General Discussion

... in fact, I already said we should get behind the nominees. Nobody is disputing that.

The discussion the OP started (and that I am agreeing with) is about national branding. Acknowledging that the general electorate nationwide views political labels differently than voters in deep-blue urban strongholds isn't "anti-nominee." It's a realistic, mature, adult and honest conversation about how we build a majority capable of winning presidential elections.

The reason we have "heard this argument for years" is because it remains an unavoidable mathematical fact of the Electoral College. What works in a district with a Cook PVI of D+30 does not work in a swing district that is R+2.

We can support our local nominees while also being realistic about what it takes to win a national map. Both things can be true at the same time.