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Talking About the Issues


Today is the New Hampshire primary, the second state to vote on (among other things) who it wants for president in the 2020 election cycle, at least at the partisan level. Those of us who care about such things will be awaiting the primary results after polls close tonight. Bernie Sanders will very likely win the state, which wouldn't be unexpected, as he won it four years ago, and it neighbors his home state of Vermont, so something would be wrong if he didn't win. Pete Buttigieg will likely place second which, as a Buttigieg supporter, I'm fine with. I still don't think he'll do as well in Nevada and South Carolina (and beyond), but that's for another day.

I'm not really writing this to talk about the New Hampshire primary, though, or to rehash the cluster that was the Iowa caucus. What prompted this post was the continual writings I see online from various liberal/progressive pundits, and their comments sections, that like to rattle-off a lot of policies that have polled well with people, and how those are what will (or at least should) win over voters. They seem to have a blind spot to the fact that it doesn't always work, and that's where I think the problem lies. You can't simply point to polls that show people like Medicare, an extra $1,000 a month in their pockets, open access to healthcare, and free college, and sit back with arms proverbially crossed, nodding your head going, 'There, told you! We just need to run on that.' That's not how it works.

Let's say an acquaintance asks you, "Hey, do you like the Bahamas?" You might reply with, "Well, I've never been, but it sounds lovely. Sun, sand, relaxation -- yes, I think I'd like to go there." Ok, but what if the acquaintance replies: "Good! I've booked us plane tickets for there. Pack your bags - we leave tonight!" Your eyes would probable bulge out of your head a bit, your heart would race (not in a good way), and you'd likely have to tell the person to slow down a minute. If you work, you will need some lead time with your job before heading-off on vacation. What if you're married, or in a relationship? Perhaps you may just want to bring your spouse with you to the Bahamas, and not some acquaintance. In other words, there's a lot of questions, a lot of planning, a lot of details that go into it.

Someone stating that they like the Bahamas doesn't necessarily mean that they want to go their tonight, or even in the near future. People simply saying that easy access to healthcare and free college tuition, etc. sounds good doesn't mean that running on those issues will prove successful. It's how those things are presented that's key and, so far, they haven't been presented too well. That isn't to say that they shouldn't be part of the discussion, just that it's frustrating to hear others (who are also frustrated) bring up stuff like, 'Well, people like [x] so let's run with that.' It really only tells part of the story.

I really want a Democrat nominated later this year who can defeat Trump in November. Which one of the bajillion Democrats currently running who can do that, I really don't know. Of course, we're never certain who is truly electable until they're elected (despite what some fervent supporters may tell you). As it stands, I'm not sure how weak of an incumbent Trump is, and have recently blogged about that. I'm supporting Pete Buttigieg in the Democratic primaries, but if (when?) he is no longer viable, I will find another Democrat to back, all the way to November. Here's hoping they talk about the issues in a way that isn't the equivalent of springing a surprise trip to the Bahamas on someone.


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