General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Here is the remarkable reporting by Lawrence O'Donnell on the 2016 election [View all]Savannahmann
(3,891 posts)For the last year I've been watching Rand Paul with a wary eye. Rand has several populist platform positions that can sway portions of the voters, potentially enough to win the election. Especially if the Democratic candidate stands firmly on the unpopular side of the issue.
Legalize Maijuana. More than half the population in polling supports this move.
Restrain the NSA. A plurality of the population supports this one.
Demilitarize the police. After the images and videos from Boston and Ferguson nearly half the people support this as well.
He has another of those cut taxes on corporations plans that republicans love.
Foreign policy. It depends on how sick everyone is of the ongoing perpetual war. If they are sick of the constant reports of ongoing air attacks and beheadings, then he stands a chance with his 19th century more isolationist vision.
So what can Democrats do? We can get out in front on those populist issues. We can show the public that we hear them and want to serve them. We can show the people that we care enough to listen.
Or we can run another campaign using lessons from the 20th century and stand on the sidelines as Paul is sworn in. I'd really rather not have to see that, so with a little luck our party is waking up.