Thread by @NaomiKritzer

Dear Never-Trump Republicans:

It's understandable that, having watched your own party embrace actual fascism, you'd really like the Democrats to to embrace whatever it was you think the GOP used to stand for.

But we're going to pass, thanks.

Our party has never marched in lockstep. There are literal socialists and there are people who'd fit in fine in a saner version of the Republican party. And that's OK.

You can feel free to vote for, donate to, and work for Blue Dog Democrats -- there are plenty out there for you to support -- but your desperate desire to convince us that our party is DOOMED if we don't all turn into Colin Peterson (MN-07) is transparently self-serving.

(Here's a donation link for Colin Peterson, by the way! act.myngp.com/Forms/-2859777… -- I'm sure he'd appreciate your support.)

Where were you when the Republicans tried 54 times to repeal the ACA, a plan developed by a Republican think tank as an alternative to single-payer that would still get health insurance to most Americans?

Where were you when Mitch McConnell refused to allow a vote on Merrick Garland, violating every previously existing Senate norm?

Have you been with us on gerrymandering? Barack Obama's stimulus plan? DACA protections? Immigration reform?

If you weren't there working with us on the MANY issues that only became a political football because Mitch McConnell decided it was to the GOP's advantage to make them a political football, why on EARTH should we trust your advice?

You're telling us that to save America, Democrats should nominate Republicans.

This is a shamelessly self-serving demand and it won't work, anyway.

Democrats win when Democrats turn out, and Democrats are more likely to turn out for candidates who excite them.

And what that means varies dramatically by state and district, which is why I am so VERY cagey about even commenting about primary battles in other parts of the country. I have NO IDEA who's the best candidate for KS-04. I trust the Democrats in Kansas to figure that out.

If you can't stand the Democrat in your home district, FIND SOMEONE TO WORK FOR/DONATE TO WHO INSPIRES YOU. And then do it.

Because you are NOT WRONG that the Democrats need to win in 2018 if we are going to have any hope of saving our country.

And that means you might have to vote for someone who's further to the left than you'd like. Cry me a goddamn river.

Because you spent a decade ignoring your own party's slide into fascism.

If you want a center-right non-fascist party, then BUILD ONE.

Build one from scratch or get the hell to work and re-take the GOP. Figure out what your side stands for that isn't racism and demagoguery and re-build.

Don't expect to just coast into OUR tent and take over the mic.