Issues that distract the voter from what is really happening.
I can't remember the last time MS-13, transtesticle bathrooms, DEI, critical race theory pinged my GARF (Give A Rat's Fart) meter. But it sells. I will give them that.
The thing is, just because a specific issue doesn't light up your GARF like a Christmas tree (and thanks for explaining the acronym; God only knows what I might have assumed it would be) doesn't mean it isn't lighting up the GARFs of a huge number of voters. It can be called a distraction all day long, but if this is what people are basing their voting decisions on, it is, in fact, a legitimate issue considering the outcome.
More to the point, dying on that particular hill will have consequences in future elections as well. Old school liberals like Maher and Stewart are beyond frustrated that so many Dems are digging in their heels on these exact issues, particularly since it will lead to pretty predictable outcomes. I don't know what DNC strategists are actually doing, but if I'm a Dem, I'm thinking they are getting way overpaid.