Opinion: If Democrats want to win, they must change the venue - Rubin

[question everything]

Last edited Mon Jan 17, 2022, 02:28 PM - Edit history (1)

(snip)

When it comes to voting rights and, frankly, all constitutional rights, Biden must take his case outside the Beltway. The theme is simple: Do not let politicians control voters. Preserve Americans’ control over their government and their own lives. That means Democrats need to double down in support of state-level, pro-democracy referendums akin to anti-gerrymandering initiatives that have succeeded in curbing partisan redistricting. Voters can insist on nonpartisan redistricting and shield election workers from removal without cause. They can also block abortion “bounties” and other schemes that impair women’s physical autonomy.

Democrats also need to win elections for state judges to ensure that those interpreting state laws and constitutions value democracy and privacy rights. Democrats should likewise heavily invest in state legislative and executive races (i.e., governor, secretary of state, state attorney general). If they win more of these contests, they can hamper Republicans’ agenda. Quite simply, this is a battle to prevent authoritarians from thwarting the will of the people and the rights of individuals.

Yes, Democrats will have to overcome voter suppression and gerrymandering. But that does not mean they are incapable of winning more statewide races, firing up and expanding their base, making headway in state courts and enlisting popular support for voters to maintain control over politicians (not the reverse). Broadly speaking, this is putting democracy on the ballot. In concrete terms, it means stopping Republicans from disempowering voters. Arrogant incumbents who figure out ways to avoid getting voted out of office can pursue wildly unpopular policies — from dismantling gun safety measures to allowing the government to decide when a women will bear children.

(snip)

Biden cannot remake the Supreme Court. He cannot change Republicans, nor can he reason with Manchin and Sinema. What he can do is get more Democrats elected. The way to do that is pointing to Democrats successes (addressing covid, increasing jobs, investing in infrastructure) and making sure voters understand how Republicans plan to impose their extremist vision on Americans.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/01/16/if-democrats-want-win-they-must-change-venue

[Chin music]

1. Starts w yard signs.

Plan on them now.

[PortTack]

2. FYI: Dems have faired well in local and state special elections this past year

Troup county GA dem leader said GA won 41 local and county board seats this past year.

[CrispyQ]

3. Holding the previous administration accountable would go a long way to revving up the base.

They're cutting it kind of close considering how demoralized the base is right now. People in my state start voting weeks before the election.

https://people.com/politics/jan-6-committee-public-hearings-wrap-investigation-before-midterm-elections/

snip...

So far, the panel has interviewed more than 300 witnesses, issued more than 50 subpoenas, and collected more than 35,000 pages of documents for the investigation, according to the Post.

But the work continues for the committee, which is reportedly working on a tentative schedule that includes public hearings this winter and into spring, followed by the interim report in the summer and a full report coming out before the November midterm elections, which could flip the House and give a majority to Republicans who might want to shut down the investigation.

[comradebillyboy]

4. Dems need to be celebrating their successes not whining

about their failures. Biden has accomplished a lot of good things in his first year. Want more success elect more Democrats. Want more failure keep on attacking Democrats.

[Diamond_Dog]

5. I am being cautiously optimistic here in Ohio

That our state and Congressional districts will be more fair since the state Supreme Court ruled the maps unconstitutional last week. That means more accurate representation! We have our share of Rethugs in Ohio, to be sure, but it’s not the percentage reflected by our state reps. I believe 48% of Ohio voted Dem in the last statewide election. Yet we have over 60% R as reps. This is a travesty I hope will change for the better soon.

[bucolic_frolic]

6. Dems have to demonize the other side. Turnabout is fair play

[LetMyPeopleVote]

7. I agree with Rubin

[wnylib]

8. So do I. Most of the responses

to the OP do not address what it says. Republicans gained their current power by doing exactly what the OP says that Dems need to do now.

The Dem party leaders in each state need to seek out leaders across the state to promote Dem policies at the grass roots level. Get Dems elected local and state offices and we won't need to worry about state laws that allow legislatures to overturn elections. Take control at the state and local level and we can repeal voter suppression laws in those states.

Power to the people. Grass roots power.