I think we’re talking past each other but agreeing on the fundamentals. I’m approaching it from the angle of all government positions - absolutely if a progressive candidate has a chance to win any office from dog catcher to president, get them in so they can influence policy. But if they have no chance of winning, it’s just damage control.
Bernie didn’t win the presidency but still got some of his policies adopted by the president.
You don’t need to win to have influence.
I think we’re talking past each other but agreeing on the fundamentals. I’m approaching it from the angle of all government positions - absolutely if a progressive candidate has a chance to win any office from dog catcher to president, get them in so they can influence policy. But if they have no chance of winning, it’s just damage control.
Short term, yes. Long term losers can have more impact than you are crediting.
That’s fair.