2016 Postmortem

yallerdawg

(16,104 posts) Sun Dec 4, 2016, 10:07 AM Dec 2016

The Way Forward for Democrats: Your Message Works, Fight HARDER for It

by Peter Daou

*****

First, I want to dispense with all the hand-wringing and overwrought analysis of Hillary’s Electoral College loss. The reality is painfully simple: Her public image was viciously and relentlessly attacked by right, left and media and the damage ultimately proved too much to surmount. Despite one of the greatest character assassinations in political history, she’s still on track to win the popular vote by a convincing margin.

The fact that more Americans voted for Hillary’s values than Trump’s should be the north star for Democrats in the difficult years to come.

*****

Some highlights from his two 'tweetstorms.'

PART ONE: DON’T CHANGE YOUR MESSAGE, JUST FIGHT HARDER FOR IT

2. I'm a Democrat because the Party better reflects American values of equality, fairness, justice. More Dems = more positive progress.

5. For 15 years, I've watched in dismay as Dems, whose positions are morally sound and popular, cede ground to dirty-fighting Republicans.

13. Proud to stand with those who resisted the hideous character assassination of Hillary, someone I know personally to be a good soul.

18. The unwillingness of her team to hit back HARD and FAST any and every time Hillary's integrity was impugned telegraphed weakness.

19. Her campaign's deference/respect to the national media as they blasted away at Hillary's character was a significant strategic error

21. Hillary did everything she had to do as a candidate and much, much more. No one should have to endure what she did. EVER.

24. More than 65 million Americans voted to affirm Hillary's values, her core Democratic principles. THAT is the source of Dem power.

25. Don't tell 65 million Hillary voters her message was wrong. It wasn't. Tell them we will no longer tolerate the GOP's shameless politics

PART TWO: NAVIGATING THE BLUE-RED DIVIDE

4. One common trait: Blue and red Americans each claim moral high ground and believe that THEY are fighting for core American values.

5. Setting aside whether blue or red has moral high ground, one thing is certain: The MINORITY (red) is about to rule the MAJORITY (blue).

9. So how did we get to where the MINORITY (red) rules the MAJORITY (blue)? Big reason: Dem leaders play by the rules, GOP not so much.

10. Dem leaders typically respect press, societal norms, Constitutional precedents. GOP leaders don't give a flying f, as long as they win.

11. Trump is the living embodiment of the GOP philosophy of win at all costs. When only one team adopts that strategy they tend to dominate.

13. Soon, Trump voters (and Trump himself) will find out that there are no magic solutions in politics -- or life. Suffering is our lot.

14. All we can ever rely on as humans is our dignity. It's the one thing that can NEVER be taken away. By anyone, ever. In life or death.

15. Finally, if we defend/promote universal values of fairness, justice, equality, compassion, we WIN in the only way that really matters.