I for one am sick to DEATH of hearing we can't take back the Congress in 2018...

[malchickiwick]

Oh, the open Senate seats are too weighted against us...; oh, the number of House seat are just too large... -- FUCK all of that. (i'd use the term "pearl-clutcher" here but as that label was lobbed at some here, including myself, who dared to express anxiety pre Nov. 05, I won't).

The one thing #notmypresident has made great again is the resolve of those millions of us who believe in what this country means to the future of the world. We need to reclaim the legislative branch in 2018: No ifs, ands, or buts. Both Houses. Failure is NOT an option!! And then we can Benghazi committee that orange menace and his borscht-slurping minions for all the world to see, and out the treasonous members of the GOP as the Benedict Arnolds that they are.

Think about what the "Tea Party" did in 2010, and then compare the demographics. They are white, old, and slowly but surely slipping away. We are diverse, young, and growing day by day. We have a chance to claim the future for progressive ideals. We could turn this anomaly into the greatest thing that ever happened to this country for its galvanizing effect on us -- the opposition! But if we don't make it happen in 2018......................................................?

[Phoenix61]

1. Based on the level of activism I'm seeing

I'm with you. It seems that being political, which had fallen out of favor, is now seen as cool. I've been surprised by how many 25-35 year olds want to talk about politics and how many watch Rachel. I'm in a deep red area, so it's been a very pleasant surprise.

[malchickiwick]

3. We gotta keep the pot boiling until 11/06/2018. I believe we can do it!!

Thanks for your input

[yeoman6987]

25. Activism is great but the 10 elections since November has had dreadful turnouts

I'd rather the vote then be activists to be honest. At a minimum do both. I don't understand why it's so hard to vote. I remember in November 2015, we had literally 1 question on the ballot and it was about keeping or take away a penny on sales taxes for the county hospital. I went to vote and we kept the penny. The point is I will vote no matter what. Why don't some feel the same???

[Phoenix61]

35. The Great Vote Myth

Your vote doesn't matter. The government is a gigantic bureaucracy that will do what it wants. There is nothing you can do.

It has been amazingly effective in disenfranchising most of the population. No reason to mess around with voting laws or districts if you can convince people voting is pointless. IMO, a perfect example of learned helplessness.

Three guesses who pushes this myth and the first two don't count.

I really think massive add campaigns to remind people that one person and their vote do indeed count need to be launched ASAP. The Starfish Story is one of my favorites.


http://www.esc16.net/users/0020/FACES/Starfish%20Story.pdf

[TreasonousBastard]

2. Who says that? Everyone I know is insane with glee about taking it all back.

[malchickiwick]

4. I see a LOT of push back here at DU. Especially when it comes to the Senate.

But I'd love to see that glee come to fruition Nov. 6 2018. I hope you are right!!

[TreasonousBastard]

27. Alas, DU often has very little to do with the real world...

Local Democrats here are excited and motivated. Most of us know we were taken by surprise and just didn't work hard enough. Or smart enough.

We're working on that.

[Jim Beard]

5. I think we have a slim chance but still, a chance........

I agree the energy is there.

[malchickiwick]

7. The energy was there among the cletuses in 2010 -- that's my point!!

Let's DO this!

[dalton99a]

6. The House is doable. Anything is better than nothing.

[malchickiwick]

8. BOTH houses are "doable" we just need energy and organization.

Please, PLEASE, don't write off the Senate just because history says it ain't possible. It's time to wake up from the nightmare.

[still_one]

9. The house is very doable. The Senate is an uphill battle because the Democrats have 25 seats to

defend, while the republicans only have 8 seats to defend, and six of them are in Mississippi, Nebraska, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming.

Winning is important, but what the minimum requirement is that we win enough seats in the Senate so we still have the filibuster. That is critical

[malchickiwick]

10. This is my point. All those states are uphill climbs, but a blue wave can swamp them.

No doubt the House is mathematically much more possible. No dispute. But I am really hopeful for more than that.

[MoonRiver]

22. Well, the House is hardly "anything."

It's where Impeachment is done, after all. I'm not young, but I stand with the premise that the youth in our country are the ones to best affect progressive changes. But the elderly are probably going to also rise up and revolt against this cruel administration and the Repuke cretins that enable it.

[democrank]

11. Do everything you can to make it happen and

encourage others to do the same. Ignore naysayers. They're always around, but they can't stop you....or progress.

[malchickiwick]

13. True That!!

Thanks. I'm so nervous about the energy dissipating between now and then. SO nervous...we need to stay eyes on the prize. It is NOT too much to ask. Thanks for your strength!

[andym]

12. It's not impossible- just difficult

because so many House districts are considered safe GOP with large GOP majority of voters due to Gerrymandering. The Republicans would have to be so discouraged as to stay home, and everyone else would have to come out and vote Democratic. If Trump and the GOP Congress hit very high unpopular levels. Less than 30% for Trump for example, then it might happen.

[malchickiwick]

14. I actually think we can pull it of if he's between 35-40, though obviously that makes it harder

But you make a great point we need energy on our side and a bit of lethargy on the right will help, but we can't control that. Hopefully the menace himself will take care of that side of the coin. I am all about getting our side energized -- full throttle, because that is the side of the coin over which we have a say. Thanks for your insights.

[pat_k]

15. Of course we can!

But Dems need to change some bad habits:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=8812658

[caroldansen]

16. Yes we can. And we WILL!

[Exultant Democracy]

17. There are 15 house seats in CA,TX,FL, AZ and CO

Where even the smallest bump in the Latino and Hispanic vote will be enough to flip the district. Ben Ray Lujan and Tom Perez are the key players leading that effort, so let's hope they can crack that code.

The next 15 are harder but if the greater philly area shows up all of a sudden it's a matter of finding 11 more seats across 45 states. I think not winning back the house would be pretty surprising.

The Senate math is a lot harder. However historically when the house flips the senate tends to flip with it even with a harder map.

[smirkymonkey]

18. Thank YOU!

[Trust Buster]

19. Sorry, but facts still matter.

[Alpeduez21]

20. All you have to do

Is get off your ass and vote. Low voter turn out is what costs progressives the election. Well that and the Dems abandoned the 50 state strategy. If there is a position up for election put a Democrat on the ballot.

You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.

[Kath2]

21. If we don't make it happen we are screwed.

Resist, persist and VOTE like your life depends on it!

[crazycatlady]

23. We need to start by contesting every race

This includes state legislatures (some elected in 2018 will be in charge of redistricting), and county/local offices.

If you forfeit a game before kickoff, it will always be a loss.

[Demsrule86]

24. I have not heard people say that.

I think we can...the GOP gerrymander make it tougher. But there are seats in districts that went for Hillary...already working on 2018.

[kentuck]

26. If Democrats cannot take back the House in 2018...?

Can they ever take it back?

[L. Coyote]

28. I'm sick of defeatism.

[beachbum bob]

29. don't beleive the naysayers...if democrats vote we win congress back

that has ALWAYS been the case...and 2018 will be an election like no other as millions more people come out to vote against trump and the conservative agenda

[redstateblues]

30. You haven't heard me say that.

[Orrex]

31. Rebubs control the districting, the voting machines and the press

That's not to say that it will be impossible to flip the House and Senate in 2018, but it'll be a longshot.

[titaniumsalute]

32. I think we can 100% take the House

Senate will be tough. The real prize though is we need to take 4 or 5 GOvernors and some state legislatures/AGs, etc.

Some big Gov prizes would be NJ, Ohio, FL, and Michigan.

[edhopper]

33. For the Senate

There are 24 Democrats running and only 8 Republicans

So every Dem will have to win and pick up 3 out of 8 Republican seats.

Which States can we pick up from these? (assuming no Democrat loses):



Alabama: Luther Strange (Intent for 2018 unknown) Current age: 63

Arizona: Jeff Flake (Won by 49% in 2012) (Intent for 2018 unknown) Current age: 54

Mississippi: Roger Wicker (Won by 57% in 2012) (Intent for 2018 unknown) Current age: 65

Nebraska: Deb Fischer (Won by 56% in 2012) (Intent for 2018 unknown) Current age: 65

Nevada: Dean Heller (Won by 46% in 2012) (Running in 2018) Current age: 56

Tennessee: Bob Corker (Won by 65% in 2012) (Intent for 2018 unknown) Current age: 64

Texas: Ted Cruz (Won by 57% in 2012) (Running in 2018) Current age: 46

Utah: Orrin Hatch (Won by 65% in 2012) (Intent for 2018 unknown) Current age: 82

Wyoming: John Barrasso (Won by 76% in 2012) (Intent for 2018 unknown) Current age: 64

[Wounded Bear]

34. K & R ...... nt

[Soxfan58]

36. In normal times

But these times are not normal. President dumb ass will hang like mill stone around his supporters in congress necks. But we need to chalage them everywhere, not just blue states.

[alarimer]

37. It is going to hinge on turn out and Democrats don't vote in midterms.

They simply do not. You can see the dismal turnout for the special elections that have been held recently and it sucks.