Earlier in this series, we talked about Eeyore volunteers. Even as a non-volunteer, if you’re cheering a campaign from the sidelines, Eeyore-isms can be a problem. Don’t be an Eeyore.
Your efforts in activism are about sending out a positive social message and helping to build an operational base for candidates. Eeyore volunteers—those who are always either gloomy, doubting, or second-guessing every action you take—can be a drain on your resources. If you find that you have too many Eeyores, you’ll quickly drain the interest of members, because they don’t want to be assigned to an activity or task with someone who is constantly negative about potential outcomes.
The same is true of anyone who works for a Democratic cause, blogs about it, writes on Facebook about it. It is okay to offer some constructive criticism when you are rooting for a candidate. At a certain point, though, if you are busy prognosticating doom and gloom, or you are actively advocating in a way that depresses the vote, then you can do more damage than any Republican mailing or attack. The people you communicate with are, if you read Daily Kos, likely Democratic voters. Spending your time feeding into voter-suppression rhetoric is incredibly harmful.
Fans actually matter
Recent discussions about candidates have lobbed criticism at them because their supporters are “just fans.” When it comes to politics, though, it is A-OK to be a fan. It’s great to be excited by a candidate and like their policy proposals, or just like them as a person. There is nothing wrong with being a fan. And unlike in sports, music, or theater, say, political fans get to cast votes that help change the way our country, states, and cities operate.
It is great to share love for your candidate, to let people know why you support Democratic causes. Stay informed about what your candidate and other candidates are doing. With big fields in our presidential races and smaller fields down the ballot, instead of focusing on tearing down any candidate, spend your time building up whomever you support.
Words you say now about any candidate that are final “I’d never consider them” statements are things that will be remembered later and used against them if they move past the primaries, but support for your candidate—no matter where they end up — will serve them and you as election season moves forward.
For local candidates, you’re also going to find that the less time you spend worrying about negatives and the more time you spend promoting the positives of your candidate, the better.
Next Week: Mistakes I thought I’d never see again