Elections are won in the primaries

You don't seem to get it. I am not going to vote for or pursue pushing a Republican who is going to act with other Republicans on some of the issues that you find tolerable. Because I find those positions intolerable.Your mileage may vary.

"Rather run a progressive in a Republican primary and you spoil the primary as you can win after the vote splits far right "I discussed with RAZD the baggage that comes with a Republican candidate. He seems to think that some of that baggage is acceptable. I agree in principle, but I don't agree with RAZD's take on what is acceptable.I barely trust the Democrats... Edited by NoNukes, : No reason given.

No that isn't what you are trying to do. Instead you are selling off a good chunk of progressive positions in the hope of electing someone less Republicany. And you believe you can find enough voters in a gerrymandered district to win without a runoff.The democrats running for office in your district must truly suck. For most of us, your plan isn't an answer.

You've already admitted to tolerating stuff I find intolerable. Your progressives aren't all that progressive.

I would never call that person you describe a progressive. The Republican party is all about not being progressive. Their platform is anything but progressive. You seem to think that being moderate on a few issues, issues which nearly every Democrat is on board with, means somebody worth my time.My situation is this. I live in a district where the Republicans cannot win. I don't get to vote in a Republican-stacked district because I don't live there. My current Congressman is good but not perfect, but I don't want him replaced by any Republican. Our two senators, on the other hand, are a piece of work. However, that is not for a lack of opposition. Their opponents were worthy folks who could have been elected if Democrats bothered to voteBut in those stacked districts, the Republicans compete on who can be the most unliberal. People are actually voting against universal health care and expanding the minimum wage even though they are as poor as dirt. Your strategy is to try to sneak a "progressive" by folks who apparently consider real liberals "commies." Or perhaps, you've gotten used to your own off-key singing.

Of course, I know that. But, those times are long gone. Try pulling up the state Republican party platform in any red state. And yet they vote for people who push that position all of the time, perhaps because they are getting other stuff they want, but I would not. Edited by NoNukes, : No reason given.

While I agree with you that it is a mistake for Democrats, you are underestimating the job that has been done in demonizing liberal economics. Large swaths of the population are wage earners and wage payers who accept the idea that a living wage is socialism and won't vote for it.