2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: Bill Press: Sanders didnt damage Clintons public image [View all]Demsrule86
(71,023 posts)In 92 we had lost the White House for 12 years...we had not had a liberal elected president since Johnson...we were well on our way to another loss...when Ross Perot decided to run...leading Dems seeing that there was little chance yet again to break the GOP hold on the presidency did not even bother to run...it was a couple of obscure governors who ran...and we won with less than 50% of the vote...less. Without Perot in 92 and 96, we would have lost. Clinton never had a majority...we could not elect a far left progressive then, and I doubt we could now. Colorado voted down single payer for example. Look at statewide elections where the conservatives are winning it all...there is no evidence the running left will help us...we should stand on principle,and I like our platform but Sen. Sanders was not able to win the primary...he lost by several million votes. We need a 50 state strategy and to nominate those who can win in even conservative states...that means a big tent approach. It is our only chance...or we will be looking at a Dukakis-style loss... a 49 state loss.