I think our presidential candidate should use the bully pulpit provided by their position as flagbearer of the Democratic party mostly to persuade voters that the Democratic party has better policy aims than the Republicans.
If the opponent is as vulnerable as Donald Trump, by all means spend a little time attacking them for lack of qualifications and/or character defects etcetera.
But mostly spend precious presidential campaign resources emphasizing that Democratic policy goals are much better than those of the Republican party. Attack the Republican goals as being less beneficial to the country, less good for quality of life, less good for the economy, less good for providing jobs and income growth.
Campaigning as an advocate for the Democratic party (rather than as an advocate for one's own qualities) has the huge advantage of giving coat tail support to all other Democrats down ballot in the federal elections.
I have said it before. Campaign as a party, and not as a bunch of disparate individuals. Have a well designed central message that all candidates use, along with their own specialized message adapted to their local constituency.
By all means disparage weaknesses of opponents. But don't make this the centerpiece of your campaign. This is where Hillary’s advisers failed, in my opinion.
UPDATE: For sure, Hillary would have cruised to victory but for that cosmic a-hole known as James Comey. But if she had emphasized the superiority of Democratic policies, I believe she would have won despite the interference of the FBI director.
