# Future of the American left? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 24, 2020, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-of-the-american-left/921441 "2020-09-24T20:35:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2020, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-of-the-american-left/921441/41 "2020-09-28T13:28:11Z")
> [@bump](#): > > Yes, a lot of people might vote Democrat. But that’s not because they _like_ the Democratic party, but rather that Trump and his cronies are SO odious, that by comparison, the Democrats seem like the better choice _ **right now in this election** _ . > > But that doesn’t mean that people are giving assent to UHC, or free college, or any of the other planks of the Democratic platform. They’re just saying “Trump sucks so hard, that we’d rather vote for you, than suffer another four years of his bullshit.” Which is not at all the same thing as saying “Yes, we like all the stuff you stand for.”. > > I think the Democratic party should tread lightly if they win, and not use it as an opportunity for massive reform. That’s a mistake that will alienate a lot of people who might vote Democrat in November, but who might not in 2022 if the Democrats push too hard and too fast. That’s decent logic. But only if Congress wasn’t being elected at the same time. All 435 House seats are up for grabs. If Biden wins _and_ the D’s win big in the House, a well-distributed majority of the voting public has said clearly that they support the D platform. And the Ds will have the ability to enact some (much?) of their D platform. Conversely, If Biden wins _and_ the R’s win big in the House, a well-distributed majority of the voting public has said clearly that they like the R platform but they don’t like criminal dictatorial Trump. And the Rs will have the ability to enact some (much?) of their R platform. The Senate, as we all know, is a bit more complex to interpret for several reasons. And can serve as an enabler of, or a veto-er of, both the President’s and the House’s ambitions. But we’ll have our answer on the House probably before we have our answer on Trump vs. Biden. So while your concern is logically valid, it’s theoretical. ---
**Author:** ![Mallard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Mallard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mallard)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2020, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-of-the-american-left/921441/42 "2020-09-28T17:49:47Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > The Republican Party will essentially cease to exist in about 20 years. Most unlikely. Many thought the Republicans were dead when Nixon was out and Ford pardoned him. Four years later and a “credible” Republican is occupying the White House. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-of-the-american-left/921441/43 "2020-09-30T01:04:06Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > I am very afraid the left will be in hiding from armed Trumpists, angry that they have “stolen” the election. All those idiots with guns, mostly with the support of the police. I don’t think the left will go into hiding. A bunch of middle aged, out of shape racists who hate democracy armed with handguns isn’t going to terrorize the left into submission. I’ve seen videos of right wingers bringing weapons to rallies only to be chased and jumped by the people who they thought they would intimidate. these leftists feel they are fighting for democracy and human decency at this point. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-of-the-american-left/921441/44 "2020-09-30T14:52:56Z")
The left does constantly underestimate the short attention spans and memories of the right. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-of-the-american-left/921441.md?page=2)