🎧 The Myth of the Perfect Candidate takes aim at one of the most dangerous illusions in American politics: that the right person, with the right résumé and flawless message, can save us. Spoiler — they can’t.
In this episode, we break down how the obsession with “perfect candidates” keeps Democrats stuck in cycles of disappointment, overlooking the messier reality of organizing, coalition-building, and showing up where it matters most. From viral darlings who flame out to seasoned insiders who miss the moment, we ask why our movement keeps chasing unicorns instead of investing in the imperfect but authentic leaders who actually build power.
👉 The takeaway? Politics isn’t about finding saviors. It’s about building movements. And until we stop searching for “perfect,” we’ll keep missing what’s possible.
By the Ballot is an opinion series published on Substack. All views expressed are solely those of the author and should not be interpreted as reporting or objective journalism or attributed to any other individual or organization. I am not a journalist or reporter, nor do I claim to be one. This publication represents personal commentary, analysis, and opinion only.
