Vote Blue, No Matter Who!

There have been some primary season surprises on the Democratic side of American politics during this primary season.  Yet another one happened last night in Florida as Angie Nixon, a left wing Democratic socialist, defeated Alex Vindman, who outraised and outspent her by almost 10 times more, won a surprisingly big 56-44% victory.  This one is difficult to figure, except considering it's a statewide race, and independent voters can't vote in a partisan primary in Florida.  Democratic party turnout was high, equalling the Republican turnout in a state that is more red than purple.  

Vindman, whom I like personally, billed himself as the candidate who had a chance to win the general election.  He does have name recognition, and a reputation as a never Trumper, as well as being somewhat of a centrist who leans a little bit more to the right.  And that turned out to be fatal to his primary nomination hopes.  

What's happening to cause these surprising election results is, as it almost always is with Democrats, in the messaging.  The realization that the sitting President is an incompetent boob is something that more than 60% of voters accept as fact.  Democrats are very likely to flip both houses, the senate side looking particularly promising over the past few months, and that will effectively stop Trump and make him a genuine lame duck with two years left to go, if he sticks it out.  The biggest issue is affordability as prices of everything have soared because of his stupid decisions.  

And while the Democratic party establishment is still feathering its nests, protecting its turf, and taking corporate campaign contributions, the message of Democratic socialists is resonating with voters, and they are responding to it.  And where there are candidates who are pushing that strong, working class narrative in clear, understandable terms, without all of the party gobbletygook, they are winning primary elections.  They have limited resources, because they won't take corporate money or accept AIPAC funds, so there are limits on their ability to get the narrative out there to the voters.  

But they are right on target with the message that is appealing to working class Americans, and as it spreads and grows, more and more of the candidates who wear the Democratic Socialist tag are winning primary elections.  And frankly, because that message resonates with so many independent voters, they are the better choices for winning in November.  

It's that narrative and messaging thing that Democrats seem to have so much trouble with that is pulling in this unusual coalition of liberal Democrats, the vast majority of independent voters turned off by partisan pushiness, the resistance to Trump showing up in No Kings rallies and literally now all over the place, and disaffected Republicans who realize that Trump must go or they lose.  That is going to produce a large enough coalition to win elections.  Establishment Democrats must get on board, not that they have to change their messaging or narrative, but that they must turn out and help every candidate with a D beside their name win their general election.  

You know, "Vote blue, no matter who."  That's been the Democratic mantra since Trump started running.  It has been the establishment's mantra during those times when there wasn't a lot of bold risk taking going on when we did have power to bring Trump to justice and stop this madness.  So now, the establishment needs to take its own advice and its own slogan, and put it to use.  

Vote blue, no matter who, even if the candidate is a Democratic Socialist.  

The Agenda is Very Simple

For those who have paid attention, and are waking up to why this message is appealing, it's pretty much what the average, working American who lives paycheck to paycheck would like to see.  

• Opening up the housing market by eliminating the ability of corporate entities to buy up housing and control the supply and demand to drive up prices. 
• Making the top 1% and the multi-billion dollar corporations pay their fair share of taxes.  No loopholes, exemptions or government favor granting.  Windfall profits tax on the worst abuses.
• Socialization and government intervention in areas where the profiteering has been the worst, most notably in health care.  Many Democratic Socialists are 100% in favor of a government owned, single payer health care system like most of our European allies, and Canada, now have.  
• Immigration reform that reflects American idealism. 
• No offensive, aggressive wars.  Turn the War Department back to the Department of Defense. 
• Increased government control in the energy industry, utilities, water supply.  
• Increasing the resources to provide for more infrastructure expansion and improvement to resolve supply issues and work to bring retail prices down, especially on supplies of food which are abundant in this country.  
• Major reform in agricultural development, so that farmers are not risking losing everything or being bought out by corporate interests.  

Let me point out that these issues are all in the common interest of Americans, there is nothing remotely communist about it, and in terms of being consistent with the Constitution, they are all designed to protect the American people from exploitation, which is the job of government.  

Vote Blue No Matter Who!

Let's be clear that there is no Democrat running for election during this cycle who would be worse than their Republican opponent.  Not one.  Focus on the issue, which is stopping the single worst President we have ever had in American history from doing any more damage to our country.  

That's the message, and the political interest and focus of Democrats now.  This needs to be as big a victory as possible, and I tend to think that the polling data, comprised by people who are mostly afraid of Trump, is significantly underestimating what is going to happen in November.   If this doesn't happen, and there's still a risk of that, given all of the bickering and infighting that is going on, a foot-shooting contest that could still turn into disaster, then we will lose the America that we know permanently.  

So, you know what to do.  Go out and do it. 

"I am pledging to vote for Democratic party candidates up and down the ballot in November.  If my state permits it, I will check the box for "Democratic Party Straight Ticket," if not, I will cast a vote for every Democrat who is on the ballot.  I will not, under any circumstances, vote for a Republican."