A Step By Step Guide For The Democrats To Win Again
The Democratic Party is going to need to shake up some things in order to regain political power. Granted, it will take a lot of money, but otherwise, these are clear steps.
1.) Run Competatively. Even if a state like Alabama or Texas isn't likely to vote Democrat, we need to invest in candidates in those states as much as we invest in candidates in California or New York. Remember, in Georgia's 6th Congressional District, the Democratic Party spent upwards of $30 Million dollars and lost by 3.5 percentage points. Meanwhile in Montana and South Carolina, the party only spent $340,000 and $275,000, respectively. The party lost in Montana by 6 points and in South Carolina by 3.4 points. Though throwing copious amounts of money doesn't always win an election, imagine if we invested just a little more money (and time) in Montana and South Carolina.
2.) Run At Every Level. The Democratic Party only controls 16/50 Governorships, 18/49 State Houses, and 13/49 State Senates (Nebraska has a unicameral, non partisan state legislature). In all, Democrats have 6 state trifectas (where they control the Governorship and both state legislatures), while the Republicans have 24 state trifectas. Without control of our state governments, we can be sure that we will be kept out of control through Republican gerrymandering for years to come. Furthermore, unless this changes, we can expect more peeling away of laws protecting the right to choose and civil rights, and the passing of right to work laws.
3.) Run Boldly. Donald Trump, his administration, and this Congress have given the party some great fodder to run on in 2018 and in 2020. Trumpcare (or Wealthcare as Jon Favreau calls it), tax cuts for the rich, repeal of environmental and financial regulations, and of course, Russia. We should use all of these things to our advantage. However, we should not run on them exclusively. Though the party has endless material to show who the Republicans really are, the party needs to run on their own platform. Which brings me to my next point:
4.) Run On A Strong Economic Platform. There are a lot of angry people in our country, and they are rightfully angry because they have been left behind economically. We need to get back to our roots as Democrats and fight for things like stronger labor unions, a higher minimum wage, affordable college education, universal health care - all things that will make a real difference in the lives of everyday people. Incomes have only risen due to inflation. People have not had a real pay raise in 40 years. They struggle to make ends meet. When the Great Depression hit, we were the party of the working class and we strived to make it easier for people to get to the middle class. It kept the Democrats in Congress for almost 40 years and a Republican out of the White House from 1933-1953, and again from 1961-1969. People need to be constantly reminded that it was Democrats that passed child labor laws, the minimum wage, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, etc. and that its Democrats who can continue this grand tradition of sticking up for everyone rather than a few billionaires.
5.) No More Purity Tests. One problem with 2016 was the demand for purity. Many of us Sanders supporters had too high expectations of Hillary Clinton that many decided not to vote, or worse, vote for Donald Trump. Hillary Clinton was no saint, but by a landslide, she was the better person for the job between herself and Donald Trump. Though I swallowed my pride and voted for Hillary Clinton, I am guilty of demanding such purity. Clinton's emails were nothing compared to the desecration of our constitution by Donald Trump, whether he's violating the emoluments clause or trying to stifle civil rights. And though she was not as left as I would have prefered her to be, at the end of the day, she was still to the left. Donald Trump at the end of the day is still a fascist.
6.) Socially, Be A Big Tent. Our party has made great strides in reproductive choice, LGBT rights, and civil rights in general. We must continue towards this path, however, we should not shun those among us who may not be pro-choice or pro-marriage equality. Give them some time, because people do change their views. That has become apparent with marriage-equality and recreational marijuana. Furthermore, while these issues are utterly important, at the end of the day, what people are most concerned about is how they're going to pay their bills. If anything, we should be more accepting of those who may not fall into line in regards to social issues, so long as they are strong about making the lives of families and working people and the lives of everyone in general easier; and so long as they are not homophobic or racist or transphobic, etc.
7.) Find A Good Candidate For 2020. I do not want to see Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders run for President ever again. They both had their chance and they blew it. They lost. Period. However, because of the infighting within the party, we need candidates that can appeal to both the Clinton wing and Sanders wing of the party. Someone who is just left enough of Clinton that can attract Sanders voters, but right enough of Sanders that can attract Clinton voters. On top of that, we need someone that is charismatic and in touch with everyday people. Some names that come to my mind include Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, and Jeff Merkley among other people. More on them and other possible candidates in another article.
8.) Finally, Do Not Lose Hope. There have been several times where we've been locked out of the Presidency. Since 1860, Democrats have been out of office for a total of 89 out of 157 years, and counting. However, we're talking about getting back into power in our Congress within the next 2 years, and the Presidency within the next 4. With our heads facing forward, with these steps, and hard work, sacrifice, and humility, we can do it. Do not lose hope.
*If you think there are other steps to be taken, please feel free to comment. Perhaps I will add them into this piece later on.
1.) Run Competatively. Even if a state like Alabama or Texas isn't likely to vote Democrat, we need to invest in candidates in those states as much as we invest in candidates in California or New York. Remember, in Georgia's 6th Congressional District, the Democratic Party spent upwards of $30 Million dollars and lost by 3.5 percentage points. Meanwhile in Montana and South Carolina, the party only spent $340,000 and $275,000, respectively. The party lost in Montana by 6 points and in South Carolina by 3.4 points. Though throwing copious amounts of money doesn't always win an election, imagine if we invested just a little more money (and time) in Montana and South Carolina.
2.) Run At Every Level. The Democratic Party only controls 16/50 Governorships, 18/49 State Houses, and 13/49 State Senates (Nebraska has a unicameral, non partisan state legislature). In all, Democrats have 6 state trifectas (where they control the Governorship and both state legislatures), while the Republicans have 24 state trifectas. Without control of our state governments, we can be sure that we will be kept out of control through Republican gerrymandering for years to come. Furthermore, unless this changes, we can expect more peeling away of laws protecting the right to choose and civil rights, and the passing of right to work laws.
3.) Run Boldly. Donald Trump, his administration, and this Congress have given the party some great fodder to run on in 2018 and in 2020. Trumpcare (or Wealthcare as Jon Favreau calls it), tax cuts for the rich, repeal of environmental and financial regulations, and of course, Russia. We should use all of these things to our advantage. However, we should not run on them exclusively. Though the party has endless material to show who the Republicans really are, the party needs to run on their own platform. Which brings me to my next point:
4.) Run On A Strong Economic Platform. There are a lot of angry people in our country, and they are rightfully angry because they have been left behind economically. We need to get back to our roots as Democrats and fight for things like stronger labor unions, a higher minimum wage, affordable college education, universal health care - all things that will make a real difference in the lives of everyday people. Incomes have only risen due to inflation. People have not had a real pay raise in 40 years. They struggle to make ends meet. When the Great Depression hit, we were the party of the working class and we strived to make it easier for people to get to the middle class. It kept the Democrats in Congress for almost 40 years and a Republican out of the White House from 1933-1953, and again from 1961-1969. People need to be constantly reminded that it was Democrats that passed child labor laws, the minimum wage, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, etc. and that its Democrats who can continue this grand tradition of sticking up for everyone rather than a few billionaires.
5.) No More Purity Tests. One problem with 2016 was the demand for purity. Many of us Sanders supporters had too high expectations of Hillary Clinton that many decided not to vote, or worse, vote for Donald Trump. Hillary Clinton was no saint, but by a landslide, she was the better person for the job between herself and Donald Trump. Though I swallowed my pride and voted for Hillary Clinton, I am guilty of demanding such purity. Clinton's emails were nothing compared to the desecration of our constitution by Donald Trump, whether he's violating the emoluments clause or trying to stifle civil rights. And though she was not as left as I would have prefered her to be, at the end of the day, she was still to the left. Donald Trump at the end of the day is still a fascist.
6.) Socially, Be A Big Tent. Our party has made great strides in reproductive choice, LGBT rights, and civil rights in general. We must continue towards this path, however, we should not shun those among us who may not be pro-choice or pro-marriage equality. Give them some time, because people do change their views. That has become apparent with marriage-equality and recreational marijuana. Furthermore, while these issues are utterly important, at the end of the day, what people are most concerned about is how they're going to pay their bills. If anything, we should be more accepting of those who may not fall into line in regards to social issues, so long as they are strong about making the lives of families and working people and the lives of everyone in general easier; and so long as they are not homophobic or racist or transphobic, etc.
7.) Find A Good Candidate For 2020. I do not want to see Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders run for President ever again. They both had their chance and they blew it. They lost. Period. However, because of the infighting within the party, we need candidates that can appeal to both the Clinton wing and Sanders wing of the party. Someone who is just left enough of Clinton that can attract Sanders voters, but right enough of Sanders that can attract Clinton voters. On top of that, we need someone that is charismatic and in touch with everyday people. Some names that come to my mind include Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, and Jeff Merkley among other people. More on them and other possible candidates in another article.
8.) Finally, Do Not Lose Hope. There have been several times where we've been locked out of the Presidency. Since 1860, Democrats have been out of office for a total of 89 out of 157 years, and counting. However, we're talking about getting back into power in our Congress within the next 2 years, and the Presidency within the next 4. With our heads facing forward, with these steps, and hard work, sacrifice, and humility, we can do it. Do not lose hope.
*If you think there are other steps to be taken, please feel free to comment. Perhaps I will add them into this piece later on.
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