"they're going to call you socialist no matter what, so just do the right thing" is important. it's also important for candidates to talk *with* constituents, to convince them that what you think is right is right for them. you may know best but voters don't like being told that.

making voters feel like they're actually being represented, instead of being handled by someone who claims to know their needs better than they do, is crucial to being a good representative. that's what the job title is. you're not a parent, you're a representative.

progressivism is great but if the people in your district have no idea what's going on and don't understand the reasons why your policies are better than policies they've been raised and indoctrinated with, they're not going to like you. it's not their fault for being uninformed.

in an ideal world, voters would be nuanced and informed on candidates. but we don't live in an ideal world, so you have to put in the work to meet voters where they are in a way that is *accessible* and *inclusive*. that's how you build a government by the people, for the people.