In the story he seems to be talking about Dems running in red states.

democrats want to retake firm control of government, it will have to be based on moderate messaging...touting free handouts to all will only reaffirm the "wild eye socialism" mantra that invokes fear in a great many americans.

I have only heard that come out of the mouth of a Tea Partier.

when sanders says "free college education to all", many people look at that as a free hand out, Sanders mistake is not having a better message with clarifiers but you can't do that as then the clarifiers become an argument. The correct message sanders could have said would be.

"We need to make college more affordable so any kid who has what it takes to go college, can without incurring massive debt" and he should have added....."We need to have a better vocational and trade school paths working with industry and employers and high school guidance that actually helps kids decide the best path for themselves"

only makes it easier for them to do it. We need to be bold, not timid, in a time like this.

I’d like to see us run as progressive a candidate as possible that can win in each district.
Every district is different.
Match our candidates to the district.

And that's what will happen automatically. If a candidate runs and isn't reflective of that district, they will lose.

We all may have the same ultimate goals, but we're not all getting there at the same speed.