Big midterm lesson: Democrats will need an inspiring candidate to beat Trump in 2020

[andym]

Big midterm lesson: Democrats will need an inspiring candidate to beat Trump in 2020
Matthew Rosza
Salon, 11/12/18
https://www.salon.com/2018/11/12/one-big-midterm-lesson-democrats-will-need-an-inspiring-presidential-candidate-to-beat-trump-in-202/

Here's the thing about President Donald Trump's supporters: They aren't a majority, and they aren't growing in number, but they are passionate and loyal. Most important of all, they show up on Election Day. The midterm elections are simply the latest occasion when this was demonstrated. True, Democrats regained control of the House of Representatives, but they didn't do so by the overwhelming margin that many had hoped to see -- and they actually lost seats in the Senate. Turnout in the 2018 midterms was the highest in any similar election since 1966, but that wasn't just Democrats eager to repudiate Trump. Republicans also turned out in unusually high numbers, considering that their party is currently in control of the White House. (Normally, the party that's out of power sees higher turnout in midterm elections). Trump convinced his voters that they needed to go to the polls to protect him, and they did so.
...
It isn't that Trump is exceedingly popular, but rather that the people who support him will clearly stick with their man no matter what and make a point of showing that loyalty where it counts the most. For Democrats to effectively counter this, they have to make sure that their presidential nominee in 2020 — who will, inevitably, play a crucial role in determining the fate of the down-ballot Democrats running for Senate and House seats, as well as for governorships and state legislatures — is able to inspire turnout on an equally impressive scale.
...
That said, Democrats can pick a nominee who has the best of what Biden can offer without being Biden himself. They need a nominee who, like Trump, appears to be a blunt truth-teller who speaks his mind and heart. (That isn't true of Trump, of course, but it is widely perceived as being true). The candidate must be able to advocate for progressive policies on issues like health care, environmental protection, the economy and protecting minorities in a way that enthuses the Democratic base without alienating independents and moderates. He or she must be able to appeal to the voters in the so-called flyover states, either because they hail from them -- like Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota or Gov. Steve Bullock of Montana -- or because they appeal to them naturally, like Biden himself.
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Finally, the candidate must hold Trump's feet to the fire on the issues where he is weakest — such as his unethical conduct in office, his inflammatory rhetoric, his policies that persecute the poor and various racial and religious minority groups — without making it seem like all they have to offer is the benefit of not being Trump.

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This is a balanced article, explains why it will be necessary to have someone who inspires folks. I think it's obvious that inspirational ability should extend from as much of the very diverse Democratic base as possible to even people with differing political opinions.

[vlyons]

1. I disagree

While it would be nice to have a truly inspiring candidate, even a bland personality will do just fine. If you think that Trump is reviled now, just wait until his corruption starts getting exposed this winter and next Spring. He won't be the only one shown to be criminally corrupt. I suspect more than a Republicans will get snared in the drag net too.

[violetpastille]

4. +1

I would actually go hard for a bland candidate right about now. Beyond no drama, someone you don't even think about most days, just getting the work done, taking care of business.

[elleng]

2. Absolutely!

As I posted recently, Race and gender aside, I think we should nominate a candidate who SPEAKS POWERFULLY, like Biden and Booker; others may suggest others.

[violetpastille]

3. I take the opposite view.

The message I get is:

We have to be as loyal to our nominee as the Rebublicans are to theirs.

They don't wait for inspiration and neither should we.

WE are their inspiration to vote. Their hate of us inspires them.

and WE must be our own inspiration as well. Our love of freedom must inspire us.

[happy feet]

9. This!

[treestar]

10. +1

FFS they are setting us up already! Don't fall for it!

[lagomorph777]

5. Big midterm lesson: Basic pocketbook issues and common sense work just fine.

Dems were not selling hysteria; our candidates were selling basic health insurance protections. Couldn't be a more boring issue, but it's something voters strongly cared about because the Russiapublicans are trying to hurt our families.

[stuffmatters]

6. To me Tammy Duckworth & Sherrod Brown both check all the boxes & would win

[EarthFirst]

7. #notaclinton n/t

[murielm99]

8. I don't care if the person is charismatic.

I want someone who is competent.

It is our duty to vote, not some form of entertainment.

Let the movie stars and singers be inspiring and the leaders be leaders.

If someone tells you that he or she is voting for the lesser of two evils, tell them how foolish they are.