This has been the liberal strategy employed by Dems for at least 30 years now - “vote for me because at least I’m not as terrible as my Republican opponent.” This has many downsides, including overall lack of messaging capability by Dems, no direction by Dems, and ratchet effect pulling the Overton window completely off the right side of the scale.

Now, we’re starting to see something new. I am not familiar with Long so can’t speak to his campaign specifically, however many young dems have been making significant inroads by embracing socialism, analyzing the vast shortcomings of American day to day material living conditions, and running on a platform specifically targeted to help working class people’s lives be better. This resonates with many voters and if more Dems catch on to this and pursue populist policies in earnest, there will be a massive reckoning coming as a political sea change in the next few years.

However, if it’s more campaigns of “orange man bad,” Dems will once again snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. We already know the guy is a rapist, a grifter, and a convicted felon. What are you going to do differently that is better? This is the question every reporter should be asking if they want to be considered an actual journalist.