they are examples of things that logically sound like theyd work one way. but turn out to work differently when actually put into practice (and the reasons they work out that way turn out be really logical in hindsight lol).

'progressives' (who tend to have the most traction in already blue districts) have lost winnable primaries when independents (who lean more right to dems) and republicans vote in the dem primary for the candidate they can stomach the most.

and ranked choice voting usually makes more people vote for the safe or least extreme/polarizing candidate with their 2nd, 3rd, etc choice.

the majority of voters exist closer to the middle. 'progressives' are further away from the middle. its a simple math issue that 'progressives' need to come to grips with and adjust to.

the best way for progressives to win is to run races that are strategically fit to their specific constituents and appeal to the widest coalition/range of voters while costing them the least votes. which requires moderation on some issues that invite more demographics into your tent.

its such an easy fix and the simplest gameplan to successful democratic politics. and its also the one thing a lot of 'progressives' refuse to do.

its baffling.