At the very least we should have at least gotten the candidate who might've gotten swing voters who rather incorrectly think they are moderate when most people who are asked solely about policy positions on social and economic issues (without bringing up left/right conservative/liberal etc.) are more likely to agree with the "far left" of the Democratic party than not....
Here is an article with links to polls (many of which are less than 5 years old).
Don’t believe it? Check out these polls.
prospect.org
I just provided information on polls related to Money in politics and the minimum wage.... there are also polls on education climate change etc.
The only area I have noticed where people tend to be conservative on policy is the death penalty....
Just going for the swing voters instead of "moderate republicans" would likely (imho) have been enough to beat Trump in 2016 (In the Electoral College Mr. Doofus who will want to mention the popular vote margin... which happens to be oddly similar to the margin that Trump lost CA by in 2016)....
The Democratic Party contrary to what some hardcore conservatives believe would do well enough ignoring the conservative base and go for the swing voters who may for a Democratic or Republican candidate just depending on who the candidates are by daring to go a little more left than usual.
But somehow people who have influence in campaigns just think being even going a little more left than is in their comfort zone will lose in the general election... and they gave Trump a way into an Electoral Victory.
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*edited to fix glaring grammar error*