Reply #25: It's not "the most virulent screamers and hand-wringers"...

[Zenlitened]

...whoever that might be... that I'm worried about.

It's the most ardent supporters who simply refuse to acknowledge the reality, the political reality, on the ground: GOTV is difficult, damned difficult, in this climate.

And scolding harangues accomplish nothing, except to increase the general sense of alienation present just about everywhere, from political message boards to the potential voters we need to persuade.

Some here seem to believe that screaming, in essence, "you're an idiot now shut up and vote the way I tell you!" is going to be a winning campaign argument... if only they scream it a little louder and a little more often. We've all seen how well that's working out so far: not well at all.

Others of us have seen the reality on the ground for a long time now, and have tried to sound the warning. All we've gotten for our efforts has been a long and growing list of put-downs:

- Fringe
- Far Left
- Haters
- Leftbaggers
- Professional Left
- Whiners
- Virulent screamers and hand-wringers
- Emo (the latest, and possibly most laughable, entrant)

(Basically, the same reaction we get from the right-wing, who practically spit when they say the word liberal.)

But guess what? The same doubts and fears expressed routinely here on DU are fully present among the voters out there on Main Street in Anytown, USA, too. Doubts and fears that can't be assuaged with instructions to Chill the Fuck Out, nor any of the other techniques of the most ardent supporters.

Those doubts and fears need to be met with solid accomplishments as well as, like it or not, believable gut-level rhetoric that makes it clear to voters who is on their side and will continue to press for their interests to be served.

So far, also like it or not, that's not the message that's out there in the minds of the electorate. Yes, I've seen the "85% support" poll. I've also seen its flaws. But, more importantly, we've all seen the results in January 2010 in Massachusetts. In November 2010 nationwide.

And now November 2012 is looming. There's too much at stake to indulge in denialism any longer. Too much at stake to throw away a big segment of voters who may seem "unreasonable" to some here... but who desperately need a reason to feel engaged and valued, nonetheless.

Futile as it may seem.