A NARRATIVE that people can rally behind. A constellating theme. Something for people to say, “Now that’s a reason to rally around him/her.”
Right now, we have a lot of the pieces. But I don’t know that we have a narrative yet. For example, the press is relatively decent these days against Trump. But the press will not take up a candidate without a narrative. If they must talk about a major candidate without a strong one, they’ll make up their own. And it probably won’t help the candidate a lot.
As others have said, “anyone but Trump” ain’t good enough. We can and should raise holy hell about him and tie him around the GOP’s necks. And, you know, that COULD be enough this time. But only marginally and I want a lot better odds than that.
Our candidate needs a strong narrative for everyone to rally behind. You know, there are a lot of Dems and progressives and liberals and even some mildly rightish mainstreamers calling for unity behind whoever it is. That’s good. Hopefully it will help.
But real, organic, powerful unity cannot coalesce without a central narrative. We really need one … and sadly our side isn’t great at it.
I won’t say anything about specific candidates. I want to give them a chance to stand up and be counted when the real deal comes along. It’s way too early to judge them.
But, going forward, it’s something to watch for. Wanted: a powerful candidate narrative!