Getting the abstainers back to the polls-lectures and browbeating won't do it.

[Ken Burch]

Put simply, we have to WIN them back.

We can't JUST say "you OWE it to us" or "It's YOUR duty". No one OWES any party their vote.

They CAN be won back. And it's worth trying.

In fact, it HAS to be done.

But bashing them can never win them back.

Attacking them can never win them back.

Treating them as traitors can never win them back.

So check the spite when it comes to them.

Listen to them, and find out what they actually WANT.

Positive approaches work. Anger and recrimination don't.

Is that so hard?

[Ken Burch]

1. I DON'T agree with their choice to abstain. Obviously, they shouldn't have

But clearly chewing them out can't help, emotionally satisfying as it may be to some on the right wing of DU.

[BeFree]

2. Sure, whatever works

But when a middler cruises DU and sees us bashing the Democrat of the day
what do you think they think? That they can't wait to get involved?

The politically celibate are attracted to the pubbies who lockstep fight the opposition - us.
It has to be more fun and less frustrating than watching us air our dirty laundry.

And while they lie and obfuscate, we tell the hard truths - mostly.
Most people don't want the truth - they want to be told what they want to hear.

We can be such a drag for them. Eh?

[Naturyl]

3. Apparently pretty hard

Considering I am STILL being harassed over my OP from Tuesday explaining why I stayed home. LOL.

[BeFree]

5. Why?

[Naturyl]

9. See the thread, here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x9444569

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. Those recriminating do not understand the basic

reality of the US System.

We literally have to mobilize cadres and create coalitions every two years in 51 states. Yep, re-read this...

IF you do not do this (professional left comments don't help), then those cadres will not be mobilized.

If they want to change this, chiding will not work.

There are two choices.

You create a civic culture were voting is something you do... for the record we do not have this culture, and it will take at least a generation.

Or you make it mandatory...

That's it.

Otherwise LEARN to fucking work with the system

[Generator]

6. Maybe standing for something would help

Just read the mods view that a Democrat on this board has to stand for nothing. That's the moderation that became of DU. Obama is not our friend. We have been had. And Du's owners and rulers like Obama stand for nothing. There are great people here and great Democrats in office. But no leaders that stand for anything-watch my words Obama will stab Pelosi in the back. He is the enemy of the Democratic party.

[Ken Burch]

7. You're right. Standing for something WOULD help.

n/t.

[struggle4progress]

8. .

:kick: