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I've seen the following cycle play out a million times: 1. Progressives implement some well-meaning but flawed attempt to address a problem. 2. "Centrists" attack the flaws, with the intention of replacing it with something better. 3. RW media amplifies the attacks, creating a media din. ...

I've also seen this from the left inward. The ACA is the classic example; it was a significant step forward that was meant to be built upon, but it was not what the left wanted so it was declared worse than nothing by people who should know better.

Paul Krugman wrote many explanations of the “3-legged stool” Obamacare was built on, and why it was basically the only possible solution given political realities. (Possible exception was the stillborn Public Option, which IIRC was killed by Manchin?)