Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Tom Rinaldo

(23,179 posts)
42. Republicans have an instinctive belief that moderate Democrats pose the biggest threat to them
Wed Dec 3, 2025, 09:35 AM
3 hrs ago

They can't help themselves, because they assume that the vast majority of Americans (outside of urban NY, MA, and CA) reject any "leftist" candidates as too extreme. They buy their own rhetoric. So they look at the Democratic candidate in that Iowa race belonging to the progressive wing of the Democratic Party as proof that Democrats could have done better with a more "mainstream" moderate candidate running instead.

That's their mindset, not mine. However given that mindset, i bet a whole lot of current Republican congressional reps are damn fearful a more "typical" Democratic candidate would run even stronger against them in the midterms.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

I know you're correct, but my heart wanted more. Tomorrow I'll be happier! ms liberty 15 hrs ago #1
I care more about Miami next week. RandySF 15 hrs ago #2
Nope. She lost by single digits (so far). In a 22-point Trump district. CousinIT 15 hrs ago #3
I would have... 2naSalit 15 hrs ago #4
This forces them to spend more to defend "safe" districts. unblock 15 hrs ago #5
I'm not feeling bad, this is a deep red district, just the fact that she lost by single digits is a win, MarineCombatEngineer 15 hrs ago #6
I also see a monumental wipeout coming for Rs in the midterms KS Toronado 14 hrs ago #14
Can you even imagine the protests that would erupt across the country if Pedonald or the MarineCombatEngineer 14 hrs ago #22
imagine if a Dem prez ever won on electoral votes only (not the popular vote) Skittles 14 hrs ago #23
If that ever happened the Electoral College would be gone in 5 minutes Freddie 9 hrs ago #28
well now their hacks on the Supreme Court would just "pick their guy" Skittles 7 hrs ago #30
Yep, huge protests KS Toronado 12 hrs ago #26
Found it, he was talking 2028 but he could mean 2026 also KS Toronado 6 hrs ago #34
Only you.... MarcoZandrini 5 hrs ago #36
they may be dimmymandering themselves out of power rampartd 9 hrs ago #29
The states that redistrict to get more seats might be in serious trouble. tinrobot 3 hrs ago #48
It s been non stop "far left candidate" while that Klarkashton 15 hrs ago #7
Next year the GOP will be spending money kellytore 15 hrs ago #8
Let us all look forward to The Great Dummymander of 2026 SSJVegeta 14 hrs ago #9
This 13 point swing towards the Dem candidate will have republicans shitting bricks until next November. Nt Fiendish Thingy 14 hrs ago #10
Thanks EarlG orangecrush 14 hrs ago #11
Thanks EarlG mountain grammy 14 hrs ago #12
My wife was mad about it. Xolodno 14 hrs ago #13
K&R spanone 14 hrs ago #15
Think of how much money they will have to waste just to hold on to the safe seats progressoid 14 hrs ago #16
And that district is stupidly drawn too. SouthBayDem 14 hrs ago #17
We need more candidates just like her. Emile 14 hrs ago #18
I am totally bummed out LilElf70 14 hrs ago #19
I've spent more time thinking about a reply than it warrants already, lol. (its just a special election). BootinUp 14 hrs ago #20
If we are in a D+13 Boo1 14 hrs ago #21
It is amazing to me in our kacekwl 13 hrs ago #24
you got that right Skittles 7 hrs ago #31
A chart showing how well we did Stargleamer 12 hrs ago #25
I'm sure that some of us are. elleng 11 hrs ago #27
Even Al Gore could not win TN. peacebuzzard 6 hrs ago #32
Not at all Pachamama 6 hrs ago #33
It was the expected outcome. The GOP loves to vote against their own self-interest. Vinca 5 hrs ago #35
Unfortunately, I think it shows us exactly what the gerrymanders will produce Prairie Gates 5 hrs ago #37
Thanks, EarlG. Timeflyer 4 hrs ago #38
This result would have flipped one CD in NC dsc 4 hrs ago #39
From your keyboard to God's ears. SSJVegeta 4 hrs ago #40
Hope I'm in one of the Dem CDs Jersey Devil 4 hrs ago #41
Maybe dsc 3 hrs ago #44
Republicans have an instinctive belief that moderate Democrats pose the biggest threat to them Tom Rinaldo 3 hrs ago #42
I feel bad for the candidate. Campaigning surely takes a lot of a person. surfered 3 hrs ago #43
I expected it, but hoped against hope that we'd win. MineralMan 3 hrs ago #45
I understand what you're saying, Lars39 3 hrs ago #46
I needed to hear this. Alice B. 3 hrs ago #47
To all the idiots that voted for Van Epstein your going to lose your ACA. Bengus81 2 hrs ago #49
And it is only going to get worse... kentuck 1 hr ago #50
Never had any hope for a win, those red states would rather vote Republican than actually improve dem4decades 1 hr ago #51
No it was a was a long shot and with all the money at the last minute the the outrageous 24/7 ads I'm not kimbutgar 1 hr ago #52
I don't think a lot of people realize how gerrymandered this district was, in a red state. lees1975 1 hr ago #53
Anytime a Trumpsicle wins an election it's bad news for America... BH liberal 1 hr ago #54
The result if worse for the GOP than just the numbers WSHazel 1 hr ago #55
Disappointed, but as usual, you are right Earl ... it's a signbificant positive looking forward. KPN 54 min ago #56
The thing that's disturbing me the most about this election... Initech 49 min ago #57
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»I hope nobody is feeling ...»Reply #42