Democrats are clearly more sensitive than Republicans to transgender persons, which means on its face only that they aren't bullies and cynical exploiters.

But Democrats aren't doing transgender persons any good by veering so far left of the American mainstream in transgender defense and advocacy that they lose elections that give tragic rise to a Republican demagogue and wannabe tyrant like Donald Trump.

Major social movements in America tend to go through periods of political exploitation by opponents and political finesse by those expected to be supportive, and who eventually will be supportive--after it's safe. Political races aren't won by setting the pace. They're won by smart pacing.

Successful politicians know better than to get out ahead of a social movement. Consider three politically talented Democratic presidents.

John F. Kennedy and his brother attorney general didn't pass the Civil Rights Act. They wanted to manage the race issue in the South at least........

© El Dorado News Times