Ukraine-supporters have been dealing with this for years. There are stalwart Republican politicians who back Ukraine. Also many moderate Democrats. Yet many progressives won’t accept or support these people because of their positions on other issues or because they took money from some PAC they despise.
Just want to point out that not all your readership is composed of people enamored of purity tests and the like (speaking for and of myself). In fact, I'd guess that a lot of your readers are pretty thoughtful people rather than professional Democratic Party operatives.
Problem is, too few Republicans have taken the bold step of actually speaking out against Trumpian overreach, so there have been too few opportunities for political types to experience marching together to achieve a mutually-desirable result.
Political posturing -- too much "Heads I win, Tails you lose" one-upmanship.
I am taking the initiative to create permission structure. I am advising any Republican within the sound of my voice, that if they wish to return to the side of good, that I will raise my sword in their defense. I am offering them a gesture, you see.
I sincerely hope that some will respond to your gesture. So far, odds are against it, but if the R's are listening to the public's displeasure, they might start to break rank in sufficient numbers and with sufficient resolve to actually make a difference.
Heather Cox Richardson says this has happened at other crucial times in American history and must happen now:
"We don't need to agree about anything except we need to hold our democracy. We can hash everything else out on the other side."
Ukraine-supporters have been dealing with this for years. There are stalwart Republican politicians who back Ukraine. Also many moderate Democrats. Yet many progressives won’t accept or support these people because of their positions on other issues or because they took money from some PAC they despise.
Agreed. Let's have some ruthless pragmatism. It's going to get tougher than you think; but we are tougher than we think. Get down.
OK Mike, message received.
Just want to point out that not all your readership is composed of people enamored of purity tests and the like (speaking for and of myself). In fact, I'd guess that a lot of your readers are pretty thoughtful people rather than professional Democratic Party operatives.
Problem is, too few Republicans have taken the bold step of actually speaking out against Trumpian overreach, so there have been too few opportunities for political types to experience marching together to achieve a mutually-desirable result.
Political posturing -- too much "Heads I win, Tails you lose" one-upmanship.
I am taking the initiative to create permission structure. I am advising any Republican within the sound of my voice, that if they wish to return to the side of good, that I will raise my sword in their defense. I am offering them a gesture, you see.
I sincerely hope that some will respond to your gesture. So far, odds are against it, but if the R's are listening to the public's displeasure, they might start to break rank in sufficient numbers and with sufficient resolve to actually make a difference.
Here's hoping.