We Democrats are in a Bad Place Electorally

The smallest shift in the Republicans favor and we're in a world of hurt

President Joe Biden on Wednesday projected confidence in the country's direction after the midterm elections, responding "nothing" when asked what he will do differently in the next two years.

You know, losing the House by a little instead of by a lot was a pleasant surprise. But the bottom line is, we still lost the House. How on earth is losing an argument for no changes?

Yes 5,000 - 10,000 votes different across a number of races would have meant a Democratic majority in the House. But 5,000 - 10,000 votes different across the close Democratic wins would have meant a sizeable Republican majority in the House.

In addition, clearly all the Republicans need to do to get majorities, governorships, state legislatures, etc. is stop nominating people who are clearly crazy. That’s not a difficult change. And we Democrats have no control over it.

Take the Wisconsin Senate race. It was very winnable for us Democrats if we had nominated someone moderate. Hell we could have nominated someone comfortably progressive. But instead we nominated someone very very liberal, someone who got strong approval from the costal elite of the party. And the voters said they would take the devil they knew over the Democratic elite wet dream.

Yes the Democratic party is increasing its share of the highly educated and the young. But we’re losing voters in every other demographic. Hemorrhaging them in many places. And even if that is a durable majority, and it isn’t, it’s not enough to effect significant change on a long term basis.

The Democratic party needs to reel it back in. I think the biggest thing is people need to realize cultural change takes time. And trying to shove it down people’s throats causing them to resist, not listen and maybe accept it.

So enough with pronouns, trigger words, defunding the police, open borders, etc. Instead treat people with respect and work to show others by example how they might want to adjust what they say. Instead of defunding the police, discuss how to reduce crime which should include funding for mental health professionals to assist the police. Work on how to make our handling of people at the border more effective and humane.

If the voters think the Democrats are not focused on their concerns, then they’ll go to the Republicans who are focused on those concerns. Granted, they’re proposing really bad solutions, but they’re focused on what the voters care about.

And the Democrats cannot be a party representing all of the country if it is not also the party of the working class. Fine if it’s only 48% of the working class, but it’s not ok if it’s only 30% of the working class. That is not a party with a durable majority and that is not a party that can bring the whole country with them.