Democrats Win Big. Now What?
Four big questions face the Democrats in the wake of their historic midterm sweep.
Congratulations, Big Blue!
The Democrats stomped the balls off the GOP last night to retake the House and Senate. This morning, the country faces four big questions:
- How much damage can Trump do by swearing-in day?
- Will he attempt another coup?
- If so, will he succeed?
If the answers are not as much as we feared, no, and no, then:
- What will the Democratic Party do with their big win?
2028 isn’t guaranteed. And the rise of Trump was made possible by some clear factors the Dems need to address. If not, fascism will be back in power eventually.
I don’t think I have anything terribly new to say, but I would encourage party leaders to start with the following:
- Make feeding, housing, educating, employing, and securing healthcare for all Americans a priority. ALL Americans.
- Make securing the electoral and judicial processes a priority.
- Address the obscene income inequality that’s eroding the economy.
- Rethink support for genocide and the regimes that execute it.
- Declare a moratorium on stupid, counterproductive military adventures.
- Establish and enforce ethical codes for all public officials.
(Here’s a fuller discussion if you have a few spare minutes.)
Of course, I’m getting ahead of myself. For two years, the main job is going to be keeping Trump in check and fighting a difficult PR battle. You can’t solve the nation’s problems with a veto machine in the White House, so you have to make clear, anytime there’s a camera or a microphone in the neighborhood, what the process is. Explain your victories. Explain the headwinds you face, and never, ever, ever stop blaming everything on Trump.
He happened because Democrats spent 45 years or more being Republican-lite, following the GOP in its rapid march to the right. In recent months, they have exhibited more concern over the progressive wing of the party than they have over the GOP.
Democracy and our national well-being lie to the left, not the right.
Celebrate today, then get to work.
