I believe in democracy. I think big decisions should be made by the people after long, serious discussion and much compromise. Roe probably was not a bad decision. It was a premature decision. A lot of people had more to say on the subject and the Supreme Court shut down the discussion.
I don’t believe that democracy overrides the inalienability of individual rights. It wasn’t appropriate to let individual states “democratically” deny legal freedom and voting rights to Black people, for instance, and it’s not appropriate to let individual states “democratically” deny abortion rights to pregnant people.
I will note, though, before a mod with a flyswatter notes it for me, that we have strayed rather far afield from the OP’s question about extremist Republican candidates.
Well, these are emotional issues.
Nonetheless, I will be voting against Mastriano here in Pennsylvania. See? We agree on a lot of things.
I like the general idea, with a few qualifications.
First, I’m thinking and hoping the candidates would be less likely to adhere to the platform. Mitch McConnell might be as moderate as Howard Baker was if wasn’t for modern primaries.
Second, I rather like smokers doing it outside.
Personally my general inclination is to agree with pretty much all of this sentiment, but to play devil’s advocate you leave out the third scenario which keeps me and presumably snowthx up at night:
The Second Decade of the 21st century was the turning point for the United States transformation from a thriving Democracy to the Corrupt one party Oligarchy it would remain until they were deposed on the bloody water riots of 2167. The Republican party out maneuvered the Democrats using disinformation and exploiting cracks in the system to seize the reins of power, while the Democrats watched helplessly relying on their faith in traditional checks and balances that no longer applied.
True and valid, I have no problem with that either and for the record – that is also most of what keeps me up at night. Two points however-
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It is possible to go to war without committing war crimes. Wish we lived in a time when this was far from a consideration, but we don’t. If we must battle, if war is required, should we not strive to fight our battles with morality and honor and grace?
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Working to vote out the few moral Republicans that did stand up to Trump and did vote for impeachment is the exact opposite fighting the MAGA crowd! It is a cynical and short-sighted way to be pawns in the MAGA movement. By encouraging more radical and misguided candidates (simply because those candidates might be easier to defeat in the general) is quite truly the opposite of our goals for a reasonable and moderate opposition party.
To my mind (and this is far from a perfect metaphor) this sounds like someone saying they are raping a woman because he loves her so much – or beating a child for his or her own good. No one gets to say “We want a truly fair and honest debate followed by reasonable compromise” if they are pulling dirty tricks themselves. The equivalent of: “Let us meet as statesmen and discuss our differences as well informed men and women of thought- not as barbarians” . . . while in the mean time breaking into their hotel rooms and short sheeting their beds.
I know it sounds very naive and idealistic. I came up the hard way on construction sites full of bullies and those who fought only for their own advantage. But if your methods do not match your goals – they seem unlikely to succeed. (On the other hand- there is a time to vigorously defend yourself. Just not every time you feel you are losing!)
As I said, by temperament I agree with you, and the fact that there are a lot of people like you and me among the Democratic base is also why getting down in the mud with Republcans won’t work for Democrats. While Republican voters thrive on liberal tears and will gladly turn a blind eye or even encourage unethical behavior to own the Dems, such behavior makes Democrats uncomfortable and will depress turnout eliminating the tactical advantage.
The disadvantage is what drives me to stay vigilant no matter what the other side pulls. I believe that Stacy Abrams showed that diligence is as powerful as unfair corruption in the previous cycle.
In the other thread we also agreed the Supreme Court has become just another partisan organization – but overall the courts are likely to help us recover when the other side cheats as long as we remain (close to) spotless ourselves. The Alex Jones trial is an example of this (as long as the amount stands). Nothing wrong with fighting hard – just with fighting dirty.
We do agree. I do not always live up to my ideals – but I do try to live by them or at least start out using them. Do you have a “most wanted” candidate from the other side? One thing I keep thinking as we roll closer to the general election is which races are more important – the state officials, or the senatorial candidates. As of now, they all seem winnable for Democrats but the state races seem more vital.
I think Mastriano in Pennsylvania and Finchem here in AZ are my top two feared Republicans. They would both be very dangerous if elected. But boy would I love to win every race in the senate.
Michelle Obama during the 2016 election: “When they go low, we go high.”
How did that turn out?
It arguably worked pretty well for Obama, at least. But then, he maybe didn’t have much of a choice, due to his race.
Obama wasn’t running in 2016.
Yeah, I know. I was saying that going high might have helped him a lot in 2004 and 2008, to combat racial stereotypes held by white voters. Maybe it didn’t help Hillary because she’s white, 
Has Tina Forte (R.), who’s running to represent New York’s 14th Congressional district, been mentioned yet? Didn’t show up in search.
AOC’s opponent.
Much fun.
Bad enough her toque namesake appears to be upsidedown.
She seems patriotic.
Classy, even.
A polished and refined sophisticate without doubt. Perhaps she should be the poet laureate rather than a run of the mill congressperson. A woman of her exquisite taste and lyrical cadence is rarity, there are very few women who can make the likes of Lauren Bobert and Empty Greene seem - - - adequate?
Perhaps, after all, the right has a point with regard to the always present slippery slope. It starts off when you nominate Sarah Palin for a office she is woefully unprepared to fill → Trump → Boebert & Greene (which sounds like a boutique health spa where all the personal trainers carry sidearms . . . as well as AR-15’s??) and that leads to Tina Forte. Evan as a stone cold atheist, I do now, believe in The Apocalypse-- the only logical conclusion to many Republican Candidates in this election cycle.
Update: Final vote has been announced, Sheriff Joe lost by ~200 votes (2%) - 5420 to 5207. Could we finally be rid of the little troll for good?
Nah. I’m waiting for Ol’ Joe to rally his supporters to have an armed takeover of the Fountain Hills AZ town counsel chambers. Maybe force the city clerk at gunpoint to sign the papers certifying him as mayor, and set up a gallows in the town square.
This is how elections are supposed to work, right?
Only after his call to the county recorder to “Just find me 214 votes” fails. Or if he can’t find his opponent’s Kenyan birth certificate, not even the short form.
From AP article:
I’m sure none of us will be gobsmacked to see him challenging the results.
“I just want a litle information.” 
Because Republicans aren’t winning all the time.
“Many people are saying this election was rigged.”