They let the people decide last time. Pretty much everybody decided on Joe Biden again. Everybody knew they were voting for the Biden/Harris ticket, so that when Biden dropped out, Kamala Harris was the only reasonable choice to step up.

That’s not how democracy works. Just say you’re ok with pretending to be a democracy if you are the beneficiary.

I'm not sure how you figure I'm the beneficiary, but OK. People voted for Biden/Harris, Biden stepped down very late in the game, so instead of Biden in the top spot, we got Harris.

Quit pretending it’s about or has only been one election.

Recent primary vote percentages: 2020 - Biden 52%; Sanders 26% 2016 - H Clinton 56%; Sanders 43% 2012 - Obama 90% 2008 - Obama 48% H Clinton 48% 2004 - Kerry 61% 2000 - Gore 76% 1996 - B Clinton 89% 1992 - B Clinton 52%

The system is not perfect, but in recent years the nod has gone to the candidate with a majority of votes, except in 2008, which was close and where neither candidate cracked 50%. In other words, the Democratic Party has let the people decide.

For the sake of our nation, I truly hope white people get their misogynist racist shit together on the next candidate.

There were ~105 days between Biden's late July announcement and the gen'l election. There just wasn't time for candidates to put together *national* campaigns, to hold some sort of *national* primary, and still have time to campaign vs. Trump. Biden bows out 6 mos. earlier - different story.

They will because they are too weak to resist us right now: see the NYC mayor’s race.

With due respect, the choice cannot be based on idiological boundaries - otherwise, you haven't learnt from history. Not only do you have to win the entire Democratic party over, you need a good chunk of those in the middle. The best qualified candidate may not be the right choice to win the day.

Lemme guess you say this one out or voted for Stein. Go fuck yourself with an irate porcupine.

So no criticism at all of do-nothing Democrats? The one and only time I've seen Schumer show any fire was when Trump was about to bomb Iran. "We MUST support Israel..." My solution is no money to the DNC as a group, only directly to individual candidates who won't sell us down the river, again.

Read my BlueSky feed. I call out Schumer and Jeffries all the time. And I call out the inert, supine Democrats in leadership. I have no party affiliation. I look to see which side attracts the Klan/Jeebus vote, and I oppose THAT. Also my first election required voting for a crook over a Nazi.

You're dead wrong about the original poster btw. Couldn't be further from a Stein voter and from what you've just said, you're both more or less on the same page. I've had enough of, stop staying bad things about Dems, a ton of them are beholden to corporate $'s and completely disregard voters

That much is true (beholden to the big money).

I watched AOC do a late night insta vid right after Biden bowed out and it wasn't yet clear who'd take over. She said "voters have a right to know what's going on behind closed doors." Re who'd replace Biden: "All I hear is my big donor want this and, my donor wants that, nothing about the voters."

I don’t converse with irrational people. Thanks for trying.

Harris certainly wasn’t my first choice, but anyone who claims to oppose Trump/Trumpism, but who DIDN’T vote for Harris, is partially to blame for what is happening now “Yeah but she didn’t give me what I wanted on Policy X” is a luxury we couldn’t afford and every day is further proof.

Nah, your party thinking it could do genocide and rely on obedient cultists to vote for them anyway is a luxury we can't afford. Stop attacking people with souls and criticize your cult

No, we never counted on you. You are unreliable and petulant You brought us Trump. We accept who and what you are. The only mystery is why D-politicians continue to cater and coddle you, instead of dismissing you as what you are — selfish, willing to sacrifice others so u feel better abt yourself

Your cult fucking hates us and gives us nothing but blame for their failures. What fucking coddling are you talking about? When Kamala responded to protestors with "I'm speaking"? Y'all tried to sacrifice Palestine for political victory, quit your IMAX level projection.

There it is “When Kamala responded to protestors with "I'm speaking"? It’s about YOU. She offended YOU. It has nothing to do with whether Gazans would be better under Harris or Trump, YOU didn’t get the respect you think you deserve So you said “F those ppl who disrespected me, let Gaza 🔥 “ 🎯

I pointed out how reality contradicts your lies that leftists are coddled by your cult. But I'm happy for you that you could use it as an excuse to be a coward making up a bunch of shit about me so you can keep licking those blood spattered boots.

and now... "[Blair] is said to have been working for months with Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, on plans to rebuild the shattered territory as a modern trade hub and resort destination" Maybe Palestinians can watch from the Sinai? Or bus in to clean bathrooms at Trump Tower Gaza?

You came back a day later to continue running away from my point and whining about how Trump is being gauche about doing genocide?

I am simultaneously "running away" and "coming back" Your logical acumen is truly breathtaking 🤣

Yes, you came back to write another post that continues to ignore my response to a claim you brought up. Your stupidity is utterly unsurprising.

she aided and abetted a genocide, go to hell

And for every day longer this war lasts bc you have Trump instead of Harris, every additional person who dies, we owe it all to petulance like that.

Stupid ass bitch

I think we have enough illustrations at this point, but yes that.

listen man, i got nothing really against you. i'm just replying with the performative angst of a motherfucker, it's social media! also, nobody is reading this shit

Agree. That got us here

Kamala would have been great...as great as Biden, but younger and better..

Why you don't like Vladimir Futon????😂

For the sake of the nation, no more protest votes because of one issue or another. We can see where that got us.

The Democratic party nominating unpopular candidates with a "more of the same" approach to politics is what got us here. Also, I'm not voting for someone who either wants me dead or deported even if they have a D next to their name.

I've always voted with my heart in the primary, head in the general.

So do you envision a time in the future where we're allowed to care about policy again, or is every election from now on just going to be this cosplay of political engagement where we're required to vote for the Dems but are not allowed to care what they say or do

You could go to a local meeting and involve yourself in the policies. Be the one who says something at the meetings.

Right? I feel like I've been yelling that in the wind for YEARS now.

My local Democratic Women’s Caucus is defunct. I hope to restart it in the fall.

Do it! I hope you're successful!

We’ve not been allowed to care about policy whenever Republicans have done something scary. People are getting mad because I’m done protecting a party that does nothing beyond the bare minimum for the people. I demand better, or I’ll figure out how to live in a worse place.

You appear to be a white guy. It's not your ass on the line in the "worse place." Doing the bare minimum for people is a hell of a lot better than actively hurting them.

I am not a huge fan of Bernie or Gavin but if they were the nominee I would walk barefoot through broken glass to vote for them.

They shouldve ran good candidates that people didnt need to protest over

That candidate doesn't exist. It was also a moot point by election day. We had two choices. End of story. Protest voters rejected "fine" in favor of "fucking awful and the antithesis of everything they believed in."

Who would that be? Who is the perfect candidate that everyone would support 100%?

It’s not worth getting into it with these people. They’ll never admit fault.

"For the sake of the nation, please stop expecting my party to actually do anything and just obediently vote for them. We're threatening you into compliance, isn't that enough?"

Protest votes are done by extremely privileged people who are not affected by the outcome. It’s petty and childish.

They're also done by the people your party wants to throw under the bus who will suffer either way.

The authoritarian corporate takeover of the government is just the natural conclusion of a two-party system in a capitalist country. What did you expect to happen, allowing politicians to plot and scheme together in large voting blocs instead of representing the people who elected them?

The Democratic Party being corrupted and compromised while working for corporations and lobbyists — and NOT the people — is not a “one issue” protest vote.

Well, enjoy your dictator then.

You already lost to a rapist gameshow host for a second time by relying on threatening people with trump, maybe stop making the same mistakes over and over

I won’t, but I’ll have my dignity.

You won’t even have your dignity by the time P2025 is finished

I'm sure all the people that are being persecuted by Trump love that you have your dignity.

Im a gay man watching out legal right to marry be challenged in the USSC. Keep your emotional blackmail to yourself.

The same logic you are presenting is the one that got the fascist elected. You may not love the choice of the leader, but hold your nose and vote. The felon had allowed racial profiling, he has destroyed women's rights, and is now about to eliminate gay marriage. Friendly advice from a Canadian.

Disagree. The demands being put on me to shut up and vote for who I’m told to support is what got us Donald Trump.

How did that work for you? Another question if I may...did you vote for Harris/Walz?

It got us Donald Trump. So it didn’t work for me then and won’t work for me in the future.

So you didn’t vote and we got Trump?

You have to get out of your emotions. NO ONE wants to be told what to do. So vote for the 'side' that is least like that. BE LOGICAL not emotional. If it had been any standard Repub. I would agree with you but this is about the KIND of Govt not the person. What are you doing to 'fix' it now?

I wonder how well that would work if I were a woman, and you told me I was being emotional.

You had a choice. You weigh the choices. We dont NEED someone to make demands. The choices are clear whether we like em or not. Not voting is a contributing factor to the regime. The idea is not to vote for the person but to vote against fascism & at the same time fight to change policy & leadership

Well worded!

Your idea that I have to support the DNC, which is corrupt and bought by corporations and lobbyists, and not worry about the candidate, is not my idea of democracy.

no one said support the DNC. I agree with you. We dont live in a Democracy so forget that for the time being. We have had a FORM of it but not entirely. There is no country that is truly one. You 'non voted' your way to LESS freedom than you can even grasp just yet.

Stop telling me who I am and what I’ve done. You are incorrect. I voted for Kamala Harris in 2024. I voted for every Democratic candidate since my first vote in 1992. I don’t need to hear the same line again I’ve heard my whole life. The DNC, while operative, will never allow the party to change.

You won’t have your freedom, your freedom of speech, or any of your neighbours.

No, you really don’t. You’re travel g the depths of your dumbassery online with every post.

Ok MAGA

I am the literal opposite of that. I just have no patience for the alleged perfectionism of the online left. We didn’t have your ideal far left candidate in 2024. Or 2020. Or 2016. Or 2012. Or 2008. Or…ever. You won’t get that. It doesn’t exist. You want that, go dig up Eugene Debbs.

ok trumper

Also not that. Reading comprehension might be a good personal goal to set for yourself.

Dems lose because the Dems are not good enough for the Dems

I mean considering the most popular dem right now is just blue Trump I think that should say a lot about the Dem party

Sure. Sure

Okay so I know I’m literally doing the thing but I trust Gavin Newsom less then the average politician, I respect what he’s doing as of now, but he is also indicative of another trend in the dem party which is just right wing populism under the Dem banner

FTR I don’t agree Democrats have anyone like Trump. Some complicity in their ranks, but no one like him.

Blue Trump ?! Who on earth are you referring to ?

Gavin Newsom my behated, the guy who has taken photo ops where he is happily tearing down homeless camps and also talking on RW podcasts and finding “common ground on hating trans people”

Adding onto that, most of the popularity he has attained is because he is just owning the conservatives, he isn’t doing anything other than what Trump has done. Again I think at this point in time it’s incredibly helpful and useful but I don’t trust him

Lesser of two evils... we don't have the Luxury to pick and choose. Freedom or Fascism.

My integrity has that luxury, and my integrity is the only thing left in this world which holds importance. I will not be picking the lesser of two evils ever again.

So the greater? Dumb af.

That crap got us into this nasty kettle of fish.

my integrity isn’t crap to me

If you’re willing to let a bunch of people suffer so you can pat yourself on the back for a protest vote, you don’t have any integrity.

thanks for your opinion

Ffs. You’d vote for a fascist dictatorship in preference? Sometimes think America deserves what it gets, but I know from experience that there are still good Americans.

You have no proof of any of the shit you post! So why show your ignorance or mental disease on a national forum like this?! Cuz fyi, that’s what you do with every post like these.

Even if your distortion of them was correct... The democratic party, being the sole alternative to an obviously, infinitely worse gop is the only not stupid vote.

First you vote Democrat then you take them to task after they win...not before.

just go ahead and say you are a republican troll or bot trying stir up division. People would respect you more for your honesty.

Ok. You are a republican troll or bot trying to stir up division.

Go ahead and vote for Russian asset Jill Stein again. That has worked out so well for America (and Ukraine, and Gaza, and immigrants, and egg prices, etc.). Serious question: where does she hide when we are not in a presidential election cycle?

Are you 12? I have always voted for Democrats in every election, including 2024.

Can we win these upcoming elections first? I’m worried that everyone is trying to push through their own agenda. Getting rid of asshole and his fascist party should be priority #1. If we don’t win, there’s not gonna be another election and everyone will cry "Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve".

Bullshit. The Party that is corrupt and is taking us into a oligarchy is the GOP! Our streets are being invaded, not by immigrants but the US MILITARY, ARMED IN THE STREETS OF AMERICA!

I don't even bother anymore with this type. They want blind loyalty and offer nothing to help the American people with their issues. Blue maga is pure garbage.

Third party voters did not lose 2024 for the Dems. Look at the results of any state that went red, the win margin is more than the number of third partner voters. Maybe Dems should stop trying to win the votes of fascist supporters and instead focus on the people they could easily win over.

That wasn't the only thing that got us here.

Didn’t say it was. Misogyny and racism were big factors, too.

Then move left assholes. We’re tired of constantly having to hold our noses and vote to our right.

for the sake of the nation, dem leaders need to *listen to the needs of their base* and not chase phantom republicans

I agree, but that doesn't change the fact that there were two realistic choices on election day. A protest vote/not voting is essentially cutting off your nose to spite your face at that point.

how about we focus on better leaders while theres still no nominee, ok?

Great. Work on that now & then refrain from protesting when the party inevitably nominates somebody that doesn't match the requirements for your ideal candidate 100%.

if thats what you want you better help to make sure we all decide on someone good i guess

If we all had the same definition of "good" we wouldn't be in this mess.

yeah damn if only there were a *loud vocal group who constantly make it clear* what the basic minimum qualifying threshold is, that people could listen to, right?

Even that extremely loud group couldn't agree on a basic threshold. You're deluded if you think that a single candidate would've satisfied the requirements of everybody.

anti-genocide and pro-equal rights for all people including trans people are like the basics. abandoning the working class to court imaginary “disenfranchised Republicans” is also a good start. people are telling you *right now* who is a non-starter and his name rhymes with gavin newsom.

Yepp, protest votes/ not voting got us Trump BOTH times.

You'd think the political party with all that power and money might be responsible for their own failures.

I understand establishment Dems are Maga light. I also know Maga light would have been better than the military in our streets, and people disappeared off the streets. ONE issue progressives remind me of Maga voters. Very similar people. Can't see the big picture.

"They were the better genociders, how dare people expect more than being slightly less evil!"

1. Who did you vote for in 2024? 2. I donated to the World Central Kitchen to help feed the citizens of Gaza. What have you done besides complain online?

How do the answers to those questions remove a single drop of children's blood from your genocider's hands?

So you didn’t vote for Harris / Walz and all you do is complain online. Got it. BTW- you may want to check your own hands.

Whatever helps you stand beside your genociders no matter how many children they slaughter. My hands weren't engaged in genocide nor genocide apologia, so they're good.

Sounds like you think doing nothing absolves you? There is a term for that. Forgot to mention I actually went to protest supporting Gaza.

Incorrect. Electorialism not being actual democracy is why we got Trump both times. The majority of folk voted for neither Harris nor Trump. Both lost. Self-representation was the winner but electorialism be all, "fuck that. You're not being your own representatives! You get Trump! Eat shit!!!"

The Democratic Party with its “but we promise!! NEXT time” and people who keep buying into the “lesser” of two evils got us here. Stop victim blaming and accept that your party is complicit.

Sadly, they're fully incapable of this

Exactly. Vote or you're tacitly siding with the enemy.

If we had a primary we would have won! And if Harris had won the primary I think she still might have won the election, cuz she would have gotten feedback from the base by campaigning and changed her messaging in the general election, but I think Phillips could have won too Hindsight's 20/20 however

For the sake of our nation MAGA needs to be shut down. Lockstep.

Certainly Schumer/Jeffries are in lockstep. What exactly about what they've done or said so far do you think is going in the right direction to shut down MAGA? Here's the issue: a large # of voters want Schumer to step down as he's not the man for the moment. Schumer's ego doing the most damage atm