I'm all for unity, and building a coalition where it exists, but let's not pretend the center left doesn't villify leftists when they attempt electoralism as well. More Sanders voters came through for Hillary and Biden than Hillary voters came through for Obama and in many sectors are treated they are treated like lepers. Left wing incumbents are being targeted by aggressive dark money campaigns by outside groups and the DNC barely says a peep in the incumbents defense. I won't relitigate 2016, but the DNC should not be partisan in an open primary, you'll drive away voters you need. Let's also not pretend that the reticence to pursue certain progressive ideas around healthcare, campaign finance, college affordability and taxes which are widely popular (kudos for biden on his tax messaging) are not sometimes blatant favors towards corporate interests. Real reform is unlikely to pass, it would be real easy to throw the left a bone by pushing for a GOOD bill that won't pass rather than a watered down bill that pleases noone that also won't pass. Messaging is how you build coalitions and dems have to get better at it (Again Biden is better at this than previous presidents at least in my lifetime). Simple, understandable programs that benefit all Americans, you can get everyone excited that way, I have a masters in public affairs, I love a good contingent clause, but they don't get less tuned in voters excited.
We should also agree that Universal programs vs means testing is a legitimate debate without insinuating that either side is racist or disingenuous, or a shill for holding their view, most leftists believe truly universal programs would disproportionately benefit the least fortunate, people of color most of all, be more durable electorally, and have a wider constituency to pass. Don't pretend as many liberals that just because Democrats do something a certain way that it is the best or most efficacious way. Just because a program benefits Appalachia as well doesn't make it bad, or mean we are trying to siphon support away from minorities, whom the majority of leftists genuinely care about just as much as liberals. I've literally been called a racist who hates inner city kids because I believe in Free College for all, it doesn't help the disposition towards those slandering us. The left used to have lots of success in the midwest and the plains, the godfather of American Socialism is from my state in Indiana, it isn't anathema to think we should try to chip away at these voters as well, as backwards as some of them can be I can tell you I have seen quite a bit of success in canvassing these area pushing a jobs and Unions agenda, it may not win put over the cultural issues at this moment, but we could expand the map and put several states into more comfortable territory with the right lunchpail socialism agenda.
Finally most left people vote democratic anyhow, the surest way to threaten that is to constantly attack them for expressing dissatisfaction with the Democrats. Calling people nasty names, insinuating they are ignorant, Trump supporters, especially when their criticism is usually correct is the best way to cause people to stay home. It seems that often excuses are made for every class of voter for not voting Democrat except leftists, who perhaps because people believe they are more tuned in politically or because they have nowhere else to go are taken for granted again and again. Voting is a personal choice and dems sabotage themselves by trying to bully people into voting their way, people that believe they have principle won't react well to it. If you really want those people treat them as if they are important rhetorically, it doesn't take much, just don't pull a Hillary and all but say fuck you.
Just a few thoughts from a New Deal lefty who has probably been employed democratic on campaigns and PACs and interest groups than 99 percent people, and who has held my nose dutifully at times for the Blue teams
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