General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe effect of caving on Filibuster I haven't seen discussed: Turnout 2014.
What are hardcore Democratic voters and activists like us thinking about the mid-terms?
'What's the point?,' comes to mind.
I'm not suggesting not turning out or not working for the party, but they ain't making it easy.
OKNancy
(41,832 posts)LOSE.
ETA: I original wrote do what "we" did... but not every Democrat was stupid about the mid-terms.
Some actually voted and voted for Democrats instead of staying home and complaining.
sadbear
(4,340 posts)Renew Deal
(81,801 posts)So no effect.
kimbutgar
(20,876 posts)only allowed during Presidential years? Maybe hypothetically we could get a 60 seat majority in 2014. If the GOP continues its rightward lurch and pisses off more people it could be a landslide for the Democratic party. I just don't see the GOP gaining more voters as they continue to alienate different groups. The angry high school graduate white men are not the majority in this country, but we can work over the women to come our way.
earthside
(6,960 posts)It is the average Democratic voter.
When they see the now usual gridlock and dysfunction of the U.S. Senate ... and nothing getting done, they're the ones who are going to say: What's the point?
I still say that is a big reason for the Tea Party sweep of 2010 -- Pres. Obama caved on the public plan option on healthcare and he doubled-down on the 'surge' in Afghanistan -- what was the point of a Democratic President and a Democratic Senate and House if those folks in Washington weren't going to fight for us?
So, average Democratic voters simply weren't sufficiently fired-up enough to vote and counter the Teabagger tide.
McConnell and the Repuglicans aren't stupid, they know that even if they look like obstructionists, in the end gridlock works in their favor especially in mid-term elections. And that is why the filibuster defeat could be a significant political disaster.
Because if the Senate Repuglicans and the Teapublican House decides to play this 'do nothing' game again, we could see a repeat of 2010. Repuglicans don't care if nobody likes them, just as long as nominal Democrats and liberal independents don't vote.
Reid and the Senate Democratic leadership made a BIG mistake yesterday, in my opinion. Now we just have to see how this plays out.