Attitudes towards primary candidates are now the most urgent aspect of the 2014 election cycle, because there is so little time left before primaries start generating votes and resulting messages.
In light of these background points,
let's urgently consider these questions:
• Question 3. Can DailyKos make a difference in primaries?
• Question 2. Can Progressive policies be promoted by prioritizing primaries?
• Question 1. Is there any other way?
My answers (Yes, Yes and No) are explained below the jump.
Question 1. Is there any other way?
Answer: No, all other ways would accomplish much less.
Reasons: Because:
(a) Officeholders and candidates are the best megaphones for Progressive arguments, because most people pay attention to political arguments only when thinking about voting – not when thinking about other things (which is most of the time).
(b) Democratic primaries are the only time that these megaphones address the differences between Progressive and Centrist Democratic policies.
Question 2. Can Progressive Policies be Promoted by Prioritizing Primaries?
Answer:
Yes, Progressive policies can be promoted by prioritizing primaries.
Reasons: Because:
(a) See answer number 1.
(b) Voters hear and see a live candidate articulating and arguing for these policies at the risk of her or his candidacy and reputation.
(c) Even if the Progressive candidate loses, voters have an opportunity to wonder whether that candidate’s policies would have been successful in the general election and in governing.
(d) Centrist Democrats, not only those directly opposed by a Progressive candidate, will be pressured to respond to, and/or co-opt, Progressive arguments. How much pressure? That depends on their district.
(e) But won’t this delay and/or constrain Centrist Democrats from running back to the middle in the general election. Yes, that’s not a bug but a feature
.
Question 3. Can DailyKos make a difference in Primaries?
Answer: Yes, DailyKos can.
Reasons: Because: Primaries are when influence is possible, over:
(a) smaller number of states holding elections on a particular date (and even fewer contested),
(b) each drawing a smaller electorate than the local general election,
(c) which has above-average interest in how to define and elect “better” Democrats,
...by DailyKos’s mobilization of, for example:
(x) a few thousand commenters,
(y) a few hundred contributors, and
(z) a few dozen volunteers.