I agree with you about the risk-taking part, they should give voters something to vote for, a specific impactful policy to fight for. But I do think there’s a risk here, and not the normal “scaring people off with socialism” concern. I think the extreme nature of this runoff has some weird implications for Georgians. On the on hand, everyone now has to pay attention to Georgia and their constituents. Including all the people who have been neglected and ignored by political establishments, particularly low income people and Black people. Meanwhile, Abrams work to enfranchise voters has helped to break down barriers and build trust in the power of voting. I think Georgians are going into this election knowing that their vote is absolutely critical to both parties.

However, I think it’s also crucial to remember that non-voters, more predominantly poor people and Black people, are pretty justified when they feel apathetic towards their vote. If you promise them the sky (even if the sky is what they deserve) they are going to see right through you, and likely feel taken advantage of just to give you power. Especially when coming off an election where Black people were instrumental to securing the presidency for Democrats, but were never offered much besides not being the wannabe racist dictator. This is the republican advantage, their base is voting against other people, so they don’t need to make promises, and they don’t need to appear sincere to win.

Honestly if I was a Georgian, watching how other Americans are talking about this election would probably make me resentful. I would still vote Democrat, because the Republicans are demonstrably worse and they wield the Senate with cartoonish evil and greed, and it’s pretty clear that I am worthless to Republicans. But it’s still a balancing act between giving people something to vote for, and not being so over the top that they think you are using them and don’t vote at all.