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Discussion » Questions » Politics » How much should the Democratic Party be concerned for its future?

How much should the Democratic Party be concerned for its future?

In addition to Donald Trump's win, establishment Republicans actually outperformed him in down-ballot races across the country. In the crucial swing states of Florida and Ohio, Senators Marco Rubio and Rob Portman both doubled Trump's margin in their victories. Even more bad numbers to be considered are the GOP won 21 Senate seats to the Democrats' 12, took control of 33 governorships to the Dems' 15, and took 240 House seats to 194 that went Democratic. Republicans have won House control in four straight elections and 10 of the last 12 - regardless of the fate of their presidential nominees. All sobering numbers - right down to the grass roots.

Posted - November 29, 2016

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  • 3934
    The Democratic Party should be very concerned. On the other hand, they largely have only themselves to blame.

    I once read an aphorism (possibly attributed to Will Rogers) that if the American People have the option to vote for an actual Republican or a Democrat who acts like a Republican, they'll almost always choose the real deal.

    Since the Democratic Leadership Council "Third Way" GATT/NAFTA/Deregulate Telecom/Deregulate Wall Street/End Welfare As We Know It/Jail the Superpredators/Drone Strikes For Everyone elements of the Democratic Party have held sway, the Democrats have routinely had their asses handed to them. With Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, the Democrats were able to craft a narrative which covered up the fundamental centrism of those two politicians. HRC is, policy-wise, little different from Bill or Barack, but she lacks their personal magnetism...and we saw how well that worked for her.

    Eventually, the Democrats are going to have to come up with a better sales pitch than, "We're NOT QUITE as oppressive and corrupt as the GOP."
      November 29, 2016 5:55 PM MST
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