But even a "Commie" is better than "pedo protectors" and "corrupt grifters"...

[QueerDuck]

7. I completely agree that the GOP's "Communist" branding is absurd and hypocritical, given their own embrace of dictators.

But leaning into the "Socialist" label to form a defense is exactly the trap they want us to fall into. It is a massive strategic disadvantage. In national politics, if you’re spending your time explaining, redefining, and responding to the other side's framing, you're already losing.

The voters who decide national elections (suburban moderates and independents) aren't looking for a classroom lecture on economic theory. Instead of feeding their fear-mongering flames with time-wasting and distracting explanations, the best response is to completely pivot. We shouldn't let them dictate the battlefield.

We win by talking directly about mainstream, popular kitchen-table results (like lowering healthcare costs and protecting social security) not by embracing labels that alienate the very moderate and independent voters we need to win.