His messaging was generally good. Mostly appeals to emotion but what little policy he had generally sounded like a step in the right direction.

But he also has no political background whatsoever and little to no activism/charitable footprint. All he ever was was "what he was saying" and... Fetterman got elected on a progressive platform and trump STILL talks about draining the swamp and stopping the Washington elites.

Nobody is saying we should only elect establishment politicians. But actually having a track record goes a long way whether that is in lower office or just a long, documented, history of activism.

Also, Smith-Rodriguez pulled out late last week (?) and is also a military veteran (no Blackwater tour though...) who had a VERY demsoc platform with actual plans and details. But she is a she and was driven out and, last I saw, endorsed Mills (?) because she was a victim of sexual assault during her time in the military and can't support someone like platner (even before totenkampf-gate...).

Because... it fucking sucks when the person you Believed in sucks. But that is why you pay attention and learn and adjust.