I think it's our job to build and support our base so that we don't have to depend upon confused people whose butts we must continue to kiss in order to keep them in the tent and who are just as likely to turn on us again in a couple of years.

If they want to come back to us on their own, fine. I'll welcome them with open arms. But I don't think we should waste any time or resources chasing after them, especially since we have more than enough people on our side who haven't turned on us and aren't likely to stab us in the back in the future and who will loyally support us if we just reach out to them.

Effie, we will become what the republicans are becoming.. a party of nothing but the base.. I know some will never be reached.. but as someone who knocks on doors during elections.. I do not knock on my side only doors.. you would be surprised what makes a person vote one way or the other.. fear is maybe the biggest reason.. a lot of people were really scared...

First of all, our party is extraordinarily diverse. Even our base is very diverse.

And there's a difference between not "giving up on everyone who did not stand with us in 2016" and using precious resources chasing after people who, two and a half years later, STILL haven't figured out on their own that their support for the Republicans is a huge mistake.

Anyone who is still in the Republican camp does not merit our time and effort - especially since the main reason they're still there is because they don't like the Democrats' approach to diversity and "identity politics." Contrary to what some say, these people aren't "voting against their interests." They may be voting against their ECONOMIC interests, but they have other interests that they feel the Republicans are protecting and those interests are diametrically opposed to ours. And the only way to get them back into the Democratic fold is to convince them that we will cater to those interests - which means kicking our base to the curb.

So, no thank you. They can either get with the program without my help or stay right where they are.

Some will not respond, and some will.. that is how elections are won...

...if we all stick together, Trump needs to win the Independents decisively in 2020 in order to win the election.

There has to be a re-dedication to the Democratic party during next year's election cycle and not in fight or fall for any bullshit from the other side. Once we nominate a candidate, we should treat that person as our only means of salvation, as a country.

They are supposed to vet candidates and reject con men like Dump. His long, sordid history of corruption, self-dealing, and fraud was crystal clear. The RNC failed at their most basic and important duty.

Had he been forced to run as an Independent (again), I don't think he would have gotten so many votes, or the bs wall to wall news coverage.The RNC made him "legitimate" candidate.

The 46% who sat home out to vote. I think a lot of those who voted for trump will come to their senses by the next election, but we should really concentrate on those who sat home.

just heartbreaking to think so many people sat out or were disenfranchised

We underestimated his appeal

We missed the power of wealth porn vs. wealth resentment. Trump started promoting himself as an icon of wealth back when Robin Leach was talking about "champagne wishes and caviar dreams."

He neutralized wealth resentment, by cultivating an audience who saw it almost within their grasp along with angry dreamers who wish they could be the boss.

Trump had several years of personality self promotion with the Apprentice, after appearing on talk shows and publishing "how to be a millionaire" and being the subject of celebrity gossip. I think it's no accident that being the subject of celebrity gossip simultaneously worked against Hillary Clinton. That was exactly the salacious nature of what came out of Wikileaks.

All of it was effective only because so many voters were willing to go along with it. A problem with a meritorious culture that gives credibility to people based on social and professional positions. Wealthy, white men are born with credibility and too many people were prepared to be subject to the way Trump has exploited his own and the worst of US cultural values.