We need the 2020 Primary forum created here. "It" is starting already. nt

[stevenleser]

[greatauntoftriplets]

1. Reading all that gives me unwelcome flashbacks.

[stevenleser]

2. Yep, its way too early for this, but it is here nonetheless. nt

[GusBob]

3. Remember ABB?

I propose ABT.

[greatauntoftriplets]

4. My favorite memory of ABB is trying to explain it in French to a Lebanese couple I met in Paris.

I can't remember how we started talking, but I encountered a nice young couple from Beirut walking down a street one evening. Actually, it was a mix of French and English, but when we parted, they thought it was a great idea. So I had probably explained it well enough.

[karynnj]

7. I remember it and IMO it diminishes our nominee

The ABX terminology was first heard in the primaries, where the idea was that the majority of Democrats prefer any of several candidates over the front runner. The idea is if all these people get behind the same person, that person would win. I remember ABC in 1976 and 1992 where c was Carter and Clinton respectively.

In the general election, while all of us here, will be for the Democrat in any presidential election, speaking of that person as ABT etc is an argument that does not even try to make a case for the nominee. Instead of building up your candidate, you are saying ANYBODY would do.

The first time and only time I ever heard this in a general election was 2004. The two media people I heard that from were Carville and Begala and I STILL resent their weak support of Kerry. There have been elections where my primary favorite lost - including 1992. I never argued that others should vote for Clinton because ABB.

[GusBob]

8. Diminish, you say.

A divisive and rancor-filled primary DESTROYS our party. To wit, 2016

I ain't gonna do Putins divide and conquer work for him, no fucking way

WE are ALL in this TOGETHER

[karynnj]

9. Where do I recommend a divisive primary?

Democrats looking at candidates, selecting a nominee, then uniting behind one is not a negative idea. Until a nominee is selected, there is no one to rally around.

I personally have never thought better of a candidate because they or their supporters attack the character or dishonestly characterize their opponents' records.

To win the general rlection, we will make it a referendum on Trump, but we need to ALL get our nominee's story and vision out.

[GusBob]

10. Referendum on Trump is what I am saying, anybody but Trump

Things are different now than past elections. There is a whole swath of opposition to DT. Hell there are folks within the WH who can't stand the guy.

The OP refers to "it" I am assuming it to be the divisive nature of 2016, where you saw
- candidate X or bust! ( the opposite of ABT)
- a vote for candidate Y is a vote for Trump ( again the opposite)
- the blind eye to the flaws of candidate X, while braying like a barnyard jackass about some flaw in Y
- the ideological purity. I could go on and on
Or, the DU special......get in your allied groups, conspire and lurk in the other guys group, alert swarm and get people banned. That was "it"

I am saying no to it

[Demsrule86]

5. Too soon...don't want to get the GOP to attack our candidates, and I can't deal with the

Bernie vs. whoever war that is bound to happen...let's work on 18.

[SidDithers]

6. +1...

And the "refighting the 2016 primary" category needs to be stricken from the alert choices.

Posts about Bernie's current comments and activities are being alerted on, and sometimes hidden, using the "refighting the primary" excuse.

Bernie has obviously started campaigning for 2020. It's time to begin a proper vetting.

Sid

[Scurrilous]

11. Yep.