For Democrats, the right lesson from 2014 is to be more liberal

[joeybee12]

Republicans will probably take control of the Senate in the 2014 elections, according to the latest projections. It's a grim result for liberals, particularly when you consider the likely consequences: the mountain of garbage legislation that will be dumped on the White House...the possible gutting of the Congressional Budget Office...the total halting of the confirmation process for judiciary and executive branch positions.

But if Democrats do lose, they must try to keep their cool, and refrain from sinking into the usual pessimism. Because make no mistake, centrist sellouts like Will Marshall are going to descend on the Democrats' routed supporters and proclaim that the party must turn right to have a chance of victory in 2016. It's critical that Democrats ignore these calls, not only because they betray a pathetic spinelessness, but also because they're not even close to being true.

Here's why Democrats are behind in 2014, in descending order of importance: 1) In the Senate, Dems are defending the 2008 wave election, which means they have to beat back challenges in 21 out of 36 seats; 2) Democratic voters are systematically less likely to turn out in midterm elections; 3) the House has been heavily gerrymandered to give Republicans a large handicap; 4) President Obama is fairly unpopular, especially in the states where the races are tightest. All together, Republicans have a significant advantage overall in a contest that will come down to turnout operations.

The bellwether for this cycle is the Senate race in Colorado, where the Democratic incumbent Mark Udall is slightly behind Republican Cory Gardner in a tight race. To his credit, Udall isn't being cowed by Very Serious Person hand-wringing. He's making a hard play to turn out the Democratic base (basically minorities and women), and isn't backing off his strong anti-torture and pro-civil liberties positions, despite being viciously terror-baited for it.

http://theweek.com/article/index/270820/for-democrats-the-right-lesson-from-2014-is-to-be-more-liberal

[PeteSelman]

1. That's always the right lesson but they never learn it.

Mainly because they are owned by the same people that own the Republicans.

Watch what happens if the Republicans get control of the Senate. There will be no solidarity on "our" side. There will be enough Democratic votes to pass whatever crazy shit the baggers want.

[joeybee12]

2. It's about money...

Always has been to some extent, but it's getting worse...

[GeorgeGist]

3. Seems that spineless is their fall back position.

[FSogol]

4. Republicans WILL NOT take control of the Senate in the 2014 elections. Stop the defeatist attitude

and GOTV.

Democrats have raised more money, have registered more new voters, and have better ground game and records. We are headed for a win.

[JI7]

5. the lesson for most elections is it depends on the state, district

it's actually a weakness for the republican party that they are having to put so much effort into winning seats in red states.

even if they might win now it could be a sign of future problems.