Like about 65 percent of Americans, I was relieved by the Democratic victories in the midterm elections. Various commentators are pushing their favorite explanations for what Democrats did to reverse the historical trend of Congressional members of a first-term President’s party losing their elections. Some commentators posit that Democrats were able to turn the election from focusing on economic issues like inflation to cultural issues like abortion and democracy. Other pundits’ explanations stress the low quality and extremism of the Republican candidates.
Explaining this reversal is essential. But another question is even more critical. Considering the Democrats’ accomplishments compared to the Republicans’ blunders, how could Republicans continue to be competitive against the Democrats? Republicans were implicated in an insurrection against our government, campaigned without an agenda, and promised to end Social Security and Medicare as we know it. Democrats passed milestone safety-net legislation, such as the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act. In addition, Democrats passed an Infrastructure Bill, a CHIPS Act, to increase U.S. semiconductor manufacturing and aid to Ukraine to boost democracy in Europe.
Republicans do not have any governing ideas. The purpose of the Republican Party has become to stop any idea that will improve the quality of life for Americans. Republicans reject addressing the problems confronting us, such as healthcare, climate change, immigration, and inflation (the lowest in the industrialized world). Their purpose is to upend the possibility of a governing majority by splitting the Democratic coalition that includes independent voters. If Republicans successfully stifle effective governance, citizens may sour on democracy and turn to authoritarianism. Of course, Republican donors are willing to fund Republicans to ensure their taxes remain low.
The Democratic victories in the midterms are gratifying. Republicans were competitive in the midterms because they were able to raise funds from ultra-rich donors. Democrats could reverse the historical trend of the President’s party losing Congressional members by returning to a 50-state campaign strategy and shunning broadcast advertising in favor of on-the-ground organizing. Democrats also strategically promoted the weakest candidates in the Republican primaries to face them in the general elections. Most importantly, the Democratic base was energized and showed up because the Supreme Court overturned Roe and democracy was on the ballot. When the Democratic base shows up, Democrats tend to win.
Nonetheless, until independents, and perhaps, some Republicans, learn over the next two years that Republicans have nothing to offer. We will face another election in which democracy is on the ballot. Unless we develop a more persuasive approach to offsetting Republican efforts to turn this country to authoritarianism, they may eventually hit a long shot.
Explaining this reversal is essential. But another question is even more critical. Considering the Democrats’ accomplishments compared to the Republicans’ blunders, how could Republicans continue to be competitive against the Democrats? Republicans were implicated in an insurrection against our government, campaigned without an agenda, and promised to end Social Security and Medicare as we know it. Democrats passed milestone safety-net legislation, such as the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act. In addition, Democrats passed an Infrastructure Bill, a CHIPS Act, to increase U.S. semiconductor manufacturing and aid to Ukraine to boost democracy in Europe.
Republicans do not have any governing ideas. The purpose of the Republican Party has become to stop any idea that will improve the quality of life for Americans. Republicans reject addressing the problems confronting us, such as healthcare, climate change, immigration, and inflation (the lowest in the industrialized world). Their purpose is to upend the possibility of a governing majority by splitting the Democratic coalition that includes independent voters. If Republicans successfully stifle effective governance, citizens may sour on democracy and turn to authoritarianism. Of course, Republican donors are willing to fund Republicans to ensure their taxes remain low.
The Democratic victories in the midterms are gratifying. Republicans were competitive in the midterms because they were able to raise funds from ultra-rich donors. Democrats could reverse the historical trend of the President’s party losing Congressional members by returning to a 50-state campaign strategy and shunning broadcast advertising in favor of on-the-ground organizing. Democrats also strategically promoted the weakest candidates in the Republican primaries to face them in the general elections. Most importantly, the Democratic base was energized and showed up because the Supreme Court overturned Roe and democracy was on the ballot. When the Democratic base shows up, Democrats tend to win.
Nonetheless, until independents, and perhaps, some Republicans, learn over the next two years that Republicans have nothing to offer. We will face another election in which democracy is on the ballot. Unless we develop a more persuasive approach to offsetting Republican efforts to turn this country to authoritarianism, they may eventually hit a long shot.