Millions of people voted against their own interests in 2016. All are not "Assholes."

[MineralMan]

They made a stupid decision. Now, what do we do? Do we attack them with name-calling? They're going to soon realize that they're not going to get what they thought they were. Some are already realizing that. So, do we call them "stupid assholes" and write them off?

I don't think that is a good idea at all. People respond to being called names in a negative way. We don't help ourselves by adding to their disappointment.

I can guarantee that we will not change the voting pattern of a majority of those who voted stupidly and against their own best interests, but we don't need to. We only need to convince a minority of those voters to think harder before the next election and vote for their own benefit, rather than against it. Just a minority.

But, that will take not yelling and screaming at them for being "stupid assholes." What it will take is for us to talk to the people we actually know who made those mistakes. Those are the only people we have a chance to reach. And we don't have to reach them all, by any means. If just 10% of the people who voted against their own interests had voted for Democratic candidates in 2016, we'd have had a landslide victory, instead of a loss.

So, belay the ugly name-calling. As people begin to see the negative impacts of a Trump administration and a Republican Congress, talk to people you know who are affected. Be calm about it and don't be accusatory of those people you know. They will realize that things aren't working out and that they voted for the wrong people. That opens a door of opportunity.

Instead, talk to them about the direction things are going, and compare that with how things could have gone had the other side won. Show them as simply and calmly as you can how correcting the problems could be done. And keep talking until 2018 and 2020. If a person turns out to be a genuine asshole, forget that person. Focus on those who will listen to you at least a little.

Remember, we don't need to convert everyone, just a small minority of those who voted against their own interests in 2016. Work on those who have been hurt by Trump and the Republicans. Help them, if you can, to find ways around the problems and help them understand what and why it happened.

Convert 10% and we'll win in a landslide in 2018 and 2020. But, we won't convert anyone if we call them all stupid assholes. That trick never works.

Thanks for reading.

[leftstreet]

1. Fuck them. Appeal to the nonvoters. End of story n/t

[jaysunb]

13. +1 n/t

[mreilly]

14. Exactly.

Trump supporters get zero attention from me other than scorn, derision and contempt. Not reaching out or listening to their whines about how it should all be about then, 24x7x365. If I wanted to hear a temper tantrum I'd just go to Wal-mart and watch some piece of trash Trump supporter beat her kid in the aisles.

[mnhtnbb]

16. I think persuading the non-voters might be easier than trying to convince

people who made the wrong choice to acknowledge they were wrong. Cognitive dissonance is real.
People don't like to admit they were wrong.

Way too many people did NOT vote. Time to persuade them that coming out to vote is a better decision. We're also
not criticizing their voting choice--just suggesting that it's really important to come out and make a choice. Of course, it's implied
that they need to choose voting for a Democrat.

[TeamPooka]

25. I have talked with Trump voters who don't care about hate crimes, think protestors are being paid

and called Hillary Clinton a murderer to my face.
All since the Inauguration.

You say be nice to them, I say they can all go fuck themselves for the fools they are.

Non-voters and 3rd party voters are the path to future victories.

Most, if not all, Trump voters are a lost cause.
And when Trump's policy's make them hate him because he's destroying their lives I will play the world's smallest violin for them while calling them out for the suckers that they are for letting it happen.

[lagomorph777]

36. Agreed. Trump made it clear that he is evil and they voted for them.

They will never be voting intelligently and we need to focus on decent people instead, perhaps those who were too discouraged to believe there was any point in voting. Also those who were effectively suppressed; we can help them get all the extra IDs and whatever else they need to make it possible to vote in this post-VRA apocalypse.

[COLGATE4]

39. + another 1.

[Agschmid]

66. I 100% disagree.

[KittyWampus]

68. They aren't mutually exclusive. You can appeal to nonvoters AND target certain micro sections

of those who switched from Obama to Trump.

Data analysis and social media platforms can tailor messaging in a very specific way.

[kcr]

72. A certain microsection that would willingly vote for a con man that grabs women by the pussy?

Why is that a smart thing to do? Even if they realize their mistake, are they really all that reliable? We already know that they're susceptible to being conned by pussy grabbers. So, there's nothing stopping them from being conned right back again by another one. They would have to be constantly wooed and coddled, to keep these low-info voting-for-pussy-grabber types from falling for another one. A lot of effort for a low return on investment, if you ask me. Meanwhile, because of all the pussy-grabber-voter pandering, we're bleeding our base. Not smart.

[Barack_America]

88. In terms of "fixing stupid", Trump is taking care of his voters for us...

...he's our best advocate in shaming them for their vote.

So, yes, target those who stayed on the sidelines.

[Eliot Rosewater]

2. If they are now loudly denouncing the traitor then I wont call them assholes,

but that is my minimum requirement.

[LonePirate]

3. Ignore them. Wait for them to come to us with their mea culpa.

[True Dough]

4. This thread is going to get an avalanche of responses

And many will disagree vehemently with you.

I have stated several times over the past few months that "writing off" all Trump supporters is a mistake. No Democratic leader has made that case that I'm aware of. Even Hillary pegged the deplorables at about half of Trump's backers.

And, make no mistake, I think it's fair to call out the bigots, misogynists and economic elitists. They are making themselves targets and deserve to be dragged through the mud.

But yeah, 10% conversion of Republicans and/or independents seems entirely doable, providing that we don't alienate them entirely by insulting them repeatedly.

[MineralMan]

6. No doubt you're right. It's already started.

10%. That's all I'm talking about. I know some people like that, and am already talking to them. I'll convert some of them for 2018.

Those who want to call them all assholes, aren't going to change, either. I'm just offering a suggestion of how to proceed. My highest priority is to win in the next election, and I'm willing to do what I can to help that happen.

I'll be ignoring all those who cannot see or understand what I'm saying. They're ignoring me.

[Blanks]

86. I agree with you...

A lot of people, when it comes to politics, aren't an individual as much as a part of a community.

Convincing a community that Trump is bad, when you don't have access to the entire community at one time is not possible.

So, you talk with an individual in reasonable terms and over time they see the error of their ways. One person isn't going to go against what their social group believes initially, but perhaps they'll come around in time if you reason with them.

You're right.

[MineralMan]

5. Oh, OK, then.

I guess you won't be helping, then. Oh, well...

[BeyondGeography]

7. Half the country doesn't vote

I'd rather D's spend their time and resources on people in that group who are open to our message. The worst thing you can do in your job is waste time on people who aren't going to do business with you when there are others out there who you can work with. Don't call them assholes, but don't waste too much time on them either.

[MineralMan]

11. The non-voters are notoriously hard to convince to go to the polls.

I've been doing GOTV work for over 50 years. That hasn't changed. Non-voters are hard to turn into voters. I'll still be working on that, as far as I'm able, but I'm also going to work on switching some people who voted against their own best interests, too. At least they have voted, so there's that.

[NewJeffCT]

38. agree somewhat

Until 2016, a very large percentage of registered voters have voted in presidential elections.

2016 was 133 million out of 200 million registered - 69%
2012 was 129 million voters out of 153 million registered - 84%
2008 was 131 million out of 146 million registered - 90%
2004 was 122 million out of 142 million registered - 86%

Between 2012 and 2016, about 50 million new voters were registered. The rolls increased from around 150 million registered to around 200 million registered. But, despite the big increase in registered voters, the actual number of voters barely budged.

[MineralMan]

52. Yes, turnout was down, percentage-wise.

That's certainly part of it. I credit attacks on Hillary from all sides for the decrease in Democratic turnout. All sides.

[NewJeffCT]

58. Number of voters was up from 2012, though

but, down from 2008. Democrats were basically flat from 2012, but Republicans were up 2 million and 3rd Party was also up from 2012.

[BeyondGeography]

50. There will be plenty of buyers remorse

Like this 55-year-old first-time voter:

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/55-year-time-voter-chose-trump-protests-large/story?id=45991134

Whether it was occasional voters or first-time voters, Trump connected emotionally with a lot of people who don't usually vote. The results of the nominating process go a long way toward helping (or hurting) GOTV efforts. In the meantime, please don't call this woman an asshole, folks.

[Initech]

8. No, they are. They knew damn well what they were doing when they voted for Trump.

And most of not all did it for pure hatred of Obama and Hillary. Because that's what the right wing hate-o-sphere and their pastor told them how to think and feel about things. Hate begats hate. Remember these people are anti PC and they're damn proud of it. It was these people who voted overwhelmingly for Trump. Let's not forget that. You can see it with all the hatred for liberals on your Facebook and Twitter feeds. The Trump voters hate us, and they're not afraid to admit it. So fuck em.

[standingtall]

9. Those people need to be called names and shamed for their stupidity.

The idea that we can bite our tongue and play nice to reach these people is a total fantasy.

Just imagine what would've happened if the abolitionist had been afraid to to call slave owners or owning slaves evil out of fear of hurting slave owners feelings? Please!

[MFM008]

10. I have found

Most are impossible to try to reason with.

[MineralMan]

12. Most, but not all.

I think we can flip about 10% of them. That would do it very nicely.

[LOL Lib]

15. They are brainwashed...SERIOUSLY!

I have not met a single Dump voter that is having buyer's remorse. I live in a very red state and these people are an enigma. The spectrum ranges from welfare recipients to millionaires that I am in contact with daily and the Dump supporters are not wavering here. I have talked and reasoned since last July and there is no converting them. Nothing short of Dump showing up at their door and murdering their first born with his own hands will change them. These are normal people, aside from being brainwashed! They are not card carrying members of the klan. Some are indeed very intelligent people. It makes me sick that I can't reach them.

[mreilly]

17. I admire your convictions but...

"As people begin to see the negative impacts of a Trump administration and a Republican Congress, talk to people you know who are affected. Be calm about it and don't be accusatory of those people you know. They will realize that things aren't working out and that they voted for the wrong people. That opens a door of opportunity."

You have to realize they will be continuously told that:

1. Anything bad that happens is Obama/Hillary/The Democrats fault.
2. No matter what Trump might have fucked up, it would be so much worse under Hillary because she was just so awful and evil and horrible and terrible for running a private email server.
3. Anyone who tries to convince them that Trump/the Republicans did it is spreading "fake news."
4. Anyone who opposed Trump/the Republicans is an anti-American enemy of the people.
5. Anyone not on the Trump train is a brainwashed evil liberal who wants him to fail, period.

I'm focusing on the apathetic who didn't vote, a much more sizeable (and presumably malleable) segment of the population.

Trump voters can die screaming in a house fire for all I care.

[taught_me_patience]

18. When the pain of their vote hits them in the pocketbook

they'll turn on the Republicans real fast. That's the only way they will change their vote... period.

[ananda]

19. Well ..

.. I don't feel a bit sorry for them.

They deserve whatever they get for that stupid asshole vote.

And I don't care whether we win them over or not.

They are a minority, remember ...

What we have to do, as persistent resisters, is establish a
grassroots movement that cannot be stopped and get all
our grievances redressed .. particularly regarding Citizens
United, voter suppression, and gerrymandering.

[maxsolomon]

20. My Dad voted for *

You wouldn't think he was an asshole, but the evidence points otherwise. He sincerely believes BHO is Muslim.

He's been brainwashed by FauxNews.

[liquid diamond]

22. Nah. Fuck those stupid assholes.

They've been voting against their own interests for decades. They're set in their ways, full of hate, and a lost cause.

[MineralMan]

23. Well, based on the replies so far, I think we're screwed!

10%. That's all we need from that group. But, we would have to go work on that 10%

I'm seeing no interest in doing that, so we've lost already.

A sad day on DU for me.

[Kimchijeon]

24. Thanks

I think that some of them will turn around. I do tend to rant or namecall but only venting here on DU, really. I realize that's not productive IRL

[mac56]

26. With great respect, MM

They had the same opportunity to do their research that we did to do ours. It wasn't like *'s opinions were neglected by the media or hard to find.

I can't find it in me to cut them any slack.

[Historic NY]

27. Reminding them elections have "consequences" perhaps will open their minds next time...

if there is a next time.

[Iggo]

28. They're either idiots or assholes.

You don't have to call them that to their faces. But that doesn't change the facts.

They either didn't know what they were doing (idiots), or they did know and didn't care (assholes).

You try and change the minds of a bunch of idiots and assholes. I'll try to get everyone to vote. If we're both partially successful, maybe we have a chance.

[bench scientist]

64. this. Why must we confine ourselves to only pursuing one group or the other?

Everyone seem to phrase this argument in this way. Either we must go after Trump voters OR we must go after non voters. Never both. I fine that funny, as at the heart of each group is an emotional core that must be reached at , and changed.

Personally, I'm not optimistic that enough Trump voters will change their minds.
MM you're are attempting to apply logical and reason to a group of principally emotional voters, who vote against their interests largely out of fear or hatred, or ignorance. Those are very visceral, ingrained and deep seated emotions to overcome. Education as to why and how what our party offers is better for them hasn't worked thus far.
An individual has to want to see the world differently for that to happen. I genuinely believe there is an empathy gap among most ( not all ) but most of Trump supporters. They have little issue marginalizing, or voting against the rights of their fellow citizens as they believe that the others in some way are different than themselves.( the Trump voters). They voted against minorities, the LBGT community, Muslim community, because they are different. They do that despite the harm to their own interests.
I firmly believe until Trumps policies negatively effect the Trump voter at a personal level they will not change their behavior.

The non-voters are equally problematic. Apathy is hard to overcome. How do you engage someone to care about the world who does not wish to? How do you convince them to care? Again until Trumps policies negatively effect the non voter at a personal level they will not change their behavior.

I'm not saying we should not try but this is at it's core an emotional appeal not a rational one. It's not going to be easy. I think we as a country are in for some very very tough times.
Many tactics should be used, and perhaps many levels of civility depending on the particular individual. Some frankly deserve none. Others perhaps more so, but this is not a simple fix where one approach be nice to all or write the rest off and target non voters is going to work.

[Snackshack]

29. Agreed.

Getting people who vote regularly to vote differently through dialogue has a much greater chance at success than getting people who never vote to start voting.

But that is a minority opinion here. People were much more willing to work with the south and bring them back into the fold after the civil war then people are now to work with trump voters...

[MineralMan]

30. I'm not encouraged by the responses. Truly I'm not.

[leftstreet]

41. You're courting a strategically worthless demographic

Regardless of how people decide to label the Trump voters, it's still pointless

Trump voters are and were a minority of the eligible voting public

The Democrats need to ignore them and move on

[Snackshack]

45. Me either.

It's ironic how things have played out. The myopic pov that caused some people to vote a certain way now infects both sides to the detriment of all except republicans which is exactly what they want. Divide and Conquer...as long as this divide exist they will continue to conquer.

[True Dough]

63. I don't want to say, "Told ya so..."

But this was entirely predictable, sadly.

[Phoenix61]

31. It doesn't really matter if they are assholes or not

Negative campaigning is not the way to go. Calling someone stupid for what they have done just makes them claim they were right a little louder. Dems need to get busy on the local and state level so people know who we are and what our party stands for. I'm hopeful Perez and Ellison are headed in that direction.

[Blue_true]

32. The choice was clear, they chose unwisely, mostly out of hate and fear. nt

[LexVegas]

33. Fuck 'em. nt

[sagetea]

34. I don't call them names

I just stay away from them...had too much bad experiences from people like that before 45. They are toxic and don't want to be around that.

I focus and channel my energy to the non-voters, at least they are willing to listen and if they have an argument it is rational. the kinds of people that voted for 45 are not rational in the least.

sage

[Grins]

35. Better! (To me.)

This is what I say (trying to show some sympathy towards them):

"Oh. Sorry. But you voted Republican."

On edit: An alternative is: "Oh. Sorry. Elections have consequences."

[RoadhogRidesAgain]

37. We don't have to convert anyone

The vast majority of Trump voters voted on two issues , Abortion and Immigration.

The youth turnout wasn't as big as it has been in the election of Obama. Bring them out again and we win. There are no "swing" voters. A recent poll came out showing republicans have a 90% approval rating of Trump.

As far as I care, these people can die from lack of health care and the voting IQ pool would increase. There should be no appeasing or Trying to reach out to these animals. They can fuck themselves.

[Mr. Ected]

40. My work associates, friends and family voted for Trump

I cannot write them off. I cannot tell them that they are ignorant, foolish or anti-American.

Trump is the manifestation of decades of misinformation, propaganda and right wing brainwashing. Otherwise intelligent people have been duped and misdirected.

Unfortunately, apathy and incomplete political research has doomed this country to a President Trump. Perhaps we needed a Trump to wake everyone up in order to re-examine some of the positions they hold and why they hold them.

Then again, I'm not holding my breath.

[drray23]

85. You are more tolerant than me.

I would not hesitate (and i have) to dump a "friend" if they are trump supporters. I am lucky that none of my family members are trumpsters.

[Aristus]

42. Sorry. I'm not giving a handy to every Trump supporter who now feels betrayed by him.

There are people who didn't vote for him who nevertheless are going to suffer because of his policies. Those are the one's I feel sorry for, and who have my support.

People who know all of the awful things Trump has said and done, and voted for him anyway, are assholes. Bottom line...

[guillaumeb]

43. And this same advice applies equally well to the various

Democratic factions who are assigning blame for who lost the election.

Recommended.

[Freedomofspeech]

44. They knew exactly what they were voting for.

A heartless, mentally ill bully.

[Charles Bukowski]

46. The best we can hope for is that a large portion

of Dump voters become despondent and stay home next time around, similar to 2008. But even in a best-case scenario, it won't be anywhere close to 10%.

In 2008 the GOP vote declined by 3% (a little over 2 million votes) and of those votes, only a fraction actually flipped for the Democrat Obama, who won on the strength of the whopping +10 millon votes he recieved vs John Kerry.

That 69.5 million total remains a record for presidential elections - - Obama (2012) and HRC both missed the mark by 3.7 million. I want to know where those votes went! I'd focus my energy on reaching these apathetic voters rather than the g-damn Deplorables.

[get the red out]

47. True!

But now I am also worried about the La La land lefties that kiss Julian Assange's ass and deny the evidence that Trump collueded with Russia. People who wouldn't care if Putin took over, so long as he destroyed US intelligence agencies.

Actually, people with the potential to notice Trump screwing them over might be easier to reach.

[randr]

48. Any one person who was aware of the business dealings and mysogenistic actions of the twit

and voted for him IS an ASSHOLE.
Only excuse is that they may not have know his history in which case they voted blindly still making them ASSHOLES.
Freeps may have been allowed to vote on a curve but, I am sorry freeps, but on this you will not get a bail out for ignorance.

[progressoid]

49. This is a bit of a strawman argument.

Every GOTV campaign I've worked on is very targeted and compassionate. We don't generally target those voters. And if we did, we wouldn't open with, "hey Trump voter, you're an asshole."

[Sunlei]

51. agree don't waste time on the scammed people. Focus on what todays Republicans say & do, call them

out!

[dchill]

53. Aren't we even allowed to say,

"I told you so?"

[MineralMan]

54. You're allowed to say any thing you wish, of course.

You're also allowed to think before you speak.

[dchill]

55. I do, but you gotta admit...

Some of those folks ARE assholes. (I've never called someone I don't know an asshole.)

[Turbineguy]

56. Indeed.

It also goes to the myth of free will. A large number of people were no doubt manipulated into choosing their candidate. Nobody gets up in the morning and says, "hey, I think I'll harm myself, my family, my friends and everybody else today!"

Hating these people does absolutely no good. Hopefully many will learn something. Those that don't, well, they'll become a minority.

[colsohlibgal]

57. Not So Sure They Should Get Off Scot Free

A citizen would seem to have a responsibility to choose wisely....so maybe they could doublecheck the rantings of Lumpy, Rush, Mark Levin, et al?

I have talked to female Fox Watchers who had not heard about Chitolini's bragging about pussy grabbing, walking into a locker room full of naked 13 year old girls, or publicly mocking a handicapped reporter. Those non alternate facts are never mentioned on Faux News.....fair and balanced.....not!

[hatrack]

59. Knock yourself out . . .

Priority 1: Mobilize Democratic voters who sat out 2016
Priority 2: Register and mobilize non-voters, first-time voters and new citizens
Priority 3: Full legal mobilization against bullshit voter ID laws
Priority 4: Full legal mobilization against gerrymandering
Priority 5: Messaging - simple and direct - bringing up all that T***p has fucked up
Priority 6: Funding and revitalizing local Democratic parties, particularly in swing
suburban districts and urban/rural boundary districts
Priority 7: Full legal mobilization to replace EVS with hand-counts - starting in swing
states for 18/20 cycle. Counts are precinct-level, avg. precinct 1,100
voters - "Too slow! Too time-consuming!" arguments are crap.


. . .



Priority (9)8: "Reach out" to T***p voters

[DemocratSinceBirth]

60. If they want to turn away from their wicked ways I will embrace them.

Jesus forgave the adulterer, but then he told not go out and commit adultery again.

[coco22]

61. Yes, We keep reminding them..

they were CONNED.

[adigal]

62. Sorry, they are assholes. My family is some of them. We need to get unregistered registered

and get those who are sympathetic to sanity to the polls.

We won't win over the 35% of crazies who love Trump.

[frankieallen]

65. That went well, wouldn't you say MineralMan?

[Coventina]

67. I won't use the "A-word" but I will call them racists. n/t

[Atman]

69. I have yet to see a remorseful Trumpsky supporter.

This seems to be a media myth. They all seem to still be saying "give him a chance!" Or they call me a libtard. This is a "I won, nothing else matters!" mindset that most of us can't relate to. They're like pro football fans, steadfastly resolved to support their team regardless of the dismal record.

While it may be impossible to call my aging MIL or most of my family "assholes," it doesn't mean I have to accept their stupid decisions. Yeah...I think they're assholes. But I know better than to call them out for it publicly. I just returned from a trip into the belly of the beast, all-Red Brevard County, Florida. I managed to have a peaceful week with family and friends, and never once yelled at anyone for how stupid they were for voting for both Trumpsky AND Rick Scott.

[ismnotwasm]

70. Since I always respect your posts, I took a little time to think

I've posted elsewhere that as a nurse, I've cared for fox-watching Trump voters in the most intimate ways possible. I've watched them fight for life, I've watched them accept death. Professionally, I of course don't participate in personal politics at the bedside. I listen, and deflect when I need to.


So, while not always "assholes" they fall into four rough categories 1) bigots--they will rail against "illegals" in the most ignorant way possible. Or say things like "race relations got so much worse under Obama" or worse. 2) Politically ignorant. They repeat memes, are often at least superficially to deeply religious, and seem to be greatly influenced by this. Up here in the Northwest, they blame the decline of logging and fishing/crabbing on the Judge Bolt decision of 1974. There is no changing their minds about this.
3) Stupid--yes, this is a thing, although sometimes it's not so much stupidity as mental instability and prone to believe conspiracy theories. 4) Single issue voters. It might be a particular economic reason i.e. "Bring back jobs" for those whose jobs aren't practically ever coming back or it might be anti-choice activists. It might be ranchers or even hunters with a particular beef against government regulations.

This last category are actually least likely to be "assholes" on a personal level, although I vehemently disagree with their opinions. There is no changing their minds about votes, although reasonable conversation can be had. They are often torn, like the public school teacher I met in Ohio, who disliked the things Trump was saying,but "could never" vote for Hillary and in the end voted her anti-choice conscience.

Or some combination of these categories.

So I don't know about "converting" votes. Our Information Age is such that any opinion you hold can be validated in some way, and truth with facts are easily ignored.

I still hold that anyone who voted for Trump after his "grab them by the pussy" comment is going to be hard to reach, and yes, many of those votes came from assholes.

[kcr]

71. Enough with the handwringing over the poor Trump voters and their feelings.

Who cares? For one thing, your assumption that they're going to realize they made a mistake is just that. It's based on the premise that racism and sexism are just stories that exist in people's heads, and that everyone is the same and wants the same thing. It's wrong. People do and say and think things for different reasons. That includes voting. Just because you would never vote for someone like Trump doesn't mean that there aren't people who would do so and do so willingly and happily. And that they do not and never will regret it! It's the truth!

And I'm never going to waste one god damn second worrying about them and their feelings. Basing a political strategy on doing so is a recipe for disaster. Enough.

[MineralMan]

74. OK. But don't be surprised if they keep on winning.

We only need about 10% of them, you know. I think we should try to get that 10% to vote with us.

You don't think that. OK. But, be ready for the results. That's all I have to say. 2016 may be predictive.

[kcr]

87. If they keep on winning it's because we ignore the real reasons

Like voter suppression, for one. Because the people you love so much have never voted Democratic and they never will. We'd never win if we listen to you.

[TNLib]

73. I don't know it's almost like you have to wait for the bottom to fall out before they'll listen

Like my mother who didn't vote for trump because she doesn't vote, but she really likes Trump. She's in her late 70's and getting difficult to talk to anyway. But it's like you have to wait for them to complain about something going wrong in their lives before they'll believe it has anything to do with the administration.

[MineralMan]

76. Anecdotal. Your mother didn't vote, and probably won't.

So, she's not part of who I'm talking about. My parents voted, at age 92. My wife's mother voted, at age 88. We both talked to them. They can be hard to talk to, as well. Two of them voted for Hillary. One for Trump. We helped get those two votes.

We need about 10% of lazy Trump voters to switch. That's all. I think we could manage that. I hope so.

[KittyWampus]

75. Very True, but DU is largely here to vent. Especially General Discussion.

[MineralMan]

77. Venting is fine. I do it, too.

But, it has nothing to do with outcomes of elections, quite frankly.

I keep hoping that we'll get out there and do something besides venting. Many DUers do. I'd like to encourage more to do that. It's really the reason I'm here.

[Lint Head]

78. Convert? You cannot convert a person who voted for a bigoted racist sexual predator who loves a

Russian murder. They are obviously blind, deaf and ignorant. Yes. It's time to stopped with the spineless assumptions and have the criminal in the White House arrested.

[MineralMan]

79. If you can have Trump arrested, please do.

I have no such powers. Sometimes, I can convince people to vote for someone, though.

Still, if you can arrange for Trump's arrest, I will cheer loudly, Lint Head.

[still_one]

80. How about this, focus on the 47% who didn't vote. Those who voted

for trump were well aware of his racism, sexism, and xenophobia, and still voted for him. Most of those voters did so on the basis of hate, or because they will only vote republican. They can come to their "come to Jesus" moment on their own.

We should focus on the 47% who didn't bother to vote, and even those who voted third party. I am angry as can be at those who voted third party, but I also believe at least they have the self-realization to recognize that trump is a disaster.

This is where we should focus our energies

[MineralMan]

82. Yes. That's what I've been doing since 1960. Every election, I manage to convince

a few people who would not otherwise vote to actually vote. A few. I'm one person, and I'm pretty good at convincing people to go to the polls, but I'm just one person.

It's hard to get non-voters to vote. They don't see the benefit of it, frankly, and have other concerns. In some ways, it's easier to get a voter to change their vote, especially if they weren't really enthusiastic about their last vote. If the people they voted for disappointed them, it's not so hard to get them to try something else.

I do that, too, in my GOTV efforts. It's not really as hard, if you stick with working on people who voted for a party based on habit. A lot of people do that. A lot of people voted for Donald Trump without having any idea about his racism, sexism and xenophobia. A lot of them never really thought about any of that at all. They heard a blivet from one of his rally speeches that encouraged them, because Trump lies a lot. But, they don't follow the news much. They vote because it is their habit to vote. They vote for Republicans because it is their habit to vote for Republicans.

We need to convert maybe 10% of those voters. I think we could do that. If we also get a few percent of non-voters to actual go to the polls and vote for a Democrat, too, we'd win in a landslide. But, it all takes work. Frankly, there aren't enough people willing to work on that to get those numbers nationally.

More's the pity, I think.

[still_one]

84. I read your replies above MM, which maintains that same view. My point is

that those who voted for trump represent about 23 - 25%. The other 23 - 25% went to Hillary.

Within those that voted for trump, those that are hardcore registered republicans you are not going to be able to convince, and I would maintain the other group who voted for trump that harbor certain prejudices would be just as difficult to persuade. Their minds will only change if they are adversely affected by trump's policies. I think the 10% number you use for possible trump voter conversion is much to high, because that says that of the 23-25% that voted for trump, 50% of those could be convinced otherwise, and I don't buy that.

As I said I am extremely angry at those who voted third party, especially those who voted for Stein, but without a doubt in my mind, that demographic would be where are energies should go. The fact is if 50% of the Jill Stein voters would have voted Democratic, we would have the WH. Those votes are more attainable than those who voted for trump.

As you realize because of our electoral system, even though Hillary received 3 million more votes, we still lost. However, it was the 47% who didn't vote why I believe we lost the Senate.

Every Democrat running for Senate in those critical swing states, lost to the Establishment, Incumbent, republican.

You get 5% of the 47% who didn't vote, to vote, and you win

[bitterross]

81. Oh Yes They Are!

They were too absorbed with cute campaign slogans and hating everything not like themselves to take time to find out the truth about this Republican President.

Typically, and YES I am generalizing here, they were too self-absorbed and hateful to look outside their own little bubble.

FUCK THEM!

[loyalsister]

83. I always go back to Howard Dean's inartful statement about people with confederate flags & their kid

I want all children to have healthcare and be eating well no matter how their parents vote.

I like the article below, because I have heard the point of view of people who felt like they hadn't been heard- until someone wants their vote. And, I agree that talking points have become a little too number heavy. If someone talks about how difficult things are financially, and the response is to cite economic indicators, I can see why they might walk away from the conversation.

I also think there is something to listening without judgement. We sit here over our keyboards convinced we know all of the reasons behind 45 votes. But that might not be true. I think it's a good idea to not wait to ask if people are better off 4 yrs later. A reasonable response is, "where was this new candidate when things went south for them a couple of years prior?" Trump tapped into anger at politicians and finding out why rather than speculating might go a long way towards the goal you stated.

“Think of this as like a Terry Gross interview,” Williams suggested, as they munched on pizza before heading out. “We’re just trying to get them to open up a little more.” Each volunteer toted a clipboard with several pages of questions (“How do you think the country will change in the next four years?” “Who do you think will benefit as a result of Trump being president?”) designed to give structure to the conversation.

http://billmoyers.com/story/bernie-alums-think-theyve-found-secret-reaching-trump-voters/