I completely disagree.
I think even if he had gone more to the center, he wouldn’t have lost any significant portion of the progressive vote he did get, and I think this holds true this year as well. (And at that, a shift to the middle would likely have netted him more votes pulled from disillusioned non-MAGA moderate Republicans in 2020 than he lost far left Lemmy-user votes).
Having the name Donald Trump on the other side of the ballot is sufficiently powerful motivation for most reasonable progressives to “hold their nose and cast their ballot” for Biden. It might be a very different story if Biden were running against, say, a John Kasich or Larry Hogan, but that’s not what we’ve got. In that case, many on the left wing may see it more as a “both sides are the same so I’m voting third party to make a statement” election…but again, this isn’t that. In 2020 and now again in 2024, the choice is more accurately, “not making much ground on progressive causes” vs “regression on all fronts, combined with an attack on democracy, emboldening of fascists, racists, and militant bigots of all stripes”.
…and personally, if a progressive can look at that decision and think they’re basically the same thing…I see that as only slightly less disappointing than a loud and proud MAGA zombie.
Seeing the sheer stupidity of the left wing is making me question democracy.
Seeing the sheer stupidity of most Lemmy users who proudly align themselves as leftists is making me question leftists in general.
There have always been dumbass leftists. I think this is the most vocal I’ve ever seen them though. And the most numerous. In previous elections we’ve been able to ignore them. Or at the very least, redirect them to doing something good, like punching Nazis.
Now they’re more likely to team up with the Nazis against rational people.
