Progressive Challenge

I have begun something on social media just this evening. It is something I call the Progressive Challenge. It’s really simple. I post one question at a time, asking respondents to post an exact quote as to what their preferred candidate has to say on a specific subject. No opinions, no assumptions, no beliefs. Just exact quotes.

Thus far, I have asked what candidates have to say about pardoning (dropping charges) against Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning. Another post asked what their candidate has to say about meeting with other leaders with whom they do not agree.

The only response with a quote before I left for work has been someone who quoted Tulsi Gabbard. Otherwise, every single response I have received has been attempt after attempt to change the subject. Or to ask something like, “Do you think she can win?”

I’ve responded to this before by way of articles explaining that Tulsi is the most likely to unite people across party lines. After all, she truly is the only one who is even attempting or suggesting reaching across party lines while also standing by her values. Yes, the only one.

The literal goal of this series of posts is not demeaning or invalidating any candidate. The goal intended is to encourage people to stop assuming anything and look directly at what their candidate has stated in real words. You cannot assume that any candidate supports a specific issue or has a certain stance because you “have faith” in them.