I think this election says one thing very loudly, Howard Dean's 50 state strategy is a winning

[still_one]

strategy

[LisaM]

1. Yes.

Abandoning that never made sense to me.

[eleny]

2. He's come to mind so often over the years for this very reason

He knew. We lost too many elections because the Party didn't listen to the obvious wisdom of it.

[RHMerriman]

3. True that...

Pick your battles, but don't let your enemies EVER have a sanctuary.

[herding cats]

4. I agree, with one important caveat.

Each race is individual. There is no one size fits all strategy. This was a huge part of Dean's concept, but it's been forgotten by many now. All politics is local. Work that angle where you are and don't fall into the myth of local races being national. They're not and never will be. Do you and be someone your local constituency can relate to.

[Blue_true]

5. How does that strategy get executed with primaries a reality.

The primary base of both parties lean toward the extreme (Dems way less than repugs). So the most extreme candidate may get nominated and that candidate may be out of step with the General Election voters.