"Conventional Wisdom"

I think this "conventional wisdom" was always self-serving nonsense designed to please the donor class, and the broader class of people served by their donations.

NEW: Polling of 18 Cook-rated toss-up districts shatters conventional wisdom about how to win in a swing district.

Independents *and* moderates want outsider candidates who will stand up to the political establishment.

The middle of the road is where you get run over. pic.twitter.com/oVQl3SypV8

— Ravi Mangla (@ravi_mangla) July 31, 2026

These people win in wave elections -  Rahm Emanuel is a genius! - and then lose when the wave goes out.

Most candidate recruitment focuses on this type, so they are most of the wins! (And then losses).