Democrats Could Win 50 House Seats. Heres How.

[elleng]

DUBUQUE, Iowa — If Democrats are planning to ride an anti-Trump wave to a takeover of the House in 2018, they can’t just rely on seats where voters resisted Donald Trump in 2016. They also face the major task of winning back those rural and blue-collar whites who defected to the president.

That path runs through places like Dubuque County, Iowa, where a 28-year-old Democratic state representative, Abby Finkenauer, is running for Congress against a GOP incumbent, Rep. Rod Blum.

When she was growing up, the area was known for two things.

One was its large Catholic population. Like Finkenauer, many residents here are descendants of German and Irish immigrants who settled along the Mississippi River in the 19th century. The second was its work ethic. Like Finkenauer’s father, a longtime welder, many were active union members.

For decades, that combination made Dubuque a Democratic stronghold. President Barack Obama won the county by double-digit margins in each of his elections while easily carrying the state.

"I grew up hearing about people being Kennedy Democrats and now people talk about being Joe Biden Democrats," Finkenauer said at a picnic table outside her father’s house in rural Sherrill, which sits on a hill overlooking the Wisconsin border.'>>>

http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/democrats-could-win-50-house-seats-here-s-how-n792061?cid=sm_npd_nn_fb_ma

[guillaumeb]

1. An interesting analysis, but,

if the Democrats are perceived to be the Party of urban voters, they must have a message of more than just "we are not Trump" because people need a compelling reason to vote for something or someone. The 40 something percent of non-voters are testament to the apathy which can only be overcome with a compelling message.

And given the structural advantages of incumbency, any challengers will need motivated volunteers and a message of why the challenger can and will do a better job.

And as we all know, the corporate media is more interested in the race itself rather than in the actual issues.

[elleng]

2. Right, and

'Democrats have a national structural disadvantage, driven by a combination of gerrymandering and the clustering of their voters in cities. That means they’ll have to compete on even tougher terrain than they did ahead of their 2006 wave, which netted 30 seats in the House and a new majority.'

[guillaumeb]

3. And that gerrymandering would not have happened if not for a very low turnout of Democrats in 2010.

Which leads back to the need for a compelling message.

[elleng]

4. which message includes that and those of a variety of candidates and public officials,

including Martin O'Malley, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Randy Bryce, Pete Buttigieg, Nina Turner, and others.

[guillaumeb]

5. Unity? Imagine the possibilities.

But some would say that any Party unity presupposes and requires having the exact same message when in fact sometimes local circumstances and issues argue for a message specific to the area.

[elleng]

6. Right, and not 'sometimes' do local circumstances and issues argue for a specific message,

but I'll suggest ALWAYS. Open our EYES, Democrats, liberals and progressives!

[MFM008]

8. Yes but the

Anti -maggot message will work as well.

[elleng]

10. No it won't.

[guillaumeb]

11. But name-calling will not inspire people to rethink what they currently believe.

One can identify solutions without insulting people.

[MFM008]

17. Actually I have

No intention of trying.
I don't know any maggot supporters.
I don't want to know them.
If they can think this moral midget is doing a good job
Destroying our country and planet they can go
jump in an active volcano.
I have nothing but insults for them.
They don't want solutions.
They want the douchebag in chief to blow
It all up.
There is no discussion.

[oberliner]

7. Democrats need to step forward and provide leadership now

Even though we are in the minority in government. I know that some have done so, but more, it seems, in response to Trump.

I think it is time to focus on what the Democratic Party agenda will be - and hopefully create a vision that appeals to enough voters to succeed electorally.

[guillaumeb]

12. Exactly. In a parliamentary system, the Democrats would be staffing a shadow Cabinet.

And that is exactly the tactic that should be used, along with a specific program of how to get from here to where the Democrats wish to go.

[idahoblue]

9. Defeat will again be snatched from the jaws of victory.

Too many liberals will each be demanding their version the the perfect candidate and will stay home if that imaginary person is not on the ballot. They will vote for none or third party of the democrat on the ballot has ever spoken to the wrong group, not said the perfect thing at the perfect time, made a decision about some thing that they do not agree with.
Until we can unite behind our imperfect candidate, we will continue to have deplorable Cons who share no progressive values.
Until we democrats understand that the candidate who votes for 80% of our values is far better than the Con who votes no progressives values is better, we will not win. Most is always better than none.

[BigmanPigman]

13. Indivisible is working hard at the local levels doing research

and finding candidates who "fit" their community. They are using the Indivisible Guide which is basically the Tea Party's playbook. We all need to canvas and make calls instead of complaining if we are going to win.

On the other hand, the Dems in Congress have a plan called their "Economic Blueprint" that they would like to tout but with the constant stream of BS coming from the W House they barely have the opportunity.

[elleng]

14. but they have to TAKE the opportunity,

we can't allow loud mouths, even/esp media, to usurp our role.

[stuffmatters]

15. Run AGAINST the voting records of these sadistic Repugs. Educate their districts.

Republicans in Congress have become the Party of Dicks (to quote Maher) Their votes defiantly defy not only common sense but common decency, especially Reps like this guy from the Tea Party. I bet this Tea Party jerk opposed reauthorization of the 911 First Responders Bill, voted for lead bullets to kill bald eagles, voted to keep pesticides that brain damage children, is pro asbestos to give everybody cancer., pro anything big Ag over small farmers,pro tax evasion for big corps that handicaps small business, always pro tax cuts for the wealthy, eliminating the estate tax for those estates over 10 million yet opposes giving school children lunch, certainly for ending medicaid and throwing grandma out of her nursing home as he surely voted for the atrocity to all America called Ryan Trumpcare.
(i.e.Goodbye to everyone's basic benefits required coverage.)

People have no idea what their Republican Rep is voting for. Applegate proved that when he ran the ad against Issa in San Diego county that informed everyone Issa had voted against the 911 First Responders. It shook the foundation of Issa's cakewalk reelection, and lost Issa North San Diego probably forever (only Orange County suspiciously (IMHO) provided the squeaking 1550 votes to reelect Issa.)

Learn from what works. The voting records of all incumbent Republicans are INCREASINGLY repulsive. Educate their voters what their own stupid and cruel Representative is voting for on their dime and in their name. Voting records cannot be changed & they are public information. Use them to win the House (and Senate)

[elleng]

16. Yes. Lots of work to do, but it must be done.

[Stuart G]

18. I hope we win 50,..I would settle for 30...nt