2016 Postmortem

struggle4progress

(118,236 posts) Wed Nov 30, 2016, 07:57 AM Nov 2016

It was a mistake to abandon the 50 state strategy [View all]

Trying to squeak in, using clever electoral college math, failed us

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It was a mistake to abandon the 50 state strategy [View all] struggle4progress Nov 2016 OP

A huge mistake democrank Nov 2016 #1

We can't offer unrealistic things to voters in those states like 2,000 mile long walls.... dubyadiprecession Dec 2016 #128

That's my take. TexasProgresive Nov 2016 #2

Here in Texas it was the first national election in many decades that I saw a political ad by Dustlawyer Nov 2016 #5

that would be great NewJeffCT Nov 2016 #31

Registration of all of the Hispanic population in the Rio Grand Valley Dustlawyer Nov 2016 #51

Not sure where you live, but Clinton ads were running almost constantly here the last month or two TwilightZone Nov 2016 #53

I would like to see some support from the DNC for local races. TexasProgresive Nov 2016 #55

and that is why I cannot understand why Howard Dean didn't continue as DNC chair still_one Nov 2016 #3

Pres. Obama seems cold towards Dean....I don't know why. Demsrule86 Nov 2016 #6

I know, it is a mystery to me also still_one Nov 2016 #9

I mean Debbie was a disaster long before 16 Demsrule86 Nov 2016 #10

Debbie and Pelosi were disasters metroins Nov 2016 #38

Pelosi had nothing to do with it. Demsrule86 Nov 2016 #50

Pelosi was re-elected leader today. Ken Burch Nov 2016 #103

I heard that. My son was not happy but I think it is for the best. Demsrule86 Dec 2016 #113

Unnnnh.....Pelosi is still our minority leader in the House, and she's likely to keep that gig. MADem Nov 2016 #76

Pelosi Got Done Me. Nov 2016 #80

I agree that Pelosi did everything Obama asked, but I never once heard any MADem Nov 2016 #85

That Particular Bit Had To Do With DWS Me. Nov 2016 #90

I think that little story might be a "Some people say" conflation. MADem Nov 2016 #95

A Bit Of Background Me. Nov 2016 #96

Take everything you hear from POLITICO, especially shit from "former" operatives on the D team, MADem Nov 2016 #97

I Didn't Like The Whole Bernie Situation And The Way She Was Treated Me. Nov 2016 #98

Kaine was part of a team that beat the Orange Anus by north of two million votes. MADem Nov 2016 #99

Yes, I Will Say Me. Nov 2016 #100

I thought he was a swell guy. Surprised at his command of Spanish. MADem Nov 2016 #105

I Too Want Competence Me. Nov 2016 #106

We need competence, and that's Dean. MADem Nov 2016 #109

On That Me. Nov 2016 #111

He was told to pick her awoke_in_2003 Nov 2016 #43

Oh bull shit. Demsrule86 Nov 2016 #48

No, she is who HE wanted. nt MADem Nov 2016 #75

Then we know where to lay it. nt awoke_in_2003 Nov 2016 #77

I say we "lay" it right where it belongs--at Putin's feet. nt MADem Nov 2016 #83

Obama got to choose...and it is probably not fair to blame Debbie for all our losses. Demsrule86 Dec 2016 #117

She was chosen because she is one of the BEST fundraisers in the USA. MADem Dec 2016 #119

Wasn't she Clinton's campaign chair in 2008? jalan48 Nov 2016 #58

Probably because Dean didn't favor him in 2008. MADem Nov 2016 #11

Maybe. Demsrule86 Nov 2016 #49

Howard Dean understands rural voters NoGoodNamesLeft Nov 2016 #66

I agree with you there. He understands, but he doesn't pander. MADem Nov 2016 #74

Yes, Dean doesn't get nearly enough credit NoGoodNamesLeft Nov 2016 #91

I'm from MA....but I preferred Dean to Kerry as a candidate. MADem Nov 2016 #94

I am 100% in agreement BlueMTexpat Dec 2016 #131

Jealous of his skills? Maybe Dean never" kissed his ring?" Dr. Mullion Blasto Nov 2016 #64

I don't fault Obama for advising Trump. Qutzupalotl Nov 2016 #92

I agree...can't stand the 'let's get along bullshit. Demsrule86 Dec 2016 #116

Rahm Me. Nov 2016 #78

I did not know that ....thanks for the information. Demsrule86 Dec 2016 #115

So did most of the party, by the end. Ken Burch Dec 2016 #120

I Simply Never Understood Why Obama Did That Me. Dec 2016 #124

I think in the beginning he was understandably nervous RelativelyJones Dec 2016 #126

Could Be Me. Dec 2016 #127

The Clinton team (at the time) didn't like Dean. Gore1FL Nov 2016 #19

Dean wanted the job at HHS. BlueMTexpat Dec 2016 #130

You realize that's not why we lost, right? brooklynite Nov 2016 #4

Running the right candidates in all 50 states will help. Demsrule86 Nov 2016 #7

That won't be popular here! But you are ENTIRELY correct. One must cut the cloth to the measure. MADem Nov 2016 #82

The country seemed to take rightward turn to me...hope I am wrong. Demsrule86 Dec 2016 #114

There's no place, though, where it helps us to run Dems Ken Burch Dec 2016 #121

Ken I disagree and the ACA is a bad example because Demsrule86 Dec 2016 #122

Card-check on union elections is another example. Ken Burch Dec 2016 #123

but one in places like Michigan and PA would have DonCoquixote Nov 2016 #8

At least the MI vote awoke_in_2003 Nov 2016 #44

Who? tavernier Nov 2016 #12

Campaign Lotusflower70 Nov 2016 #32

We had a powerful turnout machine and they had a 3.5% increase in voting population across the uponit7771 Nov 2016 #13

ALL the states should matter. They dont. Thats the point. democrank Nov 2016 #17

"Powerful turnout operations" that had people showing up to the doors Chakab Nov 2016 #23

Hillary didn't visit Wisconsin once and only refocused on NWCorona Nov 2016 #24

But getting resources to the Rust Belt would have. It didn't happen. Democrats on the ground there KittyWampus Nov 2016 #25

Could be -- though I'm not so sure as you about "why we lost" struggle4progress Nov 2016 #67

Plus 1 Auggie Nov 2016 #86

Message auto-removed Name removed Nov 2016 #101

I think people like to use buzzwords to describe things they don't get. Drunken Irishman Nov 2016 #14

No, I can't agree that this point is 100% wrong. mountain grammy Nov 2016 #16

Everything I said was 100% true. Drunken Irishman Nov 2016 #33

I agree 100% Grey Lemercier Nov 2016 #41

I wasn't talking about this election mountain grammy Nov 2016 #42

Thank you. Indeed, the damage WAS done over decades, and the Dems Nay Nov 2016 #73

That's not what stopped her. Exilednight Nov 2016 #63

A 50-state strategy has everything to do with a presidential election. democrank Nov 2016 #18

Take a look at Obama's map in 2012. Drunken Irishman Nov 2016 #35

In this case what you wrote BumRushDaShow Nov 2016 #20

She didn't campaign much at all in PA. Drunken Irishman Nov 2016 #36

Hate to say but that is a bit of bullshit BumRushDaShow Nov 2016 #57

I agree at the presidential level mythology Nov 2016 #22

It would put Democratic offices/resources in areas we could monitor elections for fraud. KittyWampus Nov 2016 #29

She didn't invest much of anything into the Rust Belt. And Democrats there asked for resources. KittyWampus Nov 2016 #28

You have to pick and choose your battles. Drunken Irishman Nov 2016 #37

Not arguing that point. But we need to have rural Democrats with some basic training/organization KittyWampus Nov 2016 #87

8 years ago zipplewrath Nov 2016 #54

We had some good candidates. People like Russ Feingold. Drunken Irishman Nov 2016 #110

Yep. As I wrote below, "50-state strategy" is just a catchy phrase. Not a reality. Garrett78 Nov 2016 #68

Here's what the state legislatures look like struggle4progress Nov 2016 #71

all of the tweeks together would not total half the monumental mistake of certainot Nov 2016 #15

THIS BumRushDaShow Nov 2016 #27

left has to go on offensive -no more university sports on RW radio certainot Nov 2016 #45

As an interesting but sad sidenote BumRushDaShow Nov 2016 #62

Agreed. It was a stroke of genius for RW to use the radio to the max. It's how Nay Nov 2016 #79

we need 50 state elections! mopinko Nov 2016 #21

That would have the opposite effect SomethingNew Nov 2016 #59

there is nothing about it that negates a 50 state strategy. mopinko Nov 2016 #60

At the presidential level SomethingNew Nov 2016 #61

and there is a problem with that why? mopinko Dec 2016 #112

Yup! NWCorona Nov 2016 #26

We failed to address the needs of those at the bottom who have suffered the most, TonyPDX Nov 2016 #30

I would agree with that Lotusflower70 Nov 2016 #39

I think that we SHOULD have a 50-State Strategy Proud Liberal Dem Nov 2016 #34

Winning comes first, especially on the state level where redistricting happens. alarimer Nov 2016 #93

I agree with you 100% on redistricting. Proud Liberal Dem Nov 2016 #108

My experience has been that those who yell loudest for the 50-state-strategy sweetloukillbot Dec 2016 #125

Sad but true Lotusflower70 Nov 2016 #40

Yep. I wish for Howard Dean as DNC chair WhiteTara Nov 2016 #46

We aren't ready for 50 state strategy hollowdweller Nov 2016 #47

I think you can zipplewrath Nov 2016 #56

I think Howard Dean should come back as DNC chair. We had our strongest showings with him hrmjustin Nov 2016 #52

50-state strategy is a catchy phrase but never has been a reality. Garrett78 Nov 2016 #65

When we don't aim at the whole map, we lose: Obama's adventures with Congress struggle4progress Nov 2016 #69

No candidate from either party has aimed at the whole map. Garrett78 Nov 2016 #70

We need a better machine struggle4progress Nov 2016 #72

Even more to the point, having a Democratic president is useless if he is Nay Nov 2016 #81

After 2008 the DNC ceased in it's main function... vi5 Nov 2016 #84

Agree. And this is why we need Howard Dean back as the DNC chair (nt) question everything Nov 2016 #88

Yes. One of several. n/t lumberjack_jeff Nov 2016 #89

Dem PTB have run from Dr. Dean's plans for a long time, elleng Nov 2016 #102

Yes, it was! LisaM Nov 2016 #104

Yes to 50 state strategy, no to Howard Dean PatsFan87 Nov 2016 #107

Totally agree. Obama ousted Howard Dean, Obama kept DWS on - two big mistakes. Justice Dec 2016 #118

I don't know how many times BlueMTexpat Dec 2016 #129