With McCaskill defeat, Missouri Democrats have hit rock-bottom. Now what?

[pstokely]

https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/steve-kraske/article221309670.html

"Now why in the world would I be thinking about “Death Valley Days” in connection with Missouri Democrats? That’s precisely where they are today: stranded in Death Valley without any water, without any help in sight.

It’s almost as if Tuesday’s results complete a career arc for me. When I arrived in Jefferson City in 1988, and in ensuing years, Democrats were almost as dominant as Republicans are today. Claire McCaskill was a state representative from Kansas City with a future as sparkling as one of these fall afternoons we’ve enjoyed.

But look at Missouri Democrats today. They soon will hold neither U.S. Senate seat. Six of the state’s eight U.S. House seats are in GOP hands. Republicans retained their supermajorities in the General Assembly. And they’ve got all the statewide offices, save one.

Missouri Democrats are at their nadir."

[rockfordfile]

1. yes Democratic Party needs to get its act together

[leftynyc]

19. Bullsht

She's from a red state and is lucky she lasted as long as she did in that seat. We ran on health care, saving social security, infrastructure and anti corruption and had an excellent night. Took the House and 7 governorships. Donnie was hit in the face in just about every suburb and his position with women voters is in the sewer. Our "act" is in good shape and it's the party that has tied themselves to a scummy, whoremongering degenerate that's in trouble.

[samnsara]

26. ...well perhaps just in that ONE state...?

...the dems pretty much have their act together.. except for some fine tuning.. im happy with them!

[Cary]

27. We have wiped out Republcians here in Illinois

No one should be badmouthing Democrats.

[Hokie]

2. McCaskill ran away from Democratic principles

Republican lite usually loses. This is another example.

[qazplm135]

4. LMAO

No one was winning in Missouri this year. No one.

[Stellar]

32. That's right!

Why pick a Republican-lite if you can have a pure Republican. Missouri needs to start from scratch, if you want to call yourself a Democrat, then run like one, using our values.

[aeromanKC]

3. We were lucky to have had Claire for the past 6 years as a D (even if she was a DINO)

MO is F'd. Rapidly becoming North Alabama. The Racism and pure ignorance is rampant here.

We are fortunate that AZ is becoming purple and even Blue to replace MO. Heck even Georgia is becoming more blue than MO. It sucks living here amongst so many F'n ignorant Trumptard racists.

[pstokely]

7. probably lucky to even have Nicole Galloway

probably would have lost against a repuke candidate with less baggage

[pstokely]

8. it's not North Alabama

at least not until Mizzou can beat Alabama in football

[workinclasszero]

9. Kansas just slapped down one of the worst GOP vote suppressors in the country, elected a democratic

female Governor and elected a democratic female, Native American lesbian to office.

Damn redstate Trump country Missouri got rid of our democratic Senator following Trump into a GOP shithole of degradation and despair!

When koch bros Kansas is more liberal than your own state there is no hope.

The only thing that makes me happy are the great ballot initiatives we passed in Missouri and Pat Mahomes and the KC Chiefs.

Everything else in this Trump cult paradise sucks shit!

[DemocracyMouse]

12. So you AGREE with statement #2 above?

If progressive ballot initiatives are being voted in, then maybe the Dem politicians should stop holding back their wisdom and campaign as progressives, not right-leaning centrists. Something powerful happens when a candidate says what they really think – their voice quakes, becomes more resonant (like the Quakers, one of the most progressive religious groups in the country – and BTW, they welcome all faiths, and even atheists, into their Sunday meetings for worship)

It seems you would agree with #2 above: “McCaskill ran away from Democratic principles. Republican lite usually loses. This is another example.”

[aeromanKC]

14. With the help of a 3rd Party in Kansas for Governor.

and for Davids, it helped that she was a well known pseudo star. Claire on the other hand is as hated in Missouri due to the RWNJ's railing against her 24/7 and vilifying her just like they did with Hillary. Missouri has more population than Kansas. KC and St. Louis can't bring it nome like they used to be able to do. A liberal will not win in Missouri under normal circumstances. (I/E like Alabama running a pedo or another Akin legitimate rape GOP candidate) We had fantastic liberal candidates for Governor and Senator in 2016 (a Presidential year) and we lost. Like I said, Missouri is a racist F'n waste of a state full of Trump deplorable MAGAt's.

[bullwinkle428]

30. You raise a very interesting point. Does this mean that Missouri has to

literally hit rock-bottom like Kansas did, in order for the people of that state to realize that indulging in RW garbage is truly a road to nowhere? I don't know the answer, but it could point toward a possible future.

[workinclasszero]

34. Boy that would be great

If true.

[The Genealogist]

21. Agree

I've lived all but 6 years of my life here. Missouri has changed a lot in my 45 years. It was once far more Democratic, but like the South, it has moved toward Republicans for years. While many long time residents have grown more conservative, my area of the state attracts conservative retirees from around the country like crazy, to the Branson/lakes area. Not only does the social life attract conservative seniors, the lower cost of living does as well. It's like Disneyland for retired Trumpsters down there.

I think a big part of McCaskill's victory 2012 was that she ran against a crappy Republican, Todd "legitimate rape" Akin. Things hadn't gone off the rails with Trump at the time, and many conservative folks were still uncomfortable with what Akin was saying. Had it been Akin again in 2018, I think he would have won because people are now used to conservative politicians saying much worse. Trump normalized it, and conservatives LOVE it.

Of course, there are blue pockets, even in the reddest areas. I live in Springfield. A state house district adjacent to mine sent a Democrat back to Jeff City with a nearly 2 -1 victory over her opponent.

[BlueintheSTL]

5. +1

I actually think North Arkansas is more appropriate. Missouri went from a light blue state in the 90's, to a purple state in the 2000's, to now a bright red state. Kind of like Arkansas, but Missouri became bright red at a slower pace. I have to get out this state.

[GreenPartyVoter]

22. If you don't mind snow, come to Maine!

[Garrett78]

6. I spent the first 25 years of my life in St. Louis. Missouri was once the ultimate bellwether.

But Missouri is now virtually hopeless.

And Democrats need to stop thinking they can win over Republicans. Focus on the metro areas and get out the base. When given a choice between a genuine Republican and a Democrat who tries to appeal to Republicans, Republicans will choose the former in almost every instance.

[sharedvalues]

10. Start campaigning against Fox News or you'll never win in MO again.

[Azathoth]

11. Rest, regroup, then begin to rebuild

The pendulum is guaranteed to swing the other way, sooner or later.

[Blue_true]

13. I agree. Start rebuilding from the ground up.

Recruit levelheaded democrats to run for things like commissioners and mayors. Build out support infrastructure to provide support and advice. Run good candidates for state senate and house.

[diva77]

16. Some organizers in southern California have started a monthly Dem luncheon just to keep volunteers

from the midterms engaged. Would that sort of thing help in Missouri?

[OnDoutside]

23. Great idea.

[Blue_true]

25. Yes. As well as events for newly registered voters where people can fellowship.

And potential democratic candidates. Of course Project Veritas will try to slip in shit throwers, that will have to be watched out for.

[Cha]

20. I like your spirit..

and attitude.

Regrouping is vital!

[UCmeNdc]

15. FOX News propaganda destroys Democratic Politicians

Claire McCaskill was a giant target for Fox News. Their propaganda attack campaign did her in.

[rwheeler31]

17. We have to figure out who can win the governors race.

We need someone flash to wake people up.

[pstokely]

18. Jason Kander?

he dropped his bid for KC mayor, he might be available

[rwheeler31]

35. I thought about him but only if he is well enough.

His well being is more important.

[Autumn]

24. Now the Republicans in Missouri get what they voted for?

The Dems there will have to come up with a strategy and figure out how to reach them and change their votes.

[Cary]

29. Missouri has always been schizo

It had to be occupied by the Union Army while it trued to decide which side it was on.

Good luck finding a strategy.

[Blue_Tires]

28. You'd think the author would be encouraged by the gains Dems made in other states

and the same turnaround can easily happen in Missouri with a bit of vision and bold strategy...

I dunno, maybe the state's party leadership could do with some fresh thinking??

[leftyladyfrommo]

31. I don't think much has changed here.

These rural people are dyed in the wool Republicans. I don't think they really like Trump but they won't vote Democrat until hell freezes over.

[logosoco]

33. In Jefferson County, right next to St. Louis to the south

it is pretty much ALL republicans at this point. Except, interestingly enough, the county collector who we write out personal property checks to. So I do think at some level the folks here know not to trust the repubs. with the cash. That is why I voted NO on the gas tax. Yes, the roads need the funds, but I do not trust those in power right now with the revenue.

THAT is one place where the Dems. should be showing the folks here (we are the show me state!) that the republicans do not do finances well. The debt always rises when they are in office. These are solid numbers that need to be shown and often!

I do not watch "regular" tv so I don't see the ads, but i am hoping Claire was telling the farmers the tariffs have hurt them badly. She knew the voters always go against the Right to Work crap (There is a Right to Work is a Rip off sticker on at least one out of three cars in this area) and she should have stressed it is the Repubs. that want us to go that way. Something like "Are you tired of voting down Right to Work measures? Then put the folks in office that KNOW this is not good for the workers in this state!"

I was born in MO and I am slow but not stupid! Instead of trying to be polite or talk as a moderate, the Dems. need to just show the facts in a simple, easy to understand way. Numbers are a good way to do that. Facts can be explained.

Just venting here because I am confused and disappointed in my fellow Missourians this week. There is some solace in that the races did have a relatively close margin (at least in my county), but close only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades!

[Demsrule86]

36. Maybe they should have supported Claire...instead of running her down.