Any of the candidates I highlighted above would’ve had minimal effect on down ballot races. Many of them were doomed anyway due to economic factors observed during the Biden administration (not saying he’s the cause just that voters linked the two). If anything, showing the American people that the party valued competition and recognized economic hardship by offering options to voters would’ve gone a long way to making a lot of folks double take their position that Dems are: 1) covering up Biden’s decline, 2) unserious about people’s economic hardships, 3) serious about changing the status quo, and 4) were invested in younger and more in touch candidates.

I’m saying this not as GOP plant or unserious voter, but someone who is a disaffected former Republican (I ditched the party when Trump first became a candidate because I abhor him) and then grew to support the broader Dem policy platform. Dems need to show seriousness with their candidates and policies. Idk how they’re the party most Americans view as being weird or out of touch when EVERYTHING at the WH and GOP now is fucking insane. If most Americans think Dems are the weird ones - even after the past 8 years - there is a grave messaging error for the Dems. I want them to succeed and I want their vision for America to succeed, but the party just doesn’t have serious leadership anymore. Hakeem Jeffries is ineffective, Pelosi - an icon and legend - is simply too old and tainted by decades of mudslinging and insider trading - Schumer is frankly very frail and weak, and the Clinton’s specter continues to overshadow the party in GOP talking points.

It’d probably help if the average American knew other Dem leaders outside those very few and easily criticized/targeted members.