“Vote Blue No Matter Who”?

Slogans Should Be Pragmatic

The “Vote Blue No Matter Who” slogan just baffles me. I’m not talking about the merits or drawbacks of voting a straight ticket; that’s another article — or book. It’s the psychology of the slogan that makes my head spin.

What Is the Spirit?

“Vote Blue No Matter Who” is an order. It’s not “Let’s” or “We” or even “I’m”; it is the implied “You” who is told to obey. That’s just bad psychology. Whoever repeats the slogan is implying that “I vote for the good guys but you don’t. Get with the program. Don’t be stupid. Don’t do what you’re doing. Do what I’m doing.”

The tone is demeaning, condescending. It is also mindless. It tells someone whose political involvement is rooted in moral principles to not even think about specific policies of candidates; just assume their policies are superior because they’re Democrats.

That tone is self-defeating, counter-productive. It’s a spirit that drives people farther away instead of drawing them closer.

Who Is the Target?

“Vote Blue No Matter Who” targets voters who have doubts about a Democratic candidate. In this election cycle, that target is Progressives — primarily Bernie Sanders supporters. Exactly who are these people? They are people…