Reply #14: No. You underestimate the opposition. [View All]

[recidivist]

Democrats who want to live in denial can prattle on about fraud all they want, but Democrats who want to win elections have to look at realities.

There has been a long-running realignment going on in American politics for at least a generation. It came to a head in 1994 when the pubbies swept everything in sight and captured the U.S. House for the first time in 40 years.

Including 1994, the pubbies have now had a majority of the congressional vote -- the best indicator of baseline Party strength -- in five straight elections. A narrow majority to be sure, but real nonetheless.

They also have a majority of state legislators and 26 of the governorships, which is actually down a bit. Basically the country is close to 50-50, with a slight tilt to the right.

Never underestimate the opposition.

P.S. On edit: this is relevant for more reasons than simple historical understanding. Many of the "run hard to the left" folks are fundamentally in denial about where the electorate is, and that's a prescription for defeat. Moreover, when approximately half the electorate is voting consistently for the other Party, it is tactically foolish to energize them with a constant whine that pubbies can only win by cheating.

Wise up: the fact is, the pubbies have about half the vote. The idea is to persuade some to switch. Persuasion begins with understanding and respect, not with constant insult. It's old fashioned, I know, but I still favor civility in political discourse.