I’m not American, so perhaps there’s something I’m missing, but when has there been a real leftist on the ballot? My impression was that the perceived lack of meaningful choice is plausibly driving poor election turn out
Well they can’t get on the ballot if 1) no one runs for it and 2) no one votes in the primary for them.
And I obviously mean more than just a presidential election. There could be a slew of leftist candidates IMO if 1) progressives turned out or 2) were as numerous as they claim.
I’d love for that to be the case but their track record is bad. Exhibit B should be Mamdani. Primary was still sparsely attended BUT I can’t remember if it was 25% or thereabouts (maybe more) who had not voted in a primary in the previous decade. People showed up and whaddya know, a leftist won the primary (and hopefully is on track to win the general- seemingly so by the latest polls.)
But regardless- very few consistently turn up to primaries. It’s a long grind and people need to be aware. Vote as far left as you can (if you want that) in the primary and then for the best candidate in the general. Rinse, repeat. It isn’t a schooner. It is an aircraft carrier and takes time to turn things around.
The answers might be obvious to everyone now (universal healthcare, etc.) but you can’t go thinking you vote in one election and it’s magically fixed and everyone’s eyes are opened. Put in the work. But people don’t and therefore we are where we are.
I’m not American, so perhaps there’s something I’m missing, but when has there been a real leftist on the ballot? My impression was that the perceived lack of meaningful choice is plausibly driving poor election turn out
Well they can’t get on the ballot if 1) no one runs for it and 2) no one votes in the primary for them.
And I obviously mean more than just a presidential election. There could be a slew of leftist candidates IMO if 1) progressives turned out or 2) were as numerous as they claim.
I’d love for that to be the case but their track record is bad. Exhibit B should be Mamdani. Primary was still sparsely attended BUT I can’t remember if it was 25% or thereabouts (maybe more) who had not voted in a primary in the previous decade. People showed up and whaddya know, a leftist won the primary (and hopefully is on track to win the general- seemingly so by the latest polls.)
But regardless- very few consistently turn up to primaries. It’s a long grind and people need to be aware. Vote as far left as you can (if you want that) in the primary and then for the best candidate in the general. Rinse, repeat. It isn’t a schooner. It is an aircraft carrier and takes time to turn things around.
The answers might be obvious to everyone now (universal healthcare, etc.) but you can’t go thinking you vote in one election and it’s magically fixed and everyone’s eyes are opened. Put in the work. But people don’t and therefore we are where we are.