, even inching forward will be impossible, history proves it...it's not an opinion..

[MineralMan]

2. Thanks. I'm an outcome sort of person.

I try to look ahead and see what the outcome of things might be. We do better when Democrats are in power. We do worse when Republicans are. That's history, and a good predictor of the future as well.

That's why I've said so many times here that I'll be supporting and voting for the Democratic nominee, regardless of who it is. I've seen the difference when each party has been in power. I'm an old man, and the differences are very, very clear.

We will have a unique opportunity in 2016. If we fail to take advantage of it, it will be an enormous mistake.

[firebrand80]

3. The GOP is one Presidential election away

from nearly unchecked control of Government.

Meanwhile, on DU we have our worked into a tizzy over this slap-fight of a primary.

[MineralMan]

5. Exactly, and there are those who are working

to increase the intensity of the primary divisions. They are not our friends.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

6. Well, when people support candidates like this person, it gets pretty damned frustrating...

vimeo.com/163178551

[Hortensis]

4. Demographics in 2016 strongly favor US, a sea change from 2010,

and combined with the mess on the GOP side a Democratic landslide seems to be shaping up.

A wise and wonderful post, MineralMan. Thank you.

Let's do this!

[MineralMan]

7. Yes. I can smell it. But, to smell it,

I have to go outside and mingle with others, as I did this past Saturday at our state senate district convention. What I saw there were Democrats who are planning for November, regardless of who the nominee is. At that convention, where our business was legislative offices, I say no Hillary or Bernie signs or buttons. I saw people determined to flip the three house seats in MN now held by Republicans. That was the topic that brought us all together.

Nobody discussed the presidential primaries at all. It simply was not a topic of conversation. It was a convention of Democrats.

We can win in November, and more than just the White House. If only we will put our minds to the job and do the work, we can win. The Republicans are handing this election to us. We need to accept their kind offer, I think.

[Hortensis]

9. "The Republicans are handing this election to us." Lol!

Indeed, we really do need to "accept their kind offer." Our ballots can double as heartfelt thank-you notes.

[whatchamacallit]

8. Hillary supporters and their authoritarian Pied Piper fantasy

I support Sanders as a candidate, but I don't play follow the leader. It wouldn't make any difference to me whether he endorsed Hillary or not. And the notion that I'm an anomaly is another fantasy.

[Yurovsky]

17. Preach.

I can't support a corporate tool like Hillary. I just can't. I'll vote D for every other spot on my ballot, but if she's on the top line, I'll look elsewhere other write in Bernie.

She is not worthy of my support. Period.

[rhett o rick]

10. We are getting ahead of ourselves here. Those that are fine with the current status quo

are ignoring the many voices that are screaming for change. While the 99% is better off with a Democrat president many will not survive another 4 years of Wall Street control of our government. How high of poverty rates do we have to get before some people wake up?

Some of us recognize we are fighting, not just to return to a democracy, but to stop the constant drain of our wealth to the Fat Cats. The more of our wealth and resources that Goldman-Sachs and the other Fat Cats drain from us, the less able we are to take care of those in need among us. Clinton says she wants to help the 99% but her plans all amount to moving resources from one part of the 99% to another. In the mean time, she has not mention any commitment to stopping the drain of our resources to the Fat Cats.

Six American infants die before they reach 1 year of age out of every 1,000 live births because of lack of proper care. This is higher than any other modern nation and a result of the greed of the Fat Cats that Clinton serves. Apparently the conservative wing of our party can see this as merely a cost of capitalism. We need to change this.

I don't speak for the millions that have enthusiastically supported Sen Sanders, hoping for change, but I can see how they might not buy the argument that they need to participate in political system so obviously rigged for the Fat Cats.

[vintx]

11. If it's a landslide you smell and demographics favor the lesser evil candidate

winning red states, then the party that has left me behind in their shift to the right does not - as I've been repeatedly told here - need my support.

[MineralMan]

13. You will do as you think best, I'm sure.

If what I'm saying doesn't fit your point of view, then do as you please.

[liberalmuse]

12. After yesterday...

spending hours indoors sitting on uncomfortable bleachers during a fustercluck of a Democratic caucus, getting "yelled at" and talked down to by some of the arrogant Democrats in charge, I'm beginning to wonder if the Democratic Party establishment has anything to offer someone like myself. I'm so disillusioned by it all. I was so angry with Nader supporters back in 2001, but now believe they were truly visionary in seeing through the illusion that is our political system. Americans are begging for a Trump presidency. I don't want Republican-lite posing as a liberal in office anymore as it's only delaying the inevitable.

[MineralMan]

14. Your Washington state legislative district caucus?

OK. We call those district conventions here in Minnesota. I was at mine on Saturday.

[vintx]

15. Had that same experience at a state convention years ago.

Opens your eyes, doesn't it?

[liberalmuse]

21. It does...

but so does going to a legislative meeting. The people who are allegedly representing us are a bunch of arrogant assholes who have no time for the "unwashed masses", but will eagerly open their doors to anyone who can present them with a sizable check.

[pressbox69]

16. The only thing we have to fear...

is a republican in the White House.

[libdem4life]

18. Yes, I agree. But we must stay vigilant and cling to our ideals in the process.

I believe the Democrats have the upper hand here, even as the Republicans tread water in a sea of right wing nuts.

But for now, every new voter Bernie can bring into the process is a good thing...and that he is doing. Whether it's enough for him to be the nominee, only time will tell.

I have decided that I Will Vote for the Democratic Party nominee. And in 4 years, we'll see again. Actually, in two years we'll see if she (if it is a she) has coattails that effect the down ticket races. That, IMO, that is urgent.

Yet, I want to see DWS out of her office...in the DNC and in Florida.

ETA: Barring any further legal or shady deal issues because Democrats are being easy on her, but the Republicans will not be.

[MineralMan]

20. I'll be voting for our nominee, too.

Either way. It's a binary choice in the general election.

[bobthedrummer]

19. It's Al From's Democratic Party, the rest of us just live here. The takeover (madfloridian DU 2015)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027191121

I'm one of those taking back the Party come what may.