Yes we are, but which is worse? In the event of a Biden/Harris win, we have the chance to continue and strengthen the current efforts to depolarize our nation. See (commongroundcommittee.o…).
Yes we are, but which is worse? In the event of a Biden/Harris win, we have the chance to continue and strengthen the current efforts to depolarize our nation. See (https://commongroundcommittee.org/depolarizing-america/).
Sandy, I no longer believe appealing to our better angels is a viable way forward to end polarization. I do believe that when people show you who they are, you should take them at their word. And for the past several years, there is one and only one party that has stressed the guardrails that's kept our democracy going for 250 years. Their intentions are clear through words and deeds. There are *no* better angels to appeal to.
Sandy, in a sane world, there should be no swing voters. The election is between an old man who is a good man and has been a good president, and the biggest friggin' moral degenerate who has ever been elected to office. Period. The record is clear, the stakes are clearer, and there is no margin for error. And if one of these swing voters can't wrap their head around and acknowledge the purely existential threat Trump presents, then we are totally and legitimately screwed.
Yes it does. At this point, there is nothing to be done about that except reach them, inform them and persuade them to vote Democratic. That's what canvassing is. That's the responsibility of the Dem party. (Yes, this all hangs on the Dem party.) Can they do it? Maybe not. Gotta try.
I have faith in my ability, Tim. I'm a good listener, and I'm interested in learning people's stories. Listening shows respect. That goes a long way in reaching people with whom I have political disagreements.
Well, thank you, but part of it is me being female. We're talking interpersonal skills here, relationships. Women are generally better at that than men. It's also my temperament. I've learned how to listen without judgement. I don't know that any of that makes me better. Maybe just more skilled or, rather, differently skilled. I'm sure there are things you can do that I cannot.
Yes we are, but which is worse? In the event of a Biden/Harris win, we have the chance to continue and strengthen the current efforts to depolarize our nation. See (https://commongroundcommittee.org/depolarizing-america/).
Sandy, I no longer believe appealing to our better angels is a viable way forward to end polarization. I do believe that when people show you who they are, you should take them at their word. And for the past several years, there is one and only one party that has stressed the guardrails that's kept our democracy going for 250 years. Their intentions are clear through words and deeds. There are *no* better angels to appeal to.
Among MAGA, yes. Among swing voters, I think there are.
Sandy, in a sane world, there should be no swing voters. The election is between an old man who is a good man and has been a good president, and the biggest friggin' moral degenerate who has ever been elected to office. Period. The record is clear, the stakes are clearer, and there is no margin for error. And if one of these swing voters can't wrap their head around and acknowledge the purely existential threat Trump presents, then we are totally and legitimately screwed.
Tim, I don't know any pesonally (but I will be canvassin in WI next month, so I will). The surveys I've seen on them (https://www.dataforprogress.org/insights/2024/5/30/measuring-the-swing-evaluating-the-key-voters-of-2024) show that they are disengaged, low-information voters. I don't know that the record of either candidate or the stakes in electing Trump are clear to them.
And yet the fate of the republic lies upon their shoulders.
Yes it does. At this point, there is nothing to be done about that except reach them, inform them and persuade them to vote Democratic. That's what canvassing is. That's the responsibility of the Dem party. (Yes, this all hangs on the Dem party.) Can they do it? Maybe not. Gotta try.
You have more faith in the ability to reach them than I do.
I have faith in my ability, Tim. I'm a good listener, and I'm interested in learning people's stories. Listening shows respect. That goes a long way in reaching people with whom I have political disagreements.
Well, you're a far better person than me, Sandy. And I mean that.
Well, thank you, but part of it is me being female. We're talking interpersonal skills here, relationships. Women are generally better at that than men. It's also my temperament. I've learned how to listen without judgement. I don't know that any of that makes me better. Maybe just more skilled or, rather, differently skilled. I'm sure there are things you can do that I cannot.